[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: ARCSHORTS WEEKLY Alexandria Radio Club Newsletter and Meeting notice February 2021
n4asx at cox.net
n4asx at cox.net
Mon Feb 8 16:10:44 EST 2021
The first one wnt to the -bounce address, this goes to both. If you have
two copies let me know.
73 Rick
From: n4asx at cox.net <n4asx at cox.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2021 2:43 PM
To: alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net
Cc: DeYoung James <deyoung_james at yahoo.com>; Eric Parker
<Eric.Parker at alexandriava.gov>; Mike Washvill <irfna at cox.net>; 'Mike Rhodes'
<mike at mikerhodes.org>; 'Patrick Gray' <patgperiod at gmail.com>; 'Randy Kelly'
<randy_wb4mjf at yahoo.com>; Warren Wylupski <wylupskiw at hotmail.com>; 'Ed
Gibbs' <beachteach15 at yahoo.com>; n4asx at cox.net
Subject: ARCSHORTS WEEKLY Alexandria Radio Club Newsletter and Meeting
notice February 2021
ARC-SHORTS
February 2021
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. Don, KI4D, will
send out the invitations. This month we will host Gordon Miller, NQ4K, to
provide us with a run down on the VIRGINIA QSO party.
See <http://www.vaqsoparty.com/> http://www.vaqsoparty.com/ and
<https://www.qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2021_VQP/2021_VQP_Main.html>
https://www.qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2021_VQP/2021_VQP_Main.html for
more details. The Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) sponsors the VA.
QSO Party and has made it one of the largest in participation of all state
QSO parties. If you look at the two URLs you can see all kinds of graphs
and statistics as well as some hints on how to get a high score. There are
certificates given to all who submit logs and 27 awards given out. Gordon
has presented his program in the past and it is always a good round up of
how the last VAQP went and who sent in logs.
VAQP is the type of contest that you can go full contester, or you enjoy the
variety of stations on the air. The goal is to work all the counties and
cities in Virginia. All bands are in play. May go mobile or portable and
many only use the bands above 50MHz. Something for everyone. Many out of
state stations participate as well.
Good meeting to attend. Gordon may want to do a screen capture of our
membership so be prepared.
73 Rick
N4ASX
Last Meeting
ARC Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2021
Our Guest speaker for January 8, 2021 ARC meeting was Gary Sessums (KC5QCN),
his presentation was on Military Auxiliary Radio Systems (MARS). The MARS
systems services as backup support systems when the there is a communication
outage of the main operating systems.
We were briefed on the status of each committee report.
Our president presented proposed changes to our By Laws, currently term
limits for the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer are two
years. Our treasurer has already served two years. Due to Covid-19 we have
not been able to meet as usual, so we voted to update the by-laws to allow
for an additional year of service. Normally, we would have voted on a new
treasurer and changed all the necessary documents. By updating the by-laws
we are continuing with the treasurer for another year.
The proposed Bylaws Revision were voted on and accepted.
Presidents Corner
On the COVID-19 front, Virginia continues to be under a state of emergency
based on COVID-19 and has extended restrictions based on Executive Order 72
until the end of February 2021. Executive Order 72 specified that all
individuals in Virginia should remain at their place of residence between
the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Individuals may leave their residences
for essential purposes as outlined in the order. The latest general
COVID-19 guidance from the state of Virginia is that 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 Aside of home, and
get tested immediately if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Given the mixed set
of indicators concerning reopening the economy and continued spread of
COVID-19, Alexandria Radio Club leadership has not elected to recommend
resumption of in-person club activities; we will continue with our virtual
meetings using Zoom.
Thanks to Club members who have already paid dues for 2021! This note is
mainly a reminder for those who renew club membership each year in January.
For those who renew in months other than January and want to be pro-active
or want to avoid the rush, you may also pay your renewal dues by January
which will result in 12 months of membership being added to the date of your
last dues payment. Membership dues is $25.00 per year, please see our
website for more details. The easiest and quickest way to pay dues is via
PayPal on the W4HFH website at <https://w4hfh.org> https://w4hfh.org, or
you may mail a check or money order to Alexandria Radio Club, Inc., P.O. Box
30721 , Alexandria, VA 22310.
The club extends gratitude to all who participated in the successful
auctions sales of ham gear previously owned by our silent key members, Jack
Hranicky (K5OTZ) and Roy Wright (K4AXQ). Proceeds from the actions have
already been delivered to their families who have expressed enormous thanks
to ARC.
This month, we are again delighted and fortunate to have new club members.
We are welcoming new club members Nicholas Miller (KC4YNC) and Jimmy Ortiz
(KO4IIU), who recently joined ARC.
The ARC January 8th meeting featured a presentation by Gary Sessums (KC5QCN)
on the Pentagon Radio Club MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System)
operations. Well known in DC/Metro amateur radio circles, Gary works at the
Pentagon providing command and control communications support for the
Department of Defense and is a member of Air Force MARS and the Department
of Homeland Security SHARES HF radio program. Gary Sessums has been a
licensed amateur radio operator for over 25 years, has served as a RACES
Radio Officer and a ARES Emergency Coordinator, and led a commo team in
deploying emergency communications systems during Hurricane Katrina. He was
a member of the ARRL "Force of Fifty" deployed to Puerto Rico in the
aftermath of Hurricane Maria. After Gary's presentation, club business
primarily focused on membership voting approvals for ARC bylaws
modifications and election of Richard Morani (KW4UJ) for a third year as
Club Treasurer. The list of club scheduled activities and presentations
planned for 2021 was presented and discussed, this list is enclosed below.
The Board also welcomes any ideas from club members for programs and
activities in 2021. Please send your ideas to <mailto:president at w4hfh.org>
president at w4hfh.org.
The ARC Leadership Group met on January 15th. The club leadership group
consists of elected officers, committee chairs, and president's emeritus.
Several items were discussed including strategies for membership building
and retention, maximizing the value of new at-large-Board Directors to ARC,
fundraising ideas, adding tech roundtables of potential interest to new and
old club members, updates to the ARC Club Officer's Guide, and maximizing
repeater uses.
Many thanks to those club volunteers that supported the Presidential
Inauguration by staffing the City of Alexandria Emergency Operation Center
(EOC) and the Alexandria INOVA Hospital EOC during the event. Kudos to Rick
Bunn (N4ASX, ARES Coordinator), Ian Keith (N8IK), William Wilson (KM4KLK),
Warren Wylupski (KA2BWU), Scott Granado (KM4RDR), Edward Bradshaw (W4EDF),
Harry Jones (N4CWP), Larry Walker (K4LDW), Mark Wheeler (WU6R), Monica
Wilson (KC2IAY) and Don Lewis (KI4D) for devoting time and effort to this
mission.
Winlink is an email system that provides worldwide email using radio
pathways where the internet is not present. The system is built, operated
and administered entirely by licensed "Ham" volunteers. Currently, five
members of the Alexandria Radio Club regularly maintain their proficiency
using Winlink by checking into <https://winlinkwednesday.net/> Winlink
Wednesday every Wednesday. Credits to Rick Bunn (N4ASX), Rich Adamy
(KA4GFY), Richard Morani (KW4UJ), Ryan Stinebiser (KO4EBY) and Don Lewis
(KI4D) for maintaining their Winlink proficiency, a valuable capability in
case emergencies.
ARC recorded Zoom meetings with featured presentations are located at
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MG9VUqKOWeoWEWt0oBwychbzh4qILqbI?us
p=sharing>
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MG9VUqKOWeoWEWt0oBwychbzh4qILqbI?usp
=sharing.
Scheduled Activities and Presentations for 2021 updated as of February 1,
2020
* January 8th - ZOOM MEETING, Pentagon Radio Club MARS Operations by
Gary Sessums (KC5QCN)
* February 6th - (CANCELLED) FROSTFEST, Richmond, VA
* February 12th - ZOOM MEETING, VA QSO Party, Gordon Miller ( NQ4K)
* February 15th - (CANCELLED) George Washington Day Parade
Participation
* March (Date) - License Classes begin, Ends May (Date)
* March 6th - St Patrick's Day Parade
* March 12th - ZOOM MEETING, Long Island CW Club, Howard Bernstein
(WB2UZE)
* March 20-21th - VA QSO Party Weekend
* April 7th - ZOOM MEETING, FIELD DAY 2021 planning committee kickoff
* April 9th - ZOOM MEETING, West Mountain Radio, Mark Siegesmund
(W9WMR)
* April 24th (VIRTUAL) WINTERFEST, Annandale, VA
* May 14th - ZOOM MEETING, Antenna Tuners:
* When do you need one, and how do they work?, Barry Feierman (K3EUI)
* May 21-23rd - (CANCELLED) HAMVENTION, Dayton,
* June 11th - ZOOM MEETING, FIELD DAY 2020 final briefing
* June 26-27th - FIELD DAY 2021 Weekend
* July 9th - ZOOM MEETING, AREDN, Joe Porcelli (KT3I)
* August 1st - Berryville HAMFEST, Berryville, VA
* August 13th - MEETING
* September 10th - MEETING, MCM Briefng, Howard Cunningham, (WD5DBC)
* October 8th - MEETING, History of ARC, Don Lewis (KI4D)
* October 31st - MARINE CORPS MARATHON
* November 12th - MEMBERSHIP MEETING, Elections
* December 10th - MEETING, Christmas party
Proposed Tech Roundtable Topics for 2021
(Panel of experienced club members and other discussing their experiences
with the topics with Q&A.)
* Mobile installations
* Building a Go-kit for ARES
* Ham Activities for the Technician Class
* Handy talkies options, what kind, how much? Pros and Cons
* Portable ops (rigs, batteries, antennas, etc.)
* Starter Base Station Options
* Stealthy Antennas for city dwellers
* QSL Cards
* Getting Started with ECHOLINK
* Getting Started with Amateur Radio Satellite Communications
* Parks on the Air for Beginners
* Working with Repeaters
* Using NVIS
* Working with Digital modes
* Getting started with WINLINK
* Logging with N3FJP
* HF and Scanner monitoring for beginners
Please stay safe with masks and keep up with your social distancing.
73 Don, KI4D
ARES
I received an e-mail from ARRL telling me that the ARES CONNECT website is
not what ARRL wants and they are terminating their arrangement with the
vendor who created the site. I understand that a new site and system will
be created and hope that it is easier for all of us to use.
Again, It is important to remember that ARES is generally local in function.
This is why we put such emphasis on VHF/UHF operations. Like the Boy Scouts
say "Be Prepared". So, how are WE prepared?
1 - Are you trained?
A - Do you know your equipment and how to get the most out of it? In the
past I have seen many hams show up at a public service event and cannot
program their radios. In the long distant past, VHF and UHF radios were
much simpler and the radios were fairly easy to use. Now we have more
memories than one could ever use, Sub-audible tones to access most of the
repeaters and we have more modes (FM, D-Star, DMR, Fusion, P-25). Many of
us only use our HTs when we are not in the car or operating from home. Our
drill on Dec 16th showed us that infrastructure can fail us.
B - We had real problems getting traffic out of some of our locations and
even out of some of the buildings. This brings us to the second training
element. Know your radio science. How does each band work? What is your
line of sight? Do you understand how to get performance out of your antenna
system?
C - Do you know how and where to operate? This is the ARES part of your
training. When your operating day to day you generally speak one to one or
in small informal groups. With ARES you need to understand "Formal" nets
and net structure. One of the issues is checking into a net and the other
which many forget is checking OUT OF A NET. To check in, it usually best
to wait to be invited. The Net Control Station (NCS) will ask for check ins
and then you might want to wait for the faster keyers to get checked in and
then drop your call. One issue you may have not been taught is checking out
of the net. It is a curtesy when you're in the club net to stick around and
hear the others on the second time around and then shut down after the NCS
has closed the net. If you decide to leave the net, you can say you are out
after your last transmission or say, "RE CHECK", at that point the NCS will
let you have the frequency and you can say you need to leave the net. On a
club net, that is just a curtesy to let the others know that your gone. In
a formal net, it tells the others that you will not be available to receive
information at that location. So, the practice is good. You also want to
remember that no one on the other end of the radio can see you or get into
your head. So, make sure your information is complete and is not going to
confuse the people on the other end of the antenna.
Getting training. ARRL has an ARES course, FEMA has several that take less
then an hour each IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800. When you find time,
take one online.
Go-Kits - We use to do a drill every year where the ARES EC (Emergency
Coordinator) would call those who were listed as volunteers at 8 or 9PM and
ask if you were ready to go and how soon would you be on the way to an
assignment. Most would say they needed about 30 minutes. The next question
would be: What is the status of your HT's? Do you have charged batteries?
And lastly, how long can you stay at a given assignment? The drill was to
assess how quickly our ARES group could respond to an emergency. Imagine
Alexandria Hospital does have a comms failure? What would you need to
operate independently for 6 to 8 hours? What if you're going to operate
away from home for two or three days? Can you operate from your vehicle or
will you need to carry a high power station (25 to 50 watts) with you? You
don't need to assemble kits completely, but it would be good to make a list
of your GO-KIT needs and have a plan to assemble the gear for your kit in
short order.
Our club president has already thanks all in the ARES group that supported
the Alexandria EOC and Alexandria INOVA hospital on January 16th and January
20th.
The City asked us to support the EOC's operation initially from January 15th
to January 26th 24/7. Later, the need for the 15th was removed. Our group
is not very large with 14 members and many of those members still work and
were not available. Further, COVID is still with us and this also limits
our body of volunteers. Chief Whatley notified us that we would be need on
the 16th and further operations would depend on events.
On Inauguration day - January 20th. We had three shifts scheduled and had
no idea if we were going to continue either for 24 hours or how long the EOC
and Hospital would stay on an emergency footing.
Our first shift at EOC started at 8AM with Rick, N4ASX, and Ian, N8IK. We
had already started setting up our radios in the EOC, but needed to program
those two radios, set up a laptop for WINLINK and we also had several other
projects to complete. Diplexers were added to support the ID-1 (1.2GHz
D-Star voice and data as well as FM voice) and 6 meters. Regular check ins
were done with the Hospital and with other members at large. This was
valuable. In the event there were problems during the inauguration, we could
call more support using the Alexandria 147.315 repeater as a logistics and
organizational net.
William, KM4LKL and Warren KA2BWU arrived at 11:30 AM and took over radio
operations.
They were relieved at 4PM by Scott KM4RDR and Ed, W4EDF. The final shift
arrived at 3:30 and left at closing.
The hospital started their operations at 6AM and our first shift started
with Don, KI4D and Mark, WU6R. establishing communications via the club's
D-Star repeater, which is in the hospital. The use of D-Star not only
allowed handheld operation inside the hospital and a solid connection to the
EOC but with the use of reflectors we could establish a much broader
coverage should we need to work with neighboring jurisdictions. Rich,
KA4GFY was not able to join us at either the hospital or EOC but was on the
air most of the day to provide radio checks and inputs as needed.
At 10:30 AM Don and Mark were relieved by Harry, N4CWP and Larry, K4LDW who
maintained contact with EOC and supported efforts in the hospital.
At 3:30 PM, Larry and Harry were relieved by Rick, N4ASX, Ian, N8IK and
Monica KC2IAY. At 7PM after the EOC had closed, Mr. Allan closed the
hospital's operation, and we closed our support.
Many thanks to all who supported this effort. We were very lucky that there
were no problems in Alexandria or the DC area, better to be prepared then to
be surprised.
We did get to check out our hospital operations and, with the hospital
scheduled to move in the next 4 years, gave many of our long time ARES
volunteers a look at what we have their and what we will need to move to the
new location.
Both Chief Whatley and the EOC and Mr. Allen at INOVA Alexandria hospital
were impressed with the professionalism and competence of our operators.
In the future, I hope to expand some of our support to include radio links
to CERT volunteers who in this type of operation, could provide invaluable
support.
73 Rick
N4ASX
ELMER'S INPUTS
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. 2020 was 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.
At the present time, Berryville is still on the calendar. But that could
change depending on whether large groups are permitted.
As many expected, Hamvention 2021 has been cancelled. Here's hoping 2021
will improve as the year goes on.
Training -
Since we will be using Zoom to teach classes, we are looking at holding both
Technician and General at the same time. There have been a few people who
have asked about Technician classes.
The big logistic question will be scheduling on-line exams for everybody.
My experience with on-line exams has been if the test taker is prepared,
they can complete the Technician and General exam in about 30 minutes and 45
minutes for the Extra. So, the last week will be exam week.
We are still working on getting our VE team up to speed so we can do remote
exams. Looking at <http://www.Hamstudy.org> www.Hamstudy.org, there
appears to be a lot of interest in becoming licensed by the number of exam
sessions that are full. It appears that VE teams are giving all the exams
they can handle.
If you are looking to take an exam, ARRL has a link for finding online
exams: <http://www.arrl.org/findonlineexam>
http://www.arrl.org/findonlineexam
Contests -
* Feb 6 and 7 - Vermont QSO Party. Exchange is RST and state.
* Feb 6 - Minnesota QSO Party. Exchange is name and state.
* Feb 6 and 7 - British Columbia QSO Party. Exchange is RST and
state.
* Feb 6 - North American Sprint, CW. Exchange is other station's
call, your call, serial number, your name and state.
* Feb 8 through 12 - ARRL School Club Roundup. Exchange is RST and
class. Most of us will be "Individual."
* Feb 20 and 21 - ARRL International DX Contest, CW. Exchange is
RST and state.
* Feb 27 and 28 - South Carolina QSO Party. Exchange is RST and
state.
* Feb 27 and 28-North American QSO Party, RTTY. Exchange is name
and state.
* Feb 28 and March 1 - North Carolina QSO Party. Exchange is state.
* March 6 and 7- ARRL International DX Contest-SSB. Exchange ia RST
and state.
* March 13 and 14 - Oklahoma QSO Party. Exchange is RST and state.
* March 13 and 14 - Idaho QSO Party. Exchange is state.
* March 14 and 15 - Wisconsin QSO Party. Exchange is state.
* March 20 and 21 - Virginia QSO Party. Exchange for VA stations is
a serial number and county/city. Outside VA is serial number and state.
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.
Every Tuesday at 0100 (8 PM EST Monday for us) is the Worldwide Sideband
Activity Contest. Exchange is RS and age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth).
Here are the rules: <https://wwsac.com/rules.html>
https://wwsac.com/rules.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/>
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.
Be sure to mark your calendar and set aside the weekend of March 20 and 21
for the VA QSO Party. The Alexandria Radio Club sponsors 2 award plaques
and has made a good showing the past few years. You don't need a big
station to participate. A modest VHF/UHF radio with a decent antenna will
do well. There is plenty of activity on 2 meters and 70 cm.
Repeaters -
The club repeaters are all up and running. The DSTAR repeaters are seeing a
lot of activity. We have been linking the 70 cm repeater to Reflector 001C,
the world-wide reflector and the 23cm repeater to Reflector 030C, another
busy reflector.
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/>
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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