[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC SHORTS - Alexandria Radio Club - May 2022

Tue May 10 10:06:09 EDT 2022

ARC-SHORTS

May 2022

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

Our next ZOOM meeting will be Friday May 13th at 7PM.  A ZOOM meeting invite
will be sent out soon.  See the President's Corner for details on the next
meeting.  This meeting will be both IN PERSON and via ZOOM.

Last Meeting

Our last meeting was on was Bob be Bob, AK6R of Palomar Engineering his
discussion was on various antennas that can be used in confined spaces
including the Endfedz and other items designed by his company that help us
with various antenna problems.  He also covered the fundamentals of off
center fed antennas.

Metting Minutes - Carol Myers  KN4LLL

Date:               Apr 08, 2022

Time:               1905 hours

Location:        Zoom - Virtual

Presentation

*	Topic: End-Fed Antennas
*	Presenter: Bob Brehm, AK6R;  <https://palomar-engineers.com>
https://palomar-engineers.com

Reports

Secretary:  Carol KN4LL

*	Reviewed the Mar 11, 2022 meeting minutes

Treasurer:  Don KI4D

*	Current Balance = $10,508.60

Membership: Richard KW4UJ

*	96 paid; 9 Lifetime; Total of 104 members
*	27 Not Renewed since 2020

Projects: Richard KW4UJ/Rick N4ASX/Don KI4D

*	Tech Talks: nothing new
*	ARES/RACES:  nothing new; need volunteers for Field Day; Don
suggested organizing a FD planning meeting
*	History Project:  nothing new; Don is arranging a meeting with Jim
Wilson re club artifacts 

Repeaters: Ian N8IK/Rich KA4GFY/Joe KT3I

*	Analog and digital are humming along
*	A donated repeater is being installed at the repeater site for CERT
folks to use; Frequency 462.625 with 123.0 subaudible tone
*	AREDN Project - nothing new to report; Fire station 208 is slated to
move to Landmark Mall close to the new hospital which is now under
construction 

Education/Training:  Rich KA4GFY

*	Technician & General License Classes are underway
*	Exam scheduled for May 3rd at the Police Station Community Room at
7:00pm

Trailer:  Rich KA4GFY

*	Rich will get with Rick to organize a repair/cleanup party

Webmaster:  Ian N8IK

*	Nothing new to report

Old Business  

Storage Trailer search:  Don KI4D

*	Don had no luck with finding a single axle 6 x 12 trailer at sites
suggested during previous meeting
*	Will pursue looking into the original trailer proposal located in
Fayetteville NC for $2,500

New Business

Discord Server:  Jason WA6MPR

*	Jason has created a personal Discord account for exchanging
information and knowledge among club members
*	Good resource for new hams
*	Can move to a Club Discord account down the road if enough interest

Net Control

*	14 Apr:  KA4GFY
*	21 Apr: N8IK
*	28 Apr: WA6MPR
*	05 May: N4ASX
*	12 May: KI4D

Announcements

*	Hamvention in Dayton OH, 3rd Weekend in May; Rich KA4GFY will be
purchasing tickets
*	Next month's meeting will be a hybrid in-person/online

ADJOURNMENT:  2105 hours

Attendance (30)

Name

Call Sign

Position

Bob

AK6R

Guest Presenter

Sean

K4KBK

Vice President

Gary

KC5QCN

Rich

KA4GFY

Training Coordinator

Jack

W2JWP

Jack

KE7VOU

Don

KI4D

Treasurer

Carol

KN4LLL

Secretary

Ryan

KO4EBY

Richard

KW4UJ

President

Rick

N4ASX

ARES Coordinator

Ted

N4JOG

Ian

N8IK

Director

Jason

WA6MPR

Ted

W9TCE

Dennis

KD4WGN

Harry Jones

Brian

KE4WGI

Bob

KO4ZIK

Andy

WV8AA

Joe

KT3I

Thomas Kirby

KJ4FUU

Jeremy

KO4VFO

Jim

N8OQ

Larry

K4LDW

Norman

KK4VWK

Pamela

KO4EQU

Steve

KC2PLV

Wilson

KM4KLK

Brum

Presidents Corner

After two long years the COVID-19 pandemic is losing its grip on the area
and allowing us to return to some semblance of a normal pre pandemic life.
The club has received word that we are now welcome back to the Alexandria
Police Department Community room for our monthly meetings so we will be
doing a hybrid meeting with in person and Zoom participation this month. Our
speaker will be Randy Foltz (K7TQ) with a presentation on RTTY Contesting.

Later this month several of the club members will be making the trip to Ohio
for the 70th Dayton Hamvention now located at the Greene County Fair Grounds
and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. We look forward to seeing the latest
innovation in Ham radio, taking part in the forums and leaning what has
happened new in the last 2 years. We also hope to meet up with old friends
that we have not seen for 2 long years and to make new friends while at
Hamvention.

Please stay safe and get on the air.

73

Richard

KW4UJ

HISTORY PROJECT

Don, KI4D and Rick, N4ASX paid a visit to Jim Wilson, K4BAV. Jim's father
was a charter member of the club and Jim has been a member sense his teens.
He is also an avid CW operator and he and his father provide support to the
movie LINCOLN (vintage telegraph systems).  Thanks Jim for your help and
your hospitality.  

ARES

The state ARES organization is collecting inputs from the organization to
ensure that their databases and information on call lists is up to date.  I
have submitted my intent to stay on as EC.  My issue is that I spend about a
third of the year away from the area.  If there is a LEVEL III qualified
ARES volunteer who would like to take over the Emergency Coordinator Job,
let me know.

I encourage all in the club to consider volunteering for ARES. Cost nothing
but a little time and the commitment to help when there are drills,
emergencies and public service events.  Part of that commitment is to
complete level 1 qualifications in the first year.

I have made an appointment with the new INOVA Hospital Emergency Manager to
talk about the new hospital location and moving our equipment and antennas
to the new Landmark location and to make arrangements for a place for ARES
operators to operate for drills and real emergencies.

KDCA exercise - This year was a tabletop exercise, but Alexandria ARES did
hold a brief net at 9AM on April 23rd.   The net was short with only a few
check ins.  

Field Day is just 51 DAYS away.  I hope all who can, will come out to
participate. 

1 - We have been granted free use of the Armistead Booth Park off of PICKET
ST.  The park has been renovated and we should have no problem with our
antennas.

2 - We will start set up on June 25th (Saturday) at 10AM, Lunch at noon and
contesting starts at 2PM.  We work for 24 hours and clean up after 2PM
Sunday.

3 - We will have 5 HF stations and 1 VHF station.  We will run the 75-meter
station out of the club trailer. Other stations will be under the pavilion.

4 - With a club as large as hours we will have to set up schedules to SHARE
the operating time.  Each station will have a signup sheet for two operators
for two hours each.  The station / band captain will keep continuity and be
responsible for set up and take down of the station.

5 - While we are not a CONTEST CLUB, Our scores do reflect our ability to
perform in an emergency situation.

6 - BONUS POINTS

100% emergency power 100 points PER TRANSMITTER.

Media Publicity - 100 points LOCAL Media. 

Public Location - 100 points (done)

Public Information Table -100 points

Site visitation by an elected government official - 100 points

Site visitation by an agency representative - 100 points

Message to the Section Manager or Section Emergency Manager - We will use
the WINLINK station in the trailer - 100 points

Message traffic - 10 points for each message up to 100 points.

Coping the ARRL W1AW special bulletin - We will ask all stations to attempt
this. -100 points

Alternative power (batteries not included) for 5 QSOs - 100 points

Satellite QSO (satellite station does not count against our total
transmitters) - 100 points

Educational Activity or hands on training activity - 100 points

Youth Bonus - 20 points per person up to 100 points. Each youth must
participate in at least ONE QSO - I have invited the local Civil Air Patrol
cadet squadron to join us.  Please try to encourage them to make contacts.

Safety Officer - 100 Points (and a safe Field Day)

50 points for submission of the ARRL report using the app.

QSO Points

SSB - 1 point

CW - 2 points

Digital -2 points

If you want to help with the bonus points, let Rick N4ASX know.

MARINE CORPS MARATHON

Looks like the MCM will be on this year as COVID becomes less of a risk.
This is THE BIGGEST public service event of the year for Amateur Radio.  It
is also the most public.  You many do not see amateur radio on the news but
those who run the race and those federal, state and local agencies that
support the race DO SEE US.  They need about 135 volunteers, and you can
volunteer for positions on the racecourse and all you need is a 2 meter HT
or mobile.  This includes mile markers, water stops, food stops.   If you
want to shadow someone, there are zone commanders, medical personnel etc.
If you have digital gear and D-Star voice, there are 10 Aid Stations where
we need to pass medical patient traffic.  

DATE: October 30th.  

How to volunteer:  Go first to  <http://WWW.MarineMarathon.com>
WWW.MarineMarathon.com

Go to the HAM RADIO signup and enter the information.

NEXT: go to the MCMHAMS website and fill in more details.  If you have a
particular spot you want to work, limitations on what you can do, need to
leave the course before the end of the race.  This is the site that you get
to enter that information.  This is also where they ask you about your
vehicle, equipment, and experience.  The leadership committee will make
assignments about three weeks prior to the MCM and let you know.  Due to
security concerns, you will need to check in on Race Day prior to 5AM (this
may change) at a particular location.  You will get your course pass, your
ham radio credentials, a vest and lunch. As all the ham radio folks are
volunteers, be patient.  DO NOT ASK THEM TO PROGRAM YOUR RADIO.  The
frequency plan will be sent with your assignment.  Should you volunteer, and
if for any reason you cannot make it on race day, PLEASE call the point of
contact and advise them.  NO SHOWS reflect BADLY on our hobby, our club and
make it difficult to cover critical assignments.

Call Rick, N4ASX, if you have any questions on the MCM.

ELMER'S INPUTS

DMR or Digital Mobil Radio is a voice over digital modulation that allows
signals to be passed through the internet over various TALK GROUPS.  This is
different the D-Star which can also be over the internet, but uses
reflectors 

DMR is a construct of MOTOROLA and is used by commercial interests in
Europe.  DMR radios are programmed with a CODE PLUG with TALK GROUPS.  Most
of us use the DMRVA.ORG code plug.  Unlike D-Star where reflectors can be
added when needed, the DMR talk groups are limited to the programming of the
DMR repeater.  HOWEVER, if you have a hot spot which does not rely on over
the air repeater access but is set up by you on your computer.

Talk Groups include Statewide, Alexandria Local, and many others.

The Alexandria Radio Club HAS a DMR repeater.

Rick Bunn N4ASX

Activities and Events

Rich KA4GFY

Hamfests -

The Maryland FM Association's Memorial Day Hamfest will be May 29 at the
Howard County Fairgrounds.  It's just off Rte 32 on Rte 144 in West
Friendship, MD.   Talk-in on the MFMA repeaters (146.760, 224.760 and
444.000 MHz all PL 107.2 Hz).  Here is the link:
<http://marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm> http://marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm

The Olde Virginia Hams hamfest returns to the Manassas Park Community Center
on June 4.  Talk-in on 146.970 repeater (PL 100.0 Hz).  Here is the link:
<https://w4ovh.net/tailgate/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/>
https://w4ovh.net/tailgate/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/

Later in June is the Father's Day Hamfest at Arcadia, sponsored by the
Baltimore Amateur Radio Club.  The hamfest is located at the Arcadia
Volunteer Fire Grounds, located at 16020 Carnival Avenue in Upperco, MD.
Talk-in on BARC's 146.670 MHz repeater (PL 107.2 Hz).  Here is the link:
<https://w3ft.com/hamfest/> https://w3ft.com/hamfest/

The Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club's Berryville Hamfest is on August 7
at the Clarke County Fairgrounds.   It's right off Rte 7 in Berryville.  The
Ruritans chicken and beef barbeque is well worth the trip.  Here is the
link:      <https://berryvillehamfest.com/> https://berryvillehamfest.com/

Training -

We just completed our latest licensing class on May 3 with the exam for our
class members and a few guests.  Eleven people took exams and 10 walked out
with either a new license or an upgraded license.  There were 5 new Techs
and 5 new Generals.

The bad news is FCC has not processed any new licenses since April 18.  Any
license application requiring the $35 fee is not being processed, even
though the fee has been paid.  Upgrades seem to be continuing since they do
not require the fee.  No telling when this will be corrected.  

We have another class scheduled for the Fall and we are already receiving
inquiries about the next class. A few members from the recent Tech class
have stated they will be back for the General class.     

Contests - 

*         May 14 and 15- Canadian Prairies QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.

*         May 21 and 22 - Arkansas QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 28 and 29 - CQ WW WPX CW.  Exchange is RST and serial number.

*         June 4 and 5 - Kentucky QSO Party - Exchange is RST and state.

*         June 4 and 5 - ARRL International Digital Contest.  Exchange is
4-character grid square.  

*         June 11 through 13 - ARRL June VHF Contest.  Exchange is
4-character grid square.  All bands 50 MHz and above. 

Don't forget the Armed Forces Cross Band Test on May 14, 2022.  This is an
opportunity to work MARS stations throughout the country.  WAR at the
Pentagon, AIR at Andrews Air Force Base and NSS at the US Naval Academy are
scheduled to be on.  The MARS stations listen on amateur frequencies we
listen for them on MARS frequencies just outside the ham bands.  Many of the
military ops are hams themselves, so they are pretty good about QSLing, and
they have some really neat QSL cards.

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 0000 (8 PM EDT 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. 

Repeaters -

The club repeaters are all up and running.  The DSTAR repeaters are seeing a
lot of activity.  We have been linking the 2-meter repeater to Reflector
062C for Virginia and Maryland communications, and the 70cm Reflector 030C,
for long-range communications and the 23cm voice repeater to Reflector 025B,
the Northern Virginia local reflector or 001C, the world-wide reflector.  If
you want to link to another reflector, be sure to unlink the repeater first
and then link to the reflector of your choice.  All we ask is you unlink the
reflector you were listening on when you are finished listening.   

The DMR side is working normally with access to the DMR servers.  If you are
new to DMR, DMRVA has codeplugs for some of the more common DMR radios on
their website.  Their website is   <http://www.dmrva.org/>
http://www.dmrva.org/   DMRVA 

The Alexandria Club has one of the only 23 cm analog repeaters in the area.
Give it a try on your IC-9700.    

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.    

Ian, N8IK, has started a Wednesday night DSTAR net on the 145.380 MHz
repeater at 8 PM.  The Wednesday night net is starting to pick up some
momentum.  We link the repeater to Reflector 62B at net time so members and
former members outside the local area can join in.  Some time ago, I asked
the folks who maintain the lists of DSTAR reflectors to create a Virginia
perma-link reflector.  Many other states have them.  Be sure to put
Reflector 62B in your DSTAR programming.  

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

73, Rich, KA4GFY

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