ARC-SHORTS

February 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 meeting will AGAIN be virtual (Zoom).  A notice with the link will be sent out soon.  This months program is our annual brief on the Virginia QSO Party by Gordon, NQ4K, This is one of the best contests of the year.  Points / multipliers are given for each of the counties and incorporated cities in Virginia, so you don’t need to be able to work DX to make points.  The club sponsors two award plaques.  In addition, EVERYONE who submits a log for the contest will get a nice certificate and most get something like.  “First Low Power Alexandria Station” There are so many categories that even if you operate for just a few hours your likely to get some award.  The contest is NOT limited to HF, but you can operate VHF/UHF as well. 

 

The 2022 Virginia QSO Party will be held during the weekend of 19-20 March 2021.
          Saturday, 19 March, 1400 UTC - Sunday, 20 March, 0400 UTC and
          Sunday, 20 March, 1200 UTC - 2400 UTC.

 

https://www.qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2022_VQP/2022_VQP_Main.html

 

Look forward to hearing Gordon tells us what’s changed this year.

 

 

 

Last Meeting (minutes)

Date:              January 14, 2022

Time:              1900 hours

Location:       Zoom - Virtual

Presentations

Reports

Treasurer:  Don KI4D

 

Membership: Jack W4JL

 

Repeaters: Ian N8IK/Rich KA4GFY/Rick N4ASX

Education/Training:  Rich KA4GFY

Trailer:  Rich KA4GFY

Net Control

Old Business  - None

 

New Business

 

Announcements

Attendance (29)

Name

Call Sign

Position

Cameron

AL6A

Sean

K4KBK

Vice President

Carl

K9LA

Guest Presenter

Rich

KA4GFY

Training Coordinator

Bjorn

KC3AOO

Darrin

KC3SFP

Mike

KC4IRL

Gary

KC7TNU

Jack

KE7VOU

Erik

KI4BXU

Don

KI4D

Treasurer

Wilson

KM4KLK

Carol

KN4LLL

Secretary

Corey

KN4YZY

Ryan

KO4EBY

Todd

KO4IJH

Richard

KW4UJ

President

Jim

N2ZZ

ARRL Director

Rick

N4ASX

ARES Coordinator

Ted

N4JOG

Ian

N8IK

Director

Jack

W2JWP

Dennis

W5DAG

Ted

W9TCE

Jason

WA6MPR

Bob

WB0VGD

Bryan

WD4ADF

Brandon

Harry

 

DMR INFO

Ian, N8IK sent this to the list, but good enough to share here. http://guide.k4usd.org/

 

Presidents Corner

It is February and the COVID-19 numbers are finally starting to decline which is good news for ham radio as it will allow us all to start getting together at Hamfests, community events and in person meetings. This is evident by seeing two local Hamfests being schedules VWS Winterfest on March 27, Ole Virginia Hams Manassas Hamfest in June and the George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria on February 21. We will need your support for the George Washington Birthday Parade on the 21st please send an email to Rick N4ASX if you are available to assist. As far as in person meetings we have not received notice from the city that our usual meeting room is again available, however I am working on an alternate location for a March Hybrid meeting outside the city. We will continue virtual meetings via Zoom until we again can meet at the Alexandria Police station community room.

Thanks to the members who have already paid their dues for 2022. Those of you that usually renew you club membership in January this is a reminder. For the rest of us who pay in other months please be pro-active in renewing your membership as it will add additional 12 months of membership from you last dues payment. Membership dues is $25.00 per year, please see the website for more details. The easiest and quickest way to pay dues is via PayPal on the W4HFH website at https://w4hfh.org/join, or you may mail a check or money order to Alexandria Radio Club Inc., P.O. Box 30721, Alexandria, VA 22310.

 

We will be continuing the Tech Talks program started last year with many interesting programs to follow. Thanks to Don KI4D we have some interesting programs lined up for our meetings this month will be the VA QSO Party with Gorgon Miller (NQ4K). Below is the list of activities and presentations currently scheduled for 2022.

 

Scheduled Activities and Presentations for 2022, as of January 1

 

YOU ARE HERE!!

 

This month’s meeting is scheduled for Friday February 11 @ 7 PM hope to see you there.

 

73,

Richard KW4UJ

 

ICOM ID-52A Review

 

This is a short review of the Icom ID-52A (American version).  The ID-52E is a European version.

A close-up of a cell phone Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

Form.  The front of the ID-52A resembles its predecessor, the ID-51.  In fact much of the navigation is similar between the two models.  The color screen is larger (2.3’’ display) and is kinder on old eyes.  The user may select black on white or white on black screen displays.  The radio is easier to view outdoors than the ID-51 due to it’s translative technology.  The radio is thicker and longer than the ID-51A, but is easily held in the hand.  It was great to see that most accessories for the ID-51 will fit the ID-52A, including the spare batteries.  The belt clip attaches to the battery easily without having to screw the clip to the radio.  There are several battery packs available from Icom that range in capacity from 4 hours to 12 hours average usage.

 

 

Diagram Description automatically generated

 

 

In my opinion, one of the best features is the USB port which allows programming and updating the receiver and an additional way to charge the radio while connected to a PC or other USB power source.

 

The Micro SD card slot is also very useful, but if your fingers are as large as mine removing the SD card from the radio can be frustrating.  Using the SD card, you can Import and Export Csv files to and from the radio.  QSO’s may be recorded onto the SD card, which may also be used for pictures, repeater frequency files and GPS log data. Icom provides a database of world-wide repeaters that can be paired with the GPS to quickly find repeaters nearest to the user.

 

An extra cost Icom VS-3 Bluetooth headset may be used with the radio to enable hands-free operation.

 

2.  Functions.  The ID-52A features wider frequency coverage than the ID-51A.  VHF/UHF and FM Broadcast receiver 144-148, 440-450 MHz  Air Band receive-only coverage from 225 to 374.995 MHz has also been added.  Audio output has been increased to 750 mWatts

 

The radio has two receivers:  A and B.  The dual watch function may be used to monitor the VHF/UHF, UHF/UHF, or VHF/UHF bands simultaneously.  (AM/AM dual watch is not possible).  Alternatively, a single watch capability makes the radio simpler to use.

 

A built-in GPS receiver is included.  The GPS receiver can find the nearest repeaters listed in order of distance from the user.  The GPS function may also be used to send location, distance, and direction information to others.

 

Many new D-Star features have been added.  a.)  The ability to send and receive pictures, b.) The ability to listen to two D-Star conversations at the same time (A and B Channels) , and c.) A terminal mode/access point mode allows one to use the internet for repeater access when located too far from the repeater for physical access.  This mode uses a PC or Cell Phone for internet access.  The radio may be operated wirelessly through an Android device using the RS-MS1A Remote Control software (Google Play) that lets one change operating frequencies, send texts, etc.  Note:  If one looks at internet reviews of this Bluetooth capability you can see that many people are having problems using it.  Careful attention to the setup instruction in the Icom Advanced User Manual is advised.

 

A color waterfall display (actually a band scope – not an SDR) shows signals that are active as frequencies are scrolled through by the operator.

 

One of the more significant departures from the ID-51 involves the use of groups to store repeater information.  Each of the 99 groups can contain 99 entries.  So one may rapidly select the closest geographic set of repeaters by location if traveling around.  (The ID-51 had 1,000 channels not organized by group). 

 

The radio I purchased was from HRO in Woodbridge.  Price was $649.95.  Delivery required two months from order placement.  The radio is not one of the cheaper handheld radios available, but it does work very well and has lots of capability. 

 

This radio might be challenging for a new Ham to operate, but more experienced operators should find it easy to use.  It is not a radio to use once or twice a year.  The navigation (button pressing) can be complicated with menus and submenus and interdependent buttons for some functions. It is quite easy to forget how to get to the function you are trying to access if you have not used the radio in a while.

 

                73 Larry, K4LDW

 

ARES

 

 

ACTIVITIES (Hamfests, Contests, Training, Repeaters) by Rich (KA4GFY)

 

Hamfests –

 

The spread of COVID-19 (AKA Corona Virus) has put a major damper on hamfests for 2020 and much of 2021.  However, with people getting vaccinated, there are more hamfests showing up on the calendar.  Let’s hope this continues.

 

As of early February, two of the bigger hamfests of the year have announced they will be live this coming year.  Both the Orlando Hamcation in February and Dayton Hamvention are planning on live events in 2022.  Let’s hope nothing changes.

 

Other hamfests in the not too far away category appear to be live this year.  The Charlotte Hamfest is scheduled for March 11 and 12.  The Raleigh, NC RARSFest on April 16 and the Delmarva Amateur Radio and Electronics Expo on April 23.   Closer in,  the Olde Virginia Hams hamfest returns to the Manassas Park Community Center on June 4. 

 

On the local hamfest front, the Vienna Wireless Society’s Winterfest is March 27 at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.  It’s also the Virginia Section ARRL convention.  The Alexandria Radio Club has 3 tables reserved so you can sell your excess equipment to make room for new equipment.  Not sure why you would do that, you can never have too many radios.

 

 

Speaking of Hamvention, I have 4 rooms reserved from May 18 through May 22.  We travel out on Wednesday so we can take in one of the museums in the area on Thursday, such as the US Air Force Museum, the Packard Museum, or the Mound Museum.  At least 1 room is spoken for.  If you would like to go, let me know by April 15 so I can order tickets.  If you have never been, its worth the trip to go at least once.  I suspect the crowd will be large this year because Hamvention was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. 

   

Training –

           

Our next licensing class will begin on Tuesday, March 1 and ending May 3, 2022.  We plan on teaching both Technician and General material.  Like the previous classes, it will be online via Zoom.  Unlike our last classes, students will have to bring their own Ham Radio License Manual or General Class License Manual.  Distributing the books in the COVID environment can be a challenge. The exam will be either in person at a location to be determined or online.   If you know someone who wants to get their license or are a Technician who wants to upgrade, contact me at [email protected] in the next couple of weeks to register.

 

 

Contests -

 

·         February 12 and 13 – CQ WPX RTTY Contest. Exchange is RST and serial number. 

·         February 14 thru 18 – ARRL Scholl Club Roundup.  Exchange is class (I/C/S).  Most of us will be “I” for operating from home.

·         February 19 and 20 – ARRL International DX Contest, CW.  Exchange is RST and state.

·         February 26 and 27 – South Carolina QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

·         February 27 – North Carolina QSO Party.  Exchange is state.

·         March 5 and 6 – ARRL International DX Contest, SSB.  Exchange is RST and state.

·         March 12 and 13 – Oklahoma QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

·         March 12 and 13 – Idaho QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

·         March 12 and 13 – North American Sprint, RTTY.  Exchange is other station’s call, your call, serial number, name, and state.

·         March 13 and 14 – Wisconsin QSO Party – Exchange is state.

·         March 19 and 20 – Virginia QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number and county.  Be sure to indicate Alexandria Radio when you send in your score.

 

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 


 

 

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.  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/   DMRVA

 

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.  We have linked the repeater to Reflector 62B 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

ARES / Public Service Events – GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY PARADE February 21, 2022

 

On February 21st we have the Alexandria City George Washington’s Birthday Parade.  The club has supported this event for many years, and we need between 10 and 15 volunteers to work the parade.

 

We meet at 10AM at the Fire Training Center at the end of Fayette Street just off US 1, At that time, given the participants, I will make assignments, pass out whatever paperwork we have and help Rich, KA4GFY with getting the trailer hooked up.  The trailer will locate at the around the start / finish area which is also where the parade marshals will gather.  We will need to be down in the parade area by 11 AM because the police close the roads around the parade route at that time.  We hope to set up an AREDN relay between the trailer (start / finish) and the reviewing stand.  Some operators will work with the parade marshals to gather any changes to the order of march (adds, drops, and moves).  The local Civil Air Patrol Squadron has volunteered as well and will be working either as marshals or with the marshals.  We had some problems with that in the past, but I have taken care of that.  We will need to get the changes to the trailer by 12:30 PM and that gives us time to edit the files and send it via AREDN to the reviewing stand.  As the late Joe Shumard use to say “At 1PM – It’s a parade”. I would like to have two APRS equipped operators, one at the start and one at the end of the parade. 

If you have not volunteered yet, please consider it.  This is a very public event for the city, and they do appreciate our support.  If you have questions or want to volunteer my E-Mail is [email protected]

 

CITY RADIOS

 

Some years ago, the city purchased 10 ICOM ID-51A handheld D-Star/FM dual band radios. Initially these were for CERT, but the city did not know of the need for an amateur radio license to operate these radios.  They were signed over to Alexandria ARES.  I have 7 of these radios and I’m happy to loan them out on a hand receipt for those who do not have D-Star or an HT.  Let me know if you need one.  The following rules apply: 1 – Be an ARES Volunteer, 2 – Check into one net a month and 3 – Once a year, the radio needs to be turned in and reissued.  To work on D-Star you need to register with D-Star and the radio needs to be programmed with your call sign.  I can do that in a few minutes.  If you would like the loan of one of these radios,  send me an E-Mail at [email protected]