From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Mon Dec 1 13:42:39 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2014 12:42:39 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BUILD A HEXBEAM??? Message-ID: <07228A1A9B01447B87B52D32EA1DCFB3@GaryPC> Bob Ritchie ? Have you decided on the topics for next years presentations?? If so, did John Weisinger W5BGP who is a Winter Texan member of the club is willing to teach how to build a Hexbeam. If there is no space on the monthly list, he will work individually with members or a group of members to learn how to build one. Bob has made 3 of them so far, and as such seems to be the ranking member with Hexbeam knowledge. For all ? John has a home brewed Hexbeam at each of his QTH?s (Fredericksburg and Ashland, OR). He has done the hard parts of making the antennas ? ferreted out the sources for the materials for the center hub, connecting flanges, and radial arms. He has made his using the Broad Band instructions posted on the net by K4KIO ( http://www.k4kio.com/ ) and Roger NA4RR ( http://www.k4hex.com/home.asp ) who both sell Hexbeam kits and have instructions posted for home brewing. Both of the websites specify the use of fiberglass radial arm kit #2 from Max Gain Systems ( mgs4u.com/). The only harder thing to fashion is the center support hub available from http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hexagonal-Beam-Antenna-hub-/151470499844?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item2344586804 or by manufacturing one from 12 U-bolts, 2 flanges and the support plate made from Starboard (high density PVC plastic 3/4 inches thick available on the net). John has used both aluminum and the starboard and uses the starboard to manufacture clips for holding the copper antenna wires in place. One of the best features of these antennas other than that they are small, work, are quiet, and are directional is that they seem to work fine raised somewhere between 20 and 30 feet off of the ground. In fact, John?s Hexbeam in Fredericksburg is only 20 feet up. They are light and have minimal wind resistance so they are turned easily with light weight TV antenna rotors. One could also easily turn one by strong arm if necessary. Since the price of pre-made kits has been dropping ? NA4RR?s kit is $450 plus $39.00 shipping, K4KIO?s kit is $689.00 including shipping, John is putting together a line by line cost estimate to see if it is worth it any longer to Home brew the antenna. More on this later. While talking to John the other night I lamented that it was too bad that a hexbeam for 40, 80, 160 would be so big as to be impractical. He said ? NOT SO!! Large they might be, but if one were to have 7 support poles (HMMM ? a use for my pile of telephone poles) and could get the antenna mounting point up 30-40 feet in the air it is quite possible to make a rotatable Hexbeam by stringing the wire through pulleys to allow it to be repositioned in any quadrant and since the antenna focuses the signal in a 45 degree cone the actual number of movements is manageable. I can see a 30 foot phone pole in the ground (3 feet) leaving a 27 foot high pole with a crank down able mast mounted to it?s side to get the antenna up to around 40+ feet. Gary J N5BAA "Amateur radio--a real time social network using radio waves" From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Tue Dec 2 11:04:43 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 10:04:43 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] System Fusion. Message-ID: <547DE31B.6030907@hughes.net> I've found a couple interesting things regarding System Fusion and D Star. The first is a paper on the AMBE Codec that both systems use and the problems with patents and licensing for same. Authors estimated cost for just the license fees is $100 per unit which is built into the price you pay. That web address is algoram.com/dcc2014/AMBE_exposed.pdf. By the way, the author is trying to promote a software based open Codec system. The second item is a site that has the sounds of various digital systems. It is www.w2jsw.com/radio_sounds.htm/. Fairly far down the list you will see D Star and System Fusion. One sounds like white noise and one as a bit of a pulsing tone in it. There are also numerous other sounds in the list including some recovered P25 digital voice which will givw you an idea of how natural the voices sound. Kerry From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Dec 6 19:23:37 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2014 18:23:37 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Creeping Senility Strikes Again oe The Case of The Missing PL-259's Message-ID: <964A74474BA74E959F1769E73085EDEA@GaryPC> As I complete the switchover to crimp N connectors, I am sending the solder PL-259?s on to new homes. In that vein and in the Christmas Spirit I put 9 nice new silver plated PL-259?s in three plastic bags to give away as alternate door prizes at todays Christmas Party. Arriving at the party they were in my way in the box I brought my electric knife in, so I quickly stuffed them in my back pocket and totally forgot that I had done so. That precipitated the fruitless search for them before the party. It wasn?t until an hour ago while feeding my sheep that something keep jabbing me in the rear. I reached into my back pocket to remove the offending pain causing problem and guess what - PL-259?s. For Terry ? too start out the January meeting you have some extra goodies to pass out with the 50/50. Thanks to all who contributed such good food to the Christmas Party. It truly is Arlene?s and my highlight of the Christmas season. Sorry guys and gals, Gary and Arlene Johnson N5BAA From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Mon Dec 8 18:30:06 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:30:06 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Solar Activity Message-ID: <5486347E.2040608@hughes.net> Over the last couple days another good size sunspot group came over the sun's limb. I think I see another large group about to also come over the limb. The solar flux got down to 129 after several days in the 170's and 160's. A couple pretty good groups went over the sun's limb and another one is going to soon and that's why the flux has dropped. With the new groups, the solar flux should be going up again. But, 129 is still good enough to give some good propagation on the higher bands. The solar flux is already climbing into the mid 130's. Kerry From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Mon Dec 8 19:14:29 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 18:14:29 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Solar Activity In-Reply-To: <5486347E.2040608@hughes.net> References: <5486347E.2040608@hughes.net> Message-ID: This bodes well for the ARRL 10 meter contest this next weekend. Thanks for the update Terry. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Kerry Sandstrom Sent: Monday, December 8, 2014 5:30 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Solar Activity Over the last couple days another good size sunspot group came over the sun's limb. I think I see another large group about to also come over the limb. The solar flux got down to 129 after several days in the 170's and 160's. A couple pretty good groups went over the sun's limb and another one is going to soon and that's why the flux has dropped. With the new groups, the solar flux should be going up again. But, 129 is still good enough to give some good propagation on the higher bands. The solar flux is already climbing into the mid 130's. Kerry ______________________________________________________________ HCARC mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4235/8703 - Release Date: 12/08/14 From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Wed Dec 10 12:07:12 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:07:12 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] January 2015 QST Message-ID: <54887DC0.4090109@hughes.net> I got my January 2015 QST yesterday. It has 2 articles everyone should take a look at. The first one is on page 63, "The Myth of RF Ground'. As you may know, I don't use a ground rod and have no faith in RF grounds. This article covers the reasons why pretty well. This should help out all those who are trying to figure out how to drive an 8 foot ground rod into our Hill Country ground. The second article on page 67 is "the NVIS Myth - A Modeling Study". Whether anyone wants to recognize it or not, 75/80 meters using NVIS antennas is probably the only practical solution to the question of how we cover the Red Cross 18 county area. I don't believe it can be done on 2 meters without an impractically large number of repeaters, particularly if handhelds are going to be used. Kerry From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Wed Dec 10 14:19:15 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 13:19:15 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] January 2015 QST In-Reply-To: <4A3152BC86B04892B56C0C5AC111CCA9@GaryPC> References: <54887DC0.4090109@hughes.net> <4A3152BC86B04892B56C0C5AC111CCA9@GaryPC> Message-ID: <54889CB3.2070506@hughes.net> Gary, If you look at the blue curve which is the curve generated using the higher accuracy model for ground, there is about 1 dB difference between an antenna at 40 ft and one at 25 ft. The curve is actually fairly broad. The dielectric constant for our area is 8 but I don't know the conductivity off hand. Using the Army-type NVIS antenna in an inverted V arrangement, I don't see a tower is needed at all. A single 25 ft pole should be more than adequate. Yes, Dale's broadband 80 meter dipoles should work fine. Kerry Interesting - that 40-60 feet gives the best cloud warming effect vs cost. Of course here in South Texas even the 40-60 foot elevation is a myth for most Hams, mobile or otherwise. I think we are needing to build a couple more of the tower trailers the club owns. That would get us up to the 40-50 foot level if 2 of them were positioned to run one of Dale's broadband 80 meter dipoles between. To that effect, Gordon Green has the club trailer at his qth looking how to redesign it to be slide onto a 16 foot flatbed trailer. He and I will publish the results of the design changing. Then all we need is another couple to put at the Red Cross to support another 80 meter dipole there. Gary J N5BAA From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Thu Dec 11 11:12:30 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 10:12:30 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Solar Activity Message-ID: <5489C26E.6020307@hughes.net> Solar flux was up to 150 yesterday. Two more sunspot groups just appeared so the total is up to 7 now. Most are on the rising side of the sun so they should be around for a while. There haven't been any big flares lately so conditions on the higher bands should be excellent for at least the next few days. Kerry From billandmattie at windstream.net Tue Dec 16 13:02:52 2014 From: billandmattie at windstream.net (Bill Tynan) Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:02:52 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Ham Radio Stuff Message-ID: There's lots of good stuff on this, including great 2 meter and 70 cm tropo openings. 73, Bill, W3XO/5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMvYlphoZZ0 From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Wed Dec 17 10:43:13 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:43:13 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Solar Activity Message-ID: <5491A491.4030706@hughes.net> Gang, The Sun is quite interesting looking this morning. There are 7 sunspot groups clustered around the center of the Sun . Four or five of them are pretty impressive. There was an M9/2b flare about 0500 UT this morning. It wouldn't surprise me if the 10.7 cm solar flux is near 200 today. Conditions were good on all bands I checked this morning, 40, 30 and 17 m. 30 meters was open well before sunrise this morning with good signals from W1AW/3 in MD and W1AW/4 in GA. Several other signals were also on the band. 40 was also good with W1AW/KH6 on. 17 was open to the east coast and Europe before 1500 UT (0900 Local). If you are interested in the higher bands, be sure to check them out the rest of this week. Kerry From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Dec 18 14:18:33 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:18:33 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable Message-ID: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> What do you all use for getting a nice square smooth cut across RG-8 and LMR-400 and even larger COAX Cable?? Every time I try to use wire cutters I just end up with a ragged out of round cable end. I have seen some of these for sale on Ebay and wonder if they are the secret?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ratchet-Cable-Wire-Cutter-Cut-Up-To-240mm2-Ratcheting-Wire-Cutting-Hand-Tool-New-/381091272891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bacf58bb Or maybe a pair of ratcheting PVC pipe cutters might work. Gary J N5BAA From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Thu Dec 18 14:50:30 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:50:30 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable In-Reply-To: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> References: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> Message-ID: <54933006.8020000@hughes.net> Gary, When you use solder type connectors it doesn't matter. If you look at the wire stripping dimensions for Amphenol 83-ISP (PL-259) you strip back everything except the center conductor for 5/8 " whether it is RG-8/U or RG-58/59/u cable. For the various N-Type connectors it looks like you strip back between 1/8 and 1/4. I've never had a problem with the cable being too distorted where I cut it off. I use a pair of large wire cutters and/or a single edge sharp razor blade to prepare the cables for connectors. I've seen special tools for preparing cables for connectors. If I was selling cable with connectors on them or making a lot of cables for use above a Ghz or making high voltage pulse cables then I might think about a special wire stripper but for HF ham use I don't think it is worth it. If you want a special tool go ahead and buy one, but hams have been putting connectors on cables since the late 40's early 50's without special tools and with very few problems after a little practice. By the way, the tricky cut is the one where you cut the outer jacket but not the braid. That is the one that takes practice to do it without nicking the braid. Kerry On 12/18/2014 1:18 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > What do you all use for getting a nice square smooth cut across RG-8 and LMR-400 and even larger COAX Cable?? Every time I try to use wire cutters I just end up with a ragged out of round cable end. I have seen some of these for sale on Ebay and wonder if they are the secret?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ratchet-Cable-Wire-Cutter-Cut-Up-To-240mm2-Ratcheting-Wire-Cutting-Hand-Tool-New-/381091272891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bacf58bb > > Or maybe a pair of ratcheting PVC pipe cutters might work. > > Gary J > N5BAA > ______________________________________________________________ > HCARC mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Dec 18 15:17:24 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:17:24 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable In-Reply-To: <54933006.8020000@hughes.net> References: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> <54933006.8020000@hughes.net> Message-ID: I think I will try using my PVC cutter. It ratchets sort of like the one I posted from Ebay. I use it all of the time for doing PVC pipe and hopefully it will also do soft wire (copper/aluminum) Coax cables. It would be nice to have one tool that is multi-purpose. I agree Kerry, there is an ART to cutting the outer insulation without doing in the wire braid. I usually have to try a couple of times to get it right. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Kerry Sandstrom Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 1:50 PM To: Gary J - N5BAA ; HCARC Reflector Subject: Re: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable Gary, When you use solder type connectors it doesn't matter. If you look at the wire stripping dimensions for Amphenol 83-ISP (PL-259) you strip back everything except the center conductor for 5/8 " whether it is RG-8/U or RG-58/59/u cable. For the various N-Type connectors it looks like you strip back between 1/8 and 1/4. I've never had a problem with the cable being too distorted where I cut it off. I use a pair of large wire cutters and/or a single edge sharp razor blade to prepare the cables for connectors. I've seen special tools for preparing cables for connectors. If I was selling cable with connectors on them or making a lot of cables for use above a Ghz or making high voltage pulse cables then I might think about a special wire stripper but for HF ham use I don't think it is worth it. If you want a special tool go ahead and buy one, but hams have been putting connectors on cables since the late 40's early 50's without special tools and with very few problems after a little practice. By the way, the tricky cut is the one where you cut the outer jacket but not the braid. That is the one that takes practice to do it without nicking the braid. Kerry On 12/18/2014 1:18 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > What do you all use for getting a nice square smooth cut across RG-8 and > LMR-400 and even larger COAX Cable?? Every time I try to use wire cutters > I just end up with a ragged out of round cable end. I have seen some of > these for sale on Ebay and wonder if they are the secret?? > http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ratchet-Cable-Wire-Cutter-Cut-Up-To-240mm2-Ratcheting-Wire-Cutting-Hand-Tool-New-/381091272891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bacf58bb > > Or maybe a pair of ratcheting PVC pipe cutters might work. > > Gary J > N5BAA > ______________________________________________________________ > HCARC mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8761 - Release Date: 12/18/14 From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Thu Dec 18 16:34:51 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:34:51 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable In-Reply-To: References: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> <54933006.8020000@hughes.net> Message-ID: <5493487B.3040006@hughes.net> Gary, When I had a test team 40 years ago, I remember my NCO's (Ground Radio Repair types) had a little thing that looked like a pipe cutter but for soft metals like copper. It really only had to do a couple sizes, a little under 1/2 " and a little under 1/4 ". We used mostly RG-223/U (similar to RG-58/U except double shield) with some RG-214/U and RG-9/U (similar to RG-8/U except double silvered shields). I think it had some kind of a thumb screw to adjust the size, but that was too many years ago. I've never looked for something like that but I bet there might be something like that around. As I said I would be more concerned about cutting the jacket and the braid. When I want a nice even square cut, i use a single edge razor blade to cut the inner insulation. I often still have to use a wire cutter to pull the insulation off the center conductor, especially for RG-8 and larger sizes. Kerry On 12/18/2014 2:17 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > I think I will try using my PVC cutter. It ratchets sort of like the > one I posted from Ebay. I use it all of the time for doing PVC pipe > and hopefully it will also do soft wire (copper/aluminum) Coax > cables. It would be nice to have one tool that is multi-purpose. I > agree Kerry, there is an ART to cutting the outer insulation without > doing in the wire braid. I usually have to try a couple of times to > get it right. > > Gary J > N5BAA > From ccrobins at ktc.com Thu Dec 18 17:18:39 2014 From: ccrobins at ktc.com (Charley & Peggy Robinson) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:18:39 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Distance measuring wheel In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <549352BF.2090809@ktc.com> I remember that someone produced a distance measuring wheel when we were setting up for Field Day at Our Lady of the Hills school a couple of years ago. Don't know who it was though. I have a need for one for a RC club project this weekend. If you have one that I may borrow, let me know & I'll come get it. TIA & 73 Charley - af5ao 830-895-3917 From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Dec 18 18:34:53 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:34:53 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable In-Reply-To: <5493487B.3040006@hughes.net> References: <035D90349735431E9C52533F92691EB2@GaryPC> <54933006.8020000@hughes.net> <5493487B.3040006@hughes.net> Message-ID: <2D8D5788AD1A4888BC7BF62A966DACF6@GaryPC> Kerry, It's not getting the coax ready for the connector I was having trouble with. I was just wanting a good clean square cut when cutting the coax off of the spool, or cutting it to length. All of the "wire cutters" I had tried were crushing the end of the Coax down to an oval and messing up the dielectric. I was looking for a tool to give me a nice clean sharp cut all the way through the coax. It turns out that my PVC pipe cutter has a sharp enough blade to slice right through the coax without mashing it into an oval. I have had for some time on of the gray, multi bladed coax end preparation tools that Arlene got for me as a birthday present for prepping the coax ends for attaching the fitting. All one has to do with that is adjust the blades cutting depth properly for the kind of coax being used and then insert the coax (LMR-400 in my case) and it cuts the right depth and length each time all at once. I think it cost her about $10.00 on Ebay. What hasn't been working well with it is to have the end of the coax be out of round so that the blades cut differently as it is twisted around the coax - hence my search for a tool to keep the coax round vs oval. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Kerry Sandstrom Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 3:34 PM To: Gary J - N5BAA ; HCARC Reflector Subject: Re: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable Gary, When I had a test team 40 years ago, I remember my NCO's (Ground Radio Repair types) had a little thing that looked like a pipe cutter but for soft metals like copper. It really only had to do a couple sizes, a little under 1/2 " and a little under 1/4 ". We used mostly RG-223/U (similar to RG-58/U except double shield) with some RG-214/U and RG-9/U (similar to RG-8/U except double silvered shields). I think it had some kind of a thumb screw to adjust the size, but that was too many years ago. I've never looked for something like that but I bet there might be something like that around. As I said I would be more concerned about cutting the jacket and the braid. When I want a nice even square cut, i use a single edge razor blade to cut the inner insulation. I often still have to use a wire cutter to pull the insulation off the center conductor, especially for RG-8 and larger sizes. Kerry On 12/18/2014 2:17 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > I think I will try using my PVC cutter. It ratchets sort of like the one > I posted from Ebay. I use it all of the time for doing PVC pipe and > hopefully it will also do soft wire (copper/aluminum) Coax cables. It > would be nice to have one tool that is multi-purpose. I agree Kerry, > there is an ART to cutting the outer insulation without doing in the wire > braid. I usually have to try a couple of times to get it right. > > Gary J > N5BAA > ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8761 - Release Date: 12/18/14 From georgecofran at cofran.com Thu Dec 18 23:33:32 2014 From: georgecofran at cofran.com (George Cofran) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:33:32 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Distance measuring wheel In-Reply-To: <549352BF.2090809@ktc.com> References: <549352BF.2090809@ktc.com> Message-ID: <000301d01b44$f4102810$dc307830$@com> Charlie, I have this device and you are welcome to borrow it. But, I live in Johnson City. Let me know if you want to pick it up. 73 de KD5LXW, www.qrz.com/db/kd5lxw George, George Cofran, President Cofran & Associates, Inc. "Everything PC" (PC Repairs, Upgrades, Virus Removal, On-line Tech Support, Coaching), Web Sites, The Portal & Business Coaching Technology & Business Consultants 9242 RR 1320, Johnson City, TX 78636 Cell: 281-300-7177, e-Fax: 281-754-4775, Email: georgecofran at cofran.com Web: www.Cofran.com . . Consulting & Technology help: "Everything PC" by George, web sites, merchant card processing & small business coaching Web: www.HillCountryPortal.com . . The "go-to" site for Texas Hill Country information on businesses, non-profits, attractions, area information & what's happening. Check us out on: Facebook Web: www.SandyRoadGuestHaus.com . . A great get-away vacation rental in the Texas Hill Country -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Charley & Peggy Robinson Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 4:19 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Distance measuring wheel I remember that someone produced a distance measuring wheel when we were setting up for Field Day at Our Lady of the Hills school a couple of years ago. Don't know who it was though. I have a need for one for a RC club project this weekend. If you have one that I may borrow, let me know & I'll come get it. TIA & 73 Charley - af5ao 830-895-3917 ______________________________________________________________ HCARC mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Fri Dec 19 20:25:01 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:25:01 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Large Flare Message-ID: <5494CFED.2060801@hughes.net> Gang, The solar flux has been over 210 for the last 2 days. About an hour ago there was a large X2 flare. Since we are currently in darkness, it won't be too bad for us but we are unlikely to hear any signals from the daylight side of the earth due to absorption in the ionosphere caused by the flare. The sunspot group that has given us the high solar flux the last few days is now past the center of the sun. I only see one small sunspot group on the rising side of the sun. I expect that the solar flux will be around 200 for the weekend and then will start dropping. If we have more large flares, daytime conditions will be poor because of absorption but night should be OK. Kerry From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Sun Dec 21 18:33:39 2014 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 17:33:39 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Geomagnetic Activity Message-ID: <549758D3.7010708@hughes.net> The sun produced 2-M1 flares today and the solar flux is still over 200. Conditions should be good except for a geomagnetic storm that started this afternoon and a polar cap absorption event that started this morning. The X2 flare on the 20th produced a lot of protons that have finally arrived. The protons are precipitating down at the two poles causing a lot of HF signal absorption at the poles. Don't expect to hear signals that cross the auroral zone. Only 4 of last weeks sunspot groups are still on this side of the sun and they will be going over the limb in the next couple days. There are 3 new groups that have just appeared over the other limb. Two are reasonable size and one is quite small. The solar flux may not stay above 200 this week but conditions should remain good if the protons stop and the geomagnetic field quiets down. Kerry From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Tue Dec 30 22:03:20 2014 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:03:20 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] For Those That Understand Message-ID: <2540EF6CE9CF43739AD8C1E9EB02FE43@GaryPC> HOMETOWN BATTLEFIELD https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wq0X0bwMprQ?feature=player_embedded Gary J N5BAA 100% Disabled Veteran From cw4evr at hctc.net Mon Dec 15 13:21:06 2014 From: cw4evr at hctc.net (Fred Gilmore) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 18:21:06 -0000 Subject: [HCARC] Wild life Message-ID: <6C07DF40E9F145428F734B8ED8FE3797@ham296dac95944> Anyone living in an area where there are a lot of deer or other large wild life need to watch this. Here in the Texas Hill country its not if you hit a deer, but when. http://huntinginsider.com/index.php/content?id=3046