From billandmattie at windstream.net Mon Feb 2 00:45:50 2015 From: billandmattie at windstream.net (Bill Tynan) Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2015 23:45:50 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] FW: [Rmg] Request for presenters re: "Getting started on the Microwavebands" Message-ID: This may be of interest to a few HCARC members. 73, Bill, W3XO _____ From: Jim Froemke [mailto:jim.k0mhc at earthlink.net] Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2015 1:53 PM To: RMG Reflector Subject: [Rmg] Request for presenters re: "Getting started on the Microwavebands" Following the November RMG meeting, we've been kicking around ideas for generating more interest (and activity) on the microwave bands up to and including 10 GHz. After all, we are the Roadrunner MICROWAVE Group! So, beginning with this next Saturday (and during the next 4 meetings) we're planning to cover several of the major topics related to a constructing and operating a microwave station. These include (but are not necessarily limited to): - 1st month - Transceivers and Transverters - 2nd month - Antennas and Feeds - 3rd month - Microwave Plumbing and Testing - 4th month - Operating For example the 1st presentation (Transceivers and Transverters) may include (up to the presenter): - What's the difference between a Transceiver and a Transverter? - What is a transverter and how does it work? - How do you connect a transverter to your station? - What specifications should you look for in a transverter? - How do you test a transverter? - Should you purchase an assembled transverter or DIY? - What will it cost me? - What assembled transverters are available? - Where can you find transverter components (for DIY)? - Whatever else you may want to add. - Q&A? As you may have noticed, we're looking for a few-good-men to present these topics. Now I know everyone is up-to-their-ears these days and your discretionary time is limited. But, we have many hams with considerable microwave experience in our club. We're *NOT* looking for PHD dissertations. Rather, a 45 min- hour PowerPoint and verbal summary with a Q&A period and any show-and-tell items that may be helpful. The target audience is existing hams with an interest in getting onto a new band; such as 10 GHz (but not limited to 10 GHz). Many of these topics also apply to the "looper bands" (902 - 3456 MHz) and the "dish-bands" (5 - 24 GHz). Dick has also requested additional presentation topics for these meetings so, we should have a good mix of topics. Please advise if you're willing to take on one or more of these monthly topics. I'd like to post a list so that we all know what's still available. 73, Jim K0MHC/rover Kerrville, TX Be sure to join us at the 49th Annual CSVHF Conference in Denver, CO. Visit www.csvhfs.org for more information. No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4273/9039 - Release Date: 02/01/15 From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Mon Feb 2 19:47:19 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 18:47:19 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! Message-ID: YEA!!!!!! Daylight Savings Time begins in 34 more days. I can?t wait. Gary J N5BAA From tower2 at stx.rr.com Mon Feb 2 19:59:16 2015 From: tower2 at stx.rr.com (Harvey N. Vordenbaum) Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 18:59:16 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <003001d03f4c$a29013c0$e7b03b40$@rr.com> It's just a big PITA as far as I am concerned. Hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 6:47 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! YEA!!!!!! Daylight Savings Time begins in 34 more days. I can?t wait. Gary J N5BAA ______________________________________________________________ HCARC mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Tue Feb 3 10:28:53 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 09:28:53 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! In-Reply-To: <003001d03f4c$a29013c0$e7b03b40$@rr.com> References: <003001d03f4c$a29013c0$e7b03b40$@rr.com> Message-ID: Right you are Harvey - they should just leave it on Daylight savings the year long or go an extra hour savings in the winter to ensure that it is light outside when people are awake. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Harvey N. Vordenbaum Sent: Monday, February 2, 2015 6:59 PM To: 'Gary J - N5BAA' ; hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! It's just a big PITA as far as I am concerned. Hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 6:47 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Sunday March 8th - A Glorius Day It Wil;l Be!!! YEA!!!!!! Daylight Savings Time begins in 34 more days. I can?t wait. 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4273/9047 - Release Date: 02/02/15 From galeheise at windstream.net Tue Feb 3 14:44:35 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 13:44:35 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] NEW OLD STOCK 6 Position Coaxial Switch For Sale Message-ID: <2D6D1DBDFBFE4D0EA288D5F1A0C39499@GalePC> I have, what appears to never have been used, a new Waters Model 375 Protax six position coaxial hand switch in the original box for sale at a price of $20. Call me at 830-896-9593 if interested. Gale KM4DR From galeheise at windstream.net Tue Feb 3 16:06:58 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 15:06:58 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Coaxial Switch Sold Message-ID: The Coaxial Switch has been sold. Gale KM4DR From galeheise at windstream.net Tue Feb 3 16:48:33 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 15:48:33 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Nice MFJ-989C Versa Tuner for Sale Message-ID: I have the referenced Versa Tuner with the 3 kw roller inductor for sale and just finished checking it out ? $150.00 to club members. 830-896-9593 Gale KM4DR From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Tue Feb 3 20:17:38 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 19:17:38 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] 8 January 2015 Minutes Message-ID: HILL COUNTRY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Meeting Minutes 8 January 2015 MEETING COMMENCEMENT The meeting was called to order by President Terry Hipskind (W0HIP) who led us in the Pledge Of Allegiance. There were 27 members in attendance with 1 guest Mark Johnson (KF5JQH). MEMBER AND GUEST RECOGNITION President Hipskind explained the 50/50 and gave out tickets to the following people for having helped during the past month: Barb and Pete Schuyler (N9NM, N9OF respectively) for providing goodies for the break and to Mort McKenzie (WB2GEU) for sugar free goodies. Gale Heise (KM4DR) recognized Chuck Brainard (KA1PM) for helping him to take down a tower. Barb and Pete Schuyler and Don Murray (W4WJ) helped John Huecksteadt (AC4CA) with his phased array listening antenna. The November/December 2014 minutes were posted and approved. The Treasurers report was read and approved COMMITTEE REPORTS Repeater (Harvey K5HV) ? Nothing to report. Repeater functioning well. VE Testing (Fred W0LPD) ? None Red Cross Liason (Terry W0HIP) ? Our local Red Cross? region has changed due to reorganization within the Texas Red Cross. There are now 3 Regions, our local region consisting of 18 counties or roughly the size of the State of Oregon. Significant thought needs to be applied to how we will communicate across an area that large. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS It was discussed that there are now Face Book Ham Radio Sites. Ham Calls can be used as Facebook names. Midland St Patties Day Hamfest ? 15 March. http:hamfest.W5QGG.org Talks coming in the near future: Feb: Chuck Brainard ? Ham Radio stations in Somalia Mar: John Huecksteadt ? Low Band DXing Dale Gaudier (K4DG) indicated he has Tech License Manuals in stock and for sale. BREAK FOR REFRESHMENTS FROM Barb, Pete, and Mort. The presentation was by Kerry Sandstrom (K5KS) on home brewed (he said easy???) test equipment. 50/50 was won by Alan Cone who donated his winnings ($33.00) to the Repeater Fund. Submitted: Gary Johnson N5BAA HCARC Secretary 2013/14/15 From galeheise at windstream.net Wed Feb 4 11:12:09 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 10:12:09 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] MFJ-989C Tuner Sold Message-ID: <4A712E4B9B2249469DECBA0CA25DC100@GalePC> The referenced tuner is sold. Gale KM4DR From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Wed Feb 4 12:41:32 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 11:41:32 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] CORRECTED 8 January 2015 Minutes Message-ID: <1E1B19095B7D476A9956909E55010800@GaryPC> HILL COUNTRY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Meeting Minutes 8 January 2015 MEETING COMMENCEMENT The meeting was called to order by Vice President Bob Ritchie (K5YB) who led us in the Pledge Of Allegiance. There were 27 members in attendance with 1 guest Mark Johnson (KF5JQH). MEMBER AND GUEST RECOGNITION Vice President Ritchie explained the 50/50 and gave out tickets to the following people for having helped during the past month: Barb and Pete Schuyler (N9NM, N9OF respectively) for providing goodies for the break and to Mort McKenzie (WB2GEU) for sugar free goodies. Gale Heise (KM4DR) recognized Chuck Brainard (KA1PM) for helping him to take down a tower. Barb and Pete Schuyler and Don Murray (W4WJ) helped John Huecksteadt (AC4CA) with his phased array listening antenna. The November/December 2014 minutes were posted and approved. The Treasurers report was read and approved COMMITTEE REPORTS Repeater (Harvey K5HV) ? Nothing to report. Repeater functioning well. VE Testing (Fred W0LPD) ? None Red Cross Liason (Terry W0HIP) ? Our local Red Cross? region has changed due to reorganization within the Texas Red Cross. There are now 3 Regions, our local region consisting of 18 counties or roughly the size of the State of Oregon. Significant thought needs to be applied to how we will communicate across an area that large. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS It was discussed that there are now Face Book Ham Radio Sites. Ham Calls can be used as Facebook names. Midland St Patties Day Hamfest ? 15 March. http:hamfest.W5QGG.org Bob Ritchie indicated the presentations coming in the near future are: Feb: Chuck Brainard ? Ham Radio stations in Somalia Mar: John Huecksteadt ? Low Band DXing Dale Gaudier (K4DG) indicated he has Tech License Manuals in stock and for sale. BREAK FOR REFRESHMENTS FROM Barb, Pete, and Mort. The presentation was by Kerry Sandstrom (K5KS) on home brewed (he said easy???) test equipment. 50/50 was won by Alan Cone who donated his winnings ($33.00) to the Repeater Fund. Submitted: Gary Johnson N5BAA HCARC Secretary 2013/14/15 From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Thu Feb 5 02:53:06 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2015 02:53:06 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] Tower Message-ID: <123c5.1b28cad9.42047b62@aol.com> http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/d/story/plane-crashes-into-lubbock-te levision-tower-one-de/38698/5OX2k18xQUWz1ETYHUoDIw From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Feb 5 15:09:35 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2015 14:09:35 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] MASSIVE HEALTHCARE DATA BREACH Message-ID: Not radio related but a huge story nonetheless. The world's second-largest health insurer just announced that it has been hacked early this morning. This is a huge story! One out of every nine Americans is covered by this company and its affiliates, making this the biggest healthcare data breach in history. You may not immediately recognize the insurance company name, Anthem, because it uses several different brand names in various states. One name it uses that you may be familiar with is Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Anthem says that hackers gained access to current and former members' complete personal information along with employee records. This could total 80 million people or more. The leaked information includes names, dates of birth, member ID and Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and employment information. Gary J N5BAA From vbiersch at gmail.com Thu Feb 5 15:59:17 2015 From: vbiersch at gmail.com (Virgil Bierschwale) Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2015 14:59:17 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] MASSIVE HEALTHCARE DATA BREACH In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <014901d04186$a0c6a360$e253ea20$@gmail.com> Folks, ain't nobody been hacked. India has some of the most corrupt people in the World, and we gave them the damned passwords by letting them force americans out of the development end. Don't believe me, there are two videos under my video that were contributed by Indians over here working that see through what is happening. http://keepamericaatwork.com/media-page/ scroll down to see them, and it's worth 30 minutes of your time if you have children to watch my video as I show occupation by occupation what is happening in America using maps, dept of labor job statistics, etc. This is going to get worse as we continue on this path, and none of these "hacks" are anything but we've sent our passwords around the world and then we wonder how they get in there? As for gaining access, these folks have access to all of your banking, investment, financial, medical, etc. Google Disney Infosys hcl technology Google southern California Edison Infosys hcl technology Google ibm layoff 5000 -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 2:10 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] MASSIVE HEALTHCARE DATA BREACH Not radio related but a huge story nonetheless. The world's second-largest health insurer just announced that it has been hacked early this morning. This is a huge story! One out of every nine Americans is covered by this company and its affiliates, making this the biggest healthcare data breach in history. You may not immediately recognize the insurance company name, Anthem, because it uses several different brand names in various states. One name it uses that you may be familiar with is Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Anthem says that hackers gained access to current and former members' complete personal information along with employee records. This could total 80 million people or more. The leaked information includes names, dates of birth, member ID and Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and employment information. 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4281/9061 - Release Date: 02/05/15 From jim.k0mhc at earthlink.net Fri Feb 6 13:52:52 2015 From: jim.k0mhc at earthlink.net ( Jim Froemke) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 12:52:52 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] We still have several seats available for out monthly carpool to Austin Message-ID: <000e01d0423e$1cc4f5e0$564ee1a0$@earthlink.net> Just a reminder that the 1st presentation in the series titled ?Getting onto the Microwave Bands? will be given this Saturday the 7th.? We?ve spared no expense to bring this cast of characters to the podium. So, come on over to learn about these exciting topics, fondle some hardware, hear other interesting presentations and find out ?what?s really happening? in the life of RMG members. Remember what happens at Maudie?s, stays at Maudie?s. -?Brian, N5YC - 1st month - Microwave Transverters -?Tom, K5VH - 2nd month - Antennas and Feeds -??Ben, NO5K - 3rd month ? Microwave Plumbing and Testing - John, W?JT/5 - 4th month ? Operating on the Microwave Bands You won?t want to miss out on the first of this series as it won?t be available on Netflix reruns. We?ll leave Kerrville by 9:15 AM. Lunch and RMG meeting at Maudie?s Hill Country Tex-Mex in Bee Cave, TX. Returning to Kerrville by 4:30 PM. 73, Jim K0MHC Kerrville, TX 830-895-1381 Roadrunners Microwave Group Be sure to join us at the 49th Annual CSVHF Conference in Denver, CO. Visit www.csvhfs.org for more information. From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Fri Feb 6 15:14:43 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 15:14:43 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] FBG FYI Message-ID: <79d9b.de1fb64.42067ab2@aol.com> http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mjf45hfje/fredericksburg-tx/ From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 7 13:30:47 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 12:30:47 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Texas Ham Towers Potentially To Be Regulated Message-ID: <1FA0655BA7C043C38D97713FCFAB072C@GaryPC> Some Crop Duster somewhere in Texas apparently flew his plane into a tower of some sort and now this is being proposed. ?TT: First of all, I am not a lawyer, so Caveat Amateur. I found a definition of "curtilage" at http://thelawdictionary.org/curtilage/ . To my reading, it seems that the proposed Texas statute specifically exempts towers that are within the curtilage of a residence, including pasture or grazing lands. Again, to my reading, most Ham towers with which I am familiar would not fall under the regulations of the statute. 73 de Gene Smar AD3F -----Original Message----- From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of L L bahr Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2015 12:56 PM To: towertalk at contesting.com Subject: [TowerTalk] New Proposed Texas Tower Regulation FYI Lee, w0vt http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB946 Please read and pass this to all Amateur Radio Operators who have towers. This ?COULD? be detrimental to all of us. There are things I am not certain of that I would like answers to or to clarify so that we could write to our legislature to either kill this bill or more narrowly define it so that it is not ?ALL INCLUSIVE? in nature. It is my understanding that the Crop Duster Association is behind this because some pilot either through stupidity or an accident killed himself by flying into an obstruction. (I have many times pulled off the road and watched these guys. Several times I have witnessed them doing stupid reckless maneuvers) While I am an advocate for safety and common sense, I do not think everyone should ?PAY? for the actions of a very small few. If a bill like this must exist, it should define a specific distance around the ?WORK/FLY ZONE? and not every tower in the state. We should write our representatives to kill or modify this bill. SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code Section 21.071 (a) 1, 2, 3 clearly define ?MOST? Amateur Radio towers. Section 21.071 (b) 1, 2 ?APPEAR? to exempt many Amateur Radio Towers BUT does it? What is the State?s legal definition of ?curtilage?? Section 21.071 (e) 2, ?APPEARS? to exempt Amateur Radio Operators as ?a facility licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or any structure with the primary purpose of supporting telecommunications equipment? but then goes on to specifically define commercial radio service. The ?and? seems to separate the two? Section 21.071 (f) 1, 2 ?REQUIRES? notice and registration. You know FEES and PERMITS will soon follow. Section 21.071 (a), (b) appears to make it retroactive after September 1, 2016. Are there any lawyers among us who could speak to this and guide us in writing a proper request to our representatives regarding this? What are your thoughts? Regards, Larry Lowry Radio System Manager (936) 538-3770 Shop (936) 538-3711 Direct (936) 538-3775 Fax imagesWD5CFJ qrcode.17489151 _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ TowerTalk mailing list TowerTalk at contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 7 13:38:07 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 12:38:07 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill Message-ID: <09FE4EBCDD0D4C4A84FC0157BE628DCE@GaryPC> By: Workman H.B. No. 946 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to painting and marking requirements for certain towers; creating an offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 21.071 to read as follows: Sec. 21.071. PAINTING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TOWERS; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "tower" means a structure that: (1) is self-standing or supported by guy wires and anchors; (2) is not more than six feet in diameter at the base of the structure; and (3) has accessory facilities on which an antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other equipment is mounted. (b) For purposes of this section, "tower" does not include a structure that is located: (1) adjacent to a building, including a barn, or an electric utility substation; or (2) in the curtilage of a residence. (c) A tower that is at least 50 feet but not more than 200 feet in height above ground level: (1) must be painted in equal alternating bands of aviation orange and white, beginning with orange at the top of the tower; (2) must have aviation orange marker balls installed and displayed in accordance with the standards contained in 76 Fed. Reg. 36983 (June 24, 2011) and Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K; and (3) may not be supported by guy wires unless the guy wires have a seven-foot-long safety sleeve at each anchor point that extends from the anchor point along each guy wire attached to the anchor point. (d) A person who owns, operates, or erects a tower in violation of this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the commission of the offense a collision with the tower occurred causing bodily injury or death to another person. (e) This section does not apply to: (1) a tower that supports an electric utility transmission or distribution line; (2) a facility licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or any structure with the primary purpose of supporting telecommunications equipment, including microwave relay facilities and towers erected for the purpose of providing commercial mobile data service or commercial mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3, other than a tower erected for the primary purpose of providing private mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3; (3) a wind-powered electrical generator with a rotor blade radius greater than six feet; or (4) a traffic-control signal erected or maintained by the department. (f) The department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this section, including rules requiring a person: (1) who owns, operates, or erects a tower to provide notice to the department of the existence of or intent to erect a tower; and (2) to register the tower with the department. SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt rules required to implement and administer Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015. SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by this section, Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies to a tower erected before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. (b) A tower erected before the effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the painting and marking requirements of Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, until September 1, 2016. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. Gary J N5BAA From w6fvo at rschutte.com Sat Feb 7 13:47:35 2015 From: w6fvo at rschutte.com (W6FVO) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 12:47:35 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill In-Reply-To: <09FE4EBCDD0D4C4A84FC0157BE628DCE@GaryPC> References: <09FE4EBCDD0D4C4A84FC0157BE628DCE@GaryPC> Message-ID: <00c001d04306$8bbcb7d0$a3362770$@rschutte.com> http://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Wind-towers-catching-crop- dusters-off-guard-5880648.php#/0 -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2015 12:38 To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill By: Workman H.B. No. 946 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to painting and marking requirements for certain towers; creating an offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 21.071 to read as follows: Sec. 21.071. PAINTING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TOWERS; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "tower" means a structure that: (1) is self-standing or supported by guy wires and anchors; (2) is not more than six feet in diameter at the base of the structure; and (3) has accessory facilities on which an antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other equipment is mounted. (b) For purposes of this section, "tower" does not include a structure that is located: (1) adjacent to a building, including a barn, or an electric utility substation; or (2) in the curtilage of a residence. (c) A tower that is at least 50 feet but not more than 200 feet in height above ground level: (1) must be painted in equal alternating bands of aviation orange and white, beginning with orange at the top of the tower; (2) must have aviation orange marker balls installed and displayed in accordance with the standards contained in 76 Fed. Reg. 36983 (June 24, 2011) and Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K; and (3) may not be supported by guy wires unless the guy wires have a seven-foot-long safety sleeve at each anchor point that extends from the anchor point along each guy wire attached to the anchor point. (d) A person who owns, operates, or erects a tower in violation of this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the commission of the offense a collision with the tower occurred causing bodily injury or death to another person. (e) This section does not apply to: (1) a tower that supports an electric utility transmission or distribution line; (2) a facility licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or any structure with the primary purpose of supporting telecommunications equipment, including microwave relay facilities and towers erected for the purpose of providing commercial mobile data service or commercial mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3, other than a tower erected for the primary purpose of providing private mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3; (3) a wind-powered electrical generator with a rotor blade radius greater than six feet; or (4) a traffic-control signal erected or maintained by the department. (f) The department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this section, including rules requiring a person: (1) who owns, operates, or erects a tower to provide notice to the department of the existence of or intent to erect a tower; and (2) to register the tower with the department. SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt rules required to implement and administer Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015. SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by this section, Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies to a tower erected before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. (b) A tower erected before the effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the painting and marking requirements of Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, until September 1, 2016. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. 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 Sat Feb 7 14:22:40 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 13:22:40 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill In-Reply-To: <00c001d04306$8bbcb7d0$a3362770$@rschutte.com> References: <09FE4EBCDD0D4C4A84FC0157BE628DCE@GaryPC> <00c001d04306$8bbcb7d0$a3362770$@rschutte.com> Message-ID: <36E87140B2684C52981C93D24487BD43@GaryPC> Your Express-News Link requires a subscription to read it. That said, the bill doesn't just refer to wind towers but does expressly exempt "commercial Comm towers" So I guess if there was a commercial tower 100 feet from my radio tower, my tower at 56 feet would need to be painted but the 100 foot cell tower wouldn't. A much better idea would be to have crop dusters scope out the job they are to do PRIOR to flying their planes like idiots into towers. It's a perfect example of laws being proposed/made without thinking them through. Vote em all out of office after 2 terms. No exceptions. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: W6FVO Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2015 12:47 PM To: 'Gary J - N5BAA' ; hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill http://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Wind-towers-catching-crop- dusters-off-guard-5880648.php#/0 -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2015 12:38 To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill By: Workman H.B. No. 946 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to painting and marking requirements for certain towers; creating an offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 21.071 to read as follows: Sec. 21.071. PAINTING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TOWERS; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "tower" means a structure that: (1) is self-standing or supported by guy wires and anchors; (2) is not more than six feet in diameter at the base of the structure; and (3) has accessory facilities on which an antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other equipment is mounted. (b) For purposes of this section, "tower" does not include a structure that is located: (1) adjacent to a building, including a barn, or an electric utility substation; or (2) in the curtilage of a residence. (c) A tower that is at least 50 feet but not more than 200 feet in height above ground level: (1) must be painted in equal alternating bands of aviation orange and white, beginning with orange at the top of the tower; (2) must have aviation orange marker balls installed and displayed in accordance with the standards contained in 76 Fed. Reg. 36983 (June 24, 2011) and Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K; and (3) may not be supported by guy wires unless the guy wires have a seven-foot-long safety sleeve at each anchor point that extends from the anchor point along each guy wire attached to the anchor point. (d) A person who owns, operates, or erects a tower in violation of this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the commission of the offense a collision with the tower occurred causing bodily injury or death to another person. (e) This section does not apply to: (1) a tower that supports an electric utility transmission or distribution line; (2) a facility licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or any structure with the primary purpose of supporting telecommunications equipment, including microwave relay facilities and towers erected for the purpose of providing commercial mobile data service or commercial mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3, other than a tower erected for the primary purpose of providing private mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3; (3) a wind-powered electrical generator with a rotor blade radius greater than six feet; or (4) a traffic-control signal erected or maintained by the department. (f) The department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this section, including rules requiring a person: (1) who owns, operates, or erects a tower to provide notice to the department of the existence of or intent to erect a tower; and (2) to register the tower with the department. SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt rules required to implement and administer Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015. SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by this section, Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies to a tower erected before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. (b) A tower erected before the effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the painting and marking requirements of Section 21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, until September 1, 2016. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4281/9071 - Release Date: 02/07/15 From w5lew at reagan.com Sat Feb 7 18:46:41 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 17:46:41 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] 10m Message-ID: <00b201d04330$529daa20$f7d8fe60$@com> Just managed to work K1N on 10m SSB - a miracle! (I'm running 100 watts to an 88' doublet up about 30' between two live oak trees and oriented N/S - broadside EW. I drawled out the whiskey in "Whiskey 5" - like "Whiiiiiiiskey 5 Lima Echo Whiskey". Guess it worked! Ha! The Little Pistol rides again :) I got them yesterday on 17m CW, too. God is way too good to me. Enjoyed the club mtg and Chuck's presentation Thursday night. Have a great weekend, everyone. 73 & DX, Lew W5LEW From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 7 20:13:35 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 19:13:35 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Fw: The Tower Marking Bill Message-ID: My mistake, Our new state Rep is Andrew Murr. Here is his link - some of need to go and visit him face to face. http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=53 Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: KF5SPT Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2015 1:55 PM To: Gary J - N5BAA Subject: Re: [HCARC] The Tower Marking Bill AMEN Gary!!! Gerry KF5SPT > It's a perfect example of laws being proposed/made without thinking them > through. Vote em all out of office after 2 terms. No exceptions. > > Gary ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4281/9073 - Release Date: 02/07/15 From sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Sat Feb 7 22:16:31 2015 From: sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com (=?utf-8?B?c2dyaWZmaW4xQHN0eC5yci5jb20=?=) Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2015 03:16:31 GMT Subject: [HCARC] K1N Message-ID: <000f4242.2a85d17903c0e75a@stx.rr.com> Congratulation Lew, it's always great when you can break through a pile up especially on 10 meters. I also try to work them on 10 but no luck. I found K1N on 15 meters transmitting on 21.205 receiving on 21.300 and I was able to make contact also pretty close to 7 p.m. on my Kenwood TS590s in my Alpha Delta DX cc antenna and a hundred watts. It does feel good when you can break through the pile up. WD5ENH Steve 73 Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. From sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Sun Feb 8 05:03:06 2015 From: sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com (=?utf-8?B?c2dyaWZmaW4xQHN0eC5yci5jb20=?=) Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2015 10:03:06 GMT Subject: [HCARC] K1n Message-ID: <000f4242.45b8a6326546caf6@stx.rr.com> Good morning Lew, I really enjoy working pile ups with the station that I have. I'm sure a lot of the stations have a lot of power and very high gain antennas. It's a lot of fun with what you can do with a hundred watts. I do hope you have a contact with K1N on cw that would be fantastic. I'm not much of a cw person but I really I am very appreciative of people who work cw. Actually to send and receive at 27 words a minute Wow! I actually enjoy working split frequency that's a lot of fun. And my favorite band of course is 10 meters, and I also enjoy working 10 meter fm. And I also enjoy meeting you at the meeting last last Thursday night it is nice to put a face with the call. 73 WD5ENH Steve Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. From galeheise at windstream.net Wed Feb 11 17:32:50 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:32:50 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] LoTW TQSL Issue Message-ID: For those of you who utilize LoTW I discovered something recently pointed out by another ham. When I first set up LoTW I printed out about 20 pages of instructions and checked off each one as I completed it. I set it up in 2009. As mentioned, I received an email from a ham telling me when he attempted to determine my state, grid square, county etc. on LoTW he couldn?t find it. I noticed all of his QSOs with me were after 2012. Furthermore, when I went on LoTW to check my Certificate it said good 2012-11-30 thru 2015-11-30. It was at this point I remembered I had renewed my TQSL Certificate in 2012. Apparently they are good for three years. Based on an email from ARRL, I opened my tqsl.exe file and found no data to be present for state, county, grid square etc. I was certain I had originally filled out all of the information. I don?t know for sure but I suspect when I renewed the TQSL certificate all of the values mentioned went to default and I?ve been uploading logs for two years without the data required to help hams acquire WAS and WPX awards. So bottom line, if you have renewed your Certificate I suggest you open your tqsl.exe file and edit the location data to see if it is present. I?d be interested in what you find. It may have been in an instruction and I failed to reset the data but now I?m curious what others find. Once the data was reset I simply uploaded my log again and all the data is now present, verified by W9RF, a very persistent and helpful ham who not only brought this to my attention but helped me to get it resolved. 73s Gale KM4DR From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Fri Feb 13 13:49:27 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:49:27 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] Navassa Island Last Chance!! Message-ID: <5dfc3.2797030.420fa137@aol.com> Hello All... If you HAVE NOT worked Navassa Island... tomorrow, Saturday is your chance. Between 0700AM local and 0600PM local!! SATURDAY, Feb 14, will be ATNO (All Time New One) DAY on 20M SSB between 1300-2400Z. 14.240 (plus/minus) will be our transmit frequency, listen for instructions. ONLY ATNO stations will be logged. GOOD LUCK ALL!!! 73 Don W4WJ From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Fri Feb 13 23:45:46 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:45:46 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] K1N Last Chance for First Timers... Message-ID: <708e0.3cad3db0.42102cfa@aol.com> Hello All... To clear up any confusion!! If you HAVE NOT worked K1N Navassa Island on any band or mode... Saturday is your chance. Between 0700AM local and 0600PM local!! Details below... SATURDAY, Feb 14, will be ATNO (All Time New One) DAY on 20M SSB between 1300-2400Z. 14.240 (plus/minus) will be our transmit frequency, listen for instructions. ONLY ATNO stations will be logged. Remember... This is ONLY for those who HAVE NOT worked K1N on any band or mode. K1N will be working SPLIT... K1N Transmitting near or on 14.240 and listening up the band. Be CAREFUL and DO NOT transmit on the K1N frequency!! The FREQUENCY POLICE will be in FULL FORCE!! ;-) K1N will say something like: This is K1N listening 250 to 275 for ALL TIME NEW ONE's ONLY... Try to find the station they are working and spot your frequency just above the last station. BUT... BE CAREFUL and switch your VFO back to the correct transmit frequency before you say anything!! Navassa has not been on the air since 1993... No telling when it will be activated again!! GOOD LUCK ALL!!! 73 Don W4WJ From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Sat Feb 14 10:27:03 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2015 10:27:03 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] K1N Message-ID: <77c77.49994066.4210c347@aol.com> 21300 For those needing FIRST contact with Navassa!! From bucket at janeandjohn.org Sat Feb 14 13:36:54 2015 From: bucket at janeandjohn.org (John Canfield) Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2015 12:36:54 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] 10M opening into Europe In-Reply-To: <708e0.3cad3db0.42102cfa@aol.com> References: <708e0.3cad3db0.42102cfa@aol.com> Message-ID: <54DF95C6.3080305@janeandjohn.org> Turned on the TS590 a while ago and Europe is strong on 10M - I worked Netherlands and Germany in a few minutes on PSK-31. 73 de WB5THT From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Mon Feb 16 12:25:02 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (John Weisinger via HCARC) Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:25:02 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [HCARC] Solar Powered Station Message-ID: <1755104880.7449032.1424107502111.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Does anyone in the area have a solar powered station that could give me some suggestions and help? I want to incorporate this into my new home. Thanks.John - W5BGP?John WeisingerWeisinger's Winerywww.weisingers.com541-621-2864 (cell)ysingers at yahoo.com From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Mon Feb 16 12:51:45 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:51:45 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Solar Powered Station In-Reply-To: <1755104880.7449032.1424107502111.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1755104880.7449032.1424107502111.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <5D825E9DDD8445ECA4130A362BCE4583@GaryPC> John, I have a copy of 's book on operating on Emergency Power. It has an excellent section on Solar Power. If all you want to power is your radio shack then Harbor Freight has a 45 watt solar setup that is inexpensive (panels, controller, etc) for I think $139.00 now - the price goes up and down between $139 and $169.00. If you are wanting a larger system that can power significantly more, my neighbor has a good setup. I have a couple of sets of the Harbor Freight kits waiting to power my station. They will power some pairs of 6 volt (hooked in series and parallel) golf cart batteries from Costco. Series to get 12 volts, parallel to get power for as longer time. Golf cart batteries are designed to charged and discharged more frequently than even Deep Cycle batteries used for fishing trolling motors. They are however more expensive (X2). This is the month I am going to finally make a purchase of a HexBeam. I'm going to put up a directional antenna if it kills me!! Lots of people are talking about a kit sold here - It's the best price on the net and may be almost as inexpensive as making one. www.k4hex.com/description.asp They even have a Layaway program that lets you buy it over as many months as needed. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: John Weisinger via HCARC Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 11:25 AM To: HCARC Reflector Subject: [HCARC] Solar Powered Station Does anyone in the area have a solar powered station that could give me some suggestions and help? I want to incorporate this into my new home. Thanks.John - W5BGP John WeisingerWeisinger's Winerywww.weisingers.com541-621-2864 (cell)ysingers at yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________ 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9121 - Release Date: 02/15/15 From vbiersch at gmail.com Mon Feb 16 13:08:52 2015 From: vbiersch at gmail.com (Virgil Bierschwale) Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:08:52 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Fwd: Solar Powered Station In-Reply-To: References: <1755104880.7449032.1424107502111.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> <5D825E9DDD8445ECA4130A362BCE4583@GaryPC> Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Virgil Bierschwale Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 12:03 PM Subject: Re: [HCARC] Solar Powered Station To: Gary J - N5BAA I have the harbor freight system, and its' not big enough to charge a typical 12 volt deep cycle battery like you would find at tractor supply. It will show that the battery is 100% charged, but the light that comes on that shows that it has had a full charge within 2 weeks never cycles simply because it is not big enough. http://www.solar-electric.com/solar-panels-mounts-kits-accessories/prsy/rvandsmbasoc.html I would look at a system more along the line of the 280 or 560 watt system that is on this page. If you will be running your rigs off of 12 volt power, you will not need an inverter. I bought the harbor freight system to experiment with and I found that it simply doesn't have enough oomph, although it charged up my cell phone quite well before I had electricity hooked up out here which gave me pandora, email and phone. As a matter of fact, if anybody wants to experiment with one, I'll sell my system for 100 bucks which includes the harbor freight 45 watt system, a 300 watt inverter, a midnight solar battery monitor and a 12 volt deep cycle battery and a ice chest that I keep it in with all associated equipment. oh yes and a good quality morningstar charge controller. All are about a year old. Myself, after studying the sizing of the systems, etc. (it is confusing), I think I'm going to try the 280 watt system and I base that on the article I saw in QST about a year or two ago where the guy charged one battery and ran his transceiver about 3 to 5 hours a week. Virgil N5IVV On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 11:51 AM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > John, > > I have a copy of 's book on operating on Emergency Power. It has an > excellent section on Solar Power. If all you want to power is your radio > shack then Harbor Freight has a 45 watt solar setup that is inexpensive > (panels, controller, etc) for I think $139.00 now - the price goes up and > down between $139 and $169.00. If you are wanting a larger system that can > power significantly more, my neighbor has a good setup. I have a couple of > sets of the Harbor Freight kits waiting to power my station. They will > power some pairs of 6 volt (hooked in series and parallel) golf cart > batteries from Costco. Series to get 12 volts, parallel to get power for as > longer time. Golf cart batteries are designed to charged and discharged > more frequently than even Deep Cycle batteries used for fishing trolling > motors. They are however more expensive (X2). > > This is the month I am going to finally make a purchase of a HexBeam. I'm > going to put up a directional antenna if it kills me!! Lots of people are > talking about a kit sold here - It's the best price on the net and may be > almost as inexpensive as making one. www.k4hex.com/description.asp They > even have a Layaway program that lets you buy it over as many months as > needed. > > Gary J > N5BAA > > -----Original Message----- From: John Weisinger via HCARC > Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 11:25 AM > To: HCARC Reflector > Subject: [HCARC] Solar Powered Station > > Does anyone in the area have a solar powered station that could give me > some suggestions and help? I want to incorporate this into my new home. > Thanks.John - W5BGP John WeisingerWeisinger's Winerywww.weisingers.com541-621-2864 > (cell)ysingers at yahoo.com > ______________________________________________________________ > 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9121 - Release Date: 02/15/15 > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 hcarc at mailman.qth.net Wed Feb 18 02:28:19 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:28:19 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] W1AW/p QSL Info Message-ID: http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-centennial-qso-party-awards-w1aw-p-qsl-cards-i n-process From galeheise at windstream.net Wed Feb 18 07:59:11 2015 From: galeheise at windstream.net (galeheise at windstream.net) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 06:59:11 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Kenwood TS-440S-AT for Sale Message-ID: I have the referenced rig for sale which has the optional CW filter, automatic antenna tuner, hand mic, power connector, fuse and power cable at $450. No power supply included but I do have another 35 amp Astron power supply for $65. Let me know if you?re interested by contacting me direct via email or call 830-896-9593. Gale KM4DR From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Wed Feb 18 16:56:08 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 15:56:08 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News Message-ID: Hamfests We have a couple of hamfests coming up in the next few weeks: Orange Fest Start Date: 02/28/2015 End Date: 02/28/2015 Location: Orange County Convention & Expo Center 11475 FM 1442 Orange, TX 77630 Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5nd Georgetown WCARC SWAPFEST MARCH 14, 2015 Saturday, March 14, 2015 8am-2pm Community Center San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, Texas (455 E Morrow St Georgetown TX 78626) http://www.wcarc.com Houston /Rosenburg STX Section Convention March 28th Fort Bend County Fairgrounds- Rosenburg, Tx http://www.houstonhamfest.org/ Speaking of Hamfests, I received this from the folks in OK. 2015 Green Country Hamfest will be held March 13th & 14th in Claremore, Oklahoma. Only 30 minutes from Tulsa! Claremore Expo, 400 Veterans Parkway, Claremore, OK, 74017 Largest Hamfest in Oklahoma! Talk-in on: 147.09+ From tower2 at stx.rr.com Wed Feb 18 22:19:47 2015 From: tower2 at stx.rr.com (Harvey N. Vordenbaum) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:19:47 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <002301d04bf2$ea888a10$bf999e30$@rr.com> And don't forget the Midland Hamfest March 14. http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/ hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 3:56 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News Hamfests We have a couple of hamfests coming up in the next few weeks: Orange Fest Start Date: 02/28/2015 End Date: 02/28/2015 Location: Orange County Convention & Expo Center 11475 FM 1442 Orange, TX 77630 Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5nd Georgetown WCARC SWAPFEST MARCH 14, 2015 Saturday, March 14, 2015 8am-2pm Community Center San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, Texas (455 E Morrow St Georgetown TX 78626) http://www.wcarc.com Houston /Rosenburg STX Section Convention March 28th Fort Bend County Fairgrounds- Rosenburg, Tx http://www.houstonhamfest.org/ Speaking of Hamfests, I received this from the folks in OK. 2015 Green Country Hamfest will be held March 13th & 14th in Claremore, Oklahoma. Only 30 minutes from Tulsa! Claremore Expo, 400 Veterans Parkway, Claremore, OK, 74017 Largest Hamfest in Oklahoma! Talk-in on: 147.09+ ______________________________________________________________ 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 Feb 19 00:44:27 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 23:44:27 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News In-Reply-To: <002301d04bf2$ea888a10$bf999e30$@rr.com> References: <002301d04bf2$ea888a10$bf999e30$@rr.com> Message-ID: Just received this addendum from our ARRL Section Manager about the upcoming HAMFESTS: " I received this correction regarding the Greater Houston / Rosenburg Hamfest. My bad for not remembering that they are hosting the State Convention this year. Even more reason to attend! - Lee Houston /Rosenburg STX Section Convention March 28th Fort Bend County Fairgrounds- Rosenburg, Tx http://www.houstonhamfest.org/ The Greater Houston Hamfest on March 28th is hosting the ARRL Texas State Convention this year for the first time. Check out the great speakers and prizes at www.houstonhamfest.org 73, Ron Litt K5HM.ron at gmail.com" Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Harvey N. Vordenbaum Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 9:19 PM To: 'Gary J - N5BAA' ; hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News And don't forget the Midland Hamfest March 14. http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/ hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 3:56 PM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: [HCARC] Hamfest Info from STX ARRL News Hamfests We have a couple of hamfests coming up in the next few weeks: Orange Fest Start Date: 02/28/2015 End Date: 02/28/2015 Location: Orange County Convention & Expo Center 11475 FM 1442 Orange, TX 77630 Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5nd Georgetown WCARC SWAPFEST MARCH 14, 2015 Saturday, March 14, 2015 8am-2pm Community Center San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, Texas (455 E Morrow St Georgetown TX 78626) http://www.wcarc.com Houston /Rosenburg STX Section Convention March 28th Fort Bend County Fairgrounds- Rosenburg, Tx http://www.houstonhamfest.org/ Speaking of Hamfests, I received this from the folks in OK. 2015 Green Country Hamfest will be held March 13th & 14th in Claremore, Oklahoma. Only 30 minutes from Tulsa! Claremore Expo, 400 Veterans Parkway, Claremore, OK, 74017 Largest Hamfest in Oklahoma! Talk-in on: 147.09+ ______________________________________________________________ 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: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9140 - Release Date: 02/18/15 From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sun Feb 22 19:07:08 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2015 18:07:08 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] E51JD Message-ID: E51JD is currently on 10 meters at 28.472. The operators name is Jim in the South Cook Islands. Got through a couple of minutes ago. When he calls CQ or QRZ he goes silent ? just keep giving your call. He is listening and making a list of which stations he wants to work and then will come on the air and give the list of calls/Prefixes or suffixes of who he wants to work and will work in order given through his list before calling QRZ again. NOTE: He gets upset if you happen to call while he is working his list so LISTEN CAREFULLY!!! Gary J N5BAA From w5lew at reagan.com Sun Feb 22 21:01:58 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2015 20:01:58 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] CONTEST REPORT Message-ID: <000301d04f0c$b531b540$1f951fc0$@com> A few months ago, I saw where one of our club members shared his recent contest experience on the Reflector, so I though I might share mine, too. Thanks to Gale Heise, KM4DR, I had a nice run on the ARRL CW DX Contest this weekend. Gale helped me set up the N1MM Logger Plus program, which enabled me to use Telnet spots to save time in getting on frequency to DX stations that I had not worked for that contest on the various HF bands. Using the Telnet spots put me in the Single Operator, Unlimited, Low Power, One transmitter category. This is the first time I've entered in the Assisted category - I used to do it the old way :) Seems like my highest score in the recent past was around 30K points, just being a part-time contester. Band conditions seemed to be ok. I managed to work a few Africans although not many were on the air. One of the highlights was "busting a pileup" on the second call to a Chinese station - whoo-hoo. As to my station, I might say that I have a little Pistol setup: Icom IC-7000 / 100 watts and an 88' doublet up 30' mostly North/South in some live oak trees. I put 18 operating hours into this contest and was very pleased with the results. I'm still amazed that I worked around 180+ countries in one weekend contest, but that's what the software says. I hope I worked a few new ones for my DXCC, which is currently 260 current countries. Band QSOs Pts Cty 7 8 24 8 14 94 282 73 21 61 183 46 28 115 345 60 Total 278 834 187 Score: 155,958 1 Mult = 1.5 Q's On a personal note, I've always enjoyed CW and this contest and the CQ WW CW DX Contest in the Fall are my favorite opportunities to immerse myself in CW. I broke in to Amateur Radio in 1969 as a Novice sending code, which helps, but anyone who is determined can learn it, I feel. Practice and persistence are the keys. A few words of encouragement: GO SLOW and let the speed happen on its own. SPEED scares off a lot of folks to learn CW, but the good news is: CW is fun at 5wpm - it just takes a little longer to QSO, but the FUN is the most important thing. Don't worry about Speed - just enjoy "talking" with your fingers - it's really amazing. 73, DX & CW, Lew W5LEW From tower2 at stx.rr.com Mon Feb 23 07:41:50 2015 From: tower2 at stx.rr.com (Harvey N. Vordenbaum) Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 06:41:50 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] CONTEST REPORT In-Reply-To: <000301d04f0c$b531b540$1f951fc0$@com> References: <000301d04f0c$b531b540$1f951fc0$@com> Message-ID: <000f01d04f66$18524e10$48f6ea30$@rr.com> Congrat's on all the contacts. Do you have N1MM controlling your freq.'s? Hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lew King Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2015 8:02 PM To: 'Hill Country Amateur Radio Club' Subject: [HCARC] CONTEST REPORT A few months ago, I saw where one of our club members shared his recent contest experience on the Reflector, so I though I might share mine, too. Thanks to Gale Heise, KM4DR, I had a nice run on the ARRL CW DX Contest this weekend. Gale helped me set up the N1MM Logger Plus program, which enabled me to use Telnet spots to save time in getting on frequency to DX stations that I had not worked for that contest on the various HF bands. Using the Telnet spots put me in the Single Operator, Unlimited, Low Power, One transmitter category. This is the first time I've entered in the Assisted category - I used to do it the old way :) Seems like my highest score in the recent past was around 30K points, just being a part-time contester. Band conditions seemed to be ok. I managed to work a few Africans although not many were on the air. One of the highlights was "busting a pileup" on the second call to a Chinese station - whoo-hoo. As to my station, I might say that I have a little Pistol setup: Icom IC-7000 / 100 watts and an 88' doublet up 30' mostly North/South in some live oak trees. I put 18 operating hours into this contest and was very pleased with the results. I'm still amazed that I worked around 180+ countries in one weekend contest, but that's what the software says. I hope I worked a few new ones for my DXCC, which is currently 260 current countries. Band QSOs Pts Cty 7 8 24 8 14 94 282 73 21 61 183 46 28 115 345 60 Total 278 834 187 Score: 155,958 1 Mult = 1.5 Q's On a personal note, I've always enjoyed CW and this contest and the CQ WW CW DX Contest in the Fall are my favorite opportunities to immerse myself in CW. I broke in to Amateur Radio in 1969 as a Novice sending code, which helps, but anyone who is determined can learn it, I feel. Practice and persistence are the keys. A few words of encouragement: GO SLOW and let the speed happen on its own. SPEED scares off a lot of folks to learn CW, but the good news is: CW is fun at 5wpm - it just takes a little longer to QSO, but the FUN is the most important thing. Don't worry about Speed - just enjoy "talking" with your fingers - it's really amazing. 73, DX & CW, Lew W5LEW ______________________________________________________________ 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 w5lew at reagan.com Mon Feb 23 09:02:45 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 08:02:45 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] clarification Message-ID: <001c01d04f71$6670c670$33525350$@com> I would like to clarify about the countries I reported in my article last night. Gale helped me check and see what that number, 180+ countries represents. It was Band Countries, not actual countries. If I counted correctly, I worked 92 different prefix countries/entities, still not too bad for one weekend and a little Pistol setup. Lew W5LEW From sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Mon Feb 23 21:17:06 2015 From: sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com (=?utf-8?B?c2dyaWZmaW4xQHN0eC5yci5jb20=?=) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:17:06 GMT Subject: [HCARC] ISS Message-ID: <000f4242.247de3d1477cbcfe@stx.rr.com> I'm not exactly sure what happened but just a few minutes ago the ISS flew over my house I was listening on 145. 800 and it sounded like a fax machine at least a 10 over s9 very strong signal. I was sending packets on 145. 825 and the next thing I heard off of the packet his call XE2OCM Monterrey Mexico,I'm not sure if you heard me through the ISS but I did hear him. That was a lot of fun is supposed to fly over us again tomorrow evening about 7:10 p.m. Tomorrow I'm going to try again. I just wish I could understand what that sound was on 145. 800. WD5ENH Steve Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. From tower2 at stx.rr.com Mon Feb 23 22:19:30 2015 From: tower2 at stx.rr.com (Harvey N. Vordenbaum) Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 21:19:30 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] ISS In-Reply-To: <000f4242.247de3d1477cbcfe@stx.rr.com> References: <000f4242.247de3d1477cbcfe@stx.rr.com> Message-ID: <007001d04fe0$b49bc380$1dd34a80$@rr.com> They have been sending SSTV pictures. That is likely what you heard. Get on AMSAT-BB at amsat.org . To find what is happening. Hv -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 8:17 PM To: Hcarc Subject: [HCARC] ISS I'm not exactly sure what happened but just a few minutes ago the ISS flew over my house I was listening on 145. 800 and it sounded like a fax machine at least a 10 over s9 very strong signal. I was sending packets on 145. 825 and the next thing I heard off of the packet his call XE2OCM Monterrey Mexico,I'm not sure if you heard me through the ISS but I did hear him. That was a lot of fun is supposed to fly over us again tomorrow evening about 7:10 p.m. Tomorrow I'm going to try again. I just wish I could understand what that sound was on 145. 800. WD5ENH Steve Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. ______________________________________________________________ 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 sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Tue Feb 24 20:42:32 2015 From: sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com (=?utf-8?B?c2dyaWZmaW4xQHN0eC5yci5jb20=?=) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 01:42:32 GMT Subject: [HCARC] Iss Message-ID: <000f4242.06686712299be9a8@stx.rr.com> listen for the ISS and also sent packets just a little while ago flew just about right over my house, and I did not hear any signal at all I guess I had the radio is turned off maybe next time. WD5ENH Steve Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. From billandmattie at windstream.net Wed Feb 25 15:16:33 2015 From: billandmattie at windstream.net (Bill Tynan) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:16:33 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Iss In-Reply-To: <000f4242.06686712299be9a8@stx.rr.com> References: <000f4242.06686712299be9a8@stx.rr.com> Message-ID: Steve: They're doing an EVA (space walk), so the amateur stuff was turned off. Better luck next time. 73, Bill, W3XO -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of sgriffin1 at stx.rr.com Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 7:43 PM To: Hcarc Subject: [HCARC] Iss listen for the ISS and also sent packets just a little while ago flew just about right over my house, and I did not hear any signal at all I guess I had the radio is turned off maybe next time. WD5ENH Steve Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Phone. ______________________________________________________________ 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 Wed Feb 25 19:23:31 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 18:23:31 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] HexBeam Antenna Message-ID: <1A7D7143EA7541689CFDCF027289D99F@GaryPC> There are a number of people in the club that either are or are considering building HexBeam Antennas. I just got in the last box of HexBeam parts for my NA4RR HexBeam (6/10/12/15/17/20) antenna kit. This is the HexBeam that I have heard discussed most frequently recently (last 6 months) on the radio and it is based on the G3TXO enhanced HexBeam plans. Anyway, I will be putting it together this next weekend after having cleaned, primed and painted the spreader arms to ensure the South Texas Sun?s strong UV rays do not damage the fiberglass arms any faster than is necessary. This is the most reasonably priced kit on the market and has an innovative lay away program for those that need to spread the cost out over as many months as they desire. For the people who have built, are building, or are considering buying/building one of these antennas I will bring in the center hub assembly and one of the arm assemblies for you to look at next weeks club meeting. I also have 4-5 copies of the assembly instructions for anyone who wants one. Let me know in advance if you would like a copy so I can be sure to have sufficient copies. You can see the kits at hexagonalbeam.com. The owner of the company is Roger Rockwell who is an extremely helpful Ham Radio Operator. Links to Eham Review is: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11234. Email to Roger is coastalsports at usa.net Gary J N5BAA From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Feb 26 03:58:52 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 02:58:52 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Beam Antenna Attachment Parts Message-ID: <2FD4CBBDCF8940D49D63FB1783E0A3C4@GaryPC> This seller on EBAY has really well made attachment devices for attaching Beam Antennas to Masts. Check out his other items for antennas too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Antenna-Plates-2-Mast-to-2-Boom-/251823062381?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item3aa1d2fd6d Gary J N5BAA From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Thu Feb 26 08:38:36 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 08:38:36 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] Beam Antenna Attachment Parts Message-ID: <110609.23f7ebf2.42207bdc@aol.com> Gary... The hardware is "crap!" Sorry... Not stainless... not worth the time of day. That stuff will rust out over time and be a b^#@+ to remove. Been there... seen that... Waste of time and $$$ 73 Don W4WJ In a message dated 2/26/2015 2:58:50 A.M. Central Standard Time, qltfnish at omniglobal.net writes: This seller on EBAY has really well made attachment devices for attaching Beam Antennas to Masts. Check out his other items for antennas too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Antenna-Plates-2-Mast-to-2-Boom-/2518230623 81?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item3aa1d2fd6d 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 w5lew at reagan.com Thu Feb 26 10:19:12 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:19:12 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] remote station contest op Message-ID: <002401d051d7$93ccdec0$bb669c40$@com> Saw this article on the ARRL website: http://www.arrl.org/news/no-one-in-the-shack-as-station-logs-4200-contacts-i n-arrl-dx-cw-contest FYI. Welcome to 21st century contesting :) Lew W5LEW From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Thu Feb 26 10:36:41 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:36:41 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Beam Antenna Attachment Parts In-Reply-To: <110609.23f7ebf2.42207bdc@aol.com> References: <110609.23f7ebf2.42207bdc@aol.com> Message-ID: Don, Thanks for the heads up!! Haven?t bought any of his stuff as I have all of the beam parts I need amongst the aluminum tubing I got from Gale. I can only conceive of building one beam antenna and that would be a 6 meter beam to mount on the same mast as my 2 meter CushCraft beam. I happened to see the parts when trying to locate a manual antenna switch for Tony Moore and thought they were a good deal ? I read aluminum, but didn?t think about the stainless hardware. I wonder if the drilled aluminum plates (fittings without the hardware) that he sells also are a good deal?? That way one could attach his own hardware, which BTW I also have in profusion from a donation from Gale. As I have posted before ? IF you need aluminum tubing, etc and don?t come and try to find it in the pile you are spending money you might not have to!!! If you know the diameter and length of tubing you need, I?ll even check out the pile for you. I also deliver (ask Gale who needed some tubing back) for those of you who don?t live in Center Point and can wait until my next trip to town (which is about 3 times a week for one thing or another). Speak up or open your wallet ? your choice. Gary J N5BAA From: W4wj at aol.com Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 7:38 AM To: qltfnish at omniglobal.net ; hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [HCARC] Beam Antenna Attachment Parts Gary... The hardware is "crap!" Sorry... Not stainless... not worth the time of day. That stuff will rust out over time and be a b^#@+ to remove. Been there... seen that... Waste of time and $$$ 73 Don W4WJ In a message dated 2/26/2015 2:58:50 A.M. Central Standard Time, qltfnish at omniglobal.net writes: This seller on EBAY has really well made attachment devices for attaching Beam Antennas to Masts. Check out his other items for antennas too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Antenna-Plates-2-Mast-to-2-Boom-/251823062381?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item3aa1d2fd6d 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: 2015.0.5751 / Virus Database: 4299/9182 - Release Date: 02/26/15 From w5lew at reagan.com Thu Feb 26 16:34:46 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:34:46 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna Message-ID: <005701d0520c$0ba48180$22ed8480$@com> A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120" including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI From w5lew at reagan.com Thu Feb 26 16:43:37 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:43:37 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] another quite super antenna Message-ID: <006201d0520d$477be9e0$d673bda0$@com> Another more do-able antenna idea from my friend, Skip, W5GAI, in MS. Lew: Just talked with Bud W5RPU who's 90 and still hamming! He did the W0JEE loop modeling. He said he had a 500 ft triangular loop at 40 feet that worked really well too. A full wavelength at 1.800 for 160M is 547 feet which would give you good results on all bands above that. Ladder line 1/2 the antenna length or 1/4th that length would probably be be best. Might be easier to give this a try in the trees. Skip W5GAI Let's get some wire in the air, guys! Lew W5LEW From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Thu Feb 26 19:06:04 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:06:04 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna Message-ID: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> Lew... Is this thing directional? On 160 it certainly is lighting up the clouds! On 80, a 29 degree takeoff angle is quite respectable... but, where is the lobe?? The antenna is big, but I don't see how it is usable. For example... if the 40m gain is 12.4 dB at an elevation angle of 15 degrees and 360 degrees of azimuth, well that would be an antenna that EVERYONE with the space would erect!! But, if it works only in one direction, then it would be great for a fixed point to point circuit, but if you want to work different directions, then that is a big problem! 73 Don W4WJ In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, w5lew at reagan.com writes: A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120" including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI ______________________________________________________________ HCARC mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcarc Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:HCARC at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From w5lew at reagan.com Thu Feb 26 19:25:17 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 18:25:17 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna In-Reply-To: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> References: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> Message-ID: <000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> Good questions, Don. It seems to be basically a half wave 160 quad on its side. Let me contact my friend in MS about this antenna and see what we can find out. Thanks again for the good questions. Lew W5LEW From: W4wj at aol.com [mailto:W4wj at aol.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 6:06 PM To: w5lew at reagan.com; HCARC at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [HCARC] super antenna Lew... Is this thing directional? On 160 it certainly is lighting up the clouds! On 80, a 29 degree takeoff angle is quite respectable... but, where is the lobe?? The antenna is big, but I don't see how it is usable. For example... if the 40m gain is 12.4 dB at an elevation angle of 15 degrees and 360 degrees of azimuth, well that would be an antenna that EVERYONE with the space would erect!! But, if it works only in one direction, then it would be great for a fixed point to point circuit, but if you want to work different directions, then that is a big problem! 73 Don W4WJ In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, w5lew at reagan.com writes: A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120" including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI ______________________________________________________________ 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 w5lew at reagan.com Thu Feb 26 22:32:47 2015 From: w5lew at reagan.com (Lew King) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:32:47 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] more info on super loop Message-ID: <001b01d0523e$0ea85ff0$2bf91fd0$@com> Got this from my friend about the super loop: I am going to get the plots on the antenna and will share. It is reportedly the best single antenna for all bands per some DXing hams who have tried many types over 50 years. It is omnidirectional. The gain on 160 and 80 at lower angles is better than most large antenna arrays. Reports on 75 SSB for instance were 2 s units better than any other US station into Argentina, Kuwait, New Zealand and Japan Skip W5GAI Will keep you posted. Lew W5LEW From dale.gaudier at windstream.net Thu Feb 26 22:49:47 2015 From: dale.gaudier at windstream.net (Dale Gaudier) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:49:47 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna In-Reply-To: <000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> References: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> <000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> Message-ID: <015701d05240$6e924a50$4bb6def0$@gaudier@windstream.net> I'll model in EZNEC 5.0 and let the list know the results. I do note that part of the magic may come from being up 104 feet. You'll need four really tall towers or supports. Probably easier to put up a four-square vertical array - and probably a lot less expensive, plus you can electronically steer the main lobe. Dale - K4DG -----Original Message----- From: HCARC [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lew King Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 6:25 PM To: 'Hill Country Amateur Radio Club' Subject: Re: [HCARC] super antenna Good questions, Don. It seems to be basically a half wave 160 quad on its side. Let me contact my friend in MS about this antenna and see what we can find out. Thanks again for the good questions. Lew W5LEW From: W4wj at aol.com [mailto:W4wj at aol.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 6:06 PM To: w5lew at reagan.com; HCARC at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [HCARC] super antenna Lew... Is this thing directional? On 160 it certainly is lighting up the clouds! On 80, a 29 degree takeoff angle is quite respectable... but, where is the lobe?? The antenna is big, but I don't see how it is usable. For example... if the 40m gain is 12.4 dB at an elevation angle of 15 degrees and 360 degrees of azimuth, well that would be an antenna that EVERYONE with the space would erect!! But, if it works only in one direction, then it would be great for a fixed point to point circuit, but if you want to work different directions, then that is a big problem! 73 Don W4WJ In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, w5lew at reagan.com writes: A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120" including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 Feb 27 10:54:49 2015 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 09:54:49 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna In-Reply-To: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> References: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> Message-ID: <54F09349.9050306@hughes.net> Don, I agree with you. If the antenna is so good, everyone would be using it, particularly the military. They're not, so that makes me suspicious. From the takeoff angles, ground is a big factor. I bet 6 dB of those gain numbers come from a perfect reflection from the ground. Any horizontally polarized antenna at that height and ground assumption would have the same takeoff angle and 6 dB gain from the ground reflection. That 6 dB is probably not realistic unless your antenna is over a salt water marsh. It certainly isn't realistic here in the Texas Hill Country. My guess is the assumption is that it is a loop antenna horizontally oriented. That probably works for 160 m but it is just too large, I think, for that assumption at ten meters. While at 160 it may be approximately omnidirectional, I bet on 10 m it will be full of minor and major lobes both in the horizontal and vertical plane. In any event, it is all academic to me since I'm never going to spend several thousand dollars on an antenna! Kerry On 2/26/2015 6:06 PM, Don Murray via HCARC wrote: > Lew... > > Is this thing directional? > > On 160 it certainly is lighting up the clouds! > > On 80, a 29 degree takeoff angle is quite respectable... > but, where is the lobe?? > > The antenna is big, but I don't see how it is usable. > > For example... if the 40m gain is 12.4 dB at an elevation angle of > 15 degrees and 360 degrees of azimuth, well that would be an > antenna that EVERYONE with the space would erect!! > > But, if it works only in one direction, then it would be great for a > fixed point to point circuit, but if you want to work different > directions, then that is a big problem! > > > 73 > Don > W4WJ > > > In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, > w5lew at reagan.com writes: > > A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. > Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! > > > > A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX > SE of San Anrtonio. > > Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M > yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest > signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power > and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. > > > > Here's what Bob told me about it. > He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. > Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all > bands. > There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. > it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good > ground. > Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html > #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD > 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120" > including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain > or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, > stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on > performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare > wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs > Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall > 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside > each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. > Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 > and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above > ground and 5 feet below in cement. > > Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line > http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 > 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for > maximum legal power. VF .91 > > Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out > with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for > all bands. This one performed best of all: > > 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg > > 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg > > 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg > > 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg > > 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg > > Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on > materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 Feb 27 11:04:43 2015 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:04:43 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Super antenna Message-ID: <54F0959B.4000509@hughes.net> Oh, yes, the assumption that it is a half wave quad on its side does not work. A quad element main lobe is perpendicular to the plane of the element which in this case is straight up and down so it can't be a quad element on it side with the elevation angles given. If it was a quad element the elevation angle would be 90 degrees except where the antenna height produces a null straight up. It also wouldn't be omni-directional. Kerry From bucket at janeandjohn.org Fri Feb 27 11:36:23 2015 From: bucket at janeandjohn.org (John Canfield) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:36:23 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] HexBeam Antenna In-Reply-To: <1A7D7143EA7541689CFDCF027289D99F@GaryPC> References: <1A7D7143EA7541689CFDCF027289D99F@GaryPC> Message-ID: <54F09D07.4090104@janeandjohn.org> Very interested in a Hex-beam - been looking at K4KIO's version (http://www.k4kio.com), he has solid 5.0 reviews which is amazing considering that's 122 reviews! Anxious to hear how yours works out Gary. Can't make the club meeting - I'll be in Houston. John wb5tht On 2/25/2015 6:23 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > There are a number of people in the club that either are or are considering building HexBeam Antennas. I just got in the last box of HexBeam parts for my NA4RR HexBeam (6/10/12/15/17/20) antenna kit. This is the HexBeam that I have heard discussed most frequently recently (last 6 months) on the radio and it is based on the G3TXO enhanced HexBeam plans. Anyway, I will be putting it together this next weekend after having cleaned, primed and painted the spreader arms to ensure the South Texas Sun?s strong UV rays do not damage the fiberglass arms any faster than is necessary. This is the most reasonably priced kit on the market and has an innovative lay away program for those that need to spread the cost out over as many months as they desire. > > For the people who have built, are building, or are considering buying/building one of these antennas I will bring in the center hub assembly and one of the arm assemblies for you to look at next weeks club meeting. I also have 4-5 copies of the assembly instructions for anyone who wants one. Let me know in advance if you would like a copy so I can be sure to have sufficient copies. > > You can see the kits at hexagonalbeam.com. The owner of the company is Roger Rockwell who is an extremely helpful Ham Radio Operator. Links to Eham Review is: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11234. Email to Roger is coastalsports at usa.net > > 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 Fri Feb 27 12:01:16 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 11:01:16 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] Upcoming Contests Message-ID: >From the ARRL weekly Newslwtter: a.. February 27-March 1 -- CQ World Wide 160 Meter Contest (SSB b.. February 28-March 1 -- Worldwide EME Contest c.. February 28-March 1 -- UBA Contest (CW) d.. February 28-March 1 -- North American QSO Party (RTTY) e.. March 1-2 -- North Carolina QSO Party f.. March 2 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest (SSB, CW) g.. March 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint h.. March 3 -- YL CW Party i.. March 4 -- CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests j.. March 4 -- John Rollins Memorial DX Contest (CW) k.. March 7/8 -- ARRL International SSB DX Contest Gary J N5BAA From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Fri Feb 27 12:49:21 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 11:49:21 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] HexBeam Antenna In-Reply-To: <54F09D07.4090104@janeandjohn.org> References: <1A7D7143EA7541689CFDCF027289D99F@GaryPC> <54F09D07.4090104@janeandjohn.org> Message-ID: <4F0585ED33BC4F959BD436CA1C35AEAA@GaryPC> John, Looking at the few close up pictures of the K4KIO hexbeam kit and comparing it to the NA4RR HexBeam kit in hand, they are essentially identical. The center support posrs seem to be identical. They use slightly different methods of stringing the wires on the spreaders for the bands (I like K4KIO's a bit better) and for attaching the spreader arms to the center hub (I like NA4RR's method much better). I very much like the price of the the NA4RR kit at $469.00 plus shipping vs the K4KIO cost of $654.00 plus shipping. I was originally sold on the K4KIO kit until I discovered the one from NA4RR. Both antennas have outstanding reviews on Eham except there is one disgruntled Hawaiian guy who was upset that his NA4RR antenna didn't make it intact through Hurricane Ana. The reviewer conveniently forgets to mention that within 3 days after the hurricane he was in possession of 3 new spreader arms Free of Charge including priority mail postage (I asked Roger about this yesterday on the phone). John, I will send you a copy of the assembly instructions in todays mail since you cannot make the meeting. Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: John Canfield Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 10:36 AM To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [HCARC] HexBeam Antenna Very interested in a Hex-beam - been looking at K4KIO's version (http://www.k4kio.com), he has solid 5.0 reviews which is amazing considering that's 122 reviews! Anxious to hear how yours works out Gary. Can't make the club meeting - I'll be in Houston. John wb5tht On 2/25/2015 6:23 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > There are a number of people in the club that either are or are > considering building HexBeam Antennas. I just got in the last box of > HexBeam parts for my NA4RR HexBeam (6/10/12/15/17/20) antenna kit. This > is the HexBeam that I have heard discussed most frequently recently (last > 6 months) on the radio and it is based on the G3TXO enhanced HexBeam > plans. Anyway, I will be putting it together this next weekend after > having cleaned, primed and painted the spreader arms to ensure the South > Texas Sun?s strong UV rays do not damage the fiberglass arms any faster > than is necessary. This is the most reasonably priced kit on the market > and has an innovative lay away program for those that need to spread the > cost out over as many months as they desire. > > For the people who have built, are building, or are considering > buying/building one of these antennas I will bring in the center hub > assembly and one of the arm assemblies for you to look at next weeks club > meeting. I also have 4-5 copies of the assembly instructions for anyone > who wants one. Let me know in advance if you would like a copy so I can > be sure to have sufficient copies. > > You can see the kits at hexagonalbeam.com. The owner of the company is > Roger Rockwell who is an extremely helpful Ham Radio Operator. Links to > Eham Review is: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11234. Email to Roger > is coastalsports at usa.net > > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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: 2015.0.5751 / Virus Database: 4299/9191 - Release Date: 02/27/15 From dale.gaudier at windstream.net Fri Feb 27 13:51:40 2015 From: dale.gaudier at windstream.net (Dale Gaudier) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:51:40 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna In-Reply-To: <000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> References: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com> <000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> Message-ID: <001901d052be$6c74eb50$455ec1f0$@gaudier@windstream.net> All: I've run the model in EZNEC 5.0 and the results are in. See below for my summary report. Anyone who is interested in seeing the SWR sweeps and elevation/azimuth plots for the HF bands (160m through 10m) can email me direct at k4dg at arrl.net and I will send you a pdf file of the graphs. One side note: this antenna is very similar to the well-known "Loop Sky Wire" described by Dr. Dave Fischer, W0MHS, in QST, Nov. 1985 pp. 20-22. ARRL members can access this article via the www.arrl.org website. I have a copy of this article if you are interested. I knew Dr. Dave - he and I were members of the Atlanta Radio Club. His antenna had a good reputation among those who had built it. 73, Dale - K4DG =========================================== Summary Report on Full Wave Horizontal Loop Antenna Antenna parameters used in model: ? Square loop made of #13 AWG insulated wire, 282 ft. per side ? I used a dielectric constant, ?, of 2.25 per original design described below [Wireman #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40? copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with high density, low-gloss polyethylene (nominal OD, 0.120"including 0.020" jacket]. ? 104 feet high ? Fed at corner with 440 ohm ladder line ? Modeled over real/high accuracy ground ? All SWR curves are referenced to Z0 = 440 ? ? Modeled using EZNEC 5.0 Summary of results: Antenna performs relatively well. Four lobed pattern on lower HF bands; more complex cloverleaf patterns on the upper bands. Band Max. Gain Takeoff Angle 160m 7.57 dBi 55? 80m 11.59 dBi 32? 40m 11.59 dBi 14? 30m 9.83 dBi 45? 20m 11.64 dBi 28? 17m 14.20 dBi 7? 15m 11.19 dBi 33? 12m 11.05 dBi 17? 10m 13.63 dBi 5? Maximum Gain and Takeoff Angle figures are in reference to the main lobe of radiation. Notes: 1. Antenna was modeled using 282 feet of #13 AWG insulated wire for each side. However, a better match for 440 ohm input impedance would be to use 258 feet of wire for each side. 2. Model assumes wire is horizontal between the elevated supports; however, there will be some sag in a wire that is 282 feet long. The impact of sag on SWR and elevation/azimuth patterns is unknown. 3. Main lobes on the lower HF bands are oriented in line with the corners, i.e. in line with the diagonals to the square. 4. Impedance match varies from band to band; SWR is below 2:1 only for small part of 15m band; otherwise it is often much higher than 3:1 on most bands. This antenna will require a matching network (tuner) and open wire feeder to minimize losses. ============================================================================================= In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, w5lew at reagan.com writes: A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120"including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI From hcarc at mailman.qth.net Fri Feb 27 18:39:59 2015 From: hcarc at mailman.qth.net (Don Murray via HCARC) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 18:39:59 -0500 Subject: [HCARC] No harness... No brains Message-ID: <4601f.29ba5bca.42225a4f@aol.com> http://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=216&doc_id=1325803 From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 28 01:02:45 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2015 00:02:45 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] super antenna In-Reply-To: <001901d052be$6c74eb50$455ec1f0$@gaudier@windstream.net> References: <1b40a.737c1b59.42210eeb@aol.com><000901d05223$dd8861a0$989924e0$@com> <001901d052be$6c74eb50$455ec1f0$@gaudier@windstream.net> Message-ID: Loop Skywire Link and variations: n1su.com/loop.html Gary J N5BAA -----Original Message----- From: Dale Gaudier Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 12:51 PM To: 'Hill Country Amateur Radio Club' Subject: Re: [HCARC] super antenna All: I've run the model in EZNEC 5.0 and the results are in. See below for my summary report. Anyone who is interested in seeing the SWR sweeps and elevation/azimuth plots for the HF bands (160m through 10m) can email me direct at k4dg at arrl.net and I will send you a pdf file of the graphs. One side note: this antenna is very similar to the well-known "Loop Sky Wire" described by Dr. Dave Fischer, W0MHS, in QST, Nov. 1985 pp. 20-22. ARRL members can access this article via the www.arrl.org website. I have a copy of this article if you are interested. I knew Dr. Dave - he and I were members of the Atlanta Radio Club. His antenna had a good reputation among those who had built it. 73, Dale - K4DG =========================================== Summary Report on Full Wave Horizontal Loop Antenna Antenna parameters used in model: ? Square loop made of #13 AWG insulated wire, 282 ft. per side ? I used a dielectric constant, ?, of 2.25 per original design described below [Wireman #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40? copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with high density, low-gloss polyethylene (nominal OD, 0.120"including 0.020" jacket]. ? 104 feet high ? Fed at corner with 440 ohm ladder line ? Modeled over real/high accuracy ground ? All SWR curves are referenced to Z0 = 440 ? ? Modeled using EZNEC 5.0 Summary of results: Antenna performs relatively well. Four lobed pattern on lower HF bands; more complex cloverleaf patterns on the upper bands. Band Max. Gain Takeoff Angle 160m 7.57 dBi 55? 80m 11.59 dBi 32? 40m 11.59 dBi 14? 30m 9.83 dBi 45? 20m 11.64 dBi 28? 17m 14.20 dBi 7? 15m 11.19 dBi 33? 12m 11.05 dBi 17? 10m 13.63 dBi 5? Maximum Gain and Takeoff Angle figures are in reference to the main lobe of radiation. Notes: 1. Antenna was modeled using 282 feet of #13 AWG insulated wire for each side. However, a better match for 440 ohm input impedance would be to use 258 feet of wire for each side. 2. Model assumes wire is horizontal between the elevated supports; however, there will be some sag in a wire that is 282 feet long. The impact of sag on SWR and elevation/azimuth patterns is unknown. 3. Main lobes on the lower HF bands are oriented in line with the corners, i.e. in line with the diagonals to the square. 4. Impedance match varies from band to band; SWR is below 2:1 only for small part of 15m band; otherwise it is often much higher than 3:1 on most bands. This antenna will require a matching network (tuner) and open wire feeder to minimize losses. ============================================================================================= In a message dated 2/26/2015 3:35:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, w5lew at reagan.com writes: A friend in Mississippi sent me some info about a super loop antenna. Thought you might like to dream of having such and antenna. Enjoy! A ham's dream antenna, which I saw when visiting Bob W0JEE in Smiley, TX SE of San Anrtonio. Elvin JA3CZY from Osaka came to TX for a visit. He has a 3 element 80M yagi at 220 ft atop a building and said that W0JEE on 75M SSB was the loudest signal he ever hears form the USA, beating even the west coast high power and big antenna guys. So I took Elvin to see Bob in Smiley. Here's what Bob told me about it. He has experimented with long wires, vees, rhombics and other designs. Then enlisted ham friends help to design the best single antenna for all bands. There was no literature on the design they eventually came up with. it is a square loop 282 feet per side square loop at 104 feet over good ground. Wire is from http://thewireman.com/antennap.html #531 Toughcoat 'Silky' 13 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel (OD 0.0795") with tough, high density, low-gloss polyethylene (Nominal OD, 0.120"including 0.020" jacket. Designed for through-the-trees, sea coast, acid rain or other inclement atmospheric conditions. Our most rugged, longest-lived, stranded antenna wire for any purpose. Jacket has minimal effect on performance - less than that of a year's accumulation of oxidation product on bare wire, with less noise. Break strength 400lbs Sag is 3 feet between steel used oil well drill pipe at corners: 3/4" wall 5" dia 42 feet, 4" dia 42 feet, 3" dia 42 feet nested/welded 7 ft inside each other with 7 feet in concrete in ground. Pipe guyed in 3 directions at 120 degrees with 3/8 galv. steel cable at 35 and 70 feet up, 40 feet out from pipe on drill pipe posts 10 feet above ground and 5 feet below in cement. Fed at the SE corner with 265 feet of Ladder line http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced Wireman # 554 440 ohm, 14 AWG, 19 strand copper-clad steel, same as 552 but designed for maximum legal power. VF .91 Bob says he got design help from Bud W5RPU in Allen, TX who figured out with modeling software what would be the best performing single antenna for all bands. This one performed best of all: 160M 6.6 db max gain at 49 deg elevation / 80M 11.1 db at 29 deg 40M 12.4 db at 15 deg / 30M 13.5 db at 12 deg 20M 14.5 db at 9 deg / 17M 14.1 db at 8 deg 15M 14.6 db at 6 deg / 12M 15.1 db at 5 deg 10M 15.0 db at 4 deg / 6M 15.3 db at 3 deg Now that's some fantastic DX antenna! Bob said he spent about $4000 on materials and labor with volunteers helping. 73, Skip W5GAI ______________________________________________________________ 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: 2015.0.5751 / Virus Database: 4299/9191 - Release Date: 02/27/15 From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 28 12:46:22 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:46:22 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] HP3AK Phased DELTA LOOP ANTENNA Message-ID: <619BB03C8D714C3AB50A3308480C86EE@GaryPC> A Ham I have been emailing has an interesting 80 meter loop antenna in Volcan, Panama (Panama sounds real goo about now). It helps to have a 100+ foot tree in your backyard too!! http://www.qrz.com/db/HP3AK Gary J N5BAA From qltfnish at omniglobal.net Sat Feb 28 14:56:09 2015 From: qltfnish at omniglobal.net (Gary J - N5BAA) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2015 13:56:09 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] What Is A DB Worth?? Message-ID: <95BB10A3A4164CB7A04C0046CE3BFA91@GaryPC> Here is a quote from Tower Talk: ?Years ago, someone asked a big gun W5 what a dB was worth. His response - "Around here about $1500."? Ouch, however they are less expensive the closer to 100 watts they are. Gary J N5BAA From kerryk5ks at hughes.net Sat Feb 28 17:46:21 2015 From: kerryk5ks at hughes.net (Kerry Sandstrom) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:46:21 -0600 Subject: [HCARC] What Is A DB Worth?? In-Reply-To: <95BB10A3A4164CB7A04C0046CE3BFA91@GaryPC> References: <95BB10A3A4164CB7A04C0046CE3BFA91@GaryPC> Message-ID: <54F2453D.1020206@hughes.net> If you really want the answer, although somewhat dated, you need to look at a series of articles in QST from 1966. The title is "Station Design fro DX" and it ran in four parts in the Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec 1966 QST. It looked at the costs for each additional dB of performance for such things as antenna tower height, boom length, power, etc. Naturally the cost of each additional dB depends on which segment you are trying to improve and your level in that segment. Costs have gone up since then as well as the power, tower heights, boom lengths, etc but at least you can see how it is done. And it doesn't mention internet web sites or spotting nets - these were real hams! Kerry On 2/28/2015 1:56 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote: > Here is a quote from Tower Talk: > > ?Years ago, someone asked a big gun W5 what a dB was worth. His > response - "Around here about $1500."? > > Ouch, however they are less expensive the closer to 100 watts they are. > > 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