[K3PZN-List] Meeting Wrapup

[Curt Milton]

Hopefully everyone got something out of my presentation (as I did) on Receivers.  I will gladly supply anyone a copy of the presentation, and follow-up with any questions or feedback.  (I was really weary from a weekend trip to Raleigh - so don't feel bad if you wish to ask for clarification on anything!).  


I did invite anyone interested to explore those old receivers - coherer and regenerative as some excellent youtube videos are out there.  Actually if you look there is likely a video for any type of receiver or transceiver that you can think of!  


Mike had an interesting comment on the impact of roofing filters in heavy-duty contesting.  Does adding a 1.8 kHz roofing filter greatly improve performance in 'normal' contest action?  Honestly I don't know.  It might be interesting to know what level input (S9+ X dB) will overwhelm a modern receivers DSP in separating wall-to-wall signals.  Guess what - I'll be using my FT-950 in SS this weekend -- let's see how close I can receive signals next to the 'big guys.'  I do think the signals strengths I receive are a function of my smallish antennas - so for my station perhaps its not a huge impact.  Mike is likely right that the biggest signals I might hear are not from locals but via the ionosphere -- In my case the ridges separate me well from everyone except W3DF.  

I didn't cover the SDR topic very well.  I remember someone introduced a multi-band SDR for around $150 at Dayton (Peaberry -- these things are selling like crazy http://ae9rb.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=8) -- perhaps just the thing for youth to obtain a rig to operate some digital modes with?  Ok for their sake better if they were available preassembled -- there is a time to melt solder and a time to just buy it already built.  


Eric Blade expressed interest in homebrew electronics - I will certainly network with anyone with interests here also.  If there would be a few of us interested in a club project, let's explore.  

Thanks to Steve for bringing out his fine Drake receiver, and fewer of us saw that Ray actually had a nifty rig in his pocket!  


Very cool on Ray and Kerri's SOTA operations!  


Here is a link to the excellent reference on natural sources of HF noise - I highly recommend reading this:

http://g4fkh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/August-2012-RadCom.pdf

Do fire up your rig and enjoy operating in-between meetings!  Propagation is not the best I have experienced, but it is very good compared to the norm.  Now indeed is the time to operate.  


Do provide your suggestions to the board on future meetings!  Let's aim for 11 outstanding club meetings in 2014, worth driving to.  I think most of us like shorter presentations and likely I went over a bit.  Where we have topics of 'limited interest' we can even consider 2-3 short presentations as an alternative -- and perhaps other activities should be consider also for our monthly meetings.  Let's support our board with your suggestions and participation.  


See you all at the Christmas/Holiday gathering!  


Curt