Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
RamblerNewsletter of the
Ottawa Valley MobileRadio Club
Incorporated
January 2020 Edition 57 Page: 1
Calendar
General MeetingWednesday
January 15th7:00 P.M.
Science & Technology MuseumStudio 6
Feature Speaker: Ron Smith, VE3LBGSubject: NorCal 40 DDS – QRP rig
alsoBryan Rawlings, VE3QN
Outcome update of WRC 2019
Next Meeting
Wednesday February 19th, 7:00 PMFeature Speaker: Denis Rule, VE3BFSubject: Activating Canadian Parksand Historic Sites Using a 35 footMobile Vertical
President’s Ramblings.............................1,4
OVMRC Repeater Nets.............................3
Cross Canada C4FM Weekly Net..............3
Local 2 Metre Nets.....................................3
Emergency Measures Radio Group...........3
HF Nets......................................................3
Restaurant Gatherings................................3
Happenings.................................................4
Radio CourseWrite Exams.....................4-5
Christmas Dinner....................................5-7
Surge Suppressor Kits................................7
Grid Dip Meter.....................................8-11
3D Printing Projects.................................11
OVMRC Net Activity Report..................13
Membership Form....................................14
INSIDEPresident'sRamblings
Wow, 2020!Since the modifications to themeeting format worked outfavourably at the Novembermeeting, we’ll run with it forupcoming meetings.
That means one majorpresentation per meeting, a longerbio break for more eyeball QSO’sand for January, some time will berequired for the hand out of thesurge suppressor kits. More workfor Nicole (sorry Nicole) pleasebring exact change to make herjob easier ($15.00 cash or chequepayable to “OVMRC”).
Let’s talk start time: for Januaryand on, we will start at 7:00 PM.Aim to end at 9:45 PM. Themuseum desires that we arevacated by 10:00 PM. Let’s notupset an apple cart here as wehave a really low cost annual roomrate for our meetings. Please helpby assisting in putting chairs andtables away at the end of themeeting. Much appreciated!
If you are unsure of your status asa paid-up member you can alwayscheck with Nicole, VE3GIQ, clubTreasurer. This is important sinceonly paid up members are eligiblefor door prizes, 50/50, andsubsidized club kit costs.
The surge arrestor project kits will beavailable for purchase at thismeeting. I’ll have the kits andpayment can be made to Nicole. I’mworking on assembly instructionsand maybe a couple of videos toassist in assembly. Stay tuned! Theywill be posted on the club web siteunder the projects tab and on thegroups.io page as well.
This month, Ron Smith, VE3LBGwill be presenting on his QRPtransceiver build / development andhis antenna set up. Make sure youtake a look at his handy work duringthe break.
Updates will be provided at theJanuary meeting by Michael,VE3WMB for the Balloon projectand Roger, VA3EGY for thetransmitter hunt initiative. It wasimpressive to see that several clubmembers were willing to invest inequipment required for thetransmitter hunt project piloted byRoger. Bryan Rawlings, VE3QNmay have a few words to say aboutWRC 2019 in which he participatedas part of the Canadian delegation inSharm El Sheikh, Egypt inNovember.
A special welcome to all thegraduates from the Norm’s radiocourse that are now full-fledgedmembers of the Club with their callsign. Look for who they all are inNorm VE3LC’s report in this issueof the Rambler. We hope they willbecome (Continued on page 4)
Page: 2 January 2020OVMRC Executive and Officers
2019-2020
President:Barry Allison,[email protected]
Vice-President:Norm Rashleigh, [email protected]
Treasurer & Membership Records:Nicole Boivin, [email protected]
Corporate Secretary:Ron Smith, [email protected]
The above four positions are “Directors”and officers in charge of running theCorporate affairs of the Ottawa ValleyMobile Radio Club Inc.
Standing CommitteesClub Projects & Bulk Orders:Barry Alison, [email protected]
Radio Course &Accredited Examiner:Norm Rashleigh, [email protected]
Membership Services &Meeting Reception:Tom Mercer, [email protected] McGowan, [email protected]
Nets & Radio Operations:Hugo Kneve, [email protected] Haddow, [email protected] Boivin, [email protected]
Rambler Newsletter Production:Norm Rashleigh, [email protected] Cherry, [email protected] Hall, [email protected]
Club Web Site & Social Media:Darin Cowan, [email protected]
VE3TWO Repeater Keeper:Norm Rashleigh, [email protected]
Special Events:Roger Egan, [email protected] McGowan, [email protected]
OVMRC Life Members
Ernie Jury, VE3EJJMaurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG
Ralph Cameron, VE3BBMDoug Carswell, VE3ATYDoreen Morgan, VE3CGO
OVMRC RepeaterVE3TWO
147.300 Mhz (+) 100 Hz toneFM & Yaesu System Fusion Digital
Operation
OVMRC Call SignsVE3JW
VE3RAM
The Rambler is the official newsletter of theOttawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Incorpo-rated and is published 10 times a year(monthly, except for July and August).Opinions expressed in the Rambler arethose of the authors and not necessarilythose of the OVMRC, its officers or its mem-bers. Permission is granted to republish thecontents in whole or in part, providing thesource is acknowledged. Commercial use ofthe contents is expressly prohibited.Submit articles and notices to:Norm at [email protected]
Ottawa Valley MobileRadio Club, IncorporatedPO Box 41145Ottawa, ON K1G 5K9
www.ovmrc.on.ca
OVMRC Affiliations
January 2020 Page: 3
OVMRC Repeater VE3TWO :147.300 MHz +600 kHz, 100 Hz Tone and Yaesu C4FM Digital Voice
VE3TWO Scheduled Nets:• Thursday Evenings, 8 PM, Club Net on FMconducted by Hugo, VE3KTN and Rob, VE3RXH.
• Sunday Evenings, 8 PM, Ottawa C4FM DigitalVoice Round Table Net.
Other Local 2 Metre Repeater &Simplex Nets: (all check-ins welcome)• Rubber Boot Net, VE3MPC 147.150 ++, (100 Hztone) mornings at 7:30 AM conducted by Mike,VA3TJP
• Phoenix Net, VE3MPC 147.150 Mhz +, (100 Hztone), Tuesday evenings at 8:00 PM conducted byPete, VE3XEM
• QCWA Chapter 70 Net, VE3MPC 147.150 MHz+(100 Hz tone), Monday evenings at 7:30 PMconducted by John, VE3ZOV
• Capital City FM Net,VE2CRA 146.940 MHz -,(100 Hz tone), Monday evenings at 8:00 PM.
• Champlain Mini Net, VE3STP 147.060 MHz -,(114.8 Hz tone), every evening at 6:45 PM.
• Upper Frequency Net, Simplex 144.250 MHzusing USB, Tuesdays evenings at 9:00 PM conductedby Glenn, VE3XRA. Following check in on 2 m youcan check your radios on 6 m at 50.150 MHz and 70cm on 432.150 MHz as well using USB. All checkins are welcome.
OVMRC HF Nets• Pot Hole SSB Net, 3760 kHz, every Sundaymorning at 10:00 AM conducted by Ernie, VE3EJJ, orGlenn, VE3XRA..
• Pot Lid Slow Speed CW Net, 3620 kHz, everySunday morning at 11 AM conducted by Roger,VE3XRR.
Emergency MeasuresRadio Group: (EMRG)Monthly Repeater Tests are conducted by DaveVE3KMV on the first Wednesday of each month at8 PM on VE3OCE 146.880 MHz – (136.5 Hz tone).From initial contact on VE3OCE, you’ll be asked totest VE3EMV/East 146.985 MHz – (100 Hz@ tone),VE3EMV/West 145.210 MHz – (123.0 Hz tone),VE3OFS 146.670 MHz – (136.5 Hz tone),VE3OCE 443.8000 MHz + 5 (136.5 Hz tone) andVE3EMU 444.9500 + 5 (136.5 Hz tone).It is advisable that all the EMRG frequencies beprogrammed into your radio. All check ins arewelcome.See: http://www.emrg.ca/repeaters.htm
The Wednesday evening CrossCanada Weekly C4FM is againhosted on VE3TWOOVMRC members can again check into theWednesday evening Cross Canada C4FM net on Clubrepeater VE3TWO 147.300 (+ offset) thanks to aremote Wires X connection provided by SteveVA3MPS. Steve will be engaging his node stationonto the repeater Wednesday Evenings at 9:00 PM.The Net can also be accessed in the west-end of townusing the Fusion repeater VE3DRE on 146.805 (–offset) owned and operated by Denis VE3BF who isthe Net Control Station. All check-ins are welcomeusing the Yaesu C4FM digital voice mode.
Informal Amateur RadioRestaurant Gatherings(All are welcome)• QCWA Chapter 70 breakfast gathering everyTuesday morning at 7:30 to 10:00 AM, SummerhaysGrill, 1972 Baseline Rd., Nepean• Orleans Coffee gathering every Friday morningat 9:00 AM, McDonalds, 2643 St. Joseph Blvd,Orleans• QRP Group Dinner meeting, 2nd Wednesdayevery month, 5 PM, Newport Restaurant, 322Churchill Ave N., Ottawa• Phoenix Net monthly Breakfast gathering,usually the second Saturday every month at 9 AM,T-Basil Restaurant, 2440 St Joseph Blvd, Orleans. (geton Pete VE3XEM’s mailing list for monthly [email protected])
Page: 4 January 2020
regulars attending the Club’smonthly meetings.
The coax project is ongoing and asa reminder here are the costs topaid up members:
LMR 400 Cost $1.35 per foot.LMR 195 Cost $0.80 per foot.
Connecters: PL259 (male uhf type)$ 2.00 ea including heat shrinktubing for environmental sealing.BNC connectors are also availablefor the LMR 195 cable at the same$2.00 cost.
The club also has about 30-40 setsof Anderson Power Pole connectorsavailable for a cost of $1.00 per set(red + black + 2 pins).
All prices are tax included.
I also have received a number ofSMA male to BNC femaleconnectors available for sale at$2.00 ea. Perfect for your 2 Mportable or NanoVNA.
Anyone interested in trying yourhand at installing your ownconnectors, remember to contactPete VE3XEM. He retains the clubtool kit and we now have the propercrimp tools to install connectors onboth the LMR 400 and LMR 195coax cable and the power poleconnectors.
That’s about it for now. I hope tosee many club members at theJanuary meeting, Wednesday,January 15, 7:00 PM, at the Scienceand Tech Museum.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPYNEW YEAR!
73,Barry, VE3NA
(Continued from page 1) HappeningsCanadian Ski Marathon,February 8th and 9th, 2020Communications volunteer wanted.
Those wanting to participate in providing volunteer radiocommunications for the 54th Canadian Ski Marathon please goto:https://hambone.ca/index.php/CSM2020/HomePage for information orcontact Neil Herber, VE3PUE at [email protected]
&Contest Club of Ontario (East)Annual CCO/DX Luncheon – all are welcome
Date: Saturday February 1st.Place: Barley Mow Pub, 1541 Merivale Rd
Time: Noon to 3:30
Speakers: Chris VE3FU on his contest station in Labrador and VladVE3JM on construction of his 2-element 160 M Yagi.
OVMRC Course StudentsWrite their Basic Qualification ExamsWe’ve now concluded another OVMRC amateur radio course. Twogroup examination sessions were conducted December 9th the December16th.
January 2020 Page: 5The following is the list of OVMRC graduates from our 2019 course so far; most achieved Honours and HFoperating privileges. We expect we’ll be adding a few additional folks that will be writing their test in 2020.
Michel Aspirot VE3MBBNormand Chenard VA2NCHTanya Fleming VA3FFSJean Pierre Fournier VA3JPEAlan Hotte VA3IAHBranham Kasasni VA3DZADenis L'Heureux VA3DILRichard Lorenz VE3FRLMitch Lunge VE3PTFNathan Maddin VA3BZNPatrick Mikolajczak VE3PMM
Brian Miles VE3BMTRichard Nolet VA3VGRJeff Robb VE3MDCPaul Scott VE3VCZLisa Sgoifo VE3SGJColin Stephens No call yetPeter Szczuczko No call yetWalter Szyc VE3SYZPhil Tanguay VE3PTGCristian Valentini VA3FCVRick Yates VE3RYX
Please give all these new amateurs a warm welcome when you hear them on-the-air.
Norm, VE3LC
December OVMRC Christmas DinnerFor the third December in a row, the OVMRC hosted their Christmas Buffet Dinner at KS on the KeysRestaurant. Thanks to John VA3JYK for making the arrangements with the restaurant. We had 30 peopleattending and there were door prizes galore thanks to Barry VE3NA.
Pictures by Dave Scott, VE3ZZU – thanks Dave!
(Continued on page 6)
Page: 6 January 2020
(Continued from page 5)
January 2020 Page: 7
Door prize winners were: Ron VE3LBU, Douglas VE3YDK, Alan VE3KAE, Dave VE3ZZU and lady friendShirley, Roger VA3EGY, Wray VA3EO, Pat VE3KJQ, Bryan VE3QN and his wife Louise. Roger VA3EGYalso won the 50/50 .
Lightning Transient In-Line Coaxial Cable Surge Suppressor Kit.Barry VE3NA has been buying parts and packaging kits to distribute at the January meeting. This kit is basedon a commercial product design using a gas tube transient suppressor device rated to conduct at 350 voltsallowing it to be used on with radios up to 200 watts. The design uses input and output SO-239 connectors andshould not introduce significant SWR up to 500 MHz. The kit should be installed in-line for each coaxial cableneeding protection just before entrance to the premises where the grounding connection is tied directly to agood grounding system of rods or plates. Each kit will be available to OVMRC Club members signed up for theproject for the Club subsidized cost of $15 each. There may be additional kits available on a first come, firstserve basis after delivery to those on the initial sign-up sheet.
Thanks Barry, VE3NA for kits partsprocurement and project management and toPeter, VE3XEM for preparing the kit box bydrilling the holes for SO-239 connectors.
Norm, ve3lc
Page: 8 January 2020The Grid Dip Meter (Oscillator) – Whatis it and what we can do with it.At the November meeting, Claude Bastien, VA2ZCBshowed me a Millen Grid Dip Oscillator (GDO) hehad purchased at the Longueuil, QC Hamfest inOctober. He got it for the modest sum of $30.Claude asked me, what is a Grid Dip Meter used for?I explained to him a few of the basic applications ofthe instrument at the meeting but I am expanding thestory with this article for the benefit to all that areinterested.
Claude’s Grid Dip Oscillator is a Millen model90651 manufactured by the James Millen Mfg. Co.Inc., Malden, MA between 1949 to 1962. This was apremium GDO of the day. Claude’s GDO looked ingreat shape and appeared to be a complete kit with allthe coils and storage case. Based on its goodappearance, I would consider it a valuable“Collector’s” item.
These photos below show what Claude’s Millen GDOlooks like:
The “stock” plug-in coils supplied with the MillenGDO determine the frequency range of operationfrom 1.5 to 300 MHz in 7 bands. An 8th dial range isused for 4 optional coils to extend the range down to220 kHz. Of course, in the days of Grid Dip Meterslike when this instrument was for sale, MHz wasknown as MC (mega-cycles)
Grid Dip Meters were popular with folks that homebrewed their own equipment. When I was firstlicenced in 1963 as a teenager, I would often borrowand return and borrow again a home brew GDO froma local ham, Ron Witty VE3FBM, who lived nearbyin our Downsview neighbourhood. I used theinstrument to determine the proper resonant frequencyof the various LC circuits in the receivers andtransmitters I was building to get-on-the air at thetime. The Grid Dip meter was very useful for windingthe coils on a trial and error basis. However, I guess Iborrowed Ron’s GDO once too often as the old guyfinally told me to keep it and not bug him again.
For winding a coil connected across a given fixed orvariable capacitor, the desired frequency of resonancecould be determined by bringing the GDO coil inclose proximity, end to end, with the coil of theresonant circuit under test. When the dialed GDOfrequency was swept across the resonance of the LCcircuit, the Grid Current of the GDO would dip atwhich point, frequency would be read on dial rangefor the associated GDO plug-in coil used and that was
the resonant frequency ofthe LC circuit under test.GDO’s were also usefuldesigning and fabricatingLC circuits used forantenna “Traps” ordetermining the resonantfrequency of dipole orother resonant antennas.Of course, by way of theformula determining theresonant frequency of aLC circuit, knowing eitherthe inductance of a coil orthe capacitance of theparallel capacitor andknowing the frequency ofresonance as determined
by the GDO, the unknown value of L or C could bedetermined
The Millen manual gives the full range of testingapplications including:
• Resonance of Receiver and Transmitter TunedCircuits
• Neutralization
January 2020 Page: 9
• Parasitic Oscillations• Parallel and Series Resonant Traps• R.F. Chokes including their self resonance• Measurement of Circuit Q• Relative Q at a given Frequency• Measurement of the Capacitance or Inductance
of R.F. Coils• Resonance of Antennas• Testing for resonance of quarter wave and half
wave open and shorted lines• Working as a relative Field Strength meter• RF signal generator
For a full explanation on how to make the abovemeasurements with the Millen or other similar GDO,download the Millen manual at:http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/millen/90651/
In the era of the Millen GDO, many othercompanies made and marketed Grid DipOscillators.
Measurements Model 59“Megacycle Meter”I purchased this example of a Measurements Corp.Model 59 GDO several years ago at a localfleamarket for $15. The design is unique because ithas a separate oscillator head to which the variouscoils plug-in to; this makes it very convenient to use.The Measurements GDO is a highly desirable andcollectable and still a very useful instrument for thehamshack. Its design and production dates back to the1940’s and has been described by some as the bestGDO ever produced commercially. A label on myModel 59 indicates it once belonged to the “GeneralElectric Co.” probably as a lab instrument.
PACO Electronics Model G15 GDOI acquired this instrument at an estate sale. Accordingto the markings on the box lid containing the coils, itonce belonged to VE3ARE in 1953 which was the callsign of the Northern Technical – Commercial Schoolin Toronto. Inside the box, VE3AUU is recorded.
Heathkit (Grid) Dip OscillatorsHeathkit marketed several Grid Dip Meters startingwith the Model GD-1 in 1951 followed by animproved GD-1A in late 1951 and then the GD-1B in1952; it continued in production until 1960.
In 1961, Heathkit produced asolid state version of the GridDip Meter called the ModelHM-10 “Tunnel Dipper” basedon a Tunnel Diode oscillatorcircuit and then the improvedHM-10A that remained inproduction until 1970. Later,Heathkit produced the HD-1250 Dip Meter from 1975until 1991
Page: 10 January 2020
These later Dip Meters had the advantage of workingportable on batteries, something the older true GridDip Meters couldn’t do since they were powered by110 VAC. The Heathkit products are also good findsat Ham Fleamarkets so don’t pass up the opportunityto get one.
MFJ Dip Oscillator is still availableNowadays, the only simple Dip Meter type instrumentin current production and available is the MFJ, Model-201 with a frequency range of 1.5 to 250 MHz.
Using the MFJ 259B antenna analyzeras a Dip MeterFor folks that own a MFJ 259B or similar MFJantenna analyzer; it can also perform the traditionalpurpose of a GDO to test the resonant frequency of anLC circuit using one of the two plug-in coils that comewith the instrument. These coils are for coupling anddo not determine the frequency range of operation aswas the case in the old traditional GDOs. The dip isshown on the SWR meter when the frequency isadjusted through the resonance of the coil /capacitorcombination under test. The frequency of the dip isread off of the instrument’s LCD display. Note thepickup coil of the instrument must be in close “mutualinductance” coupling with the LC circuit under test asshown in the photo below.
January 2020 Page: 11
NanoVNA used as a Dip Meter to showresonant frequency of an LC circuitIn a similar fashion as using the MFJ 259B as a GDO,I tried using the NanoVNA instrument (the subject ofmy article in the November Rambler) in the same wayas a Dip Meter to measure the resonant frequency fora LC circuit under test. Setting the VNA display toshow SWR over the frequency range of interest, Iwound and connected a low inductance coupling coilto the VNA CH0 port. As can be seen in the photobelow, theVNA verynicelyidentifiedthe resonantfrequencyof the coiland variablecapacitorcombinationunder test.
For more onusing “DipMeters” andthe theoryinvolved intheiroperation, a
good read can be found at:
https://hackaday.com/2015/11/30/the-grid-dip-meter-forgotten-instrument/
73 Norm, [email protected]
3D Printing for Amateur RadioProjectsI don’t have a 3D printer yet and unfortunately Santadidn’t bring me one this year, but I’m starting toappreciate the sorts of custom plastic things anddoodads that can be graphically designed andfabricated for our amateur radio projects.
Examples:• Last season, one of our OVMRC Radio Coursehonours grad, Gina Bies, VA3GNB gave me a 3Dcustom printed case for my “Jumbo” Hot Spot withspecial engraving of my call sign.. Thanks Gina!
• At the final lesson of this year’s OVMRC Course,honours grad, Tanya Fleming, VA3FFS gave me anice 3D custom printed desk display of my call signusing a plastic material that looks like wood. ThanksTanya!
Page: 12 January 2020
• And finally, Peter Carss, VE3XEM printed me aplastic case for my newly acquired NanoVNA.Evidently, Peter knew he was getting a NanoVNAfrom Santa and a month ago, he was anxious to print acase as a trial-run ahead of the one he will be printingfor himself. Thanks Peter, my NanoVNA fits in yourprinted case very nicely!
I see there are all sorts 3D printed projects and devicesfor ham radio “on-file” at : www.thingiverse.com Imay be shopping for a 3D printer for myself verysoon.
In the meantime, it would be nice to see how manyfolks in the OVMRC have a 3D printer already. Ifthere is sufficient interest, we should start an OVMRC3D-printer user group on Groups.IO
Norm ve3lc
NOTES_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
January 2020 Page: 13
OVMRC Net Activity, Check-ins for Last Month.Prepared by: Hugo Kneve VE3KTN
OVMRC 2 Metre Net: VE3TWO 147.300+ 100 Hz. tone, Thursdays 8 p.m. local.
OVMRC Pothole Net: 3760 kHz. LSB Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. local.
* - John, operating portable from Lackawana State Park, Pennsylvania.
Page: 14 January 2020
