Upload
others
View
6
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
de N4BCD
Inside this issue:
K4BFT FDSatellite Station 2
Madison Co Propagation Test 3
FCC Website Overhaul 3
ARES Emcom QRZ? 4-5
Program Managers & Area Nets 5
Meeting Minutes 6
Event Calander 7
Hamshack of the Month 8
Ma;dison Co ECO 9
April, 2011
Volume 51, Issue 4
VOX
Welcome to a busy April. There are so many things go-
ing on and I don’t want to miss any of them. March
storms. Had a few net activations that went well and
fortunately the weather caused minimal damage to the
area. Sunspots. Had a few of those too and they're
helping with propagation on the HF bands.
Radios during club meetings. Getting better each
time. This past month we used our new radio to make
about 30 QSO’s and hit three continents during a phone
contest. One memorable contact: getting through the
pile-up for Greenland with a rig running barefoot into a
dipole really demonstrate the capability of K4BFT. In
April we’re going to try one or more of the digital modes
such as PSK or RTTY
Like mattress sales, it seems that every weekend
there's a hamfest somewhere. I was planning on Day-
ton but changed those plans and will be taking my son
Elliott KF5HYZ to HamCom in Plano, TX in June. Yes, I’ll
bring back photos. Of course we have our own Hamfest
in August which we're all look-
ing forward to. Be sure to visit
www.hamfest.org to volunteer
some time to help.
April hosts a 5th Friday this
year which means HARC hosts an action that night. Dust off
your unused items and bring them to the club. Witness for
yourself the frantic bidding wars for the right to put your
treasure on another ham's shelf.
There’s a county-wide VHF propagation test in a few weeks
where we’ll find and learn how to fill the repeater coverage
holes.
In conjunction with QRP Amateur Radio Club International
(ARCI)'s 50th Anniversary, there’s rumor of a local QRP
event the weekend of April 16 but no firm details as we go to
press. Stay tuned to your emails & local repeaters for details.
73 Mark Brown, N4BCD President
Get ready to experience the thrill of being the DX! Instead of busting pile-ups you can
be the one sifting through the calls and handing out contacts to guys eager to work
you and your county.
The party starts at 11:00AM CDST on June 4 and ends at 11:00PM CDST. All stations
may operate the full 12 hours contest period. It’s a great warm up for Field Day too.
For more details visit: http://www.alabamaqsoparty.org/
Find rules at: http://www.alabamaqsoparty.org/2011/2011Rules.pdf
Start Planning Now for the Alabama QSO Party !
The K4BFT Satellite Station landed the #3 spot in the AMSAT International Satellite Field Day Com-petition. Great job! The AMSAT Satellite Field Day Competition is an international event displaying the best satellite operators competing around the
world.
Since I get very little time to operate these days, Field Day was the only time his year I have oper-ated on the satellites in 2010 and the equipment
still worked.
If we had made just 6 more CW contacts we could have taken the #1 spot as the scoring was very close this year. If you are a CW operator, think about making a contact via satellite during the
next Field Day exercise.
This is an event where K4BFT has held the #1 spot for 4 consecutive years between 1999 through 2002. The satellite station was absent at Field Day from 2004 to 2007. Alan Sieg, WB5RMG, was asking questions a few years ago about a satellite station at Field Day and we came back out for Field Day in 2007 to demonstrate how to work a satellite using a hand held beam antenna pointed skyward. This got me pumped up a little for operating the satellites since K4BFT has
been absent on the satellites.
K4BFT AMSAT History Operating Emergency PowerK4BFT AMSAT History Operating Emergency PowerK4BFT AMSAT History Operating Emergency PowerK4BFT AMSAT History Operating Emergency Power
1997 - 2nd place
1998 - 2nd place
1999 - 1st place
2000 - 1st place
2001 - 1st place
2002 - 1st place
2003 - 4th place
2007 – log not submitted
2008 – log not submitted
2009 – log not submitted
2010 - 3rd place
The number of satellites were limited this year due to aging/failing spacecraft and operating schedules that did not favor this part of the world. There was a newcomer to the satellite lineup from China with HO-68 making its SSB linear transponder debut. It woke up many satellite operators and the band came alive with activity during the final hour of Field Day. If you had a chance to listen to HO-68 at the satellite station you would have heard how quiet the band can be in comparison to the HF bands. It was unfortunate this satellite was only active for 1 short low angle
pass over the U.S.
We worked satellites AO-51, AO-07, FO-29, VO-52, SO-67, HO-68, and AO-27
during Field Day via FM, SSB, and CW modes of operation.
I would like to thank all of those who helped at the Satellite Station in one way or another. If you just simply stopped by to check out the station or provided moral support, your presence was appreciated. For all those who helped with
set-up, operation, or break-down Thank You!!!!!
Participants:
N8DEU – Tim Cunningham
KN4OK - Dave Guthrie
N4KH – Jim Spikes
K4RGG – Rolf Goedhart
N4NM - Chuck Lewis
K4ADK - Mike Maples
K4JCH - John Hilliard
KG4PLK - Robby Lock
KD4TFM - Steve Bell
(...and others not listed who
helped...)
73’s de Tim – N8DEU
• Meetings are held weekly every Friday at 7:30 PM.
• Red Cross Building, 1101 Washington Street, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Check the club schedule in this issue for specific program night information.
• Visitors are welcome at all meetings.
• Website: www.harc.net
• Mail Reflector signup: follow the link below the HARC logo on the home page
K4BFT lands #3 in the Amsat Satellite Field Day Competition By Tim Cuningham—N8DEU
The Huntsville Amateur Radio Club
Page 2 VOX
Mark Brown N4BCD President [email protected]
Tom Hatter K4AKC Vice President [email protected]
Tom Duncan KG4CUY Secretary [email protected]
Heath Thorson KC4HRX Treasurer [email protected]
Club Officers
The Federal Communications Commission announced April 6 that it has launched a complete overhaul of
its website. According to an April 6 press release from the FCC, the new website is “architected with a
more intuitive user experience and the addition of Web 2.0 technologies, the new site improves and sim-
plifies the FCC.gov experience for consumers, government, public safety agencies and the business com-
munity.” This is the first major update to the Commission’s website in 10 years.
News from www.arrl.org
FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website
“Calling all amateur radio operators: we need volunteers for the Madison County Simplex and Repeater Madison County Simplex and Repeater Madison County Simplex and Repeater Madison County Simplex and Repeater
Propagation Test Propagation Test Propagation Test Propagation Test on Saturday Apr. 23 from 10 am to 12 noon.
We need 19 base stations to cover the 2 m, 70 cm, and 6 m bands.
We need 50-watt mobile stations to cover the checkpoints on 1 of the 7 routes from 12-20 miles in length. We can use mobiles who have one or more of 2 m FM, 70 cm FM, 6 m FM, 2 m D-STAR, 70-cm D-
STAR.
The routes cover areas that are shadowed from the 146.94 repeater by various mountains. This test will enable us to determine the best alternate repeaters and simplex coverage for those "black holes" in our
county.
The mobiles and base stations will exchange and log signal reports at each checkpoint. The log needs to include the contact time, checkpoint location if mobile, frequency, mode, power, station worked, signal report given and signal report received, as well as one-time station info of antenna gain and height plus station location if base. Signal reports will be exchanged as per cent time copied, e.g. "100% copy" or
"80% copy."
We need operators to program their radios in advance with the frequencies and submit their logs within a
week of the event.
Additional information, including the frequency information, routes, sample logsheet, and sign-up roster
info, may be found in the public bulletins area of the Huntsville-Madison County ARES/RACES website at
http://www.hmcraces.org/BB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=379. To sign up e-mail your sign-up roster info to
[email protected] by Apr. 16.”
Madison County 50+ MHz Propagation Test
Page 3 Volume 51, Issue 4
Well, here we are in the middle of another severe
weather season. I hope that you and your stations have sur-
vived the storms we have already experienced. As emergency
radio operators, we should be trained, practiced, and proficient
in our ’Nets. This month, I want to hit upon a few high points to
help the new ham get started in EmComm, and to remind the
rest of us, that this activity requires constant maintenance.
Well, here we are in the middle of another severe weather sea-
son. I hope that you and your stations have survived the
storms we have already experienced. As emergency radio op-
erators, we should be trained, practiced, and proficient in our
’Nets. This month, I want to hit upon a few high points to help
the new ham get started in EmComm, and to remind the rest of
us, that this activity requires constant maintenance.
The first priority to the operator is personal safety.
Along with this goes the welfare of your family and your station.
We usually have enough operators in a specific region that we
don’t need a check-in or spotter to stand like a pillar until the
storm is unavoidable. You don’t get a posthumous license up-
grade for being a martyr for the cause! If you are in the direct
path of the watched event, declare to the Net Control that you
are seeking shelter and then take cover. Hopefully, no injury
will occur, and we can use your services as damage assess-
ment.
A typical, well-equipped ham station should include a
radio. I know that couldn’t be more obvious, but let me take it
a bit further: you should have a radio that has every possible
band and frequency that may be used during a Net pre-
programmed into it. Reading your manual and figuring out the
buttons on your radio during an event is not acceptable, espe-
cially if the Net Control needs you to handle traffic to a less-
used frequency. Spend some time during the downtimes, or
while you are watching a game on TV to get familiar with your
radio. (As a side note, the upcoming county-wide propagation
test is an excellent opportunity to make ready your stations.)
Part of the ham’s station includes a more overlooked
section - the antenna system, i.e. the feed line and radiating
body. Make sure that your antenna does not suffer water deg-
radation, and the SWR is within acceptable ranges. During the
winter, moisture can invade small crevices and then freeze and
cause damage. Make sure your antenna switches and radios
have proper grounding. Have a plan to be able to get to your
coax connections so that you can disconnect them, in case
lightning gets too close to the shack. While an indoor antenna
is not usually desired, it can come in handy to hook your HT to,
EmComm – QRV? By Tim Holland KK5H
Page 4 VOX
if it’s stormy outside and the power has gone out. If I may get on my
soapbox here for a moment, I would like to address the use of handy
talkies in Net operations: Using an HT inside with a “rubber duck”
antenna should be the last alternative. Usually these signals can
barely reach the repeater, and require several repetitions of traffic. A
mag-mount antenna can be purchased for under $20, and if placed on
a large metal surface like a refrigerator or filing cabinet, will far out-
perform the lesser antenna.
The power system is another critical component of any sta-
tion. I generally shy away from using a HT as my base radio, as battery
life becomes a real issue. If power were to go out, one may have no
way of recharging the power packs. One solution is to have a battery
pack that can be filled with AA alkaline cells. These are available al-
most universally, and are relatively cheap. A lot of stations, whether
using a HT or a fixed station, use the automotive-type lead/acid bat-
tery. These are a good solution, as they have a long discharge life.
One needs to remember that they need to exercise those batteries, by
discharging them (not till they're dead, though), and then recharging
them. I use a float charger on mine, and still it looks as if the battery
has reached its life, and needs to be replaced. One problem of using
an automotive battery is that they start their voltage at just a little over
12vdc. If you are using much power when transmitting, this can
quickly drop to 11vdc and lower. A lot of radios don't really appreciate
this fact, and may start acting a bit erratically. There are a couple of
companies that make a voltage booster, which essentially trades the
buckets of current available in the battery for a little more voltage. I
have one, and it works great! The best answer to the problem of
power would be a portable generator. There are many types available,
and can be used to help power your family's needs while you stay on
the air.
Now that we have all the parts in place to have your station
physically operating, we have to concentrate on the operator himself.
The most important tool an operator can use is the pencil and paper.
During an event, you do not want to have to rely on your memory. That
Madison County Emergency Coordinator
Rolf Goedhart,, K4RGG
Field Day Chairman
Tim Williams, K4AEE
Fundraising Coordinator
Tim Williams, K4AEE
K4BFT Club Station Trustee
Tom Duncan, KG4CUY
Picnic/Food Coordinator
Peggy Bell, K4EGB
Public Service Event Coordinator
Charlie Tedder, W1CST
Training/Education Coordinator
Jack Hemby, W5WQQ
VOX Publisher
Mark Brown, N4BCD
Website Designer
Joshua Babb, KD7HLX
Program and Project Managers
Limestone County Emergency Training
145.15
Thursday 7:00 pm
Lincoln, TN County Emergency Training
147.03
Monday 6:30 pm
North AL/Southern Middle TN Training
147.24
Thursday 8:00 pm
Please send any additions or corrections to
Area Weekly Nets
Northeast Alabama 6m Net (ragchewing)
50.150
Weeknights 9:00 pm
Madison County Emergency Training
146.94
Thursday 7:30 pm
Lauderdale County Emergency Training
146.68 pl 100
unknown
Lawrence County Emergency Training
145.27 pl 107.2
Thursday 7:45 pm
Page 5 Volume 51, Issue 4
is the reason we have been practicing ARRL message handling. When traffic has to be passed, it must arrive at its desti-
nation just as it was transmitted – nothing added, and nothing left out. Have yourself a clear area, already stocked with
writing instruments, a note pad, some message forms and a log sheet. If the Net Control calls on you, be ready! One of
the reasons we have a practice net every Thursday evening is in the hope that everyone will be making a log and practic-
ing copying call signs. While this may seem mundane, it is critical to a Net to know who is out there, where they are, and
what abilities they have.
Use the time available to make sure your station is up to the task of EmComm. Even the most modest station
can be a real asset, if it has been maintained, and the operator has been practicing. There are many free courses avail-
able online to help train yourself in proper Net operation. Go to http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-training
Avail yourself of these free resources to make yourself a better operator. Join us on the Thursday evening training net at
7:30pm on the 146.94 repeater, and bring a pen!
Tim KK5H
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by president Mark Brown, N4BCD. There were 26 attendees at the start, and at
least 5 stragglers.
Old Business:Old Business:Old Business:Old Business:
Charlie, W1CST asked if it would be possible to include treas-urer’s reports in the VOX. Treasurer Heath, KC4HRX said yes, and that we typically do this once a year after Field Day. He reported typical yearly income of between $ 2,600 and $ 3,600 based on dues, but that we have been loosing mem-bers every year, attributing this to the unrestricted availability of the VOX on the web site. Related to this topic, Mark, N4BCD says he has researched club successes and failures, indicating some 38 out of 40 clubs researched provide their newsletter for free and unrestricted, and urged it should be that way. Heath says that every year prior to the HARC/NARA joint membership meeting we send notices to every ham in Madison County urging them to join HARC, and that this year this cost about $ 1,000. Charlie opined that there must be a way to target previously-dues-paying members rather than an expensive blanket approach. Others felt that separate or-ganizations, e.g., NARA , ARES/RACES, TVATV, and HUNTSPAC diluted HARC’s impact. Leigh, WD4CPF noted that these organizations fall under the HARC umbrella, and that HARC meets weekly rather than less frequently to offer members the possibility of missing meetings here and there. Mark ended this discussion with the observation that the club serves those who support the club, e.g., by coming to
meetings.
Announcements:Announcements:Announcements:Announcements:
Leigh announced the Cotton Row Run will again be held on Memorial Day, and that we will need volunteers. Charlie
will handle sign-ups for Cotton Row.
Mark announced the Tour de Cure on May 14th. Woody will
handle the sign-ups for Tour de Cure.
The City of Madison is opening a new Emergency Opera-
tions Centers. Details will appear in the VOX.
At the urging of Jack, W5WQQ, an impressive video of a young YL, RZ9UMA working CW in a contest or DX pileup
was shown.
New Business:New Business:New Business:New Business:
Steve KD4TFN asked when we intend to hold Old Timers night. After some discussion, a Friday May 27 date was
agreed upon.
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 pm.
Meeting Minutes from April 1, 2011 de KG4CUY
Page 6 VOX
Page 7 Volume 51, Issue 4
HARC Calander
3-Apr 4-Apr 5-Apr 6-Apr 7-Apr 8-Apr 9-Apr
Training Nets
146.94 @7:30PM,
147.24 @ 8PM
Program - Solar Num-
bers, what is SFI, A, &
K de N4KG
10-Apr 11-Apr 12-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr 16-Apr
Training Nets
146.94 @7:30PM,
147.24 @ 8PM
Hands-On Radio, PSK
17-Apr 18-Apr 19-Apr 20-Apr 21-Apr 22-Apr 23-Apr
QRP to the Field week-
end
Training Nets
146.94 @7:30PM,
147.24 @ 8PM
Emptying Your Junk-
box de KG4CUY VHF Propagation Test
24-Apr 25-Apr 26-Apr 27-Apr 28-Apr 29-Apr 30-Apr
Training Nets
146.94 @7:30PM,
147.24 @ 8PM
Auction Night, Last
General License Class
1-May 2-May 3-May 4-May 5-May 6-May 7-May
Business Meeting
8-May 9-May 10-May 11-May 12-May 13-May 14-May
Appoint audit commit-
tee & nominating
committee >>>
The National Traffic
System - K4AKC Tour de Cure
15-May 16-May 17-May 18-May 19-May 20-May 21-May
Dayton Hamvention Dayton Hamvention
22-May 23-May 24-May 25-May 26-May 27-May 28-May
Dayton Hamvention
Nominating commit-
tee results due & Old
Timer's Night
CQ WW WPX Contest,
CW weekend
29-May 30-May 31-May 1-Jun 2-Jun 3-Jun 4-Jun
Cotton Row Run
Business Meeting &
Election Night
AL QSO Party 11AM-
11PM
5-Jun 6-Jun 7-Jun 8-Jun 9-Jun 10-Jun 11-Jun
HAM-COM Dal-
las, TX
ARRL June VHF QSO
Party weekend
Shack of the Month—John K4JCH
100w Portable operation from Florida
Equipment:
Icom IC-7000
MFJ 4225MV Switching Power Supply
LDG Autotuner
+ assorted operating aids
To see your shack featured here, send a medium or high resolution
photo + equipment list to [email protected]
Page 8 Volume 51, Issue 4
The Madison City Police Department is pleased to announce the ribbon cutting and official grand opening of its new ex-
pansion to our Public Safety Building which includes a state of the art Emergency Operations Center, and Training Room.
We welcome and encourage everyone to join us as we officially open this facility to better serve our community.
Date: April 28, 2011
Times: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: City of Madison Police Department
100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL
14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955
Page 9
Please send content to the publisher, or …. Look for more dead scientists here
News de Bruce Campbell KG4HLZ …
Dedication Planned at new EOC for Madison City