2016-05 (May)
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section News - May 2016
May 2016 News
From the Section Manager
Here is the latest news from our section clubs and members. Thanks to all who visited and participated in the April 3 Pony Express Terminal NPOTA/Special Event Station N6P.
Be sure your club's public Field Day site is added to the ARRL Field Day Station Locator. Log onto http://www.arrl.org/field-day and click on the Field Day Site Locator link.
Section members participated in the 60 meter propagation test on Thursday night May 5 at 7:30 pm Pacific Time. See details below.
A Section-wide net is scheduled for Thursday May 19. The net will commence about 1930 PDT on the WD6AXM 146.085 MHz FM repeater, immediately followed by an HF net on 5330.5 kHz USB. See the Official Bulletin below.
Mark Sunday, May 15 on your calendars now for the North Hills Radio Club Hamfest from 7 AM to 12 noon at a new location--the Carmichael Elks Lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608. See more info at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-hills-radio-club-hamfest
This month's National Parks on the Air focus is on the Tule Lake National Historic Monument.
Our website, Facebook and Twitter pages are a work in progress, and your suggestions and submissions are always welcome. You can still send items for the May news to kp4md(at)arrl.org. I try to update this news page by each the weekend after submissions are received.
73, Carol Milazzo, KP4MD
American Radio Relay League Sacramento Valley Section Manager
kp4md(at)arrl.org
You can always send compliments, suggestions and submissions for inclusion in our Section News to kp4md(at)arrl.org
May 19 Sacramento Valley Section Net
Posted May 11, 2016
QST de W6KJ
ARRL SV Bulletin 1 ARLBSV001
FROM YUBA CITY, CA
MAY 11, 2016
To all SV radio amateurs
ARRL SV BULLETIN 001
On May 19, 2016, ARRL SV Section will hold a Section Net, first on VHF (WD6AXM/R, 146.085 MHz, plus offset, tone 127.3 Hz) immediately following the Yuba-Sutter ARES net which starts at 7 PM Pacific Time. The second edition of the net will be for those unable to access the WD6AXM/R machine which is located atop the Sutter Buttes west-northwest of Yuba City. It will commence IMMEDIATELY after the VHF SV net signs off and be conducted on 5330.5 MHz USB, the 60 meter channel used successfully to test propagation on May 5. Those checking in to the VHF edition of the net are encouraged to join the HF edition if they can.
All ARRL members, club presidents, Section appointees, and all amateur radio operators with a General class or higher license are encouraged to join us for the HF net. Section News, items of regional and national interest to all amateur operators will be the topics of discussion.
NNNN
/EX
ARRL Hamfests and Convention
Sunday, May 15, 7 am - 12 noon - North Hills RC Hamfest, Carmichael Elks Lodge, Carmichael
Saturday, September 17, 7 am - 12 noon - Western Placer ARC Hamfest, McBean Park, Lincoln
October 14-16 - 2016 Pacificon, San Ramon Marriott
Amateur Radio License Classes and Volunteer Exam (VE) Schedules
June 4 - Sutter Roseville Medical Center One Day License Review Class and Exam
Posted March 13, 2016
SPEAKER: John D. Hestenes, Ph.D., Emergency Coordinator, Placer County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Member, SRMC Emergency Preparedness Committee, Member, Western Placer Amateur Radio Club
DATE & LOCATION: Saturday June 4th, 2016, TIME: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Plaza, Roseville, CA 95678, Conference Room 16
General Course Objectives: General Course Objectives:
Discuss HAM Radio Operations and use in the Healthcare Environment
Provide participants with everything they need to know to pass the FCC Technician license exam.
Discuss HIPAA privacy requirements when sending patient or personal information via ham radio.
Discuss how you and your organization can contact, train and work with local ham radio operators.
Prerequisites/Study Material /Study Material: Instructions will be provided and sent to you via e-mail upon registration. Please provide a valid e-mail address upon registration so the material can be sent to you.
Registration/Cancellation: Registration/Cancellation: No walk-ins allowed. You must be pre-registered for the course no later than May 10. Space is VERY limited, so contact the SRMC Education Department at 916-781-1278 or e-mail Soraya Shadwick at shadwism(at)sutterhealth.org. Cancellations should be received at least 72-hours prior to the course if possible. Lunch is available at the cafeteria next to the class room. Course Fees: There is no fee for the course itself. However you must bring a $15.00 check payable to “ARRL VEC” for the test fee if you are taking the FCC test after the class. No cash or credit cards.
Continuing Education: This program is offered by a CA Board of Registered Nursing Accredited Sponsor, Continuing Education Provider Number CEP442 and California EMT-P/BLS Continuing Education Provider Number 65-0014. Successful participants may report 8-hours of continuing education. No partial credit.
* In accordance with the BRN, certificate of completion cannot be issued to participants who arrive more than 15 minutes late or leave more than 15 minutes early.
One Day Technician Fast Class in Reno Saturday 6/18
Posted May 8, 2015
There will be a One Day Technician Fast Class in Reno on Saturday, June 18, 2016. This class is co-sponsored by Hills Angels 4WD club and Friends of the Black Rock.
Long-time local instructor David Book KD7YIM says, “Almost everybody who takes my class passes the class and gets their license. We test right after the class! I teach using Gordon West’s Technician License Class 2014 – 2018 since I think it’s much to read than the ARRL material.” This book is available from W5YI.org or from Amazon and costs about $21.95. Book adds “I’ve done about 15 or 20 of these classes and since everybody passes, they walk away happy.” The class is $35 and the actual test is $15 more. Pre-payment is required “your payment is your reservation” and the class is limited to 25 students. Morse code is no longer required, all students get information on practice tests, and it’s about like taking a driver’s license test so it’s not hard for an adult.
For complete information call David KD7YIM at (775) 843-6443.
Folsom ARRL Volunteer Exam Schedule
Posted December 22, 2015
Here is our updated exam scheduled for the first part of 2016:
Thursday January 21
Thursday February 18
Thursday March 17
Thursday April 21
Thursday May 19
Thursday June 16
All exams start at 6:00 pm.
Round Table Pizza (Small private room by the front door), 2793 E Bidwell St, Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630
For information see http://ns6q.net/exams or contact Mike Kirkland, NS6Q at radio.ns6q@gmail.com.
73, Mike, NS6Q
Redding ARRL VE Schedule
Posted March 1, 2016
The Redding ARRL VE Team will be hosting exams on the following Saturdays in 2016:
March 19
May 21
July 16
September 17
November 19
Our exam sessions are now being held at 2486 Progress Drive in Redding. Exams start at 10:00 AM and candidates are encouraged to pre-register.
More information can be found at: www.reddingve.com or by contacting Steve K6KS at sjmosconi@gmail.com
SHINGLETOWN ARRL VE 2016 Schedule
Test location:
SHINGLETOWN AREA RESOURCE CENTER, 31268 HWY 44 SUITE C, SHINGLETOWN, CA. 96088 Next door to the Post Office.
Testing begins at 10:00 AM.
Candidates should arrive 15 to 30 minutes early. We accept walk ins.
Contact:
Dar Walker W6IO, Shingletown ARRL VE Liaison, Wa6mxh@frontiernet.net, 530-474-3087
2016 SCHEDULE:
Feb 20, Apr 16, Jun 18, Aug 20, Oct 15, Dec 17
Dar Walker W6IO
Other ARRL VE Sessions - Schedule List
BARK Repeater Club - Quarterly - Woodland
Carmichael Elk Lodge ARRL VE - 3rd Sat. at 0700
SFARC ARRL VE at Granite Bay Raley's - 1st Sat. at 0800
50 W PEP Maximum Power Limit Area on 70 cm
A little recognized portion of FCC Part 97 regulations applies to 420-450 MHz operations in most counties in our Sacramento Valley section:
47 CFR §97.313 (f) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in footnote US7 to §2.106 of part 2. The indicated affected areas are specified in http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/info/maps/us7/, in the State of California within a 240-kilometer (150 mile) radius around locations at Beale Air Force Base, California (latitude 39°08' North, longitude 121°26' West).
More information on the additional impact on 70 cm repeater stations is at http://www.narcc.org/NARCC-ARRL-PAVE-PAWS-Update-2014a.pdf
The Amateur Radio Service shares the 70 cm band on a secondary basis with the US Government which has priority. The US Department of Defense routinely monitors and locates signal sources on these frequencies. Our voluntary cooperation is mandatory to avoid interference with the Pave PAWS (Phased Array Warning System) radar at Beale AFB and thus to assure our continued access to these frequencies.
Posted November 28
American Radio Relay League
The National Association for Amateur Radio
Sacramento Valley Section
Serving Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo & Yuba Counties in Northern California
Sacramento Valley Section is located in the ARRL Pacific Division.
Sacramento Valley Section Web Resources
ARRL National Page:www.arrl.org/Groups/view/sacramento-valley
Organization, Clubs, Calendar, Nets
Sacramento Valley ARES:www.sacvalleyares.org SV ARES Brochure
Facebook:www.facebook.com/ARRLSacramentoValley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARRL_SV
Thanks to Greg Kruckewitt KG6SJT for maintaining our Section ARES web page and for assisting with our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Thanks to Les Cobb W6TEE for maintaining the Section Net list.
Submit Section News updates to kp4md(at)arrl.org
May 5 Sacramento Valley 60 Meter Propagation Test
Posted May 5, 2016
A 60 meter section wide propagation test was held on Thursday May 5 at 7:30 pm Pacific Time (0230 UTC 06 May) on 5330.5 kHz (USB dial frequency). The aim of this test was to confirm if a Section-wide net could be conducted on 60 meters. Propagation models predict that both the 60 meter and 75 meter bands are expected to support year-round evening NVIS propagation throughout our Sacramento Valley Section. A 60 meter Section net frequency could offer the benefits of lower atmospheric noise (QRN), no adjacent channel interference, and more efficient antennas for those with space limitations.
32 section members checked in with KP4MD as net control and Ron Murdock W6KJ acting as relay station. Despite atmospheric noise from thunderstorms through the area, signals were strong and the participating stations successfully exchanged their names, locations and signal reports.
Click here to see the May 5 60 meter test report. Participants and listeners may send feedback and reception reports via e-mail to kp4md(at)arrl.org.
Carol F. Milazzo, KP4MD ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Section Manager, kp4md(at)arrl.org
Listen to NVIS propagation in Northern California on W6DRZ's WebSDR receiver
National Parks on the Air January through December 2016
In 2016, the National Parks Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and radio amateurs will be able to help mark the occasion with the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event. The fun begins at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2016. NPS entities within the Sacramento Valley Section are:California National Historic Trail (TR14) - Sutter's Fort - Sacramento*
*Although some sites such as Sutter's Fort and the B.F. Hastings Building are under California State Parks administration, NPOTA activations may be conducted there with appropriate permission. "Operations within 100 feet of National Historic Trails are permitted at any point along the route. Operations from private property must receive permission." See NPOTA Rules 13(k) and (m). ARRL Headquarters advises amateur radio operators to contact and register with the corresponding local NPS unit administration in advance to inform them of planned NPOTA operations within their entity. Visit http://www.arrl.org/NPOTA for more information. Follow NPOTA activation updates on npota.arrl.org, Facebook and Twitter.
Visit the National Parks Service website to find the Tule Lake National Monument and other NPOTA entities near you. NPOTA activations may be conducted with permission from sites along NPOTA trails not under NPS administration with proper permission.
Be sure to read the NPOTA activation rules and instructions and register your NPOTA activation for a truly enjoyable experience and public outreach!
From Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, Section Technical Coordinator
Posted May 8, 2016
Section NPOTA Activations
I will be at Whiskeytown Unit (RC18) on May 21, 2016.
On June 4, 2016 I will be at Tule Lake Unit Internment Camp (NM31).
Then on June 18, 2016 I will be at The Lava Beds (MN50)
I will be running mostly JT65HF, RTTY, CW and PSK31. Depending on propagation I will also do some SSB. Bands will be 40, 20, 15 meters and 30, 17 if I get the chance to change the antenna. I will start about noon ( 19:00 UTC) and go for about 6 hours at each site. Each site has been activated with the ARRL.
I can also do some DXCC, WAS, VUCC applications during this time. You must contact me beforehand at wb6vyh(at)arrl.net or 4wortman(at)comcast.net for information and appointment.
73, Bob, WB6VYH, ARRL Pacific Division DXCC Awards Manager, Sacramento Valley Section Technical Coordinator, WAS Award Manager, VUCC Awards Manager
From Duane Wyatt, WAØMJD, Section Youth Coordinator
Posted April 29, 2016
The Tule Lake National Monument - NPOTA (NM31)Posted April 30, 2016The Tule Lake National Monument (NM31) WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument includes both the the Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest and most controversial of the sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, and Camp Tulelake, which was first a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, then a prisoner of war camp, and finally an additional facility to detain Japanese Americans.
Kid's Club Project Update
Duane Wyatt WA0MJD has been working on a project to expose children with health issues to amateur radio and morse code. He has developed Kid's Club units to accomplish this. Script and photos of Kid's Club are seen in the project website at kidsclubweb.wordpress.com.
Child Life staff at St. Jude's Research Hospital for Children have gladly agreed to accept a Kid's Club donation.
Duane is requesting help to pay for the assembly of a Kid's Club unit to give them. Each unit costs approximately $500 to assemble. Please contact Duane at duanewyatt(at)hotmail.com or (916) 677-9799
Duane Wyatt, WAØMJD,
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Youth Coordinator
duanewyatt(at)hotmail.com
(916) 677-9799
April 3 - Pony Express Anniversary NPOTA/Special Event Station N6P Report
Amateur radio operators from the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society and the Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club activated the National Parks on the Air/Special Event Station N6P at the Pony Express Terminal (National Historic Trail TR15), 1002 2nd Street in Old Sacramento on Sunday April 3 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm PDT (1700-2200 UTC) to commemorate the 156th anniversary of the inauguration of the Pony Express on that date. CW and phone operation on 40 and 20 meters showcased the historic and current day role of Morse Code and the Amateur Radio Service.
The event included an ARRL Amateur Radio Literature display and a Morse Code Practice Station with a variety of telegraph keys, including a straight hand key, a bug and an electronic keyer. Young people were especially interested in the Morse Code Practice Station. Here a young lady (YL) is learning Morse Code at the April 3, 2016 Pony Express Terminal NPOTA/Special Event Station N6P. (photo by Bob Woodward N6PGQ)
Geomagnetic storms were predicted for April 3, foreboding poor radio propagation for the event. Radio signals were few and weak for the first few hours while a geomagnetic storm with a K index of 5-6 was in progress. Most contacts were made between 2000-2200 UTC when the K index had dropped to 1-2. Contacts with amateur radio stations in a total of 17 states and provinces were logged. Online logSee the full captioned photo story on Facebook and photo album. To request a QSL card confirming your contact, please mail your card with an SASE to KP4MD QRZ.com address.
From Joe DeAngelo, AG6QO, ARRL Official Digital Relay Station
Posted March 29, 2016
Call for New Packet Network Nodes
Radio-all-the-way digital messaging networks are seeing a resurgence in activity in Northern California and elsewhere.
The availability of powerful new bulletin board software, like BPQmail, which integrates traditional packet and hf BBS message forwarding with WinLink Gateway and NTSD capability is a major force behind that resurgence.
The network of radio-mail stations is growing. K6ETA, AG6QO, N6RME and others provide a VHF network of packet stations which tie together packet users across Northern California. That network extends via HF, PACTOR, WINMOR, and ARDOP stations, into Nevada and Southern California and ties into the national network.
Modern BBS software allows users to send and receive radio-mail as if it were email, often using their familiar email clients on their computers, laptops, phones and other mobile devices.
A strong network requires additional nodes. Anyone interested in using or extending the network is encouraged to get involved. You can contact Joe, AG6QO for more information ag6qo(at)yahoo.com, or visit his BPQ web page.
From Norm Lucas, WB6RVR, Section Official Observer Coordinator
Posted January 11, 2016
Do you have what it takes to be an ARRL "Official Observer?"
The Official Observer (OO) program has been sponsored by the ARRL for more than 85 years to help Amateur Radio operators assist each other to operate their stations in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
Official Observer appointees have assisted thousands of Amateur Radio operators to maintain their transmitting equipment and comply with operating procedures and regulations. The object of the OO program is to notify amateurs of operating and technical irregularities before they come to the attention of the FCC and to recognize good operating practices.
The OO program serves as the first line of "eyes and ears" for the FCC. It is the backbone of the Amateur Auxiliary. OOs are certified in the Auxiliary by passing a mandatory written examination.
The OO performs his/her function by observing rather than transmitting. They keep watch for such things as frequency instability, harmonics, hum, key clicks, broad signals, distorted audio, over deviation, out-of-band operation and other potential problems. The OO completes his/her task once the notification card is sent.
In substantive rule violations cases, OOs refer problems to ARRL HQ. After review by HQ staff, the OO may be requested to provide additional information that may be forwarded to the FCC for possible enforcement action.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the ARRL Section OO Coordinator monthly on Form FSD-23.
Sending out advisory notices as needed.
Submitting good operator reports as warranted.
Requirements:
Recommendation of ARRL Section Manager
Pass an examination based on study of the ARRL's Amateur Auxiliary Training Manual
Full ARRL membership
Technician class license or higher for at least four years
The exam for becoming an OO is administered by US Mail from ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT. All of the study materials and exam are provided by the League, and you can complete the exam at your own pace. It is the only appointed position where the candidate is required to successfully pass an exam, prior to their appointment. Interested and qualified amateurs can start the application process by going to the following link:http://www.arrl.org/fsd-187-application-for-station-appointment
If you need further information about the OO program, or would like someone to speak about the OO program at your next club meeting, please contact:
Norm Lucas (WB6RVR)
ARRL Official Observer Coordinator (SV)
wb6rvr@aol.com
916-284-3737
Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity
Some misconceptions about the Amateur Radio Parity Act are being circulated. Please read full information here.
The Amateur Radio Parity Act
Posted May 13, 2016
The Sacramento County ARES February training meeting will be Saturday, June 11, from 0900-1200 hours at To Be Announced.
Quarterly MeetingPosted May 9, 2016
The Placer County ARES General Quarterly meeting was held at the Veterans Hall in Auburn on Apr 30, 2016. Carl First (N6CKV) led the discussion.
The topic was on the MCI-2016 exercise due for Wednesday May 18 in the morning. The staffing chart was discussed. Also the frequencies on the ICS-205 form. Pete Hnat (KI6UVJ), the MCI-2016 exercise director, was present and helped us understand issues regarding victims and other matters. Thanks Pete!
Some of the new badges were issued to those who came. Others should get badges at the May 13 SF-ARC general monthly meeting, if you are there. Send me a badge-sized photo to get yours finished and delivered. We want every member to have their badges by the time of the May 18 exercise.
If you have specific questions on the MCI materials please contact Carl for details.
Thanks to all the participants! Great Job!
John Hestenes, NT6ET, Placer County Emergency Coordinator
Club and Member News
May 15 - North Hills Radio Club Hamfest
Posted May 15, 2016
Over 200 from Sacramento Valley, neighboring ARRL sections and Nevada attended the North Hills Radio Club Hamfest on May 15 at the Elks Lodge in Carmichael, CA. This was a return to an old venue after many years at Natomas High School. Photos of the event are posted here and on the K6IS Twitter page.
May SOTARS/QCWA Chapter 169 Meeting
Posted May 9, 2016
GREETINGS!!
Our meeting is Wednesday, May 11th. Lunch is at eleven and Denny's serves breakfast all day as well. The meeting will be called to order at Noon in the restaurant's back room.
The program for this month is going to be your choice between two videos. 1. Episode 10 of TX Factor, 2. A demonstration of the functions and capabilities of Icom's newest digital Radio the IC-7300, which debuted to rave reviews from those using it.
We meet as usual at: Denny's Restaurant, 7900 College Town Drive, Sacramento, Phone (916) 383-7071, Near Howe Ave. and FWY 50
Please come and enjoy the good food and fellowship.
Dan, WA6VPJ
Posted May 8, 2016
MEET UP WITH FELLOW HAMS THURSDAY, May 12, AT 4:30 P.M. Meeting Site: Lutheran Church Hall, Artois, CA
From the Minutes of April 14, 2016 GARS Meeting
Present: Phil, Dorothy, John, Mike, Bob, Howard, Janey
...Run Your Tail Off, 6/4: Mike (KF6OBI) is still gathering information, but it is expected the organizers will want radio support again this year even though the event is later than in the past. It would be good if 5 operators were available. At the moment we have four: Mike, Phil, Janey, Bob. Mike will be out of town until 5/26, so that might be a problem, but he is hopeful to be back in time for the event.
Field Day 6/25,26/2016: Bob (KC6UIS) reported GEARS is pleased to have us join them for FD. Planning continues.
GARS Web site: It was felt that maintaining a Web presence was a good idea, but if we are to do so it must be kept up to date. Howard (KA6IOB) would like to check other providers than JimDo. Phil noted our current subscription will expire shortly. Subsequent to the meeting it was learned that the specific date is 4/28/16.
Q Signal Handout: KF6OBI distributed a handout and explained the origins of the Q signal protocols.
Drone Demo: KC6UIS ran his drone through its paces demonstrating how it could go from launch to 1,600' and return to its launch site. Hitting the "home" button brings the unit right back to where it started without the operator having to manipulate the trajectory. The ambient atmosphere of the day was great, allowing us to observe the drone through its entire journey. The sun angle was such that it provided excellent visibility and, though the day was rather windy, the internal circuitry of the drone was such that it kept the unit quite stable. The control panel provided real time video which became more and more interesting the higher the elevation. In addition to recording motion video, the onboard memory chip can also store still shots. Bob brought the drone lower and took some shots of the church. The quality of the pictures was excellent. Thanks, Bob, for a fun evening.
The meeting concluded around 6:00 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for 5/12 with KC6UIS continuing to try to get Scott Peterson to come and do a presentation about Ham Radio Deluxe.
Phil Zaball, KI6SMN
Posted May 8, 2016
Next Meeting Monday May 9, 2016
With the arrival of the month of May, we have the usual things such as Burn Permits are now required for residential burn piles, nice and not so nice spring weather, and such. This particular May we can now add (hopefully only for this year) recovering from broken bones. Jim Dworak, KI6UOX, has started the lengthy recovering from breaking one of his legs (in 5 places), after falling from a ladder and Jon Gicker, WA6TNC, is recovering from a fall in which he broke an elbow in two places. Best wishes to both for a good recovery.
I was also recently got some information which means it’s time to update some general club member information. At various meetings over the last few months we’ve been made aware of the fact that we have two nonagenarians in the club (nonagenarian = age in the 90’s): Burl Rogers, K4VYL, and Ken Blue, WO6H. But, in some communications with another club member, Jim Jolly, W6RWI, I found out that he is also in that select group – meaning we have at least 3 members who are in the 90’s. There may be others, but so far they haven’t let us know.
May is also the month for two bicycle rides which the club supports. The Gold County Challenge, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grass Valley. takes place on Saturday, May 14. And, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters(BB/BS) of Nevada County Mountain Bike Ride takes place on the following Saturday, May 21. I believe we have enough club volunteers for both events but additional support is always welcome. For the Gold County Challenge, contact Cal McKitrik, AI6MC, and for the BB/BS Mountain Bike Ride, you can contact me. We’ll also be announcing the events at the May NCARC meeting.
On the home front, I’ve been experiencing some problems with my antenna/coax setup. I have my VHF/UHF antenna coax coming into the house and then have a two position manual antenna switch to change the antenna between two radios. I thought I’d isolated the problem to an intermittent in a coax jumper between my primary radio and a manual antenna switch, but after some more checking, found that there is actually an intermittent connection in one position of the antenna switch – so I guess it’s time to get a new switch. In the mean time, I have the antenna connected directly to one radio.
Our club president, Larry Latta, K6LRL, has some interesting ideas for club events and presentations which he will be telling us about at the next few meetings.
Hope to see you at the meeting!
73, Walt, N6HNS
Congratulations to Alan James, KZ6B, on your new appointment as ARRL Public Information Officer for the Nevada County ARC! - KP4MD
Posted May 8, 2016
OARS (http://w6af.org) held its regular monthly meeting on 8 April with 26 in attendance. Agenda included communications assistance for the Feather Fiesta Days Parade in Oroville, which will have taken place before the club's May meeting. Plans for Field Day were also presented. Past President Ron Osborne, KD7UHF, reported on a successful, despite organized the last minute, communications assistance by the club for the Wildflower and Nature Festival, which took place on 2 April along the Feather River in Oroville; next year's event is expected to be on the club's calendar with plans to set up an information booth. The program, presented by Vice President Erik Bayer, AF6EF, was about message traffic handling in the digital modes, and how features within Windows can facilitate the process.
The OARS monthly breakfast took place on the 30th, with 23 present.
The May meeting of OARS will take place on Friday the 13th, 7 pm, at St. Paul's Parish Hall. Agenda is expected to include a report and critique on the Fiesta Days Parade, and a communications assistance by the club at the Experimental Aircraft Association's fly-in at Oroville Airport the day after the meeting.
Hope all is well with you and yours. 73, Jim, W7XZ
Posted May 3, 2016
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Coming May 3, George Poulos, N6YG will be demonstrating sound card modes used in Amateur Radio. He will also be touching on Slow Scan TV which may give us some insight into a mode we are using after the ARCS Wednesday FM net. Integrating computer technology with Amateur Radio certainly has come a long way. I’m looking forward to Tuesday’s meeting.
Members of our Club and the Samuel Morse club set up a special event station last month in Old Sacramento. We made contacts to qualify for a National Parks on the Air (NPOTA_ station and had a lot of fun talking to visitors. The NPOTA event honoring the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service goes on through the 2016 year. We will keep everyone informed if NPOTA activations are happening close to us.
May 20 and 21 is Farm and Tractor Days. We need a few dedicated volunteers to help set up a station and demonstrate Amateur Radio to the attendees. Friday’s visitors will mostly be students so we need to have some things for them to see and do. If you aren’t busy those days, come join the Club in Rio Linda. We are working to coordinate clothing sales – stay tuned!
For those following my station installation adventures, Murphy showed up again. I received an E-mail the morning I was to pick up my tower telling me it was not completed. Other projects had priority. Maybe next month. Does anyone know of someone with a large powered posthole digger (tractor or Bobcat)?
Don’t forget our June meeting will be held Monday June 6th due to a Tuesday conflict with the primary elections.
See everyone at the meeting.
73, Bob Woodward, N6PGQ, President, River City ARCS, http://www.n6na.org
Update from the Golden Empire ARSPosted May 1, 2016
QST de KA6GND
Busy and active times are coming up for our club – let’s hope that the bands are busy and active as well!
Thank you Anna, KG6ZOA for chairing the Wildflower effort again this year. I know that you put a lot of effort getting operators and organizing the event.
This month is our big auction of the year. Find those items in your shack that are collecting dust, they may be just the item that another ham would treasure to have. This event is an important fundraiser for our club, so spread the word and let’s make this the biggest and most fun auction that we have ever had!
It’s hard to believe but Field Day is next month. It seems like we were just talking about how it is several months away. This is a great opportunity for us to come together, operate in the mountains, meet new friends, and mentor or be mentored in expanding our operating skills and knowledge. And guess what – we can have a whole lot of fun doing so! If you would like to be part of this historical tradition, please contact our Field Day Chair Michael Favor, N6FAV as soon as possible. At our July 15th meeting we will have a very special guest speaker – Bob Heil, K9EID. Bob is the founder of Heil Sound, an innovator in speakers, microphones and just about anything dealing with sound. His Heil microphones are used throughout the world in ham shacks and professionally on stage and in studios. Since Bob’s QTH is in Missouri he will be joining us via Skype. If you have ever watched him as moderator on Ham Nation (www.twit.tv/shows/ham-hanmtion) or heard him interviewed, you know that he is a wealth of information not just on sound but antennas, grounding systems and many other aspects of ham radio.
73 for now, and remember - The Sky’s the Limit with Amateur Radio!
Larry Marcum, KA6GND.
BIKE AROUND THE BUTTES
On April 16 over 1000 bike riders descended upon the town of Sutter, CA for the annual Bike Around the Buttes.
The routes are 17 mile, 40 mile, and 100 mile bike rides to raise money for Children's Type 1 Diabetes. The club was also there providing communications support as SAGs (Support and Gear), at rest stops and a command center.
Assisting this year were Net Control: Chris Price (KD6CP), Steve Sweetman (K6TAZ), Rest Stops: John Rogers (KI6UDF), LeRoy Smith (KJ6DKM), Mike Eby (KM6EBY), Chris McLain (KK6VZD), Bill Duncan (WA6OHP), SAGs: LeRoy Smith (KJ6DKM), Manna Whelchel (KA6ETB), Lonnie Moore (KI6ZYY), Andy Boone (KJ6IYM), Sherie GoForth-Eby (K6AVW), Mike Morris (KK6ISQ), Joe Stafford (KK6SOX), Linda Maas (KK6SOZ), Dave Gipson (KC9EI), Larry Witcher (KE6LAW), and Curtis Sylvester-Jose (KF6VFP).
3F BIKE RIDE
Saturday, May 7, 2016 riders will visit the rural towns of Meridian and Sutter.
Ride through the pastoral farmlands of the Sutter Bypass, cross the Tisdale Weir, ride along the scenic Sacramento River levee road and around the unique Sutter Buttes (the smallest mountain range in the world), where John C. Fremont camped his troops in 1848 and returned to Colusa along the banks of the beautiful Sacramento River. Hams as SAGs, at rest stops and net control will be right there with them assisting in this 100 km (63 mile) ride.
Bill Duncan (WA6OHP) is in need of more volunteers to assist, particually SAGs. He can be reached at a6ohp@yahoo.com or call him at 530-763-7175 to volunteer.
Posted April 30, 2016
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Here’s hoping that this finds all of you well and happy.
April has been a fast passing month for me due to it being the income tax season. I never seem to escape that unscathed, but there is always next year.
The weather has been changeable but I am not complaining. We here in California certainly need the rain, and I for one would like to stop hearing all the gloom and doom drought messages in the media. So rain on Macduff! (My apologies to Shakespeare).
I am looking forward to the Mother Lode bike ride at the end of the month and hope to see many of you then as well as at the mee+ng this coming Thursday.
Boy, I don’t know who it was that said a person shouldn’t re+re because he’ll just waste away and die quickly due to boredom. I have a long enough to-do list to last me twenty years and if the last twenty years are any indicator of the future, I’ll probably have a twenty year long to-do list at the end of the next twenty. Boredom, my foot! That last didn’t have quite the impact that that expression usually carries, but I am trying to maintain a little decorum here.
Field Day is approaching fast so it is not too soon to get your fire permits for the year and to review your go kit contents and so on for that event.
Don, AF6ND Don, AF6ND
We have a terrific April 28 meeting planned. Our speaker is Sandy, DL1QQ, from Germany. Sandy will talk about the Olympics of Ham Radio - The WRTC Championship, featuring the best contesters in the world. This is an event held every four years. 2014 was in New England. The next WRTC will be held in Germany, in 2018.
Our raffle prize will feature a brand new 2 meter mobile radio and other good stuff!
See you on Thursday. Bob, W1RH
Posted April 15, 2016
The North Hills Radio Club held their March meeting on the 15th. We had a very good turn-out of about twenty-five persons. George, N6YG our vice-president, gave part two of his talk about SSTV along with information about sound cards and software. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 P.M. Our meetings take place at the former "SMUD" building, 5026 Don Julio Blvd.in Sacramento. Our meetings are open to all who wish to attend. This month, George is gonna do it again! That is, he's gonna give what promises to be an interesting presentation on JT65. George does very well with these presentations!
We are a bit behind with planning for our Hamfest but we're trying to move things along for the big event. It was brought to our attention that the address for The Carmichael Elks Lodge was incorrect on the ARRL web site. Please note that the correct address for the Carmichael Elks Lodge is 5631 Cypress Avenue, not 2103. #2103 is the assigned number of the Lodge. Remember, that the Hamfest will take place on Sunday, May 15, 2016. Gates will open for vendors at 6:00 A.M. They will open for lookers and buyers at 7:00 A.M. and the Hamfest will last until Noon. The talk-in frequency will be the K6IS repeater at 145.190 MHz with a negative offset and a tone of 162.2 Hz. Please don't go to our former location of Natomas High School. If you do, you'll have a Hamfest all by yourself.
Refreshments will be sold at a snack bar which will be set up on the property. As President of the club, I would like to see all of you there. Please come up to the club table where tickets will be sold and say "hi". I'd love to shake your hand! A big "Thank you" goes to the chairperson of our Hamfest committee, Mr. Richard Fazzino, N6RIK for spearheading the effort for our Hamfest. If you have questions, you may send them either to Rick or myself. Rick's email is: rickn6rik(at)gmail.com and for myself, Doug Emerson, N6NFF to: dsemerson(at)att.net and one of us will be glad to assist you. The North Hills Radio Club looks forward to seeing all of our old friends and hopefully, some new ones at our Hamfest on Sunday, May 15.
Sincerely yours, Doug Emerson, President, North Hills Radio Club. Amateur callsign: N6NFF
Update from River City ARCS SSTV NetPosted April 14, 2016
Members of the River City ARCS SSTV Net in Sacramento received these slow scan TV images during passes of the International Space Station. During April 11-14, the ISS amateur radio station RSØISS continuously transmitted a series of SSTV images using PD180 format on 145.800 MHz FM to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the first ARISS contact (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station). For many it was a first time and exhilarating experience with space communications.
Craig Bruce WP2N announced the ISS pass that occurred during the April 13 Wednesday night's SSTV net. Net members temporarily moved from the 145.510 MHz FM net frequency to 145.800 MHz to receive some of the final images of this ARISS activity.
Update from Rene, WB6PSY
Posted April 29, 2016
Well, the wire antenna is worthless – doesn ‘t hear more than the locals. So, for me it was UnHeard Island. Had I have been able to work Heard Island, it would’ve been country #350. As I only have a beam on 10 metres, they did not give it a try when conditions would’ve been there for NorCal. It would’ve been country #346 on 10 metres. At age 75, there’s no more opportunity for me. Unfortunately todays DXpeditions are there to see if they can outdo the last one with Q’s instead of working tough bands. Example: I got a contact with Krish, VU4K on 10m and gave him a 3x1 and that was stretching it. Many of my 10m contacts were a 3x1. My 10 metre totals attest to my ability to work DX, oh, and BTW NOT one of my contacts was done on a net or list, not at another ham’s station or by phone patch.
73, de Rene, WB6PSY
Update from Al Canton, KM6AAI
Posted April 29, 2016
As a new ham one of the lessons that you learn is that it is not really about the radio, it's all about the antenna.
Al Canton (KM6AAI) in Fair Oaks, CA heard it so often by the hams on the N6ICW repeater that he finally decided to junk the rubber-duck on his little Kenwood HT and get a real antenna.
One of his un-official elmers, Gordy Fuller (WB6OVH) also of Fair Oaks had a old j-pole antenna sitting in his garage just gathering dust and offered it Canton.
"Being too old and too smart to climb on my roof, I figured that any antenna is better than no antenna so we popped the four-foot j-pole on a five-foot piece of PVC and... stuck it in a bush to hold it up and ran the feed line through a window to my office," says Canton.
Both Canton and Fuller were somewhat skeptical that it would do much good, but much to their surprise ts has performed very well.
"Before my 'stick in a bush' I could hit one or two repeaters. Now I can get to thirteen of them... and there may be more I've not tried. I might be weak on some of them, but they can still hear me and I can hear them."
While he still has to find a better way to get the feed line into the house so that the bugs don't come through the break in the screen, for the time being a towel works well to keep the neighborhood insect life out.
Canton says the new antenna has totally changed his ham radio experience with the abiity to talk to hams as far away as the East Bay as well as hams in the foothills area. He has even been able to get to Placerville on simplex!
While licensed for only four months, the new ham has passed his General and plans to outfit an HF station and get an antenna up in the air, but until he chooses a radio he says that working 2M continues to be fun.
"I've logged over 100 of the most interesting people in the area via ham radio with my 'bush league' j-pole and when I get it up on the roof I'm sure I'll be able to reach many more."
-end-
Dale Lingenfelter, KF6MD, Silent KeySubmitted by Michael Buck, K6BUK, May 9, 2016
Greetings:
It is with great sorrow that I inform you that KF6MD, Dale Lingenfelter is a silent key. Dale passed this afternoon surrounded by his family. I have attached the email his son, Kirk, sent out tonight at the end of this email. Dale was a long-time member of Western Placer Amateur Radio Club and was active in the club until health issues prevented his participation. He was at one time a Board member and enjoyed the fellowship of the club. Dale was an avid ham operator and was licensed over 50 years. He has a ton of QSL cards and several awards. He was fascinated by equipment and always had the latest and hottest equipment. It seemed like every time I went to visit him he had a new radio or mic or key or some other new goodie.
He worked for many years as a communication specialist for a company that handled communications for airlines. He handled the first airplane that was hijacked to Cuba and said he was quite surprised when the pilot called in and asked for the weather conditions in Havana.
Dale was a master golfer and had an astounding 8 holes in one. His major love in life was golf and he traveled the world to play at different courses and take part in tournaments. He also attended several masters tournaments and met many famous golfers. Yes, he loved golf more than ham radio. Almost every time I visited him, he had golf on his TV. Dale lost a leg several years ago and was planning to learn how to golf with one leg but other health issues got in the way.
I, as well as many others will miss Dale and his warm personality. Please join me in wishing his family our condolences.
Here is Kirk's email.
Dale's Last Update
It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my Dad has left this world for the next. He passed peacefully at 3:15 this afternoon holding my hand while surrounded by loved ones.
The last few years have not been easy for him as he battled a series of health challenges, but I am very proud of the way he persevered and, in my view, he ultimately won the fight by keeping his good humor and positive disposition intact. He never changed from one of the most loving men I have ever known.
Dale (Dad) will be greatly missed by us all and we can take comfort knowing he lived well, played hard, and dominated the golf course wherever he went. Watching him play golf was like watching poetry in motion, he was certainly a master of the game he loved so much. Precious has now been reunited with the love of his life, Euni, and they are no doubt hosting a party somewhere special, possibly picking up where they left off reliving the Boulder Creek “Camelot” years of the 80's and 90's. My father's final wish was to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered next to Euni's where they created the magic that will never be forgotten.
I am not sure if we will have a gathering, or if we do, where it will be held, but I will let you all know as plans develop. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for my Dad as well as for myself and my family.
Please join me in wishing my father safe travels and Godspeed.
Kirk Lingenfelter
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