2016-07 (Jul)
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section News - July 2016
July 2016 News
From the Section Manager
Here is the latest news from our section clubs and members.
ARRL Field Day June 25-26!
This month's news features reports and photos from ARRL Field Day activities throughout our section. Thanks to the efforts of the many amateur radio operators and affiliated clubs who helped make this year's ARRL Field Day an outstanding public exposition and exercise of amateur radio's emergency communication response capabilities.
This month's National Parks on the Air focus is on the Lassen Volcanic National Park (NP38).
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 July 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
National Parks on the Air January through December 2016
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
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.
Do you plan an NPOTA activation in our section? Send e-mail to kp4md(at)arrl.org for posting on this page.
ARRL Hamfests and Convention
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
Morse Code Beginners' Class
Posted July 29, 2016
Due to the overwhelming popularity of the W6SFM CW Beginners class the SFM ARC is gearing up to start another CW Beginners class starting September 14th 2016. Students in our class will all complete with a good grasp on their entire alphabet, numbers and CW Pro-signs. Students are taught proper Sending and Receiving methods. Students will be provided with a Morse Code Straight Key and an Oscillator to keep and use on-air with their home stations.
The SFM ARC CW (Morse Code) class is a 10 week course held once per week for 2 hours. Our goal is to have all students on the air operating conversational speed CW by week 6.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending our next CW course please email the club at admin@w6sfm.com for more information. We hope to see you there!
Details are also posted on our course calendar.
July 13 through August 17 -
Golden Empire ARS Combined Refresher PLUS Technician/General License Preparation Course
Posted July 2, 2015
THIS fast-paced, “three-track” course will help you master Amateur Radio in the way that best suits your interests. Choose from one of these “Learning Tracks:”
Technician. If you want to get started in “Ham Radio” and earn your first FCC license, then the Technician Track (combined “Pre-Session*” and “Session”) is the place to begin.
General. The General Track is ideal for you if it’s time to upgrade your Technician’s ticket and work the exciting world of HF.
Refresher. If you’re looking for a way to update your Technician or General knowledge without seeking a new License, the Refresher Track is for you.
Reservations are Requested. Please Contact: Gene Wright [WA6ZET] at wa6zrt@sbcglobal.net; +1 (530) 345-3515, Tom Rider [W6JS] at rustyboyrider@aol.com, or Rick Hubbard [KI6VOS] at rick.hubbard.email@gmail.com
PRIOR to the first session (13 July 2016), please read Chapters 1 & 2 of your Track’s textbook.
Download Flyer
July 16 - Citrus Heights Ham-Cram Session
Posted June 1, 2015
Section member Joe Cardoza, KA6ROM, announces that his Ham-Cram team conducts amateur radio training and testing every other month in Orangevale:
"Our next session will be on July 16, 2016 starting at 8:45 AM at the LDS Church, at the corner of Hazel and Cherry Ave in Orangevale, CA."
Joe Cardoza, KA6ROM, 916-725-6443, cardozas@comcast.net
Folsom ARRL Volunteer Exam Schedule
Posted July 20, 2016
Here is our updated exam scheduled for 2016:
July NO EXAM
August NO EXAM
Thursday September 15
Thursday October 20
Thursday November 17
December NO EXAM
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
Lassen Volcanic National Park - NPOTA (NP38)Posted July 2, 2016Lassen Volcanic National Park (NP38) is a United States National Park in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southern-most volcano in the Cascade Range. (Lassen Peak is also in the header photo of our ARRL Sacramento Valley Section website, Facebook and Twitter pages.) Lassen Volcanic National Park started as two separate national monuments designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907: Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument.
Native Americans have inhabited the area since long before white settlers first saw Lassen. The natives knew that the peak was full of fire and water and thought it would one day blow itself apart.
White immigrants in the mid-19th century used Lassen Peak as a landmark on their trek to the fertile Sacramento Valley. One of the guides to these immigrants was a Danish blacksmith named Peter Lassen, who settled in Northern California in the 1830s. Lassen Peak was named after him.[8] Nobles Emigrant Trail was later cut through the park area and passed Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds. - from Wikipedia
Visit the National Parks Service website to find the Lassen Volcanic National Park 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!
Update from Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, Section Technical Coordinator
Updated June 30, 2016
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Technical Coordinator, VHF Award Manager, HF Award Manager and DXCC Award Manager Bob, WB6VYH reminds us he can count cards and check applications for VUCC and WAS and DXCC............... Bob will be at the Lincoln Ham swap in September and most likely Ham Club meetings throughout Northern California.
Bob will also be doing NPOTA at some of the parks and monuments in northern California and will be able to do applications there too. Look for listings in the ARRL NPOTA section….
So far this summer I have had fun at Whiskeytown , The Lava Beds and Tule Lake Unit Internment Camp.
Please contact Bob ahead of time at wb6vyh@arrl.net or 4wortman@comcast.net for information and appointment.
73, Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, ARRL Pacific Division DXCC Awards Manager, Sacramento Valley Section Technical Coordinator, WAS Award Manager, VUCC Awards Manager
Photos (Left to Right) Bob Wortman WB6VYH NPOTA Activations at Lava Beds, Tule Lake and Whiskeytown
From Duane Wyatt, WAØMJD, Section Youth Coordinator
Posted April 29, 2016
Kid's Club Project UpdateDuane 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
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.
For 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
Sacramento Bee News Story on FCC vs. William F. Crowell W6WBJ
Posted June 5, 2016
The June 3 Sacramento Bee newspaper carried this story on the FCC Notice of Apparent Liability vs. William F. Crowell, W6WBJ at http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article81740737.html In the article, journalist Ed Fletcher relates his interview with Crowell and interviews with others on the reported activity.
Posted June 30, 2016
The Sacramento County ARES February training meeting will be Saturday, July 9, from 0900-1200 hours at To Be Announced.
ARES Updates
Posted May 30, 2016
—— From Ralph W6RWL District 5 EC
Operators are needed for the WSER & TEVIS CUP Events on June 24-25, 2016 and July 23-24, 2016. If you're interested go to http://comm.wstrail.org/commvolform.htm web site and sign up for these events. Call Ralph 408-640-0963 or w6rwl(at)arrl.net with any questions.
—— Sacramento County ARES (Bill N6SGT)
Eppie's Great Race is on July 16, 2016. Sacramento County ARES is looking for radio operators to help support the event. You will need either a Mobile or HT radio and to be available to help on July 16th. http://www.saccountyares.org/15-home/63-july-16,-2016
Club and Member News
Posted July 2, 2016
Congratulations to the River City ARCS on their Field Day site visit by California Assemblyman Ken Cooley who helped erect antennas and a media hit with Journalist Nha Nguyen on Sacramento KMAX-TV's Good Day Sacramento news program. Photos from River City ARCS Field Day.
Sacramento Valley Section Field Day Photos
Posted July 2, 2016
Thanks to Les Cobb, Matthew Cobb, Kevin Hooke, Jason Lager, Richard Montoya and others for submitting these Field Day photos from around our section (click on each photo to read its caption and credits), and for the efforts of the many amateur radio operators and affiliated clubs who helped make this year's ARRL Field Day an outstanding public exposition and exercise of amateur radio's emergency communication response capabilities.
Posted July 29, 2016
SPECIAL NOTICE
The W6SFM CW BEGINNERS CLASS WILL BE HELD STARTING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th. The club has locked a date for the beginning of our next semi annual CW Beginners Course. The course is a once per week 2 hour class that meets for 10 consecutive weeks. At this course students will learn how to both send and receive Morse Code. Students will be supplied a straight key and Oscillator to keep at the completion of the course. Students will also learn proper on-air pro-signs and other interesting information about Morse Code and On-air practices. If you or someone you know is interested in joining this course please be sure to contact the club ASAP. This is a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE enrollment with VERY limited seating. Those who contact the club via email are eligible to be placed on a 7 day 'seat reservation' while we await your payment. For more information be sure to contact us by going to http://w6sfm.com/contact.html
Another great month of outdoor fun was reported at our latest in-person meeting. The W6SFM Samuel F Morse Radio Club meeting was called to order by club President Mike, N6MQL on July 7th at our regular meeting place in Carmichael at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. A total of 12 members and 2 guest were in attendance. The club welcomed 2 new members who joined us this last month. Steve, K7SF from Portland OR and Ralph NA6D from the Sacramento area.
The meeting was started with President Mike, N6MQL reading the Month's budget report and announcing our current funds available. Club Secretary, Chris, AI6U followed by reading in our minutes from last month's meeting. Chris also reported on our totals for our W6SFM On-line/On-air net meetings for the month of July. Snacks at the in-person meeting were provided by member Bob, K6DGQ.
Topics of discussion included various ARRL section news and club business. The amateur Radio Parity Act (Hr1301) was discussed by the entire group in attendance. Also discussed was the National Parks On The Air (NPOTA).
This year's Field Day results were also announced at our meeting along with stats on our operations. As like the past 3 years, the SFM ARC Field Day was held in the field at the rear of the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. W6SFM was on the air operating as a 2A SV station. The club saw 14 members and 18 guests, for a total of 32 participants. Five of those were children under 15 years of age. Of the 5 children that attended 2 of them got on the air in CW making 10 assisted contacts. The club was also fortunate enough to be visited by both the ARRL section manager (Carol, KP4MD) and the Captain of Sacramento Metro Fire station 109. Videos of the event are available in our Videos section the w6sfm.com website. For our Tech portion of the meeting members Kevin, KR6AI and Bob K6DGQ demonstrated Items that they brought with them to the meeting. Kevin Demoed his Home Brew "Dit tamer" he uses to slow his Millennium Vibroplex Blue Racer Bug down from 22 WPM to below 13 WPM speeds.
Member Bob, K6DGQ displayed his Heil "Pro7" headset and Microphone combination. Bob explained to the club that even with use of hearing aids he is comfortably able to hear and wear his over the ear "cup" style headphones for many hours of operation.
Our next SFM ARC in-person meeting will be held at its normal time and address Aug. 4th (followed by our Sep 1st meeting). The SFM ARC in-person meeting will be held in the Howard Crowley room upstairs at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. More information including a Google Map is available on the homepage of our website: w6sfm.com
At our Aug meeting we will be discussing the clubs Day in the park get together. Vice President Rob, N6KIX will offer a brief presentation on the proper making of a QSL card. Rob will explain the restrictions and complications due to their size while sending via Post Card mail or the 2 standard size envelopes.
As usual, current events, News regarding Amateur radio and other ARRL items will be discussed. We will have our Tech (show and tell) portion where members and visitors are asked to share their Ham Radio related items they find of interest. Feel free to visit our In-Person meeting with items that you purchased or were given that you would like to share with the group. Visitors are always welcome to join us.
Each Tuesday of the week 8:00 PM on 3.545 MHz the SFM ARC enjoys getting on the air with CW for our weekly Nets. You do NOT need to be a member of the SFM ARC to check into our nets and we encourage you to invite a friend to join us as well. Although our nets usually run around 13 wpm code, we are all happy to accommodate those that are slower and need us to oblige. If you are unable to copy Morse Code or need some code practice please feel free to visit our on-line LIVE streaming broadcast of both the Audio and a CW to Text decoding of the meeting. The “LIVE FEED” link can be found on our home page of our website. Those visiting the on-line site are welcome to make themselves known by using the ‘contact us’ link to let the net op (NCS) know you are there. This of course is not mandatory, just a way of making everyone feel more involved in our on-air nets.
Do you know someone in need of a Ham Club to call home? Perhaps someone that wants to learn Morse Code, are interested in CW or already know and use it, the SFM ARC would love to be their new Club home. Our in-person meetings are held each 1st Thursday of the month at 7PM. Please use the rear parking lot and entry for best access to the meeting. A map and directions can also be found on our website. We hope to see you at our next meeting!
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
SFARC Field Day 2016 ResultsAs you may remember reading in the last Newsletter, SFARC planned a little different Field Day this year. The plan was to run from batteries and solar only, transmitting with only 5 watts, about the power level of your bathroom nightlight, someone said. We erected excellent wire antennas this year, like a 300-foot loop at 70 feet, and a 40m bob-tail curtain pointing East. SSB was challenging, as might be expected with QRP, while CW and Digital modes were productive. 17 operators tried their best on three different modes, and when the final bell sounded, we were surprised at the results.
The fact is, we made less than half the contacts of last year, but due to the 5x multiplier for QRP, we beat last year’s points score by over 400. Total contacts made was somewhere in the 400’s, (remember, QRP folks), but the final points tally with bonus’ was over 5,000!
A highlight of the 24-hour operation was youth participation. Jeff’s (AK6OK) grandson Noah made at least 20 Q’s at the mic, while another youth did almost as well. In any case, everyone had a great time. Our public information table was a hit with an “active map” tied to the N3FJP logging software that displayed states worked in real time on an LCD monitor.
The Saturday night potluck offered good food as usual with tri-tip and chicken and all the trimmings. Our custom Field Day T-shirts this year were a stand-out hit as well, and made it easy to find Club members as visitors strolled around the site.
Of course, no Field Day report, or antenna raising worth reporting, would be complete without AK6OK’s awesome, air-powered, tennis ball shooting cannon to get those wires up high. This thing reminds me of the air cannons at the end of the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz … if you weren’t expecting the noise, it made you jump, every time!
(L to R: Les-KG6NME. Al-NI2U, Dennis-WU6X and Casey-W7IB)
The Club is already looking forward to next year … will it be another QRP-only event, who knows? One thing for sure, it will be a great time for everyone who decides to come up to Nyack near Soda Springs. We hope to see you next year as an operator … or visitor.
(WU6X reporting)
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Good things actually come in small packages. Kevin Hooke, KK6DCT demonstrated the Raspberry Pi at our last meeting giving all of us a look into the future. The club is also looking to the future by trying something new at the next meeting August 2. Ed Fong, WB6IQN will give his presentation by SKYPE. It should be really an interesting evening. I had the pleasure to listen to Ed at the Pacificon Antenna Forum and he is a great presenter. From what I understand, we will be able to make a group order of his antenna if we want.
But wait – there’s more. Just three days earlier on Sunday, July 31 we will hold our annual member picnic. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary. Don’t forget to attend. The Martins will be at the grill and I’m looking forward to another great picnic and Fox Hunt.
In September, in person, our club will hear from Bud Drummond, W3FF from Buddipole. His antenna system can be configured in multiple ways. His demos are always something not to be missed.
Our White Elephant sale is coming in October so it’s time to start cleaning out the shack. A few items have been already donated to the Club and living in my garage. They will make the trip to the meeting.
As I write this, the tower is about to be delivered. If it really shows up, then the real work begins. I think I will become a personal friend of those at DX Engineering and HRO. Figuring out coax loss vs cost will be a test. Hopefully the ground will not be too hard to trench!
See everyone at the meeting. Until next month -73, Bob, N6PGQ August Newsletter
Congratulations to River City ARCS on your 40th Anniversary! - Carol KP4MD
Posted July 24, 2016
The July newsletter can be found here http://www.mldxcc.org/news.html
The Joint PL259/NCCC/MLDXCC/REDXA Meeting takes place on Saturday 30th of July at the Rockville Corners restaurant in Fairfield. Address: 4163 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield, CA 94534
When: Saturday 30th of July. Time: 11:30 am Social Hour; 12:00 pm Lunch, 12:30 pm Program.
Presentations:
CQ WW CW Dxpedition 9K2HN (Kuwait) by Bob W6RGG (Operation was by a team of nine operators from Kuwait, USA, and the UK)
TX3X Chesterfield 2015 DXexpedition by Steve W1SRD
Payment of $20 can be via the club's PayPal account (paypal@nccc.cc) or at the door.
Please confirm your attendance by EOD Thursday 28th July!
Regards, Ian W6TCP +1 (925) 405-5835 w6tcpian@gmail.com
Posted July 20, 2016
Posted July 20, 2016
QST de KA6GND
Field Day has come and gone for another year, the years keep on rolln’ by. We could surely have had better band conditions, which is beyond every hams control, but we sure had a great time with many club members and visitors at the site in Forest Ranch. Thank you Michael Favor, N6FAV for doing a great job of chairing this year’s event. We were able to get a lot of publicity out ahead of time on the radio, TV, newspapers and Facebook about Field Day, GEARS and ham radio to the public which is one of the many purposes of Field Day. And if you missed it, you also missed seeing an incredible array of vintage and rare code keys put on display by Tom Rider W6JS and some from Clark Hansen, AE5WD. I hope that I did not drool on any of them, hi hi. Thank you to the many who made our Field Day a success this year.
At our upcoming meeting on Friday July 15th our program will be Chris Huber, N6ICW from Sacramento. Chris has a wonderful repeater system with the 147.195 repeater on Mt, Vaca, the 145.150 repeater at Lake Tahoe, and the 146.940 repeater here locally (temporarily not linked). This system also has several remote receivers and IRLP to enhance it’s capabilities, making it a very efficient and useful systems in a variety of ways. Come hear Chris’ presentation and feel free to pick his brain, a wonderful guy! For more information you can check out www.n6icw.org.
I have now served as our club president for 6 months, 1⁄2 the elected term. We have accomplished a club survey which we remain mindful of the feedback, a variety of guest speakers and a variety of segments added to our club meetings. I am always open to your comments and suggestions, feel free to contact me – I am here to serve the club.
HELP NEEDED: I could use a hand with some soldering here at my QTH here in Forest Ranch sometime this week if possible. I have 4 PL259’s to be done and some jumpers in my automatic antenna tuner to be soldered. I would be eternally grateful – thanks.
Larry Marcum, KA6GND, GEARS President, 530-345-5399, ka6gnd@gmail.com
P.S. For the non-code readers, “de” means “from” and “hi hi” is the same as “ha ha”.
Update from River City ARCSPosted July 4, 2016PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Field Day is over! What a relief. I feel like I do when the State Fair is over. Happy I’ve gone but wanting to go still another time and realizing I have to wait a whole year to do it again. I hope everyone had as good a time as I did. Andy had the organization down to a “T”, Dave and Marie kept us supplied with food and beverages, Kevin Hooke kept the logging computers humming, and Jason inserted his hex beam into the sky. Band conditions were only fair – 10M and 15M were hopeless. Phil had his antenna analyzer extraordinaire at the site and with great expertise said something that I thought sounded like “You built the antenna backwards, electrons are coming in when you transmit and going out when you receive”. At least that’s what I think I heard.
No radios or operators expired, we made SSB, CW and digital contacts and I think we all had a good time – even the sprinklers cooperated. Thanks to all who visited, operated, and helped.
Join us Tuesday, July 5 when Kevin, KK6DCT enlightens us with the use of a Raspberry Pi in Amateur Radio. You might even get to take one home with you!
Our anniversary picnic will be held July 31 at the Fair Oaks VFW grounds. Phil, KD6RM has made the arrangements and we can be assured of good fellowship and a great time. There is room for a fox hunt so bring comfortable shoes.
In August, Ed Fong, WB6IQN will demo his DBJ2 antenna. In September Budd Drummond, W3FF will be at the meeting to give us the details and evolution of his Buddipole Antenna.
My tower is supposed to be ready in July. There are 31 days in the month and they claim the base is complete and at the galvanizer – I’m beginning to wonder if it will happen at all. Work has come to a screeching halt. I’m not going to do more on this project until I see the thing at my QTH!
See everyone at the meeting.
73, Bob, N6PGQ
Posted July 2, 2016
GENERAL MEETING
The next general membership meeting will be held at a new location, the Sierra-Nevada Room, Caltrans Building, 703 B Street, Marysville.
Parking is available in the Caltrans parking lot off of 7th Street or on B Street. There will be a guard at the entrance to the building with a copy of the club roster. Please identify yourself to them to gain entrance.
Business for the next meeting: president vacancy. Wade LeRue will have a presentation on antennas.
VE TEST
The next VE session will be 9 July at 715 King Ave., Yuba City at 9:00 A.M..
VE’s are needed to administer the exam. The elements for Technician, General and Extra class will be offered. If you are planning on taking an exam you will need two forms of ID, at least one of them must be a picture ID. A fee of $15.00 is required. A calculator may also be used as long as it has had all of its memories cleared and there are no built in or preprogrammed formulas..
If you are upgrading to a higher class you need to bring your license and a photocopy of the license..
If you take an exam and pass, you can take the next higher class exam for no additional cost. If you do not pass and wish to try again an additional fee will be required..
Congratulations to new technicians Stephen K Murphy (KM6CTP) and Peter A Rolfe (KM6CTQ) and to Cindy Torlone (KK6OIO) for upgrading to general.
BOB AND BOB’S FIELD DAY
Here are a few photos of our Field Day antenna set up. We had two stations set up, one for CW and one for phone. One antenna is an 80 meter G5RV at 30 feet and the other is a minibeam at 20 feet. We ran about 120 feet of coax to reach the actual stations. Elecraft K3 and Icom IC756 Pro III both worked well for Field Day. We operated mostly on 40 meters and 20 meters making about 240 contacts and 40 sections worked. We found conditions difficult on phone with propagation to the east coast less than optimal..
Photos of the antenna, W6BO Bob. N6BOB Bob photographer.
Update from El Dorado County ARCPosted July 2, 2016FROM THE PRESIDENT
I hope this message finds all of you well and Happy.
I am looking forward to our annual Field Day event this week and have been preparing for it for a month or more now. For a while I thought that health problems I was having were going to keep me on the sidelines, but they have now subsided and I feel great.
I know that Dave has been very busy working on the coordinating this event for which I extend my thanks. My tennis ball antenna launcher project is complete and I hope to put it to good use with mine and anyone else's wire antenna deployment.
A new feature this year will be a hand washing station to go with the porta-potty rental. One thing I always seem to have trouble with while camping is keeping my hands clean, so I am looking forward to having this facility available.
One last thought: Don't forget your fire permits! I got mine off of the Cal Fire website in a fairly painless session.
73 to all, and hope to see you all at Field Day this weekend.
73, Don McCallum, AF6ND
Congratulations to EDCARC for their media hit in the June 24 Mountain Democrat. - Carol KP4MD
Posted July 20, 2016
Greetings from the Western Placer Amateur Radio Club:
Lots of things to talk about in this newsletter.
The first thing is a shock! Amateur Electronics Supply (aesham.com) is going out of business! I thought someone was pulling a joke when I read it but I found out it is true. Lots of sad stories on ham websites about how people bought their first radio from them, were advised on what equipment goes with what gadget, etc. I know that I personally have bought lots of stuff from them including 4 radios (a Kenwood TS-2000, a Kenwood TH-F6a (the best HT ever), an ICOM IC208H (great radio with a tiny detachable faceplate that fits in the sunglass holder in my car roof), and, just tonight, a Yaesu FTM-3800DR, a 65 watt 2 meter analog and digital mobile (Yaesu System Fusion C4FM to go with the DR-1X repeater).
The second thing tonight is the WPARC Hamfest on September 17th. We can now announce the Drawing Grand Prize and the 2 First Prizes. The Grand Prize is a Yaesu FTM-3800DR System Fusion Radio. It is a 65 watt mobile unit with great features:
This radio has great reviews and is the hot setup to use with the WPARC repeater for both digital and analog FM. We now have a C4FM net at 8:30 PM Monday nights and it is growing rapidly (W6ETJ, Erik, is net control). There are several people with a lot of System Fusion experience to help you out with any information you may need. The net starts in analog so you can ask questions before the net switches to digital in case you don't have a C4FM radio but are considering purchasing one (or winning one at the Hamfest!) The net is open to everyone, not just WPARC members.
The two First Prizes are something many of us are familiar with now: BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band HT Two Way Radio. These are very popular radios and are handy to keep in the car, backpack, or on your belt. We will also have several smaller prizes. Make sure to be there to win big!
The third thing tonight is Field Day. The results are in and the club did very well with Jerry N6JKH leading as event organizer. We will discuss the results at the July WPARC Meeting Tuesday, July 19th at the Woodcreek Oaks Golf Club in Roseville. Join us for lots of merriment Tuesday night! The meeting starts at 7:00 PM but most of us come early for food and drink and to spin yarns. We didn't miss many states this year but the ones we did are mostly eastern states – Tennessee and Kentucky stick out because there are lots of hams there. I really missed not being able to be part of the fun this year but you can be sure I will be there next year.
Important Note: Frank KB6KYK has been the club Drawing Master for many years and has done an exceptional job finding goodies for us. He now has some other concerns to deal with and will not be able to continue as Drawing Master. If you would like to help out the club and volunteer, please let any board member or Frank know.
Steve N6HTV has several radios for sale: ICOM IC-746 HF all mode HF/2M, Alinco DXSR8, Yaesu FTM-350 2M / 440, Heathkit SB-200 Amplifier, Ten-Tec 2kw Tuner model 238 with manual. He will be listing them on ebay this weekend so if you are interested, call him right away (916) 740-6842 or email him at: sotoole@sotoole.com
LC N7VQC is still on the job with the club repeater. He made a new shelf to hold the radio itself and mounted a 5” 120 volt fan in the shelf it to keep the radio cool on the hot days and during nets. LC has done an outstanding job of configuring the repeater and making sure it is up to the job we ask of it. If you have a chance, thank him.
The club website, http://wparc.us/index.html, has a new look and new information. Jey KQ6DK is now Clay's (K6AEP) backup and is updating the the site. Clay has been traveling a lot and has not had time to keep up the pages. Although Clay's traveling is over for now, Jey is helping out and bringing a new look to the site. Thanks to Clay and Jey for all their work on the website.
While on the subject of media, the club now has a Facebook page. Board Member Arturo KK6NFM created it for Field Day and you can find it at: https://www.facebook.com/WPARC
Want more? We now have a Twitter account! Just search for @k6pac (the club repeater call sign with the “@” symbol). We are following the ARRL, the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section, Kenwood, and Yaesu for a few. If you think of someone we should follow, please email me. I know there are a few local clubs with Twitter accounts and I will add them.
Don't forget our regular weekly nets on the repeater. We have one on Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM that is always hosted by Katy KJ6YCP and then 2 nets on Thursday evenings starting at 7:30 PM. Bill, KJ6YCO, is the net coordinator now and often hosts the 2 meter net. When he isn't on, the trusty Dennis, KI6HHA, is on, and handles the net with his usual style and skills. They all do a fine job and it is a pleasure to hear them lead the net. Many thanks to all of them for dedicating time to the club net to make it a success. If you would like to be a Net Control for one of our nets, please contact Bill at bugout@surewest.net. Five minutes following the 2 meter net we have an HF net. LC, N7VQC, is on the spot to handle the HF net. LC is also an excellent Net Control and it is always a pleasure to hear him on the bands. This net changes bands every week so listen to the 2 meter net for any change in frequency. The usual schedule starts from the first Thursday of the month on 10 meters, then 15, then 40, and finally 75 meters at the end of the month. If there are 5 Thursdays in a month, the last one will be on 10 meters. Here is the schedule for the next 6 weeks (Remember to listen for the frequency on the 2 meter net as it may change):
July 14 – 15 meters (21.355 MHz)
July 21 – 40 (7.225 MHz)
July 28 – 75 Meters (3.855)
August 4 – 10 meters (28.410 MHz) A good chance for Techs to join in!
August 11 – 15 meters (21.355 MHz)
August 18 – 40 (7.225 MHz)
NEW! We now have a Monday evening C4FM net! Featuring Yaesu System Fusion radios, this digital net is at 8:30 PM on the club repeater and is hosted by C4FM guru Erik W6ETJ. As noted above, the net starts in analog so you can ask questions, etc. This net is growing fast (I know one more person who will be on this Monday night!) so check in now and join the fun!
The next big event we have coming up is the WPARC Hamfest on September 17th at McBean Park in Lincoln. The gates open at 7:00 AM but we need several volunteers to be there around 5:00 AM to set up and to control parking for buyers and sellers. Katy KJ6YCP has been coordinating the hamfest for several years and does a terrific job every year. If you would like to help out please email Katy at entertainangels@surewest.net. This is a big event for the club and how we operate it reflects on the club so please volunteer. We all (and especially Katy) appreciate it. We have our city permit and our liability insurance in order so the event is set to go.
I have mentioned many times that I use Amazon Smile for my shopping on Amazon. Smile is a program Amazon has that donates .5% of all of your qualifying purchases to a non-profit of your choice (and that participates in the program). The ARRL is my choice and I saw today that I have made 105 purchases that qualify. I buy some medical supplies and bulk items on Amazon so I am confident that the ARRL has benefited from my purchases. If you buy anything from Amazon, please enroll in their Smile program and make the people at ARRL HQ smile!
Remember the club meeting is Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Woodcreek Oaks Golf Club in Roseville. See you there!
73, Michael Buck K6BUK
Update from Samuel F Morse ARCPosted June 11, 2016SFMARC June news
The W6SFM Samuel F Morse Radio Club June meeting was called to order by club President Mike, N6MQL on June 2 at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church in Carmichael CA. 16 members and 1 guest were in attendance. We welcomed 2 new members, Terry, KI6KWS of Sacramento , and Jennifer, NS3O also from Sacramento.
Mike, N6MQL read the Month's budget report and announced the current funds available.
Club Secretary, Chris, AI6U proceded to read the minutes of last month's meeting and the totals for our On-line/On-air net meetings for the month.
Snacks provided by Chris, AI6U.
Topics of Discussion at our in-person meeting included the club Bug Roundup Event (CQ BR).
An update as to the W6SFM CW Beginners Class was given by Mike, N6MQL.
More information on the NPOTA (National Parks On The Air) event was discussed.
The ARRL's support of petition RM-11767 asking the FCC to allow more than 15dB of gain on an amplifier was also discussed.
Another RM, RM11769 was briefly discussed. This was a measure that was presented to the FCC asking that CW become known as another "Symbol Rate" data. It also asked that what is now the ARRL's "gentleman's agreement" on band use plans should become the 'fixed' data and voice areas.
Once again positive feedback on the new "The Doctor Will See You Now!" Pod Cast was given. Those who have listened to the 20 minute show are encouraging others to listen to the Bi-Weekly pod casts based on the QST article by the same name.
The club has taken the opportunity to purchase new QSL cards. These cards will be used to answer incoming QSL requests when the club station call letters are used in special events, outings in the park and other PR related events.
In addition to the QSL cards the Club has also purchased "business cards". These cards will be used to pass out at events such as the Kids Day in the park event and other like PR events.
For our “show and tell” portion of our meeting we opted to take this time to discuss the up coming ARRL 2016 Field Day event.
This year for the first time the club will introduce both a 40 meter ground mounted Phased Vertical array as well as a Tri-Band Yagi antenna to be placed on a 30' tall pneumatic mast. Those antennas will be provided by members Mike, K6LQ and Norm, WB6RVR. The club will also set up its 80 meter Inverted Vee antenna for 80 meter operations throughout the night shift.
Our next SFM ARC in-person meeting will be held at its normal time and address July 7th (followed by our Aug 4th meeting). The SFM ARC in-person meeting will be held in the Howa Crowley room upstairs at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. More information including a Google Map is available on the homepage of our website.
Feedback from Aaron Jones K6ABJ
Posted July 7, 2016
Hi Dr. Milazzo,
Thank you for your contributions and service to the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section! I enjoy reading the Section Valley News each month. It is my favorite radio publication I receive each month! I attended my first field day last month, and made it to the River City ARCS, SARK's, and SHARP's field day events. It was a busy 24+ hours, and I had a blast. Thank you!!!!
Aaron Jones, K6ABJ
Aaron, thanks for your kind words. I am proud of the many active members and clubs in our section who make ours a truly vibrant amateur radio community! - Carol, KP4MD
E-mail compliments, suggestions and submissions for inclusion in our Section News to kp4md (at) arrl.org
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