CRACKLIN’ STATICsnars.org/data/uploads/newsletter/2015/cs032015.pdf2015 – still at 1300 every...
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CRACKLIN’ STATIC Serving the Amateur Radio Community since April 16, 1968 http://www.snars.org RENO, NEVADA MARCH 2015 ----PRESIDENT’S VOICE---- May 1-2-3 is the Nevada State Convention (NVCON) being held at the Boomtown facility off West I-80, next to Cabela’s. This promises to become a major event for us. Anticipated attendance will be in the 300+ person range. We are still working on getting more exhibitors and firming up speakers and the schedule. There is more info, including food and room prices at the web site – www.nvcon.org The New Hams Information net, sponsored by SNARS will be changing frequencies effective Sunday March 1, 2015 – still at 1300 every Sunday of the year, It will be moving to the linked repeater system, 147.150. The New Hams Net will follow the Western Nevada Noon Net that starts at 1200 on the 147.150 frequency. We did this to expand the coverage to more hams and encourage more of the newer hams to participate. Scotty K7SDS will be net manager from this day on, and you will hear a new Net Control operator who will be in training for a while, and then on his own. The DMR project is underway: The repeater is here and there were over 20 members who ordered the CS700 HT. We will keep you up to date as the installation and programming take place and the schedule for a user training session for all to attend and learn how the DMR system is set up. The web site with more info is: http://snars.org/dmr/ Steve Johnson, KS6A will be heading up the Field Day Committee. He is asking members to assist him in a number of areas. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Steve and let him know you’re ready to help. He can give you information on what things need to be done. [email protected] The Tech Committee is looking for a few members that have knowledge and experience working around radios, repeaters etc. Help is needed with the more technical area of keeping the repeaters and radios at the various mountain tops running and in repair. If you can assist, contact John Byerly, N7ROJ chairman – [email protected] 73, Mike N7MSK
Transcript of CRACKLIN’ STATICsnars.org/data/uploads/newsletter/2015/cs032015.pdf2015 – still at 1300 every...
CRACKLIN’ STATIC
Serving the Amateur Radio Community since April 16, 1968
http://www.snars.org
RENO, NEVADA MARCH 2015
----PRESIDENT’S VOICE---- May 1-2-3 is the Nevada State Convention (NVCON) being held at the Boomtown facility off West I-80, next to Cabela’s. This promises to become a major event for us. Anticipated attendance will be in the 300+ person range. We are still working on getting more exhibitors and firming up speakers and the schedule. There is more info, including food and room prices at the web site – www.nvcon.org The New Hams Information net, sponsored by SNARS will be changing frequencies effective Sunday March 1, 2015 – still at 1300 every Sunday of the year, It will be moving to the linked repeater system, 147.150. The New Hams Net will follow the Western Nevada Noon Net that starts at 1200 on the 147.150 frequency. We did this to expand the coverage to more hams and encourage more of the newer hams to participate. Scotty K7SDS will be net manager from this day on, and you will hear a new Net Control operator who will be in training for a while, and then on his own. The DMR project is underway: The repeater is here and there were over 20 members who ordered the CS700 HT. We will keep you up to date as the installation and programming take place and the schedule for a user training session for all to attend and learn how the DMR system is set up. The web site with more info is: http://snars.org/dmr/ Steve Johnson, KS6A will be heading up the Field Day Committee. He is asking members to assist him in a number of areas. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Steve and let him know you’re ready to help. He can give you information on what things need to be done. [email protected] The Tech Committee is looking for a few members that have knowledge and experience working around radios, repeaters etc. Help is needed with the more technical area of keeping the repeaters and radios at the various mountain tops running and in repair. If you can assist, contact John Byerly, N7ROJ chairman – [email protected]
73, Mike N7MSK
SNARS meeting March 7
7:30 AM Denny’s, 205 East Nugget Ave, Sparks
Tony W7XM will go over DMR programming, and there will be some discussion on the upcoming NVCON.
SNARS, P.O. Box 7727, Reno, NV 89510 Membership: $40 Individual, $50 Family OFFICERS 2014 President…...............Mike Katz...........................N7MSK Vice President…….....Don Seibert……….……………..N2MOO Trea$urer…..............Tony Marcin………….…………..N7ACM Secretary…..……........Rob Dunbar……………………….NB6C Director……..............Steve Johnson……………………KS6A Director………………….John Byerly………………………..N7ROJ Director………………….Judy Carlson……………………….KE6GIW
STAFF 2014 By Laws Review Committee……………………...…..KE7HLR Club Public Information Officer…………………….. Control Operators Manager……………..……………W7DED Cracklin’ Static Editor……………………….……........WB2AWQ Digital SYSOP………………………………………………….K7JN Meeting Greeters………………………………………….AE7OX History Archivist…………………………………………….KF7KTC Station Licensee for KR7ENO…………………………WB2AWQ Control Operators FOR KR7ENO……………………WB2AWQ Station Licensee for W7TA…………..………………..KE7VSR Control Operators for W7TA………………………….KE7VSR Tech Committee Chair..…………………………………N7ROJ Chief VE Examiner………………………………..……….NN7K Membership Chairman……………………………......N2MOO Program Chairman……………………………………….. Web Master …………………………..…………………….N7ACM & KG7DLF Facebook Page Administrator………….............N7ACM & KG7DLF Events (ARES) Coordinator…………………..…......WA6MTY
CRACKLIN’ STATIC PUBLICATION
E-mail……………. [email protected] Cracklin’ Static is the Newsletter of, and sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society. Opinions expressed herein are those of the editors and contributors and should not be considered as official expressions of the Club Officers, Staff or Club Members, or as endorsements by same. Material for publication may be edited to enhance readability or to save space. We reserve the right to use whatever font size or line spacing may be required in order to publish this Newsletter. Deadline for input to the newsletter is 1500 hours on the Sunday prior to the 1st Saturday of each month. Cracklin’ Static is e-published in Adobe PDF Format. It may be enjoyed at the SNARS web site.
Amateur Radio License Testing 2015 SNARS, Third Saturday of February, April, June, August, October and December. Testing will be at the REOC located at 5195 Spectrum Blvd., be there at 9 AM sharp! …... Bill Nichols… NN7K SIERA CLUB: Silver State Charter High School, 788 Fairview Dr, Carson City.….. 3rd Saturday of January, March, May, July, September, and November ……Dale Anderson, [email protected] Elko Area: Third Saturday of January, April, July, October. 11:00AM, Northeast Nevada Regional Hospital, 2001 Errecart Boulevard, Elko, NV
……Joe Giraudo, N7JEH [email protected]
SNARS Repeater System Frequencies I-80 Linked System (W7TA) Reno, Sparks, Carson City (Ophir Peak) 146.610 - 123.0 Not Linked, Stand alone Reno, Sparks, Carson City (Ophir Peak) 443.075 + 123.0 Lovelock, Black Rock Desert (Toulon Peak) 146.925 - 123.0 Mt Rose Linked System (W7TA) Reno, Sparks (Virginia Peak) 147.030 + 123.0 Carson City, Tahoe, Truckee (Mt Rose Knob) 147.150 + 123.0 Reno, Sparks, North Valleys (Peavine Peak) 147.210 + 100.0 Yerington, Wellington (Lobdelle Peak) 444.875 + 100.0 IRLP/EchoLink System (W7TA) Reno, Sparks (GSR) 147.300 + 123.0 Connected to/Status: Idle Standalone Systems, Ragchew Repeaters (W7TA) Reno, Sparks 52.580 - 114.8 Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Dayton (Ophir Peak) 147.390 + 100.0 Reno, Carson, Dayton (Mt. Davidson) 444.825 + 123. Reno, Sparks, North Valleys (Peavine Peak) 444.925 + 100.0 Off the air Reno, Sparks 927.1125 - 114.8 Digital Systems (W7TA) Reno, Sparks, Carson City (Ophir Peak) 145.050 - RNO Carson City, Tahoe, Truckee (Mt Rose Knob) 145.050 - ROSE Lovelock, Black Rock Desert (Lobdelle peak) 144.390 - TOULON Portable Repeaters (KR7ENO) Portable System 147.000 - 123.0 Special events only C4FM Digital Repeater - YAESU Reno, Carson, Dayton (Mt. Davidson) 444.825 + 123. D-Star Reno-Sparks (low level) 444.625 + D-Star Repeater, N7NDS Reno-Sparks (low level) 146.405 D-Star Hot Spot
The Name of the Game Jim Shepherd, W6US [email protected]
The Other Digitals With all the hoopla about the new DMR repeater, there are a lot of other digital modes that can be used right now. All you need to use these modes is your all-mode radio, your computer, some software, and an interface connection. These are all over-the-air modes, so you do not need an internet connection to operate. The ARRL is working on a new bandplan for the HF bands and they will be petitioning the FCC to allow Novice and Technicians to use some of these digital modes on 80 and 15 meters in the subbands where they are allowed to use CW. On 10 meters and up everyone can use all of these digital modes within the limits of their license right now. See http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-member-input-on-draft-hf-band-plan-proposals for more information. The interface connection is just a ‘black box’ to let you hook your computer to your radio. They can set audio levels, allow for PTT operation and isolate your rig from your computer to avoid ground loops and other problems. These can be homebrewed from circuits published in the ARRL Handbooks and other locations, or they can be bought commercially from outfits like Rigblaster and Signalink. They can change the output of the soundcard and serial ports on your computer to the proper connections on your radio. Some of the newer radios, like the Kenwood TS-590, do not even need one as they are directly connected to the computer with an USB cable. You will need a program to change your voice or keyboard input into the correct modulation for the mode you are using. For most of the keyboard modes, FLdigi is one of the best programs, and it is free to download and use. You can download it at http://www.w1hkj.com/ . Other programs like Digipan, WSJT, Ham Radio Deluxe, MMTTY and MultiPSK do other modes and may be optimized for these modes. There are some digital voice mode software packages like FDMDV and FreeDV. You can get more information at http://www.hamuniverse.com/hfdigitalmodessoftware.html . While CW is considered the granddaddy of the digital modes, unless it is sent by a computer, the varying speed,
character spacing, and the length of the dots and dashes makes it difficult for computers to decode it, however it is the only one that is regularly decoded by ear. Sent and received by computer can achieve very high rates that rival some of the newer modes. It is also capable of being copied in very bad conditions right into the noise. RTTY was one of the first machine to machine codes in regular use. There are still a few hams out there who use the old RTTY terminals, but the new software allows for a variety of different tones and speeds. PSK31 is one of the first new modes that is in wide spread use. It only uses 31 Hz of spectrum when it is set up properly and can be copied right down into the noise with low power use. It is very popular for ragchewing. The WSJT modes can be copied up to 28 Db down into the noise. Originally developed for moonbounce, it is being used in the HF bands with low power for terrestrial contacts in bad conditions. It has a limited message size and is sent in alternative minutes so it really isn’t good for ragchewing. It also requires having your computer clock synced with WWV or GPS. Good old Packet at 1200 baud is popular in the VHF/UHF bands and the Club has the 145.050 RNO node on Ophir Hill which can connect with other nodes around the west. At 300 baud it is also use on HF. A specialized packet application, APRS, is widely used, and the Club maintains a 144.390 digipeater on Toulon Peak. You can go to http://aprs.fi to see the APRS activity in the Reno area. There are lots more modes like Feld-Hell, Olivia, DominoEX, Throb, MFSK, Thor, QPSK, etc. It can be hard to know what you are listening to on the radio as some sound similar. WB8NUT has put together sound bytes of the various modes on his website, http://wb8nut.com/digital/ and this is a good location to learn more about our digital modes. Another good place to learn about them is in the sessions at major ham conventions. Give the digital modes a try!
SPECTROGRAM RECORDINGS OF VARIOUS DIGITAL MODES
http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/qsl-ham-history15.htm (Editor’s note: Jim included this link to an extremely informative and interesting website detailing various forms of digital transmissions. Take a gander, worth reading!)
MIKE’S MISSIVES CHAPTER SIX ITU PHONECTIC ALPHABET
This is the international standard in use today, by the US Military, civilian aeronautical and maritime, search & rescue groups, and other public safety organizations. Virtually all of these organizations require its use because all of these organizations are involved in operations where confusion in communications can compromise safety. So, what do we amateur radio operators do? We are the only radio communications service that purports to have an emergency communications purpose, but where operators feel free to use any phonetic alphabet they choose. This is not only poor communications practice; it bodes ill for our ability to assist in times of emergencies. So, why should amateur radio operators always use the ITU phonetic alphabet?
We develop the habits that will serve us well in times of emergencies.
We enhance international goodwill by not making non-native English speaking amateur radio operators guess what words we are using.
Words derived from foreign locations (e.g., ”America”, “Brazil”, …) not only invite confusion with the operators location, but are commonly spelled and pronounced differently in different languages.
Using a self-invented phonetic word that is not carefully designed as part of a standard alphabet can be confused with other words. Probably the most common example is the “cute” phonetic “Kilowatt” for a “K” callsign prefix which can be taken for a “KW” prefix.
Finally, in an era where amateur radio bands privileges are threatened by commercial and foreign interests, we can appear to be operators that are interested in “… advancing skills in both the communications and technical phase of the art.” From the AE7Q.com site as related to FCC Rule Part 97.1
TOM TAORMINA, K5RC
SAVE THE DATE
THE WEST COAST CW ENTHUSIASTS’ CONFAB May 1-3, 2015 Boomtown Hotel Casino Reno NV
In conjunction with the ARRL Nevada State Convention, NVCON 2015, we are sponsoring a weekend event for all CW enthusiasts. It is especially dedicated to the members of FOC and CW-OPS, but it is also an opportunity to introduce another 400+ hams to the fun of CW.
The events are being held at the Boomtown Hotel Casino. It is on the Nevada/California border on I-80. See http://nvcon.org/ and http://boomtownreno.com/ Tentative Agenda
Friday o CW Enthusiasts’ Dinner
Saturday
o Special Event CW-Only On-Site Station K7RC for the 7QP Contest (Washoe County) www.7qp.org
o Track Presentations CW – You Are Missing Fun On the Air – Tom Taormina, K5RC Free dB’s – The World of Wire Antennas, Hank Garretson, W6SX Field Day – The Gateway to Live Contesting, Hank Garretson, W6SX
o 7QP Multiop at W7RN in Virginia City (Storey County) Sunday
o Open House at the Comstock Memorial Station, W7RN www.w7rn.com Registration will be via the NVCON Web Site. Stay tuned for that announcement. As a preview, Boomtown has given us room rates of $29.98 and $49.98. KOA has an RV park on site.
SPONSORED BY
EVENTS REQUIRING COMMUNICATIONS (click on the appropriate contact if you can help or would like more info)
THE NEW HAMS & INFORMATION NET The New Hams Q&A Net on 146.610. The net is held weekly at 1300, every Sunday afternoon. The purpose of this net is a Q&A and information net for newly licensed hams and all hams wishing to ask question about different aspects of Ham Radio. It will give new hams in particular a venue for getting on the air in a controlled net moderated by a ham with more experience. The net will be open to any interested ham. Questions will be answered and discussed by the more experienced hams listening on the Net. For those in the North Valleys who may be out of the range of the 146.610 try using the 443.075 (+/123). It works from Lemmon Valley.
Weekly nets on the SNARS repeater systems Western Nevada Noon net (daily, 12:00 PM) 147.150 + 123.0, 147.210 + 100.0, 147.030 + 123.0, 444.875 + 100.0 The Morning Net (Monday – Friday at 10:00 AM) 147.300 + 123.0 Bishops Storehouse Net (Monday nights at 9:15 PM) 147.150 + 123.0, 147.210 + 100.0, 147.030 + 123.0, 444.875 + 100.0 North Western Nevada ARES Net (Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM) 147.150 + 123.0, 147.210 + 100.0, 147.030 + 123.0, 444.875 + 100.0 State SATERN Net (Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM)
147.300 + 123.0 State SKYWARN Net (Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM) 147.150 + 123.0, 147.210 + 100.0, 147.030 + 123.0, 444.875 + 100.0 Northern Nevada Preppers Group Net (Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM) 147.150 + 123.0, 147.210 + 100.0, 147.030 + 123.0, 444.875 + 100.0 State ARES Net (Thursday nights at 7:00 PM) 147.300 + 123.0 SNARS New Ham Net (Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM) 146.610 - 123.0, 443.075 + 123.0, 146.925 – 123.0
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NAME THAT RIG
(Answer on pg 8)
Welcome to the these New SNARS Members for March!
Dan Feeney N6BMW Technician Clarence Maise E Jr KK9M Extra Berry Bettman K6ST Extra Randy LaRoche KG7QYD Technician Bill Hance NV7XM Extra
SNARS CALENDAR
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 6:00 PM-9:00 PM PST New Hams Workshop Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center 5195 Spectrum Blvd Reno NV Saturday, March 7, 2015
7:30 AM-9:00 AM PST Breakfast Meeting – SNARS Denny's, 205 Nugget Ave, Sparks, NV
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 6:00 PM-9:00 PM PST Technician Class Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center 5195 Spectrum Blvd Reno NV
6:00 PM-7:00 PM PST Technical Committee Meeting - SNARSWashoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center, 5195 Spectrum Blvd Reno, Nevada 89512
Saturday, March 14, 2015
10:00 AM-11:00 AM PST QCWA Nevada Chapter 190 Meeting Carrows Restaurant, East Plumb Lane Reno NV
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
6:00 PM-7:00 PM PST Board of Directors Meeting SNARS Regional Emergency Operations Center, 5195 Spectrum Blvd Reno, Nevada
NEW SNARS HANDOUT This is a copy of some good info to have on hand, and will soon be on the back of a new SNARS handout designed by Tony W7XM
PLEASE NOTE: Convention Registration is now Open http://nvcon.org
SNARS LADIES
We had 10 ladies at our luncheon this month. As usual, a good time was had by all. For the month of March we will be going to the Mel's Diner in South Reno. I believe it is located off of Damonte Ranch Rd in the WalMart shopping center. We will meet at our usual time of 11:30 am. Yvonne W7YMM
ARES NEWS April 12th is our first communications exercise for 2015. The Reno 5000-1 is a Half Marathon between the Reno Arch and Verdi. We will have communications at the following Aid Stations:
1. Booth Street Bridge, 2. Idlewild Park, 3. The end of Idlewild at Chrissy Caughlin Park (10K turn), 4. Dorkoster Park, 5. Mayberry Park, 6. River Christian Church on 4th, 7. Sommerset Round About, 8. Mile Marker 11 on W 3rd St, 9. Crystal Peak Park’.
Looking for new hams to join us and any operators with portable packet stations. Join us at the Regional EOC (5195 Spectrum Blvd, Reno, 89512 at 0930) Saturday the 7th to talk about Packet communications and Saturday April 4th we will do a table top exercise to train new hams how to communicate during marathon’s and bike rides. Join us for an assignment. Our first Full Scale Exercise will take place May 30th in Incline Village. If you can take time off from work this will be an opportunity to train with our served agencies
during a realistic event where Amateur Radio Communications will supplement our served agency communications. We will be planning for our participation at our trainings. Not all operators will have to go to Incline, we will have some assignments on this side of the hill. 73 BOB MILLER WA6MTY Washoe County Emergency Coordinator Amateur Radio emergency Service (ARES) www.wcares.us [email protected] [email protected] 775 843-5952
NAME THAT RIG (from pg 7)
The Kachina 505DSP was the first Amateur Radio transceiver designed exclusively for computer control. The main radio was styled to match a typical computer tower, and the control head could fit on the front panel of the tower in an unused accessory slot. It was introduced in 1997, and featured the standard 100W output SSB and CW, with 25W AM. Kachina went out of the Amateur Radio business in 2001, citing the lowering demand for Ham gear, and difficulty in selling transceivers in the $2000 category. Kachina wasn’t a major player in Amateur Radio equipment.
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Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING REOC, Wednesday, February 18, 2015
I. Call to Order (N7MSK) Time: 1800L
1. Board Members Present: SNARS: N7MSK, N2MOO, W7XM, K6SA, N7ROJ, KE6GIW, NB6C 2 . Guests: KF7EGU, W6US
II. Adoption of Agenda
1. Vote to adopt: NB6C Second: W7XM
III. Reports 1. Chair: (N7MSK) – directed to other reports. 2. Secretary: (NB6C):
a. Current membership – 234
3. Treasurer: (W7XM):
a. Bank Balances: Checking $10,626.47
Savings $3,238.69 PayPal $3,497.04
IV. Committee Report
1. Trustee (KE7VSR) No Report
2. Tech Committee (N7ROJ) Tech Committee
a. Winnemucca is coming along. There has been a problem with the link repeater. We are just waiting for time available to get up to Winnemucca.
b. Feed line for the MT Davidson 825 machine is damaged. A replacement is ready to be
installed.
3. Education (N7ACM)
a. Upcoming tech class. No one has registered yet.
b. We have a new SNARS brochure. This now includes upcoming events, education and testing.
c. CW Class will be concurrent with future technician class.
d. All classes are also posted on SNARS.org website
4. Events – Field Day
a. K6SA is the chairman for field day. K6SA will be looking for volunteers to help. Right now looking at Mt Rose parking lot as a possible location.
V. NVCON 2015 –– N7MSK
a. We are still looking for more vendors. The presenter’s slots have been filled. There will be a Friday night BBQ. Something special is planned for the banquet.
VI. New Business / Other Business
1. DMR Project: The repeater is up and running at the W7XM-QTH near Reno High School. Waiting to
schedule installation at Mt Peavine. A second order of radios will be going out soon
2. New Hams Informational Net: (N7MSK) On March 1st the net will be moving to the 147.150 linked system.
3. Schedule of activities for the next few months
a. Swap meet will occur at NV Convention May 2nd.
b. Check the new SNARS brochure
4. From the floor:
a. Discussion of getting the Fallon group of members involved with SNARS
b. Discussion of how do we get younger people involved with ham radio
c. The new Yaesu repeater should show up in March
d. Our Nevada sales tax exemption letter should be completed in about 3 weeks.
e. Our Articles of Incorporation will expire in 2018. We will need to renew this prior to this
expiration.
VII. Motion to Adjourn: By: NB6C Second: K6SA Motion Carried: Meeting adjourned. Time: 1851L
