THIS IS YOUR LAST AIRWAVES FOR YEAR 2001 DUES RENEW MEMBERSHIP WITH ENCLOSED APPLICATION (PDF) FROM THE PRESIDENT'S SHACK by Mike Herr WA6ARA
Home Brewing Madness
Myth #1 Hams don't build anymore Hams do build, and in increasing numbers. The huge number of kits, projects and parts have caused an explosion in building. Some Hams build full featured rigs, others accessories. Myth #2 Since Heathkit left the scene, there are no more step-by-step instruction kits for building good gear. Several of the kit manufacturers and clubs have developed step-by-step instructions that, in my opinion, rival the old Heathkit style. Many take you one component at a time, testing each section as you build them. Check out Elecraft for their K1 and K2 rigs. On the other hand, if you want a bag of parts and a schematic, that's out there as well. Many of the QRP clubs are going this route. Myth #3 The equipment you can build doesn't equal what you can buy. Yes and No. There has not been a two meter handheld as a kit for twenty-plus years and not likely to be in the future. I doubt that anyone will be home brewing an equivalent of a FT-817 either. On the other hand, I would put the Elecraft K2 against any commercial rig. In some cases you can build an accessory that simply isn't available commercially, or a specialized, dedicated piece of gear that will do what exactly you want it to do. Myth #4 If you want to build from scratch you have to etch boards and go find one of a kind parts The actually building has always been a problem. But recent changes have greatly improved the process. First, several sources of project ideas, such as QST magazine, have gone out of their way to ensure the projects presented in the magazine use components that are readily available. Usually some form of kit is offered at the end of the article. These kits vary from partial/full set of electronic parts and an etched board to an all-up kit with labeled front panel and enclosure. Parts are available from DigiKey, Mouser or Dan's Small Parts. And construction techniques such as "Manhattan" allow the home brewer to build sophisticated, and dense projects without printed wiring boards Also, I've found most authors are on the internet and ready to assist via e-mail. So, get out there and build something, anything. Melt some solder and bring it to the March meeting. The only rule to home brewing is if you built it, it's home-brew. MEETING PROGRAM Wed 13 Mar
Bring Home Brew, Kits to March Meeting
Magic black boxes, simple do-this-tuits, antennas, kits of any kind and whatever you hatched out yourself will be welcome. The presentation can be as simple or complicated as you wish. A call to Todd, 375-4240, would be helpful, but don't let not doing that keep you from grabbing your pet gezachtasmalzit(s) as you run out the door to the March meeting. MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE 31 DECEMBER All SARC memberships expire on 31 December. Please use the enclosed Membership Application to renew. Year 2001 members have been given a three month grace period with applications enclosed in the Jan, Feb and Mar issues of the AIRWAVES. If you do not receive an April AIRWAVES, gueswot u diddunt du? PUBLIC SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Coso Bun Buster Sat 16 Mar
Death Valley to Mt. Whitney 18-19 May
A note about signing up. Doing these communications tasks well requires coordination and efficient use of operator experience and available radio equipment. Sign up as early as possible with the coordinators so they can plan efficient use of your capabilities and assets.
REPEATER HAPPENINGS Same as last month, the 147.00 MHz repeater and 450 MHz link are languishing in my garage awaiting word from the east coast leagle beagle corpse (sic) of the owner of the proposed location as to whether our installation will be permitted. COMING SARC ACTIVITIES
Transmitter Hunt Sat 16 Mar
I am hoping to soon have a second transmitter to hide just to make things interesting. For a little more spice, the second transmitter will be capable of some new twists. Mode 1 will be the standard beacon mode. Mode 2 will sound the beacon, as the hunter requests it, by transmitting on a particular frequency. This can help you but also your opponent. Mode 3 will allow the fox to send comments and clues through a link. If there is interest, we may schedule a hunt some day in a specific field, using only a handheld. Also, if the Saturday hunts are inconvenient due to other priorities, I am game for an alternate or additional hunt day, say a flex Friday or holiday. For more information, contact Mike Herr WA6ARA at 375-5324 or herr@ridgenet.net. Ed. note: The latest Ramsey catalog has two kits for fox hunters, one all-up screamer DDF1 $150 and one that uses HT audio/RF DF1 for $60. RECENT SARC ACTIVITIES
Twenty Mule Team Horse Ride About 263 horses started the 100 miles of the Twenty Mule Team Endurance Ride on the weekend of 16-17 February. The 100 milers began at 0600 hrs and the 35 and 65 milers began at 0730 hrs. The weather was ideal, cool and clear with only a few scattered clouds. There were two accidents, one resulting in hospitalization of the rider, with the horse going home, and the other was apparently much more trivial. Riders were from the International Association of Endurance Riders this year, some from as far away as Brazil. Our thanks to all who participated and to those who simply monitored to be on hand if needed. Twelve Hams participated covering the base station and the many check points and water stops along the two loops. Erich Muschinske KA6AMD, Allen Patrick KG6BNE, Dennis Farrell W6DWF, Hal Hazel KM6JM, Phillip Cash KG6JEL, Lloyd Brubaker WA6KZV, Mike Pope KB6NIZ, Mike Cash W6PM, Andy Petach WB6SID, Dave Stone KC6UUR, Mike Alamo KF6WSR, Phelps TerHeun KF6ZVD.
RACES Table Top Drill The table top drill administered by the Ridgecrest Police Department on 22 February was an outstanding success. We had over thirty-six participants including the FBI and all the other movers and shakers who would be active in disaster recovery operation in the IWV. Only the sheriff was missing. A detailed report of the scenario would be a good idea at the SARC meeting sometime since there was quite a lot that came up regarding a bio-terrorist attack. We are planning an up-scale drill for next month so begin planning to be on hand. The chief says it will be about the middle of the Easter week.
Volunteer Exam Session
IN THE MILL
Field Day Coordinator
Field day exercises give Hams first hand experience operating under the less than ideal conditions which would be encountered in an emergency situation. This team effort has many valuable facets. Learning to know fellow IWV Hams, diurnal propagation characteristics of the HF bands, seeing other Ham's equipment in operation, learning contesting procedures are some of the educational processes. The SARC mobile tower trailer and portable electric power generator are also put to good use during this twenty-four hour exercise. OLD BUSINESS
Minutes, Board of Officers Meeting Feb. 13, 2002. Those present: Pres. Mike Herr WA6ARA, 1st Vice Pres. Phelps TerHeun KF6ZVD, 2nd Vice Pres. Todd Evans W6TOD, Treas. Pam Evans KC6UUS, Secy. Tom Ingram WB6EPD and AIRWAVES editor Elvy Hopkins NØLV. The meeting started at 1900 hrs. The audit committee consisting of Mike Herr, Phelps TerHeun and Elvy Hopkins reported that there were no discrepancies noted and that the club was solvent. A copy of the report was presented to the secretary for the club records. The report was also included in the AIRWAVES. There has been no word on an alternate site for the 147.00 MHz repeater. A discussion was held on possible sites. The last VE session had four successful applicants. The meeting was adjourned at 1920 hrs.
Minutes, Membership Meeting The 13 February 2002 meeting was called to order by the President Mike Herr WA6ARA at 1936 hrs at the Heritage Inn. Fifty-fifty tickets were available for the meeting. Sign-up sheet was started around. Announcements: Mike Herr introduced the incoming board members. Elvy Hopkins NØLV gave a history of past and present board members. Mike announced that there would not be a T-hunt this weekend unless someone was available to hide the transmitter. Lloyd Brubaker WA6KZV announced the upcoming Twenty Mule Team twenty-four hour endurance horse ride on 16 Feb. This year it is an international ride and at least 200 riders are expected. Home-brew and kits are the program for next month There were 318 copies of the February AIRWAVES sent out. It was noted that approximately one-third of the local IWV amateurs are members of SARC. Two new members joined tonight. They are Frank KG6BEP and Shannon KG6BEQ Alonge. Gary Johns KE6CE was as a visitor tonight. Four applicants were tested at the 9 Feb VE session. The next session is 14 April. The audit committee (Mike Herr, Phelps TerHeun and Elvy Hopkins) found no errors during the audit of the SARC financial records for 2001. The report is included in the February AIRWAVES. Todd Evans W6TOD provided the program for the evening, a video tour of local amateur radio stations and the 146.64 MHz translator. Jeff Waldburger KG6GBY won the 50-50 drawing. Twenty-one amateurs signed in at the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 2030 hrs.
TREASURERS REPORT from treasurer Pam Evans KC6UUS As of 28 Feb 2002 Share account $5,379.09 Draft account 874.72 Total $6,253.81 Obligated funds Relocate 147.00 repeater 1374.86 Balance $4,878.95 See ya in da funny paperz. de NØLV |