November 2001
THE SQUELCH BURST
a monthly publication of the
STAMFORD AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION
President ..........Jim Murdock ............ N1NNG ........ 322-4707
Vice Pres ..........Andy Laska ............. KA1SLG ....... 531-9493
Secretary ......... Mike Cordelli .......... N1FOA ........ 838-3661
Treasurer ......... Dick Finn ...............WA1VUU ....... 323-0982
Trustee ........... Spence Heath ........... W1BWK......... 322-7539
Editors ........... Marv Fleischman ........ N1AWJ ........ 438-7889
Mike Cordelli .......... N1FOA ........ 838-3661
Dick Finn ...............WA1VUU ....... 323-0982
Y.O.J.B. Ed........ Marv Fleischman ........ N1AWJ ........ 438-7889
Circ/Pub. ......... Dick Finn .............. WA1VUU ....... 323-0982
Repeaters: W1EE/R........ 146.055 in; 146.655 out (PL. 1Z, 100Hz)
W1EE/R.... 442.125 in; 447.125 out (PL. 2A, 114.8Hz)
Internet Home Page at http://www.qsl.net/w1ee/index_ns4.html
Yearly membership $15.00 ($ 10.00 for retirees, senior members over 62, full time students, members under 16 years of age and members living over 100 miles from Stamford; $20.00
for family memberships.) This includes a copy of the club bulletin and a copy of the club roster.
Send your dues, membership applications, etc. to the club Treasurer, Dick Finn, WA1VUU, 27 Ivy St., Stamford CT 06902.
Non-commercial ads are printed in the SQUELCH BURST on a no charge basis, club members only. Send your ads for Ye Olde Jonque Boxxx and articles for the SQUELCH BURST to Marv Fleischman, N1AWJ, P.O. Box 113, Ridgefield, CT 06877, or e-mail to n1awj@ att.net.
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month in the 4th floor cafeteria of the Stamford Government Center, Tresser and Washington B'lvds., Stamford, CT. Meetings
start at 8:00 P.M.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I lost my copy of the Squelch Burst before I read it again last month. That's
the third time this year. It isn't a problem though because I can get it at the
SARA web site. I never used to lose it. Thanks to John and Mike I can now enjoy that particular senior moment without missing a thing. Even in the clutter at my house it's difficult to misplace my computer. Of course, not everyone has one of these gadgets. There are free Internet providers but the oldest computers that are still around won't support the software you need to go on the net. I suspect that for most SARA members who don't have computers it's not that they couldn't get one if they needed it. Some people still have a question of whether a computer is worth the bother or the bucks. Figure on $1000 at Gateway or Comp USA and then hope you can turn it on. For that you get to misplace your Squelch Burst if you want to?
As it turns out there are other things I can use my computer for. Its great for writing letters, lists, notes and newsletters. I can keep track of spending in
a spreadsheet and save my radio log to a database. Digital modes can run off a computer and shopping on the net is great. If you do your own banking, pay bills, write anything or want to have fun; you need a computer.
I have a radical idea for SARA members only. If you don't have a computer and would like one, give me a call. Call me especially if I don't know you. Call me especially if you never come to meetings. I will try to help. Now, I don't have a stack of computers to give you and I am no kind of expert. What I will try to do is connect you to a usable computer that is not currently being used.
Then I will try to help you get started or find someone who can. It doesn't
make sense to me for people I know to throw out good computers when there are SARA members who could play with them. Junk is junk but a computer that was built 2 years ago isn't.
Let me clarify one point. It is my intention that no money will change hands. A few years ago I paid $1500 for a computer. When my employer provided me with a substantial upgrade for use at home, I couldn't stand the thought of taking that expensive machine to the dump. No one wanted to buy it. It could only take up space at my home for 10 years until it was totally useless and I could dump it. Instead, I gave it to a little girl who didn't have a computer. It's not like saving the world but it's better than nothing.
SARA members who have computers or knowledge they'd be willing to share would also be welcome to help get this effort started. I'd like to see 100% of our members connected. My home phone is 203-322-4707.
73, Jim, N1NNG
TREASURER'S REPORT AS OF 13 OCTOBER, 2001
INCOME EXPENSE
Dues 20.00 Phone 17.20
50/50 6.00 Repeater 25.00
Int. 9.92 Liab.Ins. 335.00
Prop.Ins. 176.00
______ _______
Totals: $35.92 $553.20
Balances: Checking-$256.32 Savings:-$4,604.92
de WA1VUU
LICENSE EXAMINATIONS
The next Amateur Radio License Examinations will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2001. The location is in the 4th floor cafeteria of the Stamford Government Center on Tresser and Washington B'lvd's, Stamford CT. Check in is at 9:30 AM, and the examinations are at 10 AM. No preregistration is required. The fee for the session is $10, and we would appreciate a check made out to the ARRL/VEC (we do accept cash, but would prefer a check). Those who are upgrading, bring a photocopy of your current license and any CSCE's that you have any other supporting documents as required. All bring 2 pieces of ID, one which is a photo ID.
For further information contact Marv, N1AWJ at (203) 438-7889 or e-mail [email protected].
CALL TO ALL SARA MEMBER VE's
I am setting up a list of all of the members of SARA who are VE's under the ARRL VEC. If you are a VE, please contact me either by phone at (203) 438-7889 or by e-mail at [email protected]. I require your name, call sign, license class and VE expiration date if available. Those of you who are not VE's, consider
becoming one. Thank you for your help.
73, Marv
ASK ELMER
Dear Elmer,
I am planning several antennas on a roof of limited area. What guidelines or parameters should I consider re spacing and-or minimize interference problems. Antennas; Tri-Bander Beam, Ringo 2 meter, Ringo 440 MHz, Carolina Windom, TV antenna, FM antenna and a Disk-cone for a Scanner.
Sincerely, Wired.
Dear Wired,
You have quite an array of antennas you will have to deal with. Of course my first bit of advice is to keep them as far away from each other as possible. I know that this is an obvious statement, but with this in mind, grouping the antennas as to their function would be a start. Three of the antennas are strictly receiving antennas, so they can be grouped together in relative proximity to each other. The three antennas are the TV, FM and Disk-cone. I would recommend that they be located as far away from the other antennas as possible. The next thing to consider, is the frequency ranges and the polarization of the antennas. The TV and FM antennas are horizontally polarized, whereas the Disk-cone antenna is a vertically polarized antenna. As the frequency range of all of the antennas overlap, I would suggest spacing the antennas in a triangular pattern at least 1 wavelength apart at the lowest common frequency (which is 88 MHz or 3.4 meter wavelength, the bottom of the FM band) , if possible. This is not really critical, so don't sweat it if you can't. Signal strength is so great for FM and TV that you won't really see any differences. I would recommend that the TV antenna (which is directional), be above the FM antenna, so that FM antenna (which is omni-directional) doesn't physically or electrically block it. The Disk-cone antenna (which is omni-directional) should be at height that would not physically block the TV antenna. Now we get to the more interesting areas. The transmitting antennas. In this we must also consider the antennas bands of operation as well as their polarity. You have a Tri-band beam, a Carolina Windom, and 2 Ringo Rangers (2 m and 70 cm). Two of the antennas, the Ringo's are vertically polarized, the remainder are horizontally polarized. The two Ringo's operate on two different, but harmonically related bands. Let us consider these two antennas. Under ideal conditions, I would
mount the antennas one above other. Their radiation pattern is such that one antenna would be in the shadow of the other, so they would not interact. Lacking this I would space them a couple of wavelengths (at 70 cm) apart from each other. The further the better, but one must be practical. In most instances, there shouldn't be any appreciable interaction between the antennas, especially if your 2 meter signal is devoid of harmonics on 70 cm. Now we come to the most difficult of the antenna problems. This is with the Tri-band beam and the Carolina Windom. Both of these antennas have the same polarization and cover the same bands. Here "Distance makes the heart grow fonder", and the antennas work better. I realize that this is not too practical, and if anything we "Hams" are a practical bunch. One possible way to minimize the interaction between the two antennas, is to space them odd multiple 1/4 wavelengths apart, and one above the other. In this instance, the beam above the Windom. The greater the separation, the better off you are. When using the Windom, rotate the beam so that it is broadside to the Windom. This should minimize the coupling between the antennas. Other than the mass of the tower and beam being in the near field of the Windom, the only bands you would really have to consider is the 10, 15 and 20 meter bands in which the Beam is resonant. When using the Beam, the only time you have to consider the interaction is when the beam is aimed directly at the Windom. Height, distance (and a bit of good luck) will help. I have to admit that I personally run a Windom within 25 feet of my Tri-band Beam. I have not found any problems with interaction. I am not saying that I don't have any interaction, just that I have not had any problems.
Well Wired, I hope this points you in the right direction. I also hope that you have a big enough roof to hold all of these antennas.
73,
Elmer
Send all of your questions to ASK ELMER c/o Marv Fleischman. N1AWJ, PO Box 113, Ridgefield, CT 06877-0113 or e-mail them to [email protected].
YE OLDE JONQUE BOXXX
DENTRON GLA-1000B Linear, VGC., $350; ICOM IC-2AT 2m HT
w/Charger, Batty., & SS-32MP micor-min. CTCSS Encoder kit, VGC, $100;
Simpson 260 VOM, VGC, $50.
Call Geoff, N1CAT, (203) 966-7444 evenings
HALLICRAFTER SX-28A RECEIVER, recapped, $275. Works good.
Call Joe, N1GWO, (203) 322-4061 Evenings
ESTATE SALE: ICOM IC-734 HF w/Mike, VS-20 P.S., $ 805; MFJ-16010 Antenna Tuner, $ 30.
Call Jim, N1NNG, (203) 322-4707
PARTS GALORE- Xerox 3000 Word Processor (antique) w/transformer,
p/s, etc., connection to Diablo printer. FOR FREE!!! Take it away!
Call Mike, KA1VWP, (203) 838-8089
AOR 1000 XLT, 1000 Channel HH Scanner, 5KHz to 1.3 GHz continueous coverage. Exc. cond. $ 275.
Call Rick, N1LYK, (203) 531-1756
YAESU FT-757 GXII, HF Rig, FP 757 HD Power Supply, FC 757 AT Tuner
and MD 1B8 Desk Mike.
Call George, N1HIX, (203) 357-1879
COMPLETE HF STATION, will sell all or part: Kenwood TS-820S, Remote VFO, MC-50 Mic, Dentron Linear Amp., Mosley TA-33, Ham-M Rotor, Roof Tower, MFJ Antenna Tuner, SWR Bridge, Phone Patch, etc. For details please
Call Fred, K2RUR, (203) 325-2201
ICOM IC-25A 25W , 2M mobile Xcvr. w/PL, good for packet $75 obo.
ICOM IC-02AT with BP-5 and BC-30 charger, Exc. Cond. $120 obo.
Mac Imagewriter & Laserwriter printers, best offer.
Call Jeanine, KY1Q, (203) 324-6865
APPLE PERFORMA COMPUTER....... Really Cheap
Call Andy, KA1SLG, (203) 531-9493
CUSHCRAFT R5 VERT. ANTENNA: Wind Damaged and attached to my
garage. Help me take it down IT'S YOURS, FREE!!!
Call Frank, KA1NTG, (203) 655-7378
ICOM IC-02AT 2M HT w BP-3, BP-5 & BP-8 Batty Packs, BC30 Charger,
Spkr-Mic, Manual, $125 obo. FatMac Computer w/ 1Meg Ram, best offer.
FOR PARTS..Olevetti Accounting Machine. FREE!!!!! Take it away!!!
Call Marv, N1AWJ, (203) 438-7889
ROTOR w/CONTROL & CABLE, $50; Cushcraft 10-40M Vert. Ant., $15; Ringo Ranger 2M Antenna, $10; Heathkit Station Monitor Mod. 614, $50. Machinist's Tools for Sale, 2 South Bend 7.5 HP Go-Cart Engines. Lots of Tools, Hardware and Craft supplies, etc. Call for Info.
Call Irv, N1ATS, 348-3425
Send all your ad's for YE OLDE JONQUE BOXXX to Marv Fleischman, N1AWJ, PO Box 113, Ridgefield, CT 06877. E-mail to [email protected]. Ad's must be in by the meeting night of the month prior to the publication. (December meeting for January publication)
EASTERN SLOW SPEED NET
Join the Eastern Slow Speed CW Net every evening on 3590 KHz at 6PM local time. CW speed is between 6 and 8 wpm. A great way to improve your CW proficiency and learn net operation. Joe, W1LUH is one of the rotating Net
Control stations.