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Pacific County Amateur Radio Club Seminar Series Comprising a series of sessions covering a wide variety of Amateur Radio topics, this on-going Seminar Series is aimed at both newly licensed Amateur Radio operators, and those who have been around a while. Anyone interested may attend. Club membership, or even a Ham license is not required. The series is not focused on exam preparation, but rather real-world practical knowledge. The goal is to answer the question, "Now that I have my license, what do I do with it?"
The format for each is a nominal two-hour session. The location and time of each event will be determined by
the instructor, and is expected to vary between presentations,
so be sure to check where your seminars will be held.
In most cases group size will have to be restricted
due to practical limitations. Although we will try to accommodate walk-ins,
pre-registration is strongly recommended.
This web page has been set up to keep track of the PCARC Seminar Series. Bookmark this page, and check
back here often for updates and
status.
It is recommended that you 'Refresh' or 'Reload' your web browser each
time you visit the site to ensure you are viewing
the
latest update.
Lemke Residence, Ocean Park, WA
N7BBQ QTH (Contact Michael or Dick)
The instructors are volunteering their time and considerable expertise to make each session an informative and
worthwhile experience. What about you? Do you have a favorite Ham-related activity that you'd like to share?
Consider leading a Seminar to share the fun. Contact Frank, NM7R,
if you have an idea for a Seminar, or would
be willing to share your particular interest.
Seminar Descriptions
Packet Radio, What Next,
While the "Packet Radio Basics"
Seminar concerns the first steps in
getting on the air, this presentation
is all about what to do with Packet
once you are on the air. We will talk
about Winlink2000, the BBS, Nodes,
digipeaters and how to use them. We
will also discuss using this popular text mode
in Emergency Communications.
Please Click Here to download the
class outline and bring to class.
Repeater Maintenance,
This series of technically oriented
sessions, including
classroom, and practical orientation
will use real schematics, real equipment
and hands-on familiarization, with the goal
of preparing the student to perform site
visits, inspections,
troubleshooting, repairs
and improvements; qualifying
the graduate to
help
maintain local area repeaters and related
infrastructure. This course is also a
great starting place for designing,
constructing, installing and
maintaining your own repeater
station, should that be your goal.
If you are inter
ested in
participating in this
series of seminars, contact
the instructor. Space is limited.
FM and Repeaters,
getting the most out of this popular
aspect of Ham radio. We will discuss
some of the nuts and bolts of how a
repeater works (and doesn't work),
and how to maximize the benefit from
these range-extenders. We will
discuss some do's and
don'ts of repeater operation. We will
also touch on non-repeater aspects
of FM operating. Of
course, there will be time for
your questions.
Please Click Here to download the
class outline and bring to class.
Message handling,
is intended to either introduce the
newcomer to, or polish the old-timer's
skills in this vital part
of Amateur radio. Traffic handling
is a key to our
participation during a disaster. We can all
use a refresher in this important skill.
Please CLICK HERE to download the course
outline, and bring to class.
Emergency Power,
running the ham shack when the lights go out.
We will talk about batteries, generators, and touch
on solar and wind power. Issues discussed will
include safety, cost and reliability. These
techniques can be
used for operating from home or away from commercial
power when camping, RV-ing
or just picnicking for an afternoon
with the radio along. Of course, there will be
time for your
questions.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"Emergency Power Class"
outline (in .pdf format), and bring to class.
IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project),
uses IRLP Node stations to talk with
hams all over the world. This way
of extending your FM VHF/UHF range
employs the Internet to connect
stations together. Most
IRLP stations are available for
use by any Amateur, as long as
you understand how to make it work. All it
takes is a DTMF pad and the know-how.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"IRLP"
course overview (in .pdf format),
and
please CLICK HERE to download the
"IRLP Brochure"
(in .pdf format), and bring them to class.
Net Control Class,
is recommended for those who would like to be
better Net Control Station (NCS) operators.
In addition to
our weekly Nets, NCS operators are critical
during emergency events. This class is
particularly recommended
for those who will be operating our EOC
stations, but even Amateurs with limited
mobility or those with
physical limitations can be a valuable
community resource
as NCS, operating from a
modest home station. If
you are interested in
participating in this
seminar, contact
the instructor. Space is limited.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"NCS Class"
outline (in .pdf format), and bring to class.
All About BeachNet,
will discuss the specifics of this local
repeater system, its strengths, limitations
and some of its special
features. Come learn how to get the most
out of your FM radio from home, or as
you cruise around our corner
of Washington State. If
you are interested in
participating in this
seminar, contact
the instructor. Space is limited.
Click here to download the User Manual,
and bring it to class.
Ethics, Jargon, the Rules and Ham Radio,
As with many activities there is the right way, the wrong way,
and the Ham Radio way.
The class will attempt to address your
questions and concerns
regarding the CFR Title 47 Part 97 Regulations under which
we operate, as well as ethical issues and
confusion over jargon arising from
such a diverse hobby. We will talk about things
the "good guys" do as well
as those things that will have other
hams talking about you
behind your back. We should have time
to take your questions
on just about anything ham radio related.
Basic Soldering,
will orient you to
tools, techniques and materials
used to construct and repair
circuits and circuit boards.
After some introductory instruction,
you will construct a Morse code
sounder project by installing
and soldering
standard electronic components
into a printed circuit
board (PCB). The purchase
of an
"ARRL Morse Code
Oscillator Kit"
(Order No.: 0024)
for use in the Seminar
is required.
CLICK
HERE for details, or to
order the kit from ARRL
for $24.95. You will also
need a snap-on 9-volt battery.
You are encouraged to purchase
an inexpensive
"pencil" soldering
iron, approximately 25-watt size,
available at Radio Shack
and other vendors.
Some equipment will be available
at the seminar, but having your
own will greatly facilitate your
learning.
Introductory Morse Code,
is intended to get you started in
this mode which is traditional,
effective, efficient and fun.
Nothing says "Ham Radio"
like CW.
There is no "easy" or
"instant" way to learn
the Code.
We will be learning both
receiving and sending.
It is recommended that
the student have some sort
of Morse code "sounder"
and key. The project assembled
in the Basic Soldering
Seminar is a good example.
This course should
get you over the biggest
hurdle - getting started.
Click
here to download the student
handout, and bring it to class.
From there it's practice,
practice, practice...
RACES Familiarization,
is strongly recommended for those interested
in Emergency Communications, either as an initial
familiarization or a refresher, particularly if
desiring to work
as a member of the local ARES/RACES organization,
but even for those who plan to only participate
from home during
actual events. This class will introduce you to the
Standard Operating Procedures, terminology and techniques
central to effici
ent emergency operations. If
you are interested in
participating in this seminar, contact
the instructor. Space is limited.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"ARES_RACES_Familiarization"
outline (in .pdf format), and bring to class.
Packet Radio Basics,
A brief introduction to packet radio, covering
the mechanics of setting up a packet station,
basic commands, the various kinds of packet stations,
and an orientation to the available infrastructure
in and around Pacific County. This should be
"just enough to get into trouble"
and a good thorough explanation for the Ham
who is deciding whether to get involved in
this mode, or has already made the decision
and wonders what to do next. We will briefly
look at the packet interface with the
Winlink2000 system, and the various ways
that packet radio might be used in a
disaster situation.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"Packet Basics"
outline (in .pdf format), and bring to class.
Antenna Construction Basics,
A basic introduction to building simple antennas
for VHF/UHF and HF. These construction techniques,
tips and hints can be applied to a wide variety
of antenna projects. Of all the station
components that Hams "home brew"
antennas are the most common. This is a
4-hour seminar.
Please CLICK HERE to download the
"Antenna Construction Basics"
outline (in .pdf format), and bring to class.
HF Basics and the Radio,
What are your expectations for HF? Outline
radio and antenna specifics. The radio
spectrum. The Ionosphere and propagation.
Popular modes CW, SSB, PSK, RTTY. The
Receiver - features and operating
including crystal and DSP filtering.
The Transmitter - features and operating.
Hands-on, Q&A, recap. Practical ideas
and material.
Click here for a more complete description.
The HF Antenna and Getting RF into it.
Propagation and skip, antenna pattern
and radiation angle. The mono-band
dipole and vertical. Supporting the
antenna. Introduction to multiband
antennas and short antennas. Feedline,
baluns, tuners. Build or buy? Some
commercially available products
and materials.
Click here for a
more complete description.
HF CW DX and Contesting
Learn the secrets to grabbing the tough contacts,
how to get the absolute most out of your station
performance, whether at home, Field Day, or a
tropical beach in the South Pacific. The class
is held at Michael's (N7BBQ) station. Contact
him for directions. Class size is limited to 6.
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