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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. ARRL National Page: www.arrl.org/Groups/view/sacramento-valley Thanks to Greg Kruckewitt KG6SJT for maintaining our Section ARES web page and for assisting with our Facebook page and Twitter feed. Submit Section News updates to kp4md(at)arrl.org
Past Section News Archive
Amateur Radio License Classes and Volunteer Exam (VE) Information and Schedules
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August 2018 News
From the Section Manager
Here are the latest news and happening from clubs and members around our section.
This month's news features reports, photos and videos from radio amateurs and clubs around our Section.
California Wildfire Response
Thanks to our all our ARES volunteers who are participating in supporting our response to the wildfires. Be sure to read the report below from our Section Emergency Coordinator, Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, and more updates on www.sacvalleyares.org.
Future Section Events
Mark your calendars for the Western Placer ARC Hamfest in Lincoln, CA on Saturday, September 15, and the ARRL Exhibit and Special Event Station N6M at the Rocklin Maker Faire at Sierra College, Rocklin, CA or the Shasta/Tehama ARES Hamfest in Redding, CA, both on Saturday October 13.
October 19-21 ARRL PACIFICON Convention
Register online now at www.pacificon.org for the October 19-21, 2018 ARRL Pacificon Division Convention at the San Ramon Marriott. PACIFICON is the annual ARRL Pacific Division convention, held each year in October. It is THE premier amateur radio conference in the western U.S.
October 19-21 Jamboree on the Air
If you do not plan to attend the Pacificon convention, consider joining the Jamboree on the Air at the Beale AFB Scout Expo (details below) or reach out to your local Brownies, Cubs, Boys or Girl Scout troop to offer an Amateur Radio demonstration and to support their participation in the Oct. 19-21 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) to communicate with other scouts around the world. Offer to help your local Brownies, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts earn the Scouting Radio Merit Badge and the ARRL Girl Scout Radio and Wireless Technology Patch.
Our website, Facebook and Twitter pages are a work in progress, and your suggestions and submissions are always welcome.
This website is visited most during the first week of each month, but do check back as it is often updated with late breaking news.
73, Dr. 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
ARRL SV Section-Wide Net - None Scheduled for August
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Nets are conducted only on the third Thursday of the month when announced, following the 7 pm Pacific Time Yuba-Sutter ARES net on the WD6AXM 146.085 MHz FM repeater, followed by the HF Section Net on 3880 kHz LSB +/- 3 kHz. During spring and summer months the HF net may be conducted on 5330.5 kHz USB as propagation permits.
All Sacramento Valley Section radio amateurs are welcome to check into our Section Nets. The nets carry announcements of interest to our section and test our section-wide station communication capabilities.
and Listen to our HF net on a web receiver.
| W6DRZ receiver at Half Moon Bay | 3880 kHz | No 60m |
|---|---|---|
| W7RNA receiver in Sedona, AZ | 3880 kHz | No 60m |
| Northern Utah web receiver | 3880 kHz | 5330.5 kHz |
Hourly Northern California NVIS Observations
This chart shows colors that represent the recommended HF frequencies for contacting stations for a particular hour. Both stations should use the SAME frequency denoted by the color at the location of the target station. The chart is in Universal Time (UTC). More information at http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/HF_Systems/6/6
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2018
October 19-21
Update from Orion Endres, AI6JB, Section Youth Coordinator, posted August 8, 2018
Every third weekend of October for over 60 years, Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) has continuously grown to now be the largest Ham radio event in the world. In 2017, the World Organization of Scouting logged over 1.4 million scouts, girls & boys, participating in 152 countries. The ARRL is a supporter of the event and has a very informative webpage on how you can get involved, http://www.arrl.org/jamboree-on-the-air-jota.
Every club in the Section is encouraged to get with your local scouting units to run a JOTA site. If you need help identifying local units, please contact the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council at 800.322.4475 and the Golden Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America at 800.427.1417.
The Sierra Foothills ARC will be hosting a JOTA site at Beale Air Force Base as a part of Scout Expo. Scout Expo draws 5,000 Boy Scouts from all over northern California. If your club is not planning on setting up a JOTA Site and you want to be a part of the action, please let me know. We would love to have you. Due to the fact this event is on an active military base, we need to know your intentions by Sept 1st. Additional information can be found at https://jamboreeontheair.weebly.com.
Another way to get involved is to be on the air for Scouts when they call CQ! Check out the ARRL webpage for great information on frequencies, suggested discussion topics, and what to expect.
Hope to hear you on the air, Orion, AI6JB, Section Youth Coordinator
ARRL Exhibit and Special Event Station at October 13 Rocklin Mini Maker Faire
Posted August 10, 2017
Attention Area Radio Amateurs and Groups:
The ARRL Sacramento Valley Section will sponsor an exhibit promoting Amateur Radio and our local clubs at the Mini Maker Faire at Sierra College in Rocklin on Saturday October 13 from 9 am - 4 pm. Admission is free! We plan a display of homebrew amateur radio equipment and antenna projects, Morse Code practice stations, and offering opportunities for attendees to learn about the many facets of the amateur radio and to communicate on the air with amateur radio operators via an operational on-site amateur radio Special Event Station N6M. We will offer literature and information on licensing, local clubs, the ARRL and amateur radio's role in community service and promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
When amateurs began experimenting with radio more than a century ago, they had no choice but to build everything they needed. You might or might not be able to get a signal on your smartphone, but it is truly liberating to be able to communicate using equipment you've built yourself — using just the natural phenomenon of radio-wave propagation and without our telecommunications infrastructure. Radio amateurs don't develop radio-communication skills and capabilities just for ourselves, but also to serve our communities and country through public service and emergency preparedness.
For more information or to help plan or participate in this public outreach, please e-mail kp4md(at)arrl.org
Update from Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, Section Technical Coordinator
Posted May 31
Pacificon 2018 is right around the corner. I will be there checking WAS, VUCC, and DXCC cards at the NCDXC table. Swap on Sunday.
I will be out and about this summer in Northern California. If you need cards checked contact me, I may be in your area
73, Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, wb6vyh@arrl.net
ARRL Pacific Division DXCC Awards Manager, Sacramento Valley Section Technical Coordinator, WAS Award Manager, VUCC Awards Manager
Update - KE6YUV Berryessa Repeater Restored after County Fire Damage
Posted July 10, 2018
The County Fire converged onto the Berryessa repeater site on June 30 taking down the KE6YUV repeater as well as the packet nodes KBERR, BERRY, and BERR37. The web site http://www.barkradio.org shows more info
On July 4 the Berryessa Amateur Radio Club received Cal OES photos of the County Fire damage to the repeater site showing the melted antennas and coax cables.
By July 8 Thanks to major efforts of Bill, K6KN, and Ken, K6WLS, KBERR/BERRY packet node were back on the air using a temporary antenna & coax, & shifting the functioning solar to KBERR radio, it was ready for use. The repeater was next for repair.
By July 12 the KE6YUV Repeater was back on the air with a temporary setup. K6WLS and K6KN went back up the hill Wednesday and got the repeater running on battery only.
Thursday, K6WLS went back up and connected the solar from the BBS nodes (BERR37/BERR) to the FM repeater (since BERR37 and BERR are down waiting for new coax). He also removed a lot of the burnt-up equipment from the vault roof and tower. Thanks Ken !!!
So the KE6YUV FM repeater is back on the air on temporary coax and solar power. It should run indefinitely. We will need to install new hardline for all antennas.
BERR37 and BERR are awaiting coax to test the serviceability of their Telewave antennas.
FCC Dismisses Radio Amateur's Long-Standing License Renewal Application
Posted July 13. 2018
A California man embroiled in a long-running license renewal proceeding has lost the next step in his fight to remain a radio amateur. In a July 9 Order, FCC Administrative Law Judge Richard L. Sippel terminated the decade-old license renewal application of William Crowell, W6WBJ (ex-N6AYJ), of Diamond Springs, California, upon a motion by Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary C. Harold. Sippel’s Order followed Crowell’s refusal to appear in Washington, DC, for a hearing to consider not just his license renewal but related enforcement issues dating back 15 years or more.
Read the full story in the ARRL News.
From Section Affiliated Club Coordinator, Max Soucia, N1KGS
Posted March 11
Hi Sac Valley Hams. I’m the newly appointed section Affiliated Club Coordinator. I’ve been a ham for 28 years or there about. I relocated from northern Maine in 2009 after I retired where I was Section Emergency Coordinator and I helped write and develop the original EC 101 course. I was an online mentor for EmComm for several years. I’m a big cheerleader for Amateur Radio’s ability to assist in emergencies when nothing else works. As such I’m a proponent of ARRL affiliation for the support we can give it in return for the technical and particularly legislative support they provide. In the present atmosphere of monetizing all aspects of society we will be feeling more and more pressure to privatize the EM spectrum including our slivers of it. Witness the development and expansion of 5G services. Protection and expansion of our spectrum is where we as individual hams can benefit from League activity as we support them with sheer numbers through membership and club affiliation.
I’ll be contacting each ARRL affiliated club in the Sacramento Valley Section over the coming weeks to update your club information and to help bring your League affiliation up to date if needed. I also want to visit each club over the coming months for an eyeball QSO. There is much of Northern California I have not seen and I’m looking forward to the travel. In the meantime, if you want assistance in utilizing the benefits of affiliation such as club insurance, or updating your Special Service Club status or have questions about any of these issues or just want to rag chew my cell number is (916) 607 6524 and my email is N1KGS@arrl.net.
73 de Max Soucia, N1KGS, Affiliated Club Coordinator, Sacramento Valley Section, ARRL
Sacramento Valley ARES Volunteers Respond to Carr Fire
Posted August 5, 2018
The Carr Fire in Shasta County started July 23 with a small fire started by a mechanical failure of a vehicle. Carr Fire Incident Update
By Friday July 27, the Red Cross Disaster Operations Center in Sacramento was opened. They immediately asked for ARES to support the communications at the shelters due to power issues and cell phone service had issues in some places.
Sacramento County ARES trained radio operator, Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, has been leading the communications with the ARES operators deployed to shelters.
As the fires continued to grow and various portions of Redding were evacuated, multiple shelters were opened by Red Cross.
Shasta County ARES and Trinity County ARES have small numbers of ARES members and they were quickly overwhelmed with the request to support communications at the shelter and asked the Section EC Greg KG6SJT for mutual assistance.
We quickly developed a list of over twenty ARES members from Glenn County, Butte County, Shasta County, Trinity County, Sacramento County, Placer County, Yuba-Sutter Counties, and El Dorado County. For the last week approximately 15 operators have been working to support the shelter.
Due to the terrain in the Redding area, we were unable to find a RF frequency that would allow communications to the Red Cross DOC in Sacramento. We had been hoping to use the Carla System of linked repeaters, however the Carr Fire destroyed the key node for the Redding area.
ARES quickly found that Winlink became the "go to" Communications link to the Red Cross DOC. When internet was available, operators were able to use Winlink via Telnet. When internet was down, various packet Ka-nodes were used to sent the requested information via radio.
By August 1, ARES volunteer radio operators were supporting shelters at Shasta College, Crosspoints Community Church, Foothills High School, Simpson College, and Trinity High School in Weaverville
Winlink continues to be the mode to communicate with the Red Cross Disaster Operations Center. Michael Joseph KK6ZGB leads the team running the Winlink station KA6ARC.
Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Section Emergency Coordinator www.sacvalleyares.org
Photo credit: ARES volunteers at a Red Cross shelter in Shasta County. Photo courtesy of Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT
Also see the ARRL News story and check www.sacvalleyares.org for updates.
ARES at Nevada County Fair
Posted August 15, 2018
It is Fair time in Nevada County. This year we are together with the Nevada County Amateur Radio Club. Since Cal McKitrick is the president of the club AND a valued ARES member we get lots of exposure at the fair. We have a nice banner (orange in foreground) and always have an ARES member or two on hand for questions and information. ARES go boxes (on table in foreground) are good and drawing in some folks that like to "geek" out on the hardware. Thanks to Cal for letting us tag along!
Submission and photo by Jason Eaton, KJ6HNP, Nevada County ARES Emergency Coordinator
Placer County ARES Report
Posted August 8, 2018
The Placer County ARES group had a face to face meeting July 28th. Eighteen members and guests attended for a presentation by Orion AI6JB on reading maps. The group also covered supporting Shasta County ARES for the Carr Fire.
Submission and photo by Carl First, N6CKV, Placer County ARES Emergency Coordinator
August 11 - Sacramento County ARES Training
Posted August 10, 2018
The next Sacramento County ARES training and meeting is scheduled for Saturday August 11, 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Sacramento Sheriff's Central Division, 7000 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823.
Vince Cracchiolo KI6NHP is the Sacramento County EC.
For more information, visit the Sacramento County ARES web site at www.saccountyares.org
From Norm Lucas, WB6RVR (SK),
Section Official Observer Coordinator
Posted January 11, 2016
Do you have what it takes to be an ARRL "Official Observer?"
Update May 4, 2018 - In the light of unanticipated delays in the approval and implementation of revisions to the Official Observer program, ARRL HQ will resume accepting a limited number of Official Observer appointments under the current rules and standards. Any new OO appointments are being made with the understanding that a new program is coming, with new requirements and new standards for OOs.
Reference: ARRL Executive Committee April 21 Meeting Minutes Item 16.
Update April 6, 2017 - The ARRL and the FCC are currently working together to update and to make changes to the Official Observer/Amateur Auxiliary program. Because of these expected upcoming updates and changes, ARRL has placed a temporary hold on applications for new Official Observers and Official Observer Coordinators at this time. Read more here.
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.
Pot grow lights interfere with Ham Radio
Submitted by Rene Smythe, WB6PSY, posted March 4, 2017
I have experienced this interference for the past few years. I found the interference by swinging my 10m Yagi monobander around until the noise became over S9. I then went outside to see where the beam was physically pointed and discovered a garage where indoor pot is being grown. The lights are on a time cycle so the interference comes and goes. 40º degrees in either direction takes the noise out.
Now that marijuana is being legalized in more states, more hams are going to experience this noise.
WB6PSY
Radio Frequency Interference
posted February 3, 2018
ARRL and the FCC have a cooperative agreement in radio frequency interference matters. You may submit interference reports together with your supporting documentation to ARRL EMC Engineer Mike Gruber W1MG who then files the report with the FCC Gettysburg office.
You may also contact our Section Technical Coordinator Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, or our Section Official Observer Coordinator Bob Hess, W1RH, for assistance. More information is posted under the "From the Section Manager" notes in the November 2016 Section News - Carol KP4MD
Our Official Observer Coordinator Bob Hess, W1RH, shares this helpful web page by NK7Z for identifying sources of Radio Frequency Interference http://www.nk7z.net/rfi-snapshots
NIST FY 2019 Budget Would Eliminate WWV and WWVH
from the ARRL News, posted August 11, 2018
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FY 2019 budget request includes shutting down “NIST radio stations in Colorado and Hawaii” — in other words, WWV and WWVH. Radio amateurs, HF listeners, and others around the world routinely make use of the time and frequency standard signals, which also include propagation information. NIST said eliminating funding currently “supporting fundamental measurement dissemination” would include putting WWV and WWVH off the air for a saving of $6.3 million. The NIST FY 2019 budget request for efforts related to Fundamental Measurement, Quantum Science and Measurement Dissemination is $127 million, which, the agency said, is a net decrease of $49 million from FY 2018 levels. The Administration's overall NIST budget request is more than $629 million.
Read the full story at http://www.arrl.org/news/nist-fy-2019-budget-would-eliminate-wwv-and-wwvh
Club and Member News - August 2018
Update from Amador County ARC - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
The club had a very successful Field Day event. We were given a travel trailer to be used as a disaster communications center and put it into service for Field Day. In an effort to garner more public exposure, we decided to use a public site for our Field Day station and with the cooperation of our local WalMart store were able to set up in their parking lot. This worked well and accomplished both communication activity as well as community interest.
John Stettler, KI6DWP, PIO
Update from River City ARCS
Posted August 11, 2018
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
The “Dog Days of Summer” are here but so are some of the exciting things to do in Ham Radio!
On August 11 we will have our “Go Kit and Mobile Installation “We have had some interesting setups in the past, such as A “Bicycle mobile”, a “Pedestrian Mobile”, a Trailer Setup, and some very interesting car installations. So even if you have shown it before bring it again and maybe someone new will get an idea from it.
In September we will have our “Home brew Night”. Members are encouraged to present their homebrew projects and include pictures, a brief description of the project and if small enough, the item can be displayed. Even if you are a new Ham and think that your idea is not that big or exciting for all of the OLD Hams, bring it anyhow as there is a class for new Hams ! We will award three gift certificate prizes, totaling $100 value, to the winners. One of these prizes is dedicated to an entry-level member.
Also the Western Placer Ham swap will be in Lincoln on September 15. This is usually a good swap.
October brings our own “White Elephant Night” where we can find all sorts of new (to us) things to add to our “Shack.”
November brings Election Night and we have several positions to fill so we need to be thinking of who we want to elect to office and lead the club into the future.
November is also Clarksburg Fun Run where we help provide communications for the run. If you are interested contact Vince KI6NHP at vsicilian@comcast.net to volunteer.
December is Xmas Party on the 13th at Sam’s Hof Brau.
So there are some interesting things to do in “The Dog Days of Summer”
Dave Martin, WB6YLK, President This Month's Newsletter
Update from Sierra Foothills ARC
Posted August 11, 2018
Meetings - Monthly Members second Friday Monthly at Auburn City Hall, Rose Room. Everyone welcome. Breakfast last Saturday Monthly at Mel's off 49 in Auburn.
Nets - Thursday night at 7:30 on the W6EK repeater system is the weekly club net. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday is the Elmer Net. Please join us.
Groups.io - Dennis, WU6X has converted us from the Yahoo Group to the Group.io. This allows a good forum for events, notices, files and database. There are now 105 members.
VE Exams - Every 1st Saturday each month at Raley's Granite Bay. Starts at 8am. Walk ins welcome. Contact is Al, NI2U at vechair2015@w6ek.org.
As with any SFARC net or meeting, we love visitors, so come on down and join the membership check out our website at: w6ek.org
Carl, WF6J, PIO Sacramento, CA
Newsletter at: http://www.w6ek.org/newsletters/current.pdf
VE Report August 2018
Thanks again for all the VE's that were able to come to the session. We had a very successful session again. We administered 4 elements to 3 candidates. 2 earned a new or upgraded license. We have 1 new Technician and 1 new Extras
PS. Raley’s helped me and we are all set with the Event Center through November. Thanks Al NI2U
Update from Plumas ARC - pending
Updated July 9, 2018
The Plumas Amateur Radio Club (PARC) has been working for about 10 years now, placing radios, power supplies, coax and antennas at our 3 hospitals in Plumas County, to provide EmComm. Last year, our neighbor Sierra County experienced a CommDark situation, losing landline, cell and internet service at their Loyalton Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). Soon after, the Club, working with LeTina Vanetti of Sierra County Emergency Preparedness, set up a complete Dual-Band/Dual-Display Station in the SNF, which they purchased. We also set up a Ham Class and Test in Loyalton, with help from our friends from SNARS (Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society) over in Reno, which brought new Techs into the fold.
Around March of 2018, PARC/ARES learned of a FEMA grant funding requirement for Plumas County, that hospitals have an alternate form of Backup Emergency Communication. Our County Public Health Agency's Lori Beatley, chose Amateur Radio. Since early May of 2018, we have been steadily working toward developing resources to get our EmComm system up and running for our first Drill on 26 June 2018. Our three Hospitals in Plumas County, the Loyalton SNF in Sierra County and Lassen County's Northeastern Health Care Clinic along with Banner-Lassen Hospital, will connect on VHF for the Drill. We are located in a mountainous area in Northeastern California (Northern Sierras) that covers over 8,000 square miles and a population of about 58,000 people.
As a note, with the exception of Loyalton's SNF, our equipment is all older, some radios dating back to 1984. Our next goal is to upgrade to dual-band/dual-display radios to cover 2 frequencies simultaneously. This Drill will likely require utilizing at least 2 repeaters and a handful of Simplex frequencies to accomplish the goal of connecting our three counties in what's known as the Tri-County Health Care Coalition (TriHCC).
Results to follow!
73 de KI6YUK, PCARES EC, PARC Secretary/Events Coordinator
Update from Nevada County ARC - pending
Updated July 9, 2018
Next Meeting: Monday September 10, 2018 doors open 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm
Nevada County Amateur Radio Club members hold impromptu meetings at the Omega Rest Area on highway 20. Elevation is around 5000 ft and the views are tremendous. Our activity always draws the interest of motorists coming through the rest stop.
73, Cal McKitrick AI6MC, NCARC President 2018 Newsletter Facebook Group
COFFEE CHAT (Ham n' Coffee)
Thursdays, 8 am at Valentina's Bistro, 841 Sutton Way, Grass Valley
Update from Paradise ARS - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
Field Day 2018
Many in our club have attended Field Day many times. Some of us, including me, attended our first this year and I believe we brought honor to PARS. We organized equipment and food, were perhaps a bit unorganized on-site, but looking at the stars at night and helping several visitors better understand radio was time well spent. Thanks to those that participated and those that cheered us on that were not able to attend.
I have already modified my inventory list for Field Day 2019; count me in!
Grant Hunsicker, KK6FKW
Update from Samuel F Morse ARC
Updated August 11, 2018
Hello members,
It was great to see all of you who came to the last in-person meeting. For those of you who were unable to make it out, we have posted the video upload of the Live Feed to our site.
Here is the August club newsletter for your reading enjoyment. In it we talk about an overview of some of the features on the new Icom IC7300 transceiver. You can also read about some of our members July outing to K6KPH for the Night of Nights event.
We appreciate your continued membership and support of the SFM ARC. Without YOU this group could not exist! 73, Michael, N6MQL, SFM ARC President 2018
Update from Western Placer ARC
Posted August 11, 2018
WPARC Twelfth Annual Hamfest - Sep 15, 2018 7:00 AM to 12:00 noon
All the arrangements are completed. Early morning donuts and coffee are on order. Drawing prizes from our sponsors are ready to go. All we need is YOU to join us for our WPARC Twelfth Annual Ham Fest! Look for us at McBean Park in Lincoln CA near the bandstand.
Vendors: Vendors may arrive at 6:00 AM to set up, enter at 2nd and D Street entrance, near the baseball diamond. A parking stall is still a bargain at $10. Provide your own tables.
Buyers: Buyers may arrive at 7:00 AM or later at McBean Park Drive (4th) and A Street entrance, near the pool. Bring cash to procure your new treasures.
This Ham Fest is getting bigger with each passing year. We hope to see YOU there! Hamfest Flyer
Ham License Testing - Wednesday, Sep. 5, 6 PM
WPARC offers Ham radio license testing on the first Wednesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 6 PM (see below for map and directions.) For more information please email Chuck KK6DOA
WPARC Board Meeting - Wednesday, Sep. 5, 7:30 PM
WPARC conducts Board Member meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 7:30 PM (see below for map and directions.) The board welcomes members and guests who wish to observe or bring business before the board.
WPARC holds Member Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 7 PM (see below for map and directions.) Come out to enjoy some camaraderie, food, beverage, and tales of the radios! Round Table Pizza offers a pizza and salad bar buffet dinner on Tuesday evenings for about $12/person. Scheduled Topic: TBD
WPARC Meeting and Testing Location
Join us at Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd #170, Roseville. This location faces Roseville Parkway at the northeast corner of the complex, just around the corner from the CVS store.
View map and directions
The club website, http://wparc.us/index.html, has a new look and new information. Jey KQ6DK is now club web master and is updating the the site on a regular basis. Thanks to Jey for all his work on the website.
Don’t forget about our WPARC Facebook page. It is 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 and a few others. 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.
73, Michael Buck. K6BUK
WPARC on Facebook and TwitterCheck us out on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter (@k6pac)
Update from El Dorado County ARC
Posted August 9, 2018
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Summer is halfway over, and the club has another successful Field Day in the books. Thanks to Dave, K6TQ, for coordinating Field Day for the club. I would also like to thank everyone else who participated. Without your involvement Field Day would not be as fun.
Jay, KE6GLA Newsletter
Update from Yuba-Sutter ARC - pending
Posted May 5, 2018
Club Meeting Location Change
Starting June 2018 the general membership meeting location will move to the Marysville United Methodist Church Assembly Hall at 730 D Street, Marysville.
EDITORS COMMENTS✓YSARC’s new web page is: www.ysarc.net - click on the upper right-hand icon on the homepage to join the club’s Facebook page. Past issue’s of the VHN are available on our new website.
✓Send your ham related articles and pictures to share in your VHN. Pictures of ham shacks, antenna projects, antenna parties, etc. are appreciated KI6CSN@arrl.net or KF6FVP@arrl.net
Update from Elk Grove-Florin ARC - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
Elk Grove-Florin ARC—Section News
Remember how much fun the Install-O-Rama was last August? Attached is the announcement for this year's event. Please share it with your radio club and others who may be interested. Thanks... Dave Reingold, KK6MVJ
Christine Lay, KG6JFO, President EGFARC, 916/715-8091 Install-O-Rama Flyer
Update from Oroville ARS
Updated August 8, 2018
OARS Monthly Meeting Reminder
By membership vote at the July meeting, this month’s OARS Breakfast will take place this Saturday, 28 July 2018, 9 am, at the Waffle Shop, 2107 Feather River Blvd (across from Applebee’s). Hope everyone can attend.
The August OARS Meeting will take place a week early (3 August 2018) due to a “redo” of the flooring in St. Paul’s Parish Hall scheduled to begin the following Monday. This month only, the meeting is scheduled for the first Friday of the month, vice the second. Barring something unforeseen, the September meeting will be held once again on the second Friday of the month.
73, Jim, W7XZ
OARS Monthly BreakfastThis month’s OARS Breakfast will take place Saturday, 28 July 2018, 9 am, at The Waffle Shop
Update from SOTARS/QCWA Chapter 169
Posted August, 2018
The SOTARS/QCWA meeting is Wednesday, August, 8th. You may choose lunch or breakfast. (Denny's serves breakfast all day). Breakfast (or lunch) starts at eleven and the meeting will start at noon. The program for this month is the second half of TXFactor episode 21.
The meeting as usual is at: Denny's Restaurant on the southwest corner of Howe Ave. and College Town Drive, one block North of Highway 50. 7900 College Town Drive, Sacramento Phone (916) 383-7071
Please plan to attend. 73, Dan WA6VPJ
Barbara Langford, KD6EGX, Silent Key
After a short illness, Barbara my beloved wife of sixty and a half years passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, August 2nd at 2:30 P.M.
Dan Langford, WA6VPJ
Our deepest condolences - Carol, KP4MD
Update from North Hills RC
Posted August 11, 2018
For the August 21st club meeting we are not at the usual site. This month's event will be a club picnic at Jan Park, 4310 Jan Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608, 6:00 to 9:00 pm August 21st, 2018.
We have utensils and plates available, and are hosting a potluck: Call sign Suffix A-M: Salad dish; Call sign Suffix N-Z: Main dish. Please also bring refreshments for your party, we expect hot weather. We may have access to a BBQ to do hot food on site. That is still being finalized, so if you are interested in helping by bringing a BBQ for use, please coordinate with Kaayla. In addition, there is plenty of space to spread out, and tables to support field day type stations, we have been encouraged to use the surroundings for temporary antennas in support of onsite operating during the picnic.
Please contact Kaayla KA6YLA for questions and if you plan on bringing a BBQ or station, let us know! KA6YLA can often be found on the K6IS repeater and via email ka6yla@gmail.com
See you there! From Doug Emerson, Vice-President, North Hills Radio Club. Amateur call sign N6NFF
Club meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of every month, at the former (SMUD) building located at 5026 Don Julio Blvd, at the northeast corner of Don Julio and Elkhorn Blvds. The board meeting begins at 6:00 P.M., followed by the general membership meeting at 7:30 P.M.
Update from Glenn ARS - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
Prez Says for July 2018
Greetings to all club members and guests. It’s almost Independence Day and I want to thank you for your service this club and to this great country. I hope you find the club newsletters and ‘Prez Says” message useful and informative.
Over the last couple of months there has been great work on the new club website which can be found at this link < https://garshamradio.org/ > and the club Facebook page at < https://www.facebook.com/KJ6HCG/ >. I want to thank the following for their hard work on these two projects; Rick Hubbard, KI6VOS; Phil Zabell, KI6SMN; and Michael Maddalena, KJ6KIZ. Much work has been done on these two sites and they will continue to grow and become much more useful in the months ahead. So give these two new sites a visit, share with friends and family, and tell me what you think.
Ah!, as in refreshing. Field Day 2018 is now past us and it went much different than planned due to the high temper- atures and wind storm we experienced here in Norcal. It was decided at last minute to move the Field Day site to the QTH of KF6OBI. One, the Disaster Response Trailer was already located there and two, it would make it easier for most club members to visit. Phil, KI6SMN was the main operator.
Although we had two HF transmitters and antenna systems to use there was a common mode RF problem that pre- vented the use of the two radios at the same time. This problem was across all the bands. We operated as 2ASV. Phil, KI6SMN, logged some 14 contacts across the 20, 40, and 80 meter bands where the conditions varied but were not too bad thanks to some Sun spots that showed up the day before. Please visit our Facebook page to see the maps Phil produced to show just where these contacts were located.
We used two new antennas, the first was an End Fed Half Wave by MyAntennas, model EFHW-8010-1K, which was flown West to East at about 22 feet more or less. The second antenna an Off Center Fed Dipole, Windom if you prefer, was a BUXCOMM model 802134 this one was flown in a semi-inverted V arrangement. Its ends were about 10 and 1⁄2 feet high and the center was at 15 feet, suspended on a fiberglass push-up mast.
As we now focus all our attention on Steakbake September, pun intended, and with warmer months ahead please re- member to stay hydrated and seek cooler climes if you feel you are getting overheated.
At this month’s membership meeting we will be starting the process, and formalizing plans, for this years Steakbake event, which will be held on the 8th of September 2018, at the Fellowship Hall in Artois, CA.
We are selling raffle tickets during our membership meeting this month and for the next two months will be visiting GEARS and OARS to show off the radio and sell even more tickets. Tickets are one for $5.00 or 5 for $20.00. The donated prize is the AnyTone AT-D868UV, Digital DMR / Analog Radio. Will have the radio for all to see at this months meeting.
We will be meeting at the Artois Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm, on Thursday, the 12th of July. Late arrivals and guests are always welcome. So be safe in all you do and may you all have many blessings in the days ahead!
Mike Ellithorpe, KF6OBI President, GARS kilofox6obi@yandex.com 530-518-3730 Newsletter
Update from Golden Empire ARS - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
The Prez' Says:
This newsletter will, unfortunately be brief.
Our Editor, Dorothy Post, must return to Washington due to the re-hospitalization of her brother who this time is experiencing even more serious issues. She is leaving almost immediately, and tells me she will stay as long as required.
If there are those among you who wish to assume the duties of publishing a GEARS Radiator newsletter each month, please contact me, otherwise we will wait until Dj returns.
Thank you!
Field Day photos posted by Rick Hubbard & Kathy Favor Are located as indicated below:
1. Three photos (I took) have been posted to GEARS’ Google Drive>>080-Media>>Field Day-2018:2. One is a Panographic view of the site,
3. The other two center on Randall Stone (an elected official)
Here’s a link to the folder: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Y_6fTHQScn08KDa1qC0X00fu11Pyy464
[Modesty prohibits me from mentioning that...] KHSL-TV ran a segment about Field Day which is now included as a Post on https://gearsw6rhc.com/khsl-covered-gears-field-day-2018/ Hope this helps!
73 de KI6VOS, Rick +1.415.624.5865
73, Tom Rider W6JS, President GEARS rustyboyrider@aol.com Newsletter
Member Updates and Feedback
W6YAR Field Day Report
submitted by Jay Ballinger, N6SAC, posted July 9, 2018
Four clubs came together to operate Field Day 2018 as W6YAR. The UC Davis Amateur Radio Communication Society (UCDARCS), the Sacramento Amateur Radio Club (SARC), the Yolo Amateur Radio Society / Mt. Vaca Radio Club (YARS/MVRC), and Yolo County ARES operated from the UC Davis campus right next to the Special Olympics events.
We operated all 24 hours using two stations for SSB and CW along with a GOTA station switching between five different antennas.
The heat and the wind did not deter the operators nor visitors from enjoying the event. A huge thank you to all of the operators and food organizers who helped to make this Field Day successful.
The picture includes the organizers from each of the clubs standing in front of a multi-band Yagi on an antenna mast trailer. From left to right: Jay Ballinger, N6SAC, UCDARCS, Tom Preston, KQ6EO, SARC, Gary Matteson, WA6TQJ, YARS/MVRC/ Yolo ARES, Bill Ragsdale, K6KN, YARS/MVRC. 73, N6SAC
The Yolo Amateur Radio Society/Mt Vaca Radio Club, UC Davis Amateur Radio Club, Sacramento Amateur Radio Club and Yolo County ARES joined together for 2018 Field Day on the UC Davis Campus. 15 operators attended and 17 visitors came by.
Gary, WA6TQJ, President, Yolo Amateur Radio Society/Mt Vaca Radio Club.
Update from Keith Edwards, WB6GCL
submitted by Keith Edwards, WB6GCL, posted May 31, 2018
Keith has a vintage station, a restored Collins R-590A and a Johnson Ranger that he will put on the air. He also sent this photo at the right of a three element 40 meter Yagi that he recently built and mounted atop his tower.
"The boom is 40 feet long, the driven element is 15 feet in front of reflector. It is made from three different commercial ham radio antennas."
Keith also sends this amusing original "tongue-in-cheek" article below on a "New Vertical Antenna"...
A New HF Vertical Antenna
by Keith Edwards, WB6GCL
I have been reading about the 43’ vertical and how great it is. So, I looked in the ads and saw a couple of them. The price just about put me down. $370.00 for a piece of tubing with a capacitor and inductor at the bottom - no way would I pay that for something that I could make. So, I started to make my 43’ vertical with some of my improvements to it. I started with a 29’ piece of 2 inch aluminum tubing which I cleaned up with steel wool. Then, to bring it to 43’, I added a piece of 1/2 inch aluminum tubing - 3’ 8’’. I painted the outside of the 2 pieces of tubing with a non-conductive paint. This keeps the RF on the inside of the tubing. Next, I fed the coax on the inside of the 2” at the base on one side of the tubing. What this does is - the RF starts on one side and goes in a circle up the tubing like a centrifuge. As it goes up, it gains strength, like added dB. When the RF hits the top of the 2” it is squeezed down and out the inside of the 1/2” tubing. This is like water being put from the hose into a nozzle. This also adds strength to the signal. I call the 1/2” my “RF Accelerator”. The braid of the coax is tied into my metal pump house. I plan on putting in ground rods around the pump house and also tie all the grounds into my water well casing. I think that my antenna has about 43 dB inside the antenna trying to get out. So far, I have worked 2 countries in Europe, New Zealand, South America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the East Coast with 400 watts QRP. If you would like to make one of these antennas, get a hold of Russ. The antenna does work well. P.S.... As you no doubt noticed the antenna leans to the West. This helps me work Japan.
(A response from Larry Murdoch, K6AAW).......Keith asked me to come down and evaluate this monstrosity antenna he built! I was surprised to see such a sleek, trim, nice job. On paper and just by looking, it appeared to be the real thing, making even Cushcraft envious, but the results are what counts! He purports to have worked 5 stations, but 4 were all in Sutter, not world wide, and the 5th was me whistling “Dixie” in my MIC for testing!
The SWR is horrible, feeding 99% of the power back into the power lines, making the neighbor’s meters run backwards. One lady told me she hadn’t paid an electric bill in months! ...and he wonders why the pump house is always lit up!!
One of the things I would have changed would be to forget about the actual 43’, and bring the whole thing down to resonance with a 55 gallon drum for a top hat. That would bring it down to 7 MHz in only 10 feet tall.
73, Larry, K6AAW, Chief Op
Keep Our Digital Transmissions Legal on 60 Meters
Posted January 29, 2017
Our decreasing solar activity and residential antenna restrictions have attracted increasing numbers of radio amateurs to operate CW and weak signal digital modes on our lower HF frequencies including 60 meters. The five frequency channels that US amateur radio operators share on a secondary basis with US federal government users on 60 meters (5 MHz) pose unique requirements for CW and digital operators. As explained on http://www.arrl.org/60m-channel-allocation, US radio amateur emissions on our 60m channels must be precisely centered in the center frequency of each assigned channel, that is, 5332.0, 5348.0, 5358.5, 5373.0 or 5405.0 kHz. Thus, for example, a CW signal on channel 3 (USB Dial frequency 5357.0 kHz) must be precisely on 5358.5 kHz. The same ARRL page explains that all digital emissions must also be centered in the channel center.
This may appear unreasonable to radio amateurs because a 2.8 kHz channel can accommodate many digital and CW transmissions simultaneously, and requiring multiple stations to operate on the same exact frequency would result in mutual interference. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)* explains this requirement in https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7021871884.pdf which states: "Allowing multiple emissions within the necessary bandwidth of the widest authorized modes (2.8 kHz) increases the possibility of harmful interference from secondary amateur stations to primary federal stations, and would make it more difficult for a federal station to identify an interfering amateur station. In addition, NTIA is concerned about the aggregate equivalent isotropically radiated power from multiple amateur stations transmitting within a single 2.8 kHz channel. Accordingly, NTIA requests that 47 C.F.R. Section 97.303(h) continue to require that amateur stations transmit only on the five center frequencies allocated to the amateur service." (See http://www.arrl.org/what-the-fcc-rules-say-97-303-h)
| Observed Violations of US 60 Meter Frequency Regulations | |
|---|---|
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JT65This screenshot photo shows JT65 signals received on 60 meter Channel 3 (5357 kHz USB dial frequency) from 0300-0309 UTC on January 29, 2017. In the photo, the 5357 kHz dial frequency is at 0 Hz on the left side of the waterfall and the 5358.5 kHz channel center is at the 1500 Hz mark. Decodes of several US radio amateurs are seen transmitting JT65 emissions simultaneously on various frequencies throughout the channel 3 frequency range 5357-5360 kHz. This is the familiar appearance of a JT65 waterfall display on all other amateur radio bands; however, it violates the NTIA requirement that each US radio amateur transmission be centered on the 1500 Hz mark (the 5358.5 kHz channel center frequency).ARRL Official Observer Richard Saunders, K6RBS, has posted the proper WSJT-X program settings for legal 60m JT mode operation here. |
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WSPRThe link http://wsprnet.org/olddb?band=60&sort=callsign&reverse=on&unique=on lists WSPR mode emissions on the 60 meter band. One can scroll down that list and see how many A, K, N and W call signs have been transmitting WSPR mode on 5288 kHz outside the authorized 60 meter center channel frequencies.US WSPR transmissions continue to be observed on the WSPR software default 60 meter frequency of 5288 kHz, a completely unauthorized frequency for US radio amateurs. |
Each licensee has the final responsibility for the lawful operation of his or her station. Unfortunately, the increasing automation in our radios has apparently accustomed some to falsely assume that the radio will correct for operator carelessness and ignorance of regulations. Our cooperation with NTIA requirements is essential for our continued access to the 60m channels and for possible future access to the new ITU worldwide 60 meter allocation at 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz. (See http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-asks-fcc-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band-retain-channels-and-current-power-limit and http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-invites-comments-on-arrl-petition-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band). Please be aware of these requirements if you intend to or currently operate CW or digital modes on our shared 60m allocations. The Amateur Auxiliary is documenting this matter and hopes to raise its awareness in the wider amateur radio community.
-Carol Milazzo, KP4MD
*The NTIA is the federal authority that coordinates radio spectrum use for the US military and federal government while the FCC serves in this capacity for US civilian radio spectrum users.
