Communicator CNHARC Web Page -

Transcription

1 Monthly The Communicator Newsletter of the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club November, 2017 ARRL Special Service Club The Communicator CNHARC Web Page - November 2017 November Meeting Program Speaker: Pasha Roberts / W1LMT: Many of us use LightningMaps.org as a source of real-time worldwide lightning strikes for our ham operations. The backbone of this fast, accurate system is a network of low-cost sensors built by volunteers. CNHARC member Pasha Roberts (W1LMT), built and activated the first station in New Hampshire, and will describe the Blitzortung project at the meeting. He will cover the history of this project, radio technology used to detect lightning, the computer systems that coordinate strike information, and what it takes to build your own lightning detection station in this growing network. The Northeast needs more sensors! Refreshments will be served! If you wish to present a program or have a specific subject covered please contact Don Percy, For directions to the meeting, the talk in repeater is PL123. CNHARC Christmas Party Please mark your calendars so that you can join us on December 15th for the annual CNHARC Christmas Party! We will be meeting in our usual spot: 43 32'53.64"N, 71 24'18.19"W, Downstairs, Gilford Community Church, 15 Potter Hill Rd, Gilford, New Hampshire, United States of America, North America, Earth (Sol III), Orion Arm, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Super Cluster. The party starts at 6PM. There is no charge for admission. Dinner will be Pot luck style Bring Yankee swap gift! More details to follow. Squam Ridge Race Aid station supplies that were hiked up the trail!! Photo by KB1OCE In This Issue CNHARC Christmas Party Catalogs Are About Possibilities CNHARC 10 Years Ago. Upcoming Public Service Events.. Secretary s Report Next Club Meeting - Tuesday, November 7th, 2017 at 7:00 PM Gilford Community Church, Gilford NH 1

2 Catalogs Are About Possibilities By Dan Romanchik, KB6NU When I was a kid, I used to regularly get catalogs, such as the Allied Radio and Lafayette Radio catalogs shown below, and pore over them for hours. Even if I couldn t afford to buy the latest Knight-Kit or Lafayette shortwave radio, I could imagine what it would be like. These catalogs were chock full of possibilities. So, you can imagine how I felt when, last Thursday, I found both the Autumn/Winter 2017 DX Engineering catalog and the Newark Electronics/element14 catalog in my mailbox. DX Engineering has really taken the amateur radio world by storm over the last ten years or so. I probably don t have to tell you about that. If you re an active amateur radio operator, I m sure that you have heard about and probably ordered from DX Engineering. I spent many hours poring over the Allied and Lafayette catalogs as a kid. These two are from 1968, when I was 13 years old. CNHARC Nets Monday: Two-Meter Net, 8:00 PM, Wednesday: ARES Net, 8:00 PM, Thursday: Six-meter Net, 8:00 PM, I think that DX Engineering did a very smart thing by investing the money in a print catalog. There s something about browsing a print catalog that is just more satisfying than browsing online. DX Engineering has just about everything you need to have fun with amateur radio. The one glaring omission? They still don t carry my study guides! The Newark/element catalog is a completely different beast. Amateur radio operators are only a small part of Newark/element14 s market, but one nonetheless. They have, for example, attended the Dayton Hamvention for many years. As such, the catalog is not a ham radio catalog, but if you build stuff at all you ll find something of interest in its CNHARC Monday Night Net at 8:00 PM on MHz 2

3 1,799 pages. It includes nearly any kind of electronic part that you might need. The section that might you might want to start with is the makerspace section. In this section, you ll find Raspberry Pis, BeagleBones, and even micro:bits. They really have everything, though, including passive and active components, connectors, cable, and enclosures. Like I say, these catalogs are all about possibilities. You can search each company's website and find the parts they carry quickly and easily, but that experience is just not the same as browsing a print catalog and daydreaming about what you might find there. So, get your own copies they re free and page through them. I d be surprised if you didn t run across something that you didn t know about before, and it gave you some ideas about your next amateur radio project. -- Dan, KB6NU, is the author of the No Nonsense amateur radio license study guides and blogs about amateur radio at KB6NU.Com. When he's not browsing through catalogs, he teaches ham radio classes and operates CW on the HF bands. You can him at cwgeek@kb6nu.com. Central NH ARES Frequencies Primary: MHz, - offset. PL123.0 Backup: MHz, - offset, PL 88.5 Sec. backup: MHz, - offset, PL NH Statewide ARES HF: MHz CNHARC Repeater Sustaining Members 2017 / 2018 Glen Aldrich KC1AAI Ed O Hearn Jr. N1EO Nate Ayotte KC1DKE Robert MacGuffie K2HZN Curtis Appleyard KA1DPZ Thomas Edwards W1EDW Dick Christopher N1LT James Robinton N1CRZ Richard Wholey K1OBP Richard Hansen KA1BUC Eric Bernow KC1FRX Bruce Hamel K1BRH Social Media and CNHARC CNHARC has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! Find us on Facebook at: Hampshire-Amateur-Radio-Club / on Twitter. Visit the CNHARC page on YouTube at CNHARCAmateurRadio Check out the club s discussion forum at: Thomas Funke KC1GHA John Gothardt K1UAF Barry Green W1JFK Dave Worrall N2IRO Jim Poulette WQ2H Rick Zach K1RJZ Bernie Quartaroli WI1I Chris Read N1HD Ron Desharnais N1GFD Peter Drexel AE1T Cyrus Rowe K1CY Stephen Saunders K1NET Dave Megin KA1VJU Arthur Norton W1AHN Robert Laraway KC1GOB Richard Palmieri KC1BOW Eric Holmburg KC1FGY Frank Martin NG1J Dick Sterry KB1OCE Aleda Nichols KC1CCU James White KA1OEO John Haven KC1AAG Ronald Egalka K1RE Ron Collins KC1GCE Ron Baker N1JJW Joshua Cate KC1HWE Bill Guinther KC1BMM Pasha Roberts W1LMT Joshua Chase AJ2G CNHARC is on YouTube! CNHARCAmateurRadio 3

4 FOR SALE WANTED Bristol NH. Vintage to new amateur radio and short wave listening equipment. Need help cataloging entire silent key estate. Weekday mornings and weekends preferred. Contact KC1FGY. Eric. My phone is My is IC-746 PRO PS-125 POWER SUPPLY RECEIVE: TO 60 MHZ 108 TO 174 MHZ TRANSMIT: ALL AMATEUR BANDS FROM 160 TO 2 METERS MODE: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM OUTPUT POWER: 5 TO 100 WATTS ANTENNA TUNER: HF BANDS PLUS 50 MHZ BOTH ARE IN LIKE NEW CONDITION WITH BOXES AND MANUALS $875 DICK, N1LT n1lt@cnharc.org CNHARC is on YouTube! CNHARCAmateurRadio 4

5 CNHARC 10Years Ago The following article appeared in the November2007 edition of The Communicator. -Ed. Squam Lake Adventure By Jim Cluett, W1PID It was an all-day radio excursion to Moon Island on New Hampshire's Squam Lake... and what a day! The scenery was sparkling, the mountains beyond were crystal clear and the sky was the deepest blue I'd seen all year. Combine that with a QSO with Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, and a contact with Japan... and you've got a formula for QRP adventure heaven. Bill Noyce, AB1AV and I hadn't been on a radio outing together since we canoed the M e r r i m a c k River last summer. As m i d-s e p t e m b e r aproached, we knew our options were disappearing quickly. So we agreed on a day and met mid-morning in the tiny town of Holderness on the shores of Squam Lake, the famed site of the movie "On Golden Pond." We launched from the Squam Lake Association at Piper Cover. The group is dedicated to preserving the lake environment, habitat, shores and water quality. They also own a couple of islands used by members and visitors for camping and swimming. We were headed to Moon Island, a spot about 45 minutes paddle North and East of Piper Cove. We marveled at the quiet of the lake. There were no powerboats, no highway sounds... only the distant call of the lake's resident loons broke the silence. We soaked up the warm sunshine and sparkling vistas as we headed toward the shores of Moon Island. Moon Island is roughly 30 acres. There are only two buildings... a caretaker's cabin and an outhouse. There are three campsites. We had the entire place to ourselves until late in the afternoon when some campers arrived. As soon as we landed, we scouted around to choose an operating site. We quickly found one at the far West of the island. I convinced Bill that we ought to start with my simple 30-foot wire vertical straight over a tree branch. I'd been working Europe every afternoon I used it. We set it up quickly and started making QSOs on 20 meters. I was running an ATS-2 by KD1JV and Bill was using the ATS-3A. First we worked Minnesota, then Georgia, finally we heard a French station and worked him easily. But then there was a lull and the band remained quiet, so I had lunch. Afterwards I heard VY0/KH0PR. He seemed pretty strong, but he couldn't hear me. I tried several times. "Bill," I said. "Maybe it's time to try your W3EDP." So we switched antennas. Bill put up the 85-foot wire as an "L" - up 20 feet and over with a 17- foot counterpoise. "The VY0 doesn't seem as strong," lamented Bill. But I could see Bill working the paddles. Soon the silly grin on his face told the story. Bill had worked Baffin Island with a chunk of wire and 4 watts!" We were ecstatic. We took turns using the antenna. The band was pretty squirrelly. Very few stations and generally quiet. During my shift I was completely startled by a Japanese station suddenly calling CQ out of nowhere. "A JA!" I nearly yelled as I sent my call. "I got him!" JA7BXS in Miyagi. His name was Takar and I couldn't have been more startled or pleased. Before packing up we worked a few more stateside stations, but we couldn't duplicate the thrill of our earlier contacts. We carried our gear back to the canoe and sat on the dock for a few minutes eating some local pears my wife had packed. As we sat there... a most unexpected sound erupted nearby. A large group of loons (I counted 14) began their haunting, warbling chorus. Usually we hear one or two calling back and forth across the lake in the evening. But this was something else. All of them were engaged in a raucous serendade as they glided through the channel that separates Moon Island from Bowman Island. It was an unforgettable end to a glorious adventure. Upcoming 2018 Public Service and Other Events Mark Your Calendars! Amateur Radio Operators needed! There are many other events not listed here that also need safety communications help. Please consider volunteering your time to help at an event. Public service events make great training for emergency communications and are a good way to show the public what amateur radio can do. Events are open to all Hams. If you would like more information on one of the events or to sign up to help with safety communications, please contact name listed after the event. February 9th, 10th & 11th 2018 The 89th Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby, For information contact Cliff Dickinson at n1rcq@amsat.org Please check on the status of the event close to the date of the event for any changes or updates. Typos errors are possible on this document. Last updated CNHARC is on Twitter - follow 5

6 Secretary s Report by Sandra Percy, W1SND CNHARC STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING - Sept 11, 2017 Gilford Community Church CLUB OFFICERS - ATTENDANCE N1RKW Adam Foley President KC1AAI Glen Aldrich Vice President K1LQN Tom Persson Treasurer W1SND Sandy Percy Secretary Barry seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Adam reminded us that he had recently received a number of items to be sold by the club and the proceeds to be added to the club treasury. Adam inspected and tested them and said they would not bring in much money. Cliff suggested we try to sell the to the members via . If no sale, someone can bring them to the next Nearfest. Adam requested that the names of those no longer members of the club be removed from the roster. Jim offered to pull the names. We also have 10 radios that were donated to the club to be given to new Hams. Adam currently has them and would like someone to store them. Glen volunteered to store the radios. It was suggested we could hand them out during a meeting and making a grand gesture of it. Jim will offer frequency suggestions and Chris volunteered to program them. STEERING COMMITTEE - ATTENDANCE W1JFK Barry Green SC Member 2017 N1VAU Clayton Ferry SC Member excused absence N1LT Dick Christopher SC Member absent N1RCQ Cliff Dickinson SC Member 2018 N1CRZ Jim Robinton SC Member 2018 N1HD Chris Read SC Member 2019 OTHER ATTENDEES W1DND Don Percy Program Team Leader W1DDI Mark Persson Repeater Team Leader - excused absence PRESIDENT S REPORT - N1RKW Adam opened the meeting at 7:07 PM. Glen made the motion to add a new policy stating It is the policy of the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club (CNHARC) that any and all donations of money or materials shall be utilized or disposed of soley at the discretion of CNHARC. While suggestions of how to utilize donations are always welcome, once a donation is made, it becomes the sole property of CNHARC. CNHARC will no longer accept donations that are bound with stipulations or requirements of any kind. This policy may be modified, adapted, or removed at the discretion of the CNHARC club officers and steering committee members by a majority vote of a quorum of said committee. VICE PRESIDENT S REPORT - KC1AAI Glen said he worked the Mt. Washington event. He needs to get the photos to Lee for the Communicator soon. Jim said Drop Box would simplify that process and he would set it up for the club s use for pictures. Jim moved to do so, and Glen seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Glen also stated there is a Meredith Book It Run and Climb to the Clouds. Glen asserted he would pass on some fotos and an article to Lee this week. TREASURER S REPORT - K1LQN Tom reported that he sent $ to the church for October through December. There will be no Steering Committee meeting in December. Both dates of Dec. 8th and Dec. 15th are open on the church schedule for us to have our Christmas party. All present voted for Friday, Dec. 15 as long as it was alright with Clayton as he will most likely be the person to coordinate the event. Tom made the motion to donate $ to the church and Glen seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. Tom informed us the he has certificates of insurance dated August 1st for Steele Hill, Gunstock, Franklin, and Gilford Community Church Financial Profit/Loss Report Summary Year-to- Date (details upon request) Total Income: 3, Total Expenses: 3, Net Income: ( $ 32.21) CNHARC is on YouTube! CNHARCAmateurRadio 6

7 Financial Balance Sheet Summary -September 11, 2017 ASSETS Repeater Fund 1, General Operating Fund - Other 3, CNHARC PayPal Account PayPal Internet Account Petty Cash Total Current Assets $ 4, LIABILITIES Opening Balance Equity 2, Retained Earnings 2, Net Income ( 32.21) Total Liabilities & Equity $ 4, SECRETARY S REPORT - W1SND Sandy presented the minutes of the August meeting. Tom moved to accept them and Glen seconded. All eight approved and the minutes were accepted. MEETING PROGRAMS - N1CRZ Jim Robinton announced he received an from the gentleman who offered to do a presentation in November on lightning strikes (real time lightning map). We may need a short program afterwards. For the October meeting, Jeff Milar who designs radios, will speak about SDR (software defined radiios). Jim thinks the program committee should meet in November. W1DND Don said he will rent a room at Opechee Inn as he did previously. Mark, Chris, Barry, Don, Jim, and Cliff plan to attend. Barry suggested people submit their ideas. REPEATER REPORT - N1HD Chris gave an update. The 6 meter repeater is down. Mark tried programming the S Com but was unsuccessful Chris and Mark visited Franklin and Gunstock this past month. OLD BUSINESS - Barry will purchase 12 adaptor cables for the portable antennas. They cost about $72.00 now, and the price may increase shortly. Glen moved to approved the purchase of such adaptors, not to exceed the cost of $ Sandy seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. NEXT MEETINGS Tuesday, October 3, Club meeting - Business and Presentations Monday, October 9, Steering Committee meeting ADJOURNMENT - Adam asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Cliff so moved; Sandy seconded, and all others agreed. Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: W1SND - Sandy Percy FOR SALE Yaesu FT Meter w/mars mod, 100w CW, AM, FM SSB. Hand mic. Built in auto tuner. Loaded with FM module, 500Hz CW filter and Inrad 2.3KHZ SSB upgrade. It would cost you ~$930 to assemble a rig like this on ebay. $800 Kenwood TS , 2meters and 440mhz multimode, these things are incredible! Google it for more info. This baby even has the alignment software loaded into so you can access all menus. $900 M2 Log yagi meters, BIG ANTENNA ~$3K new, $1200 But wait, there's (MUCH) more... I have more HF rigs and tuners, too numerous to list here, just contact me with what you are looking for. Clayton, N1VAU N1VAU@arrl.net CNHARC is on Twitter - follow 7

8 Ossipee Mountain Electronics, Inc. PROFESSIONAL 2-WAY COMMUNICATIONS SALES &SERVICE TELE: (603) FAX: (603) RR 1, BOX 396 OSSIPEE MT.ROAD MOULTONBORO, NH Steering Committee Meeting The next steering committee meeting will be held on Monday, November 13th at the Gilford Community Church, at 7:00 PM. The Communicator is published monthly by the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club, a non-profit corporation and charitable trust, affiliated with the American Radio Relay League. Membership in the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club is open to all who are interested in amateur radio. Payment of annual Club dues as an individual ($15), family ($20) or as a student ($10), entitles the registrant to belong to the club and to receive The Communicator, monthly or when published for the remainder of the year. The Club year starts June 1. Subscription and Membership: CNHARC, Box 1112, Laconia, NH cnharc@cnharc.org Editors Lee Hillsgrove, Sr. KB1GNI Adam Foley N1RKW The deadline for all copy and classified ads for the Communicator is 16th of every month. Send to: Lee Hillsgrove, Sr. KB1GNI, 203 Waukeena Lake Road, Danbury, NH or to editors@cnharc.org Change of Address For a change of address, notify CNHARC at PO Box 1112, Laconia, NH Phone:. address@cnharc.org President Adam Foley, N1RKW n1rkw@hotmail.com Secretary Sandy Percy, W1SND sandypercy212@gmail.com Publicity / Public Relations Officer Glen Aldrich, KC1AAI kc1aai@cnharc.org Field Coordinator Training Officer Dick Christopher, N1LT n1lt@cnharc.org Officers terms are for one year per by-laws Barry Green, W1JFK Clayton Ferry, N1VAU Dick Christopher, N1LT Club Officers Steering Committee Vice President Glen Aldrich, KC1AAI kc1aai@cnharc.org Treasurer Tom Persson, K1LQN k1lqn@cnharc.org Program Director Open Club Historian Dick Christopher, N1LT n1lt@cnharc.org Technical Coordinator Open Cliff Dickinson, N1RCQ Jim Robinton, N1CRZ Chris Read, N1HD W1JY Central NH Amateur Radio Club W1CNH 8