Hams and Eggs Oklahoma

Stuff To Do Tomorrow

2010-02-05T12:56:00.001-06:00

Hams 'n Eggs tomorrow. Fox Hunt to Follow.

New Posts (3 of them) On Club Blog. Comments welcome.

2010-01-29T12:42:00.000-06:00

It's your club. So please participate and add feed back.
Just surf over to: http://w5bbs.blogspot.com/

73
Scott
KD5NJR
"el presidente"

Off Grid Living

2010-01-23T11:10:00.000-06:00

There have been several good conversations lately about "alternative power".

A quick Google search of "Off-Grid" yields several promising hits.

I'll have to look at each site to find their strengths and weaknesses in terms of the info they offer.

If you find an interesting article in one of them, make a reply and let us know.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

#1. Off-Grid.net Life Unplugged.

#2. OffTheGrid.com Off The Grid Living takes it to the next level with discussions on new technology, what works and what does not.

#3. LivingOfTheGrid.org Tips on what works and what doesn't.

#4. Home Power Magazine Look for the free sample issue

Check it out: Broken Arrow Balloon

2009-10-08T22:31:00.002-05:00

Join the fun !!

http://brokenarrowballoon.blogspot.com

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Who are Hams ?!?

2009-10-03T12:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, while waiting for some prints to get approved by our field techs (who did catch a few mistakes on my part) I had an opportunity to think a bit about "What is Ham Radio".

The ARRL has a lot of materials available to anyone, (yet targeted mainly at club PIOs) but I needed a goal in mind to help me make sense of it all.

In a diverse group of people, I've learned it's good to not discuss technology for technology's sake right off the bat. So if I was going to homebrew a small deck of slides they would go something like this:

TITLE : A (QUICK) INTRODUCTION TO HAM RADIO
Slide 1: Who is a ham ?
Slide 2: What do they do ?
Slide 3: How do they do it.
Slide 4: Why bother ?
Slide 5: That License Thing.
Slide 6: Internet Links
Slide 7: Someone to call

Most anyone can make it through 7 slides without falling asleep. More than 10 requires complimentary cokes and cookies.

Now, another thing I learned (at the phone company) is even if the boss is paid enough to cause you to assume he is smart or important or doing something right (because he runs around town in a Porsche) he can't handle more than 3 bullet points in a slide. No matter what. So, I now assume none of the rest of us can either (if we could, we'd have Porsches, yeah ?) So I take a stab at the above.

Slide 1: Who is a ham ?
* Hams come from all walks of life with all sorts of interests. The common thread between them is that they all have assembled the components of an amateur radio station and use it to communicate with other hams without (necessarily) the commercially available telephone, television or Internet services.
*
*

Slide 2: What do they do ?
* This is a loaded question the answer is very broad and the sky's the limit. Hams can operate equipment to send and receive voice conversations, image and data messages around town and around the world.

Slide 3: How do they do it.
* Amateur equipment (power supplies, radios and antenna systems) range from pocket models with whip antennas ranging to desktop sets with backyard antennas. Typically, pocket sized equipment is used to communicate with local folks with the larger installations capable (depending on weather and physics) of global communications.

Slide 4: Why bother ?
* Amateur radio has a proven track record for operating "when all else fails". Other seemingly similar technologies (wireless data, cellular telephones, long distance phone networks, etc.) are dependent to varying extents on the commercial power grid, backup batteries, buried fiber optic and copper cables, so on and so forth.

* While seemingly antique in it's pure form, that simplicity is what makes ham radio work. Voice and CW are 'lowest common denominators' that are (almost) universally understood.

* For the electronically or technically inclined, amateurs have a long heritage of experimentation. Amateur radio operators have banded together at times to build and finance satellites, established wide-area data networks pre-Internet, bounce messages off the moon, etc. Present work is in wi-fi networks and Internet-based methods to provide communication methods when traditional HF radio is not available.

Slide 5: That License Thing.
* In the USA, the FCC and ARRL work together to administrate a licensing scheme. As a rule, the more tests passed and licenses obtained, the greater you're able to communicate.

Slide 6: Internet Links

Slide 7: Someone to call

Then, comes a rest break with cookies and sodas. And if anyone comes back, we run through the deck again with added facts and terms like "VHF and HF and no-code tech, and verticals vs. dipoles vs Yagis, etc.)

I know I painted with a broad brush to "keep it simple".

Suggestions, comments, thoughts on elementary explanations of Ham Radio ?

73
Scott
KD5NJR

VHF+ in Salina

2009-09-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

Beams. Dishes. Towers, oh my !

The antenna farm of Pete, WB0DRL, near Salina, Kansas

BAARC News

2009-09-22T22:33:00.000-05:00

Check out w5bbs.blogspot.com for W5BBS / amateur radio-related news.

Better yet, contact me at kd5njr@gmail.com with your news (club meetings, breakfasts, test sessions, nets, tailgates, so on and so forth) and we'll get it on the site.

Tell your friends to stop by too.

Thanks & vy 73
KD5NJR

(collecting news on w5bbs.blogspot.com might be better use of it than net transcripts. I never could get in the habit of it anyway.)

I THINK .... I KNOW

2009-09-17T00:50:00.003-05:00

Scott,

I think it is a.....

No. They have been gone for years.

What Is This ?

2009-09-16T22:44:00.002-05:00

What is this ? There are these holes and all ?!?

Balloons, File Sharing, Old Satellite Dishes, Ham Radio

2009-09-15T22:52:00.004-05:00

Passing traffic via wi-fi connection from neighboring ham to ham to ham might be viable if a disaster ever took down Cox or your Internet provider.

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/05/loc_wifiteens05.html

And these young folks did it with surplus materials.

Substitute a 4,600 ft mountain with a balloon-mounted wireless router and you could probably exceed their record of 50 miles...

Just a thought ...

if I was a Glue Dobber...

2009-09-15T22:37:00.003-05:00

I'd build something like this:

http://images.google.com/images?q=hl-20&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=1VywStvYG4_IMJ_sqKkH&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4

Photo:

www.aerospaceguide.net/spaceplane_pics/HL20.jpg

Something interesting to release from a balloon ? :)

A Newer Take on The Ham Balloon Problem

2009-09-14T18:52:00.004-05:00

Okay, if I separate the web-link with blank lines, I'm told it's clickable, so here goes:

http://nw5w.com/journal/?cat=11

Link above for NW5M's balloon project. Uses a newer, more popular microcontroller and Canon cameras among other changes.

I'll go over my take on these developments if anyone's interested. I wanted to do something like this once, but couldn't find a lot of support locally.

73
KD5NJR
Scott

Boss says dig a hole...

2009-09-14T18:38:00.002-05:00

This is way cool. M J Rainey, avid QRPer, has built himself an underground ham shack and shop.

If the neighbors let me grow up...I want one.

Brad
WA5PSA

Balloon Chase Hobby

2009-09-13T22:11:00.006-05:00

Here is a very good site and quite an interesting story about a Ham Radio guy and a balloon
launch.

http://vpizza.org/~jmeehan/balloon/

It talks about Video

LINUX Computer on a board.

Balloon Launch, Chase and Recovery

Shows Photos

This is a great story. Maybe one of you would like to recreate this adventure.

Stan

September Meeting: QSL Cards: Arctic / Antarctic Regions

2009-09-08T22:36:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed tonight's presentation. I'm going to try and find out more about places on QSL cards that were discussed.

Until then...

73
KD5NJR
Scott

September Club Meeting: Echolink

2009-09-08T22:23:00.002-05:00

At the club meeting, an interest in Echolink was indicated again.

It might be time to revisit Echolink as the BAARC has two functioning VHF and 2 functioning UHF machines. We should be able to set up shop on one of them.

Some questions and concerns were raised:

1. SITE:
A) Tiger Hill:
pro: Internet access via City of BA
con: Internet access via City of BA (firewalls, etc.)

B) Leonard Mtn.
pro: excellent line of sight.
con: no existing data service

C) TBA: possibly Asbury UMC or BA "Towne Center" Water Tower.
pro: we have a guy "on the inside" at Asbury.
con: we need to shield the heck out of the repeater so it doesn't interrupt Sunday Service.

general feeling was that Echolink shouldn't be conducted on a "primary repeater". So that would suggest NOT .91 or .45

To satisfy that request, I was thinking 443.600 out of Leonard Mtn. But the radios we use to backhaul the audio back to someone's house (it used to be Jeff / AE5ME) would have to be in the 440 range to satisfy some FCC requirements on remote control. I don't know if that is asking for intermod issues or not considering a 443.600 XMIT frequency. We could avoid the backhaul radios by getting a computer and Internet up at Leonard. I don't know if we could set up a microwave / wi-fi shot or not. Alternately, we could backhaul at 900 MHz. Does anyone live nearby ?

Thoughts ?
Questions ?
Comments ?

September Club Meeting: Ron for PIO !!

2009-09-08T22:21:00.002-05:00

Congrats to Ron on his appointment to the position of BAARC Public Information Officer.

Ron has some ideas about how to get our club "out in the public eye" (and ham radio too).

Let him know you're interested.

73
KD5NJR
Scott

Teletype over Amateur Radio (RTTY)

2009-09-01T19:21:00.000-05:00

Anyone active presently on RTTY ? Guy (WB5MXO) has mentioned past work with RTTY on VHF lately. Sounded interesting. Any particular websites for such stuff ? I found this one:

http://www.rtty.com/

73
KD5NJR
Scott

Microphone Cable Information

2009-08-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

http://www.qsl.net/g4wpw/date.html

Here is a very good site that Earl(WB5UUW) talked about on the YAH Net on Friday.
I hope you find it useful.

Stan

Food For Thought

2009-08-28T19:22:00.001-05:00

http://www.mental-health-today.com/Healing/cog.htm

Here is a link to a list of tools for checking your thoughts.
One of the things that we do on Ham Radio is to compare ideas that might make the load a little lighter for others. This is for discussion only...no guaranteed results...no proof of outcomes is included. I have used the list as a listening tool.

If you like it, let me know.

HI HI ......(How High is your IQ ?)

2009-08-24T14:50:00.008-05:00

Dear Stan,
How high does my IQ need to be to fit in with this group of Ham Radio folks?

Answer:
Dear Confused,
Don't worry about it.

Look at this...folks that study IQ are becoming confused.

click to enlarge

Hams, Astronomy, Youtube and Facebook

2009-08-22T21:16:00.010-05:00

While Ham might be considered to be best served with a pineapple glaze (I see that in pictures, I prefer mustard myself) I think ham radio is best served with a side or what ever else you like to do.

I've heard of
a) Hams and eggs
b) Hams and camping
c) Hams and balloons
but here is a new one:
d) Hams and Astronomy

Along these lines: A good video of one ham's telescopes and his radios. follows below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8vdLKsBB3s&feature=channel

Oh, yeah: For finding and keeping up with Hams, consider Facebook.
You can be my friend. So are a lot of other like-minded folks.
I think putting stuff on Facebook is a way to stay better organized than just emailing links.

www.facebook.com/KD5NJR

73
Scott
KD5NJR

145.450 Repeater From Above - Matt(WX5LIB)

2009-08-21T21:22:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Matt(WX5LIB) for this photo of the Lake Bixhoma Repeater Site.

next picture is a closer picture of the antenna farm, bottom one is looking south-east down the hill. You can see the pump station sticking out in the lake.

Matt

Suitsat 2

2009-08-21T16:41:00.003-05:00

Coming (not so) soon on 2m FM, VHF / UHF SSB and SSTV.
LINK:

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/suitsat_hacking_for_outer_space.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890

There is still time...

2009-08-21T15:24:00.002-05:00

There is still time to get those 10m / 6m / 2m SSB DX stations up and going.

Sunspot peak might not be until 2014. And to think my favorite contacts were made by balloon-borne 6m end-fed Zepp for 6m. Double hop Sporadic-E from Tulsa to Arizona for what seemed like hours. That was at a Field Day with TRO at Whitesides Park. 2001 maybe. N5TEX helped us with the balloon logistics. Looking forward to those days again.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

source reference: http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2009/08/2013-for-sunspot-cycle-24-peak.html

Broken Arrow Repeater in Bixby

2009-08-20T19:13:00.012-05:00

Dog Gone!

2009-08-20T11:35:00.003-05:00

Fourteen years ago my dog "Ollie" ran away from home. After about 12 years I had begin to give up hope that he would return anytime soon. Now it has been 16 years. He would be about 127 in dog years. I suspect that he is a slow mover and might be easier to catch.

If you find Ollie please call KE5Lep on 146.910 PL 88.5 for your $2.50 reward.

I would give more but ... he really wasn't a great dog. If he has gone on to his reward I don't expect that it was much of a reward.

Shirley(KE5PAQ) had some luck getting him back home by walking around the block with a piece of balogna.

Oh My!

I have a Police Photo of Ollie that might help in this last ditch effort. If this doesn't work then "Fine Business",Ollie. How's that working for you, Ollie?

Stan's Birthday

2009-08-19T15:24:00.003-05:00

click to enlarge

What's Up with this?

Well, I seems that the stations on 146.910 will celebrate events from time to time.

Sometimes it is a Brahms Ice cream run, sometimes it is a Fox Hunt Victory, and this time it was a birthday party at the Hide Away pizza place on Lynn Lane and 71st street.

Keep your radio on and your shoes beside the door. See you next time.

Thanks to one and all for attending ...If you missed it - we owe you one.

Stan(KE5LEP)

A Story From World War II - Bob Mitchell

2009-08-17T22:52:00.006-05:00

My good friend Bob Mitchell served as Radio Officer of a ship during World War II.

I have had the honor of spending some time with him recently.

Here is a story that he told me. I found it recently on the internet. It matches exactly the way he told it to me.

Here is history.

Click to enlarge

HF Antenna Tom (KE5NCP)

2009-08-12T14:32:00.004-05:00

Stan

bottom antenna is a Tennadyne T6 for HF

next one up is a Cushcraft 26B2 for 2 meter FM/ stacked 13B2's

next one up is a Cushcraft 13B2 on Horz for 2 meter SSB

And at the top is a Tram 1481 for 2 meter/70 centemeter

hope this helps!

DX Sherlock

2009-08-09T21:20:00.002-05:00

Hey guys.

Check out this DX-Sherlock web-based propagation tool.
LINK:
http://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=28&Map=NA&mycall=&myloc=&freq=&prop=

Click for North America.

Click your band. (example: 10m)

Take a look at QSOs recently reported. If you talk to someone, post using the form below.

Enjoy.
Scott
KD5NJR

(Jimmy KD5ZVE, told me about this.)

2m SSB.

2009-08-08T22:10:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a few days now, how did folks like Jimmy's (KD5ZVE) presentation on 2m SSB ?

Anyone interested in SSB operation on these shorter wavelengths ? I think it might be a reliable way to talk simplex across town or into other regions like Springfield, Dallas, Kansas City, etc.... Seems like that isn't always possible on 10m. And you have to resort to NVIS antennas to do the same on 80m or you'll skip over your target, right ? I'm thinking that unless you're working real DX with Tropo or sporadic-E, 2m is a little more stable than HF for everyday, local use.

Anyway, let's see if we can schedule QSOs. 144.200 is calling and 144.220 and 144.250 hold the nets as I recall. I talked with Gerry tonight, and I think he is going to bring a pair of halos online soon. ( I originally bought them from Howard, WB5JIO, Downtown Tulsa, SK)

Both Howard (years ago) and Jimmy (on Monday) mentioned 200 mi. QSOs between cars @ 100 W going to hamfests on 2m SSB using the Halo antennas. These aren't big antennas. I'm sure there is a way to hide them in a neighborhood. Seems like a halo or Big Wheel (3 halos spread like a sunflower) would be the start (the perch part) of a fake bird-feeder. ;)

I ran a 2m and 440 Mhz SSB setup once for experimentation with the FO-20 Satellite five or six years ago. Made 1 contact to Tennessee and decided if I was going to get serious, I'd have to get computer assisted tuning (doppler correction) and computer assisted Yagis. But, I fell behind in the latest-greatest computers, never got my antenna tower and fell in love, oh well. I'll have time someday. Provided the kids don't break the bank. But, that exercise did give me the opportunity to talk on my 3-ele. Arrow Antenna yagi "horizontally" and use a 440 Mhz halo for receive.

But like Jimmy said, if you can get a Big Wheel or something up 15 to 30 ' that would get ya started. Maybe I'll have to give it another shot. Who's with me ??

Stay tuned Monday Night Net for more details.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

The Future of Ham Radio (where do you want to go) ?

2009-08-04T21:26:00.002-05:00

Okay, Wade KF5IF brought up some good points last night at the Broken Arrow Amateur Radio Club. And while I probably made my usual sarcastic commentary along with them (sorry Don and Kat) , I did take them to heart.

They'll take years to implement. I think I could do some of the training of new and existing hams. After all, I've been exploring this great hobby for almost a decade.

Which leads me to my point of this post. Where area we going ? What do we want to do ? Pick a couple and leave some comments. Would you like to see most importantly:

A) Distance you can communicate increase while holding costs constant or falling.

B) Size of equipment continue to decline while holding costs constant of falling.

C) Bandwidth available to the user increase. (ex: data, video, file transfer)

D) Decreasing size of equipment.

E) Increased simplicity (home-brew ? ) of equipment.

F) Interoperability with consumer electronics (ex: USB ports, etc.)

G) Interoperability with commercial equipment (ex: APCO P25 codecs)

H) Off-grid capability.

There, eight plates of food for thought ! Lemme know and I'll write something up.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Field Day 2009

2009-08-01T22:09:00.010-05:00

Thanks to my friend Eli(W5PPD) for sending these photos of the 2009 Field Day.
Enjoy them.

click to enlarge

Thanks Eli

Snapshot the Day

2009-07-31T08:49:00.003-05:00

The Dayton Hamvention seems to be one of the great events in Ham Radio. A lot of folks go. Tons of junk in the tail-gate section. Vendors galore inside. But, not everyone has a pile of surplus cash, or vacation days for this great road trip. Fortunately, there is a lot of Hamvention stuff on the Internet including a bunch of pictures on Flickr.

Without further ado, the Snapshot of the Day:

Favorite 2m Rig ?

2009-07-31T08:08:00.005-05:00

A lot of us folks meet on the 146.910 and 145.450 repeaters pretty regularly.

That made me wonder if anyone had a favorite 2m rig.

I'll start things off. I have 2 favorite rigs. The first is one I "won" from eBay. It was an all-mode rig that came out of a guy's canoe in the Northeast supposedly. Fortunately, no real signs of corrosion. Here's an example photo:

www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=all&q=ft-290r&m=text

(It's meant to be run QRP with the front antenna port, or there is a snap-on linear amp for the back of the unit.)

My other favorite rig (no tone board, so just for .45) is the Kenwood TS-700.

www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=all&q=ts700sp&m=text

I drug one home from Ada Hamfest some time ago. It's older than I am. I get great comments on the audio of this rig. AM / FM / CW / SSB. Built in AC power supply. There is a minimum of high-tech parts in this thing. Weighs a ton (20 lb.)

Both these rigs have been used to call the Monday Night Nets in the past.

What do you guys run ?

73 de KD5NJR

Ham Radio Breakfast

2009-07-30T22:35:00.001-05:00

Hey guys, Don't forget to see Bob, Virginia, Stan and all the rest of the gang at the Saturday morning breakfast coming up at the Golden Corral at 71st and Mingo. 0800.

Repeater Work on 145.450

2009-07-17T21:54:00.013-05:00

Click to enlarge

On Friday July 17th several Ham Radio Operators worked on the 145.450 Repeater

On site:
Earl (WB5UUW)

Guy (WB5MXO)

Stan (KE5LEP)

Ray (KE5WGA)

Jerrye (KE5VZH)
Remote:

Don (KE5OMV)

Cat (KE5OMU)

Ron (KB5VDB)

John (N5TBM)

Tom(KE5NCP)

Good luck Kevin and Jessica

2009-06-13T11:03:00.002-05:00

Good luck Kevin (KD5RHF) and Jessica on their wedding day !!!

My wife and I gotta be home today to meet the nurse for a blood draw, to feed the little one every 2 hours ( if he likes it or not) and keep him under his UV lights..... bummer, hum !

Listening to the Repeater

2009-06-11T23:20:00.002-05:00

A couple of you guys have been listening in to the repeater when I've worked a station during "feeding time". Sorry for the background noise.

KD5NJR's new harmonic

2009-06-09T15:30:00.002-05:00

My little boy was born yesterday (6/8/09) at 4:35 pm after a long time.
He weighs 9 lbs and 8.8 oz. And he is about a 1/4-wavelength for 2m.
More to follow on my little harmonic later. Mom is doing fine.

Moon Bounce | Echoes of Apollo

2009-06-06T12:36:00.000-05:00

Moon Bounce | Echoes of Apollo

The above link for the "Echoes of Apollo" website cites June 27th as World Moon Bounce Day.

Coordinating talent like this is a good thing. Think of it as a modern type of Field Day. After all, hams don't get to use radio telescopes in a daily basis just we don't all use emergency communications on a daily basis.

Looks like there will be ways to participate even if you don't have a super UHF station.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Upcoming Events

2009-06-02T19:07:00.002-05:00

Hey guys,

Please leave comments to fill in the details as needed, but this Saturday is important for atleast 2 things:

THING 1:
"Hams 'n Eggs" Amateur Radio Breakfast -- Golden Corral. THIS Saturday. 8a. 71st & Mingo.

THING 2:
Foxhunt: ??? 10am

THING 3:
Bartlesville Bi-plane Expo. (The last one.)

73
Scott
KD5NJR

How to Make a Fox Hole Radio

2009-06-02T18:58:00.003-05:00

Hey guys,

Say you're thinking about making a project, but you're interested in if it really works first before you go through all the effort.

You might do a YouTube search. For example, for a Fox Hole Radio. Watch a few videos and see if they work well enough for your effort. For example, I learned (and expected all along) that you don't get a lot of AF gain from these units, that they basically get just 1 station (not too selective) but still a fun demo of a basic radio.

You can search for a lot more ham radio stuff too... QRP, One Tube Radios, so on and so forth. If you find anything worth mentioning, leave a reply.

73
Scott

Ranger 3: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

2009-05-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

Ranger 3: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

Above link is for a 60's spacecraft program called Ranger. Ranger missions crashed into the moon while making live television transmissions toward the end. Idea being that even "standard definition" TV (I don't have frame rates and resolutions for this yet) was superior to the earth-based telescopic observations of the day.

Now, Ranger 3 carried a "hard lander" built of -- get this -- ordinary balsa wood.

I am going to have to check this out.

10m net

2009-05-25T12:29:00.000-05:00

10m Fred's Memorial Net, Wed 8:pm 28.446 MHz USB K5JVS Jack

I saw this net listing on the OK Section ARRL website.

Anyone worked it ?

New Posts

2009-05-25T12:04:00.002-05:00

If anyone is interested, I put some new stuff on my blog, kd5njr.blogspot.com

Leave a comment if you like. I'm always looking for stuff (blogs, web links, etc.)

a) topics for nets.
b) space, astronomy, aviation stuff
c) ham stuff

73
Scott

Propagation Alert

2009-05-04T20:41:00.001-05:00

This from Radio Cuba's resident Ham Radio / SWL expert... 73 Scott

Special Sporadic E layer openings alert !!!

The Earth's transit right trough the debris left by Halley Comet will very likely enhance the possibilities of highly ionized clouds forming at altitudes between 90 and 150 kilometers during late May 5 , the whole day May 6 and part of May 7.
The "cometary dust origin theory of sporadic E clouds" , may see a great chance
of been confirmed, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, where the number of expected visual meteor sightings will be up to 30 an hour during the peak times on May 6, but , I must add that the chances of enhaced ionization at E layer altitudes are much higher than what can be expected from the optical observations, because small size meteors, are much more likely to create ionized patches that may combine blown by the high altitude ionospheric winds and turn into compact highly ionized clouds capable of returning back to Earth radio waves on frequencies as high as the 2 meters of 144 to 148 megaHertz amateur band.

Ham Radio Breakfast

2009-05-01T17:53:00.000-05:00

Still on for tomorrow (Saturday May 2) morning ?

The Benton Harbor Lunch Box

2009-04-09T19:44:00.003-05:00

Heathkit used to make these portable units for 10, 6 and 2m AM back when.
Link: http://home.frognet.net/~mcfadden/wd8rif/hw29.htm

I've seen them from time to time at Hamfests, and typically (not always) they look pretty rough with either frayed or incomplete wiring harness, no mic, so on and so forth.

Anyone have a 'complete' unit ? Anyone have one on the air ?

Scott's Blog

2009-04-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

Doesn't look like Stan has added much of late, so I'll let you guys know that I posted a bit of stuff at my blog, http://kd5njr.blogspot.com/

Gene has some good stuff over at his site as well. Check it out, http://ae5ft.blogspot.com .
Shortwave listening, some new modes for FM rigs, and vertical antennas.

Hamfest Day 1

2009-03-13T21:37:00.003-05:00

Saw a lot of good friends and tons of old junk at Hamfest this afternoon.

Leave a reply if you saw or brought something that you thought was particularly interesting.

So far, I picked up a Comet SMA24 whip antenna for HTs. Hoping to pick up the repeater better on my walks. Pack tomorrow for more trash and treasures.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Poster for Green Country Hamfest

2009-03-12T23:24:00.002-05:00

Guys,

Tiffany made us a tri-fold poster to use at the Hamfest. Has the club name, meetings, nets, other pertinent information, etc. Should complement the banner. We can put it next, above, whatever.

If you have some photos of recent (or not) BAARC activities, please bring them and a bit of scotch tape. If we have too many photos, we can set them along the edge of the table.

I was going to print up some flyers to give away, but I'm running out of steam for this evening. If someone wants to run some off, that would be a great way to keep things fresh in one's memory after the hustle and bustle of Hamfest is gone.

See everyone tomorrow afternoon / evening, Saturday, etc.

Thanks, Scott
KD5NJR

proposed text for flyers I didn't finish...

BAARC / W5BBS

MEETINGS

Club Meetings are the first Monday of the Month.
7 pm at the Community Center. 1500 S. Main in Broken Arrow.
Details: www.w5bbs.org

The Saturday Morning Breakfast is held first Saturday morning of the Month.
8 am at the Golden Corral.
71st & Mingo in Tulsa.
Details: ke5lep.blogspot.com

FOXHUNTS are back!
About monthly. Saturday mornings. Details on nets.

Field Day. 4th full weekend in June.

NETS

MON: 146.910 MHz (-) 88.5 PL
8 pm. Info, Swap, Trade

WED: 146.910 MHz (-) 88.5 PL
7 pm. Youth at Heart*

FRI: 146.910 MHz (-) 88.5 PL
7 pm. Youth at Heart*

SAT: 28.355 MHz SSB simplex
7 pm. (Techs & Generals)

Also: Tulsa Tech Net
Details: tulsatechnet.blogspot.com

* for ages 8 to 80.

REPEATERS

BA:
TIGER HILL 71st & Lynn Lane
146.910 MHz (- .6 MHz) 88.5 PL

TIGER HILL 71st & Lynn Lane
444.000 MHz (+5 MHz) 88.5 PL

BIXBY:
Leonard Mountain
145.450 MHz (- .6 MHz)

Leonard Mountain
443.600 MHz (+5 MHz)

See website for repeater status

Simplex NET on 146.550

2009-03-12T21:44:00.003-05:00

Everyone is invited to join the fun on the Simplex Net

Go to 146.55o 2M FM Saturday Night at 9:00 PM

The net doing great!

HDTV Antenna

2009-03-04T20:38:00.003-06:00

Here is a technical link from Butch(KD5RSS)

http://wa5vjb.com/references/CheapYagi4HDTV.pdf

It might be helpful for your TV.

General Class CW Transmitter

2009-03-02T23:49:00.003-06:00

click to enlarge

http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/easy-ten/easy-ten.htm

Visit this web site

All About Coax Cable

2009-02-28T00:47:00.002-06:00

Tom(KE5NCP) reminded me about this great site for coax cable information.

Thank you Tom.

http://www.ocarc.ca/coax.htm

View Blog in other languages

2009-02-21T06:17:00.003-06:00

To view the blog in another language

http://translate.google.com/

then type: ke5lep.blogspot.com

... we support English as our language ...this is for "DX QSO's"

Local Area Networks

2009-02-17T19:33:00.005-06:00

Above: Some common LAN designs. Cick sketch to enlarge.

So, I found myself doodling around a bit with the pencil and grid pad...

If you're reading this blog, then of course, you computer is connected to the Internet.
And, if you're not using an internal modem or an external modem with a serial cable, then you're using a Local Area Network (LAN.)

A popular format for these networks is the Ethernet (IEEE 802.11) using CAT-5 cable. That is what I'm showing at the top of the sketch in Figure (a). You've got a PC, a modem (cable or DSL for phone) and a small Ethernet hub to connect them together. Sometimes, the hub (or a small IP switch) is built into the DSL or cable modem. From their you go across the cable or phone company until you get onto the Internet.

A more complicated (and cooler because it uses RF) solution let's you access the Internet without running a network cable from the PC to the modem. In these "wi-fi" or wireless networks, a popular format is IEEE 802.11g. Many folks have those small blue Linksys WRT54G boxes and wireless cards installed in their computers. Did you know that these units share spectrum with the 2.4 GHz ham band ? The "wireless access point" (aka wireless router) typically contains antennas (1 or 2) an IP router (more about that later) TX and RX equipment and a few Ethernet ports. Being microwaves, you're mileage may vary, but you can get around 100' of range or so. Compare that with 300 ft. for the CAT-5 cables. Not bad.

Figure 'C' shows a DeLuxe setup. Long story short, you can use hubs and switches to segment your network by location or by task. Note I put in a dedicated AP for the Ham Internet (Hinternet) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_speed_multimedia

I've been reading up on what can be done with the Hinternet. I mentioned one club's experiments in a previous post. I'll report back with more later.

In the meanwhile, how advanced of a wifi setup do you have now ?
My setup strongly resembles Figure B.
I know a couple Hams that work from home that have setups more like C.
If you're back at Figure A and have questions, please let me know.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Hams do wi-fi to/from airplane and other places

2009-02-16T23:29:00.004-06:00

Take a look at this webpage:
http://www.yars.org/wifi/
and for some more background
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/high-speed-digital/
and of course, a wiki entry on the "Hinternet" "Ham" + "Internet"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_Multimedia

I've got some thoughts on using this technology in amateur radio locally. I'm mulling over how to compress and summarize them into bite-sized 'blog-ready' format. Some of you guys have a 'preview' version in your email in-box.

Out of curiosity, have any of our number worked with wireless LANs (802.11 b/g) much ?
I suspect a lot of folks have the popular Linksys WRT54G plugged in right next to the cable modem...

I will make the assumption most everyone reading the blog does so over DSL or cable connections... any folks using Starband, rural wireless (ex: Atlas Broadband) or other alternatives to dial-up ?

73
Scott
KD5NJR

The BIS Lunar Lander

2009-02-14T22:18:00.003-06:00

Above: BIS Lunar Lander Capsule
(Another drawing from Air & Space Smithsonian )

Mark Wade's drawing of the BIS Lunar Lander seems to come and go from the previous blog posting intermittently. Stan has reported it too, so click on the previous link and you'll see the drawings.
Click here: for a similar article from Air & Space Smithsonian, which is a favorite magazine of mine.
http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/moon.html

The Lunar Lander wasn't the end of the BIS. ( They are still around and produce the detailed magazine Spaceflight, which used to be available at Barnes and Nobles. ) Additional work was put into maps of the Moon. Theoretical work was also laid down for a journey to a star, Project Daedalus. Someday....

73
KD5NJR
Scott

Dreaming is Good

2009-02-14T17:58:00.006-06:00

As an engineer, most of the questions I have (at work) get answered clearly.
Yes, this is a good idea, or
No, that isn't a good idea.

And those statements get backed up by my boss or myself with clear justifications, such as:
This solution costs too much, or
This solution takes too much time, or
That standards drawing says to do it "this way", or
The equations say otherwise...

And that's okay, but sometimes you have to dream.
Like these guys did:
LINK:
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/bisander.htm

WAY BEFORE Apollo 11 went to the moon, these Brits were making the arguments, drawings, plans, anticipating problems and all that good stuff about flying the moon with over 2,000 solid fuel rocket engines.

You might know one guy, Arthur C. Clarke. He went to a club called "The British Interplanetary Society". They didn't have a repeater, but I bet they were neat guys. Later on, he wrote "2001" the Stanley Kubrick movie. He worked with radar and smoke screens in WWII.

I'm not saying to run out and catch yourself on fire, but sometimes it's okay to dream.

You don't have to own the best gear, just be safe. The QRP guys know this. They don't spend a fortune on stuff. Nor are the rigs necessarily of the 'latest and greatest' design (is there DSP in QRP rigs?.... well even if there is, you get my point.)

Volkswagen owners would sum up my point as "it's not pretty, but it gets you there."

Nike would say, "Just Do It."

Report From Mars - Storm

2009-02-14T10:14:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Paul(AE5PB) for this look at storm tracking - from inside the storm...isn't that not one of our goals. Never mind that. The inside guy was Brad(KE5EMF).

Wade Norris
Okla Army Mars
Voice of the Army
AAA6OK/K5WPN
Grid Bandit #82

I managed to avoid any hail damage (that I can tell at this writing). But the pea size quickly graduated to near quarter size hail just this side of the Wilson turn off. I hit the middle and made a quick u-turn and raced out of the cell. I stopped just inside the Lone Grove city limits and told two officers there that a severe hail cell was not far behind me. They advised they knew, because they were listening. I decided to make it back to Ardmore. As I was enroute, further traffic indicated the tornado to cross Hwy 70 between Lone Grove and Ardmore. I decided to stand-by at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Brock Road at the Talliferros. Reception was terrible under their awning, but the rain mixed with hail became severe (0 visibility). AND, some other officer or fireman became hysterical on the Lone Grove frequency regarding the position of the tornado. Dispatchers tried to calm the fellow to get an accurate report, when I heard him quite clearly say "It's crossing Hwy 70!"

I pulled back into the blinding rain with the intention to block any further vehicular traffic west bound into the Lone Grove area. As I stopped traffic, the rain began to cease and a stormtracker pulled up window to window with me, trying to ascertain the tornados position. I advised I wasn't sure but we sure should find out. It was at this point that he pulled into the lot at Taliferros. I observed a very brilliant lightning flash. I noticed that it strangely lit up the southern sky, and the northern sky...but the western sky which I was facing at the moment, remained unchanged. I leaned in and took a closer evaluation when I realised the unchanged black mass was actually moving across the highway not more than 500 feet to my west. At this very moment, a tranformer exploded very near to me, and the sparks looked close enough to reach out and grab with your fingers...and they went straight up instead of falling to the ground. The sparks were sucked into the votex many feet above me. I dove back into my vehicle just before the tornado completely crossed, and the rear flank slammed into my truck and spun me in a 360 degree spin in the middle of Highway 70. Now granted, the pavement was extremely water logged. But this did not lessen the sensationalism for me. This is the point I was advising "I'm in it! I'm in it!" Now I pride myself on my calm in an emergency situation. And for the life of me, I can not recall if I was managing to pull it off, or not. But I can tell you this, I was freaking out completely on the inside. I watched the black monster move off towards the northeast down Brock Road and I gathered my wits, turned my vehicle about ( it took me a 3 point turn) , and hit the Highway eastbound and followed the tornado as I turned north up Plainview Rd. Reaching Prairie valley, I again turned eastbound and I could see the tornado moving across I-35 heading towards Springer. I attempted to follow up I-35, but I ran into a vehicle debaucle (I found out later there was a deceased motorist in the ditch) and blinding rain once again. I aborted the attempt and tried catching it by heading north on Hwy 77. With the wall of blinding rain (0 visibility) again slowing my progress, and the bridge that I knew was nolonger there, I decided it was best to abort the northbound pursuit, and I returned to Lone Grove to assist anyway I could. I worked traffic, (blocking and redirecting) at Brock and Hwy 70 for a couple of hours. Then I was sent to Brock Road and Prairie Valley Rd by the IC, right through the disaster scene. The landscape was all to familiar, and I knew tomorrow would bring some grave news for many friends and loved ones in the area. I worked this intersection until I was advised I could stand down once the blockades were in place. They arrived shortly, and I returned to Ardmore.

Now, I have been intercepting severe cells since the 70's. And I have engaged a few tornados after dark as well. But I have NEVER turned around and been close enough to kiss the ass of an obvious EF-2 or 3. So if I sounded a bit excited and keyed up, it's because...I was.

I thought everyone did a great job. I was sad to hear the 97 had crashed, as I thought its far reaching capabilities would have lended an entirely new scope of potentiality to our efforts. But I thought the entire interception was a success, as we all went home safe, and the community was well informed. I was relaying traffic to Lone Grove Fire, Ardmore PD, the 150, EOC, the 580, and a battery of phone messages. I was impressed how our guys pursued the tornado into the hands of more trackers to pursuit it farther. Then we donned another hat and accepted first responder and aid responsibilities. A shelter was set up. And we freed up emergency personnel trapped in routine duties to manage more important issues. So, it is merely my humble opinion, but I was impressed with everyones efforts, and proud to be associated with the HAMs on the ground, and behind the base radios. It was a difficult and extremely intense emergency deployment, and it was handled as well as any expert response could be.
Brad Patrick
KE5EMF/EOC257
Ardmore Emergency
Operations Center~
Southern Oklahoma
SKYWARN
Group

What is MPEG?

2009-02-14T07:24:00.007-06:00

http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/

Why do Ham Radio Operators care about it?

Some do and some don't.
It may be that you are one of the don't...OK...this post is not for you.

Computer storage of video and audio uses compression and decompression of the files that store audio and video. CODEC is the term used for this compression and decompression. These standards for coded representation of digital audio and video were created by the Moving Picture Experts Group - MPEG.

To learn about the standards that are used click on the link above. Enjoy!

For a simple overview go to this link.

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20050207_mpeg_standards_explained.html

Fox Hunt - Feb 21

2009-02-13T22:41:00.006-06:00

No Guns

Fox hunt is Saturday February 21st at 10:00AM

Foxes are Tom(KD5NYC) and Craig (KD5CUZ)

Linux Post

2009-02-13T21:37:00.003-06:00

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Many of the Ham Radio Breakfast Club Guys are learning about Linux.
Linux is a computer operating system. It is one of the choices in the list with Microsoft XP, Vista or Apple _____.

Comment on this post if you have used or plan to use Linux.

Linux is free and many versions are available.

Stan(KE5LEP) is using UBUNTU
Paul(KD5PSA) is using UBUNTU
Kevin(
Scott(
Gene(
and others are using different versions

Wikipedia Linux Shows the following...

"Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.

[edit] Popular distributions
Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.

Breakfast Photos - February 7

2009-02-13T00:46:00.014-06:00

Broken Arrow Club History

2009-02-13T00:31:00.004-06:00

Earl(WB5UUW) has located and now shares this historic document.

"A BAARC club roster from 1979. I think this was about a year after the club was formed."

click to enlarge

Code Practice CDs

2009-02-12T18:02:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite hams is K7QO. He loves to write and produce instructional programs of various types dealing with electronics, building and such. But he has also created an audio program he calls the K7QO Morse Code Course. He is an advocate of learning by doing, so the course takes you through hours of morse code practice. He starts at slow speed, with easy letters, and works up to increasingly difficult word groups and symbols. It is a very good course and is widely used. It can be downloaded free at http://www.k7qo.net/.

I have downloaded the MP3 version and have put it on a CD. Using MP3s, the entire course can fit on one CD. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A COPY, drop me an email, or catch me on the repeater, and I'll mail you one or bring it to the next Breakfast. K7QO encourages giving these away. So if you've been frustrated with traditional code practice techniques, but would like to get in on the fun of CW, give this a try. You can't beat FREE!

Brad
WA5PSA
briefer [at] cox.net

Some of my favorite things.

2009-02-07T23:37:00.004-06:00

I've been busy trying to finish my little 2n2/40 QRP transceiver kit. When I get it done, I'll bring it to the next Breakfast. It's been going along real good, which means that, after each stage is built, I am successful in finding all of my goof ups (bad solder joints, wrong part, bad mojo, etc.). But, until then, here's a few of my favorite things:

Soldersmoke. This is a podcast you can download and listen to on your computer or your mp3 player. It is for people interested in building their own gear, learning electronics or, as Bill says, "all things electronic and geeky." Bill, N2CQR, is a diplomat who is presently on assignment in Italy. He has produced 100 Soldersmokes, so far, and does one about every two weeks. He's interesting, funny and inspiring. He has all 100 Soldersmoke episodes available for download and they are great for playing around the shack when you're doing all those geeky things.

Ham Radio Podclass. This is a podcast gold mine. A couple hams teach courses to help you pass your Tech license and upgrade to General. They have dozens of lessons (again...downloadable mp3 files you can listen to for free) where they explain theory, rules and everything else on the tests. Then, after each lesson, then spend an entire episode going through the question pool helping you get ready for the exam. And...drumroll...they are going to start a series of classes for those who want to upgrade to Amateur Extra!

AmateurLogic TV. Another podcast, but this time in video. Three ham radio operators produce a very professional video podcast. They seem to have taken a bit of a break, but they have 22 episodes up so far, covering everything from an MFJ factory tour (episode 17) to how to build an "Active Cantenna" to give you a "beam" for your wifi (episode 3). Lots of topics and very interesting.

Make Magazine. This isn't ham radio. It is electronics only sometimes. But if you enjoy making things. Or wish you could make things. Or like watching other people make things. Or laughing at some of the strange things people spend their time making. This is the place for you. The magazine itself is a little pricey, but the web site has a blog with tons of interesting (uh...sometimes weird) projects. They also have tons of videos, and you can even watch their new "Make TV" episodes (oh lookie, another video podcast). They hold periodic "Maker Faires" all around the country that attract way more interest than the Dayton Hamvention. Ham radio needs to get a presence here - these are serious geeks.

WA5PSA
Brad

"HF Packers"

2009-01-31T23:25:00.002-06:00

WA5PSA was mentioning QRP operations on the Tulsa Tech Net Friday evening these folks that combine backpacking with amateur radio.

Here http://www.hfpack.com/ is the link for their website. Maybe you'll find them on 60m or 17m. They hold nets down there.

73
Scott

Tennis Ball Launcher

2009-01-31T10:36:00.001-06:00

http://www.antennalaunchers.com/csv19/index.html

This is a post from our friend Butch(KD5RSS)

Hey look at this.

Free Version Audio Program - O' Scope ETC.

2009-01-29T17:03:00.004-06:00

http://www.trueaudio.com/

This is a rather interesting program. You can try the free version by going to the web site above. I have used it to verify the audio frequency of a tone sent out by the Claremore Repeater. It looks like it could be used as a signal generator and several other interesting bench top tools.

What do you think?

Download it if this is in your area of interest. I have been playing with audio and found it cool.

Echolink on the Repeaters

2009-01-28T23:12:00.004-06:00

(click picture to zoom in)

Hi Gang,
From time to time, folks ask "what has to be done to get Echolink back on the repeater ?"

Well,
1) Someone with a stable, high-speed, Internet connection
2) A PC with pretty good up-time (probably not someone's daily driver)
3) Echolink running on that machine pretty much full-time.
(it would get a separate node number for this purpose.)
4) A clear link (a small mobile rig ? roof-top antenna ?) to the .91 repeater.

The someone would be around quite a bit to disconnect things if something went nuts. Maybe someone "retired" ?

Ideally, we'd have "remote base" radios at Tiger Hill for Echolink. That would let us put the radio mentioned in "4" above on a frequency pair besides the input and output of .91 repeater. We could use a frequency pair somewhere on 440 for these purposes. Then, if something happened, we could disconnect it via touch-tones to the controller on .91. (Assuming we get a separate controller (CAT-200 or something) back up there.)

5) some small mobile rigs for use at the repeater site.

I'll try to sketch this out if someone is interested.

If anyone can supply some of the above (parts, time, Internet connection, old computer, floor space in your shack, etc.) let us know.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

QuiteBASIC

2009-01-26T21:51:00.004-06:00

Okay, remember the TRS-80 and machines that booted up into an interpreter for the BASIC language on start-up ? You could get right down to doing stuff.

Try this. http://www.quitebasic.com/ ... It's fun and easy...

1) Cut 'n paste your program into the BASIC program box.
2) Hit the RUN button in the Controls box.
3) "Instantly" see your output in the Output or Canvas Box.

example:
10 Print "Hello World."

or here is a bit longer program that threw together quickly.

10 REM Scott Haley KD5NJR

20 REM SWR program
21 Let F = 0
22 Let R = 0
23 Let T = 0
24 Let B = 0
25 Let S = 0

30 Input "Enter Forward Power"; F
32 Input "Enter Reverse Power";R

40 REM SWR= [1 + sqrt(r/f)] / [1 - sqrt(r/f)]
41 Let T = 1 + sqr(R/F)
42 Let B = 1 - sqr(R/F)
43 Let S = T / B

50 Print "SWR is computed :"
51 Print S

60 END

Try it out and lemme know how you like it ?

1. Erase out the existing program from the text box.
2. Use cut 'n paste to easily put the new program in.
3. Press Run.
4. Enter a value like 15 for 15W Forward Power.
5. Enter a value like 0.1 for 0.1W Reflected Power.
6. Program gives 1.17 for SWR.

Do you have any other quick jobs or common applications that you could use QuiteBASIC for ?
I think it might be good for jobs small enough you don't need an Excel spreadsheet for.
Or need a more complicated program for.

And, you can share code with others.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Current Tech Class Study guide w/ question pool needed.

2009-01-24T12:09:00.003-06:00

Would one of you recently licensed hams like to "pay it forward" so to speak? I know of a 10 year old Girl Scout that is very interested in getting her Tech class license. Would any of you in the local area have a Tech class license study guide with the current question pool that she could have? She says she'll use her allowance money for it or she may trade some Girl Scout cookies for it since it's that time of the year.

If you can help out, please email me, Matt, at (my callsign)@gmail.com with your information. Thanks.

Who is this famous Lady?

2009-01-24T06:49:00.006-06:00

Many of you may know this fine Lady.

Brainwagon

2009-01-20T20:59:00.003-06:00

Mark / K6HX from the Brainwagon blog is pretty sharp guy from the looks of things.

Here's a sampling of some work he's done receiving weather satellites.

I think that is going to have to go up there on my to-do list. Looks interesting.

LINK: http://brainwagon.org/category/amateur-satellite/

I'll let you know as I find more interesting stuff.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Listen to LUSAT-Oscar 19

2009-01-20T19:25:00.004-06:00

LUSAT - Oscar 19
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/lo19.html

This looks pretty easy and fun.
AE5FT / Gene tried step one this afternoon.

1) Tune an HT or another 440 MHz rig (preferably with an outside) to 437.127 MHz. (or 437.125 if that is as close as you can get.) FM simplex. Turn your squelch OFF. You're going for a signal that sounds like the mp3 file at the Brainwagon blog: http://brainwagon.org/2008/01/20/decoding-lo-19-telemetry/

(I've been able to copy this signal from the easy chair before. But I get hung up here 'cause of the code.)

So you don't leave the radio on all day, here's some flyby times for Tulsa.

ate (UTC)	AOS (UTC)	Duration	AOS Azimuth	Maximum Elevation	Max El Azimuth	LOS Azimuth	LOS (UTC)
21 Jan 09	10:01:07	00:13:58	25	27	81	166	10:15:05
21 Jan 09	11:40:30	00:13:54	0	29	305	221	11:54:24
21 Jan 09	19:43:42	00:03:16	64	1	51	38	19:46:58
21 Jan 09	21:15:59	00:14:11	140	31	86	359	21:30:10
21 Jan 09	22:55:24	00:14:04	195	27	252	334	23:09:28
22 Jan 09	09:30:44	00:12:16	35	14	95	147	09:43:00
22 Jan 09	11:09:13	00:14:51	8	60	290	204	11:24:04
22 Jan 09	12:50:32	00:08:54	340	6	298	265	12:59:26
22 Jan 09	20:46:01	00:12:38	122	17	63	7	20:58:39
22 Jan 09	22:23:48	00:14:57	177	55	260	343	22:38:45

2) Take some really good notes of the three-character groups that come after the E LUSAT HI HI intro. (Or, try some screen shots of a waterfall or oscillograph display from your sound card ham software or Audacity podcast software.)

3) There is a lookup table to go from the letters to telemetry values (numbers).

4) Then, you put the numbers into some formulas to scale them into voltages and temperatures in the satellite.

Which sounds pretty cool. You can see what's going on in the belly of the beast. I'm going to get set up to repeat this process. If you beat me to it, send me your screen shots and I'll give you hand with the rest.

I wonder how difficult it would be to homebrew something like this bird ?

73
Scott
KD5NJR

NASA to test future Mars Base on Antarctica

2009-01-18T22:11:00.003-06:00

LINK: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24027

I'm looking forward to working these guys on HF perhaps someday.

... from spaceref.com

A Milestone is Reached.

2009-01-17T23:43:00.008-06:00

For the last few weeks, as time permitted, I have been working on building a 40 Meter Transceiver kit. The kit is called the 2n2/40 and it is kitted by the Norcal QRP Club (click). They make great kits at very reasonable prices. Since this is a labor of love for them, they do all of the development and kit production for free and sell everything at cost. They have temporarily suspended taking new orders, but I understand they should begin accepting new orders in the next week or so. The kit is available in 40 M, 30 M and 20 M versions – I ordered the 40 M version.

The kit designer is QRP legend, Jim Kortge – K8IQY. Jim perfected a circuit board building technique called Manhattan Construction. Rather than etch circuit boards and drill holes, the builder uses small islands of circuit board material and glues (Crazy Glue) them to a blank circuit board. The connections between components are made on top of these “islands” by simply bending the component leads so that they stand upright (so the board looks like downtown Manhattan, I guess). You solder the leads to the islands. You can see an example of this construction technique here (click). You've got to see these pictures to appreciate the simplicity of this technique and Jim's craftsmanship. Jim has designed a whole series of rigs around the venerable 2N2222 transistor (the cockroach of the solid state world). The rigs perform as well as store bought rigs costing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars (except they are CW only and top out at 5W).

However, K8IQY and Norcal have teamed up to produce these kits using traditional circuit boards. Now you can stuff a traditional circuit board, solder some leads and build one of Jim's rigs cheaper than you could order the parts yourself.

The assembly manual (online at the Norcal site) is every bit as good, and simple, as one of the old Heathkit manuals. However, that has not stopped me from making a few mistakes as I go along. Did you know a circuit is not likely to work if you install the diodes backwards, or put the wrong resistors in the right holes (or is it the right resistors in the wrong holes)? But the Norcal manual provides easy testing procedures at each stage of the build, and there is a very supportive Yahoo group where K8IQY lurks to help you with troubleshooting problems. I have completed the receiver portion of the 2N2/40. Here is a picture of the circuit board with the receiver strip completed (some controls are temporarily tacked in right now – awaiting their home in the cabinet). Now, on to building the transmitter portion!

The receiver is very sensitive and the audio is good and strong and rock solid. I think I'm in love.

UPDATE: I just saw that Norcal is once again accepting orders for the 2n2/xx kit. It's a limited run of 500 kits.

Brad - WA5PSA

January Breakfast Photos

2009-01-17T20:30:00.017-06:00

Breakfast 2/7/2009

2009-01-17T17:50:00.008-06:00

Come on up!

To the The Broken Arrow Ham Radio Breakfast

We have confirmed our reservation at the Golden Corral on 71st and Mingo.

Please join us on February 7, 2009 (Saturday) at 8:00 AM

Everyone is welcome... Bob and Virginia

Menu

Titanic Radio Rescue - Updated

2009-01-16T19:55:00.007-06:00

http://www.titanicbranson.com/about_titanic.php

Ask Scott(KD5NJR) about the Titanic Museum in Branson.

http://blog.aurorahistoryboutique.com/tag/rms-titanic/

The name Harold Bride might mean nothing to most people, but hundreds of people owe their lives to him. He was only twenty-two years old as he applied for a job that would make him both a hero, and a legend. He was the assistant "Wireless Telegraph (Radio) Operator" aboard the newest ship, and the new pride of the "White Star Line" transoceanic passenger ship line, "The R.M.S. Titanic." She was considered to be the safest sea-going vessel ever built, eight-hundred, and eighty-two, an one-half feet long, ninety-two, and one-half feet wide, she displaced sixty-six thousand tons of water, she was one hundred, and seventy-five feet tall, and had sixteen watertight compartments. Her builders insisted that she would remain afloat if even up to five of those compartments somehow filled with water. Bride boarded her at South Hampton, England, for her maiden voyage to New York City, on 10 April 1912, and served under First Wireless Officer George Phillips, and Captain John Edward Smith. She carried two-thousand-two hundred, and seven passengers, and crew, even though she carried only life rafts capable of carrying one thousand-one hundred, and seventy-eight souls. Many famous people crowded the rails as she set sail, and since "Wireless Telegraph" was a new "Novelty," both Phillips, and Bride were kept busy with the messages being sent to shore from the people aboard, wishing that their friends, and relatives were there with them. Four days after the voyage, on 14 April, the radio broke down early in the day, and Phillips told Bride to turn in while he fixed it. He got the radio fixed, and was continuing to send these messages, when he received a warning from the ocean liner "Californian" warning that ice bergs had drifted into the shipping lanes. Phillips told the radio operator to shut up, that he was busy sending messages from those aboard to the receiving station at Cape Race, Nova Scotia. Forty minutes later, "Titanic" struck one of these bergs, tearing a huge hole in her side, and began taking on water. Bride awoke, and offered to help. The captain appeared, and told them to start sending S.O.S. instead of C.Q.D. Phillips was able to contact "Californian" only ten miles away, and then "Carpathia" while bride continued to signal S.O.S. Phillips sent Bride to find the captain, and to report that "Carpathia," and "Olympic" were both heading towards them. Bride returned to the radio room, which by now was filling with water, and just in time to see a sailor from the boiler area fighting with Phillips for his life vest. Brine hit the man with something that he found, and drug Phillips to safety. Spotting the last life raft, and several men trying to free it from its mounting, Bride started to assist when a big wave came awash, and pushed the life raft into the sea. Bride held on, and found himself in the water, beneath the raft. He righted the raft, and started pulling men aboard. He found Phillips, who had died from the wounds inflicted by the sailor, and the icy cold water. Bride was taken aboard "Carpathia" and even put to work in the radio room, after he warmed up a bit. He gave his statement when he arrived in New York,

Ron Lancaster (KB5VDB)

Another maritime rescue story

2009-01-15T17:19:00.003-06:00

While surfing the web today I ran across another interesting tale of maritime rescue. Again, this tale involved someone who we hear on the 146.910 Broken Arrow amateur radio repeater from time to time. Today's tale involves Guy (WB5MXO).

You can read all about it at the link below:

Link: http://cob.jmu.edu/fordham/MARA/backissue/Mara0503.pdf

Enjoy,

Matt (WX5LIB)

All Comments are Welcome!

2009-01-14T22:45:00.008-06:00

We want to encourage all comments.

To make that possible we have decided to allow comments from anyone.

You do not need a google id.

Enter your comment and if you have a google id ...use it. Otherwise use Anonymous

Enter your comment and at the bottom add your name ...
Name(Callsign)

http://www.arrl.org/acode.html

Michael Manring(KE5YOO) - Antenna Project ... Updated

2009-01-11T22:55:00.005-06:00

Michael Manring(KE5YOO) sends these photos of his portable 3 element Yagi beam antenna. He made this antenna based on the internet’s “Tape Measure Beam” antenna plans. The site describing the design and construction is

http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm

"While this beam does not seem to perform as well as the original author claims, it is a good portable beam that I hope will aid in finding the next fox. Also, I plan to use the antenna when RV camping at the local area lakes.

Ray(KC5WSI) also suggested use on a boat. My family enjoys a pontoon boat that this beam may work well on. We will have to give it a try this summer".

Michael Manring
Ke5yoo@cox.net

KC VHF Club

2009-01-11T22:43:00.001-06:00

Link: http://www.kcvhfgridbandits.com/

This website seems to be full of information.

To our friends up Pryor way: You ever hear these guys on ?

73
Scott

The Saturday Night 10m Net - Updated

2009-01-11T22:04:00.003-06:00

Update...

The new frequency for the 10M NET is 28.355 USB
This move was required to avoid a high pitched squeal
Contact Ray(KC5WSI) if you have any questions.

It didn't take a lot of work to make it happen, but I was able to check into KC5WSI's 10m net this past Saturday night at 7p. It was on 28.350 MHz USB.

I had a Hamstick vertical antenna on the top of the truck. I drove it with an ICOM 706MKIIg. I suspect about any HF rig would do as I was running only 30 or 40 Watts (until I get my SWR on the antenna a little better.)

The net attracted mostly local folks (Tulsa, Waggoner, Creek, Rogers counties.) But I think there is the potential for other states to roll in.

I'd encourage all the Techs, Generals and Extras to give this activity a shot.

A Russian Drifting Station

2009-01-11T21:52:00.004-06:00

LINK:
http://swl4x42238.blogspot.com/2007/07/rw1ai-as-r35np-drifting-station-north.html

Imaging exploring the Arctic by getting locked in the ice and just drifting along until it thaws and lets you loose... Probably radio is the contact with the outside world...

Interesting QSL Card

2009-01-11T08:38:00.002-06:00

LINK: http://www.hamgallery.com/qsl/Interesting/sputnik.htm

That would have been something... to hear something new like a satellite.

MORE CARDS: http://www.hamgallery.com/qsl/Interesting/

Don Gregory(KE5MXH) - Sea Rescue Update

2009-01-10T10:12:00.015-06:00

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/sisiutl/ Check these links for map of voyage etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sisiutl/

This post was reported by The BAARC Hamgram , November 2008

The original report is copied below in blue. Our Thanks to Ron Lancaster(KB5VDB) for his work to fully document this historic ham radio event. You will find Ron's updated article imediately following the reprint from the BAARC Published Document.

Distress call from Seas Answered
The following is a brief synopsis of a local ham
assist on a rescue at sea.

Don, KE5MXH had an opportunity recently to assist
with a rescue in the Pacific Ocean. A ship in distress was
sailing vessel out of California on a returning trip from
Hawaii. The ship (boat)...insert proper term here...ran
into a storm and used all but 5 gallons of fuel for its
engine. The only person on board was AC7ID
Don, KE5MXH, from Bristow was on 14.300
frequency and had a better copy than the Maritime Net
Control Operator. The contact with the vessel, the
SISIUTIL, was made by a third ham located in
California, whose call is not available.
The net control operator was reported to me as KI4OR
or possibly KR4OR from looking at the Maritime Net
Web page.
I think the GPS of the sailboat was 35.98775 -95.81074
at the time of the problem.Thanks Stan, KE5LEP for relaying the information.

This item has been reported before, but all of the pertinent information wasn’t available at that time.

Being “Land Locked” in Oklahoma might lead some people to believe that you might never be in a situation where you can help a ship in distress, but not Don Gregory, KE5MXH, of Bristow, Oklahoma, an Amateur (or Ham) Radio Operator, who regularly listens to the Maritime Mobile net on 14.300 Mhz on the twenty meter Amateur Radio band.

On or about 10:45 AM (Local Time) on 14 October 2008, he was listening, when he heard a small Sailboat, “THE SISIUTL“ manned by Robert E Bechler, whose Ham Radio call sign is AC7ID, give a distress call off the coast of California. The boat had left Hawaii bound for California, but it ran into some bad weather, and had used all but five gallons of fuel for its engine, (The 44 foot Gulfstream catamaran “SISIUIL” ) and was still about one hundred, and fifty miles away from the shore.

The Maritime Mobile Net Control operator,

Dale M. Botwin(KR4OR) of Miami, Florida, was having trouble pulling Bechler’s signal out, and Don offered his help, stating that he had an excellent copy on both operators. Botwin tried for several minutes to help, and even though Gregory was able to relay information to, and from Bechler, Botwin decided to turn control of the net over to an operator in California, whose is Ron Anderson(W9RMA), and lives in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Ron was able to make much better contact with Bechler, get his GPS position, which was 35.98775 north latitude, and 95.81074 west longitude, and contact the US Coast Guard, who arrived in about an hour, and rescued Bechler.
Ham radio operators routinely help with situations like this, as well as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other events that affect large numbers of people. Hams are allowed to operate on several bands of frequencies, using several different modes such as voice, Morse Code, radio-teletype, several digital modes, and Amateur Television, just to name a few. Hams are always willing to help, and many times are the only means of communications to remote parts of the world, or even just a few miles away.

Since leaving Seattle in 2002, Bechler, of Who Kent Washington, and Sisiutl have logged over 50,000 miles in the Pacific. 2008 was one of the longest passages covering 7,500 miles from New Zealand to California.

After arriving in New Zealand in 2007, Bob's 3rd Puddle Jump, Bob met and married Caryl St Clair in Wellington, New Zealand. She had never sailed before but loves the South Pacific islands. Her heavy involvement in animal welfare led to her establishing a foundation on Majuro, in the Marshal Islands for spaying/neutering street animals to help control their population and improves their life. She received a grant to purchase necessary equipment for veterinarians to use in surgery on remote islands. In 2008 we sailed from New Zealand to California to pick up the equipment and join the 2008 Baja Ha-Ha fleet leaving San Diego in November. Along the way we stopped in Tonga, Samoa, Tokelau, Palmyra Island, and Hawaii. In Hawaii Caryl flew to Seattle while Bob began a solo passage to California. It was during this time that he experienced his emergency, his second time to be rescued by the Coast Guard, with the other being in 2006.

Ron Lancaster (KB5VDB)

Coast to Coast AM

2009-01-03T16:56:00.003-06:00

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

Do any of you listen to Coast to Coast AM on 1170 AM in the Tulsa area? If so, I hear there is supposed to be a ham radio discussion with Art Bell tonight.

Mainly, this is a test post, but I wanted to put some kind of information out there for you besides just "test".

Matt

Tuning a 6 Meter "Hamstick"

2009-01-03T13:34:00.006-06:00

INTRODUCTION:

Last year at the OKC "Ham Holiday" hamfest I picked up a 6m vertical "Hamstick" antenna. The price was right and most folks say they're an OK antenna. Probably nothing to write home about compared to a true 6m quarter-wave whip, but if I really get into 6m, I'll consider it.

Anyway, I have a 10m Hamstick I need to get ready for the 10m nets, so I considered this practice.

Link: http://www.shopjubilee.net/itm00422.htm

WHAT IS IT:
A Hamstick is a physically short (compared to a 1/4-wavelength) antenna consisting of a helically-wound section and a stainless steel whip that must be adjusted up and down via a set screw. The name of the game is to get this whip the right length then cut it off. What length? Well the box said it should do a 1.5 SWR, so that was my goal. And I knew I wanted to operate on the 50.1 SSB area and the 52.525 MHz FM simplex areas.

MATERIALS:
1. a "sharpie marker"
2. pad and paper
3. a scientific calculator (with a square root key)
4. a wattmeter
5. my VX-7R HT set to FM as a signal source.

PROCESS:
After reading the directions, I made some Sharpie marks every .25" from 4" to 5.75" from the end of the whip facing the black core of the antenna (the main part). I measured SWR along those points.

DATA:
Since Brad (WA5PSA) made a comment, please see the info below.

1. I used a MFJ-874 "Grand Master" Wattmeter. It's single needle, but the scale is big. I used the "HF" setting.
2. I checked the forward and reverse power each time.
(The batteries are getting weaker and output power is less each time)
3. I calibrated the SWR scale each time. (see above)
4. Take your time.
5. SWR= [1 + sqrt(r/f)] / [1 - sqrt(r/f)] if you want to double check the meter.
sqrt = square root
r = reverse power from antenna
f = forward power from transmitter

52.525 MHz
# in. F pwr. R SWR
1 5.75 4.25 0.1 1.5
2 5.50 5.00 0.2 1.7
4 5.00 4.75 0.3 1.7
5 4.50 5.00 0.3 1.65
5 4.25 4.00 0.2 1.85
6 4.00 4.50 0.3 1.85

RESULTS:
The antenna works at 1.5 SWR for 50.100 MHz when set up on the dot at the 4" point on the whip.
The antenna works at 1.5 SWR for 52.525 MHz when set up on the dot at the 5.75" point on the whip.

CONCLUSION:
Tuning can be tricky,
a) so keep good notes,
b) just move it little steps
c) I have to remember to cut off the excess that sticks into the coil per the instructions.
d) You have to have it on the truck where you want it when you tune it.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

A discussion on SWR

2009-01-03T13:27:00.003-06:00

Hi Guys,

Butch had a book at Breakfast today about transmission lines. It was a nice hardcover from the ARRL.

So when I got home, I tried to look for something useful on the Internet with Google and found a good page that talked about forward power, reverse power and SWR.

A lot of us have power meters. You can make the SWR calculation with a pocket calculator if it has a square root button.

I have some antennas I need to tune up for 6 and 10m. So SWR is a good thing to know about.

Here is the link: http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_swr_name/

73
KD5NJR
Scott

Breakfast 01/03/2009 Was Good

2009-01-03T11:17:00.002-06:00

Breakfast was well attended. There were 22 folks eating, laughing and enjoying it all. If you were not able to attend you can see it all here soon. Photos and Sign Up Sheet will be posted within a few days. Thanks to Paul(AE5PB) for taking the photos and to Tom(KD5CNY) for his sign-up sheet. This makes it easier for us all to remember names and call signs. Bob and Virginia gave a greeting to the group and ask questions about what the group would like to do for next time. It was agreed to meet again at the same location, the Golden Corral. We will publish the date soon and the time will remain 8:00 AM.

You are invited. Hope to see you next time.

Be happy ... sing a song.

How I got on VHF

2009-01-01T21:15:00.013-06:00

I'm an HF guy. Can't help it. I love CW and the squawk of SSB. But I live in one of those antenna depleted neighborhoods (dang yard Nazis!) and all I can manage is a long wire hidden in the trees. I've been yearning for something I could turn. I needed a beam. So I started thinking about VHF.

I'm also a klutz. An English major. But I love learning about stuff, QRP, building rigs and watching squiggles on scope screens. But, past the circuit board stage, I'm pretty incompetent. That's where my old buddy Mike comes in. Mike and I have known each other awhile...a long while – my call is WA5PSA and his call is WA5PSE. He's competent. So, together, we decided we could figure out how to get a couple of beams in my attic.

The first step was to build a six meter beam. Mike found a good article by the late L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, from the February, 2000 QST (pdf). Three element yagi on six meters. Since I've never had a rotatable anything, I thought I'd be in tall cotton. Then, when he told me he'd bring me an old 5 element 2 meter beam, I decided I was gonna be a big signal guy! As my son would say...WOOT!

Since we were going to put the beams in my attic we did not have to worry about wind load or weather. Therefore, we could build the six meter beam out of wood and spit wads. Well, wood and zip ties anyway. Here is a picture that will give you some idea of our “construction techniques.”

Here is a larger picture showing the beam on a temporary PVC mast that we used for initial SWR tuning. The neighbors were eying us suspiciously at this point.

We cut a PVC mast, hooked up an old rotor Mike brought me (he's a peach) and mounted both beams in the attic. After several hours of measuring and sweaty work we had working 2 meter and six meter beams in my attic.

I've got BEAMS!!! They're swinging around in my attic, but I've got beams! Now to to learn about 2M SSB and six meter skip and repeaters and...oh boy.

WA5PSA - Brad

John - The Battery Man ... TBM

2009-01-01T20:17:00.018-06:00

John Lathrop(N5TBM)

These are pictures taken by Stan( KE5LEP) of the battery installation at the Q.T.H. of

John( N5TBM).

1. The first shot is of the "old" back-up battery with the "new" Killer Cell assy. (220 amphour ) beside it. The unit is weatherproff, visually appealing and easily accessible for service. The poly sheet covering the top came from inside the original cell assy.

2. The second is of the assy. with the cover removed, clearly showing the four 6-cell groups. The negative posts can be clearly seen tied together with a heavy lead, run inside to the shack's ground buss.

3. The third is of the positive post connections grouped together with each group connected to it's own automotive fuseholder. Each fused positive lead then goes into the shack seperately where they can be switched to be charged, loaded or isolated for future use.

There are two sizes of battery assys. available. We have no choice in what we get or how many. Usually there are some of each.
The electrical capacity ratings of these are 220 amphours and 330 amphours. All the units contain 24 cells (48 volts).

The 220 a/h units are 46" long by 8 1/2" wide by 25" high. The individual cells are 7 3/4" by 1 7/8" by 22 1/2" high. The cells can be removed from the metal "can" by removing the intercell connectors and lifting them out. Each cell weighs about 40 pounds. The entire assy. weighs 1065 pounds. ( I cut my "can" in half and welded the two pieces back together beside each other. )

The 330 a/h units are 48" long by 11" wide by 25" high. The individual cells are 7 3/4" by 2 1/2" by 22 1/2" high. Each cell weighs about 50 pounds. The assy. weighs 1320 pounds.

I hope this information helps you see the potential for keeping amateur radio "on the air" during power failures. If you have other questions e-mail or radio me. John L.,,,,N5TBM 73

Kenwood TS-700

2008-12-31T15:33:00.007-06:00

I've got a bit newer version of the TS-700 (with a digital readout) that I picked up at the Ada Hamfest. Can't run the net with it any longer since we put the tone on the repeater. These rigs can run on AC and are SSB-capable. Fun rigs.

Enjoy the video of a short UK QSO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo-ZdO7Z02A

You'll hear a bit of sideband in action.

73
Scott
KD5NJR

Merry Christmas !!

2008-12-27T23:40:00.006-06:00

Merry Christmas guys and gals.

As far as Ham Radio, did anyone receive any shiny new gadgets ?!?

I got one of those combination jump-start batteries with a built-in air compressor, but I think I could run the radios off of it for a while. 12-Amp*hrs.

LINK:
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=C0T&q=black+and+decker+jump+start+500A&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title/

Any handi-talkies ? GPS ? etc. ??

Leave a comment.

73
KD5NJR / Scott