Title: Ham Radio
Location: MCM Course
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010
04:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Coordinator: Bruce Freund
Description: Ham Operators provide voice and data communication in support of the Marine Corps Marathon and direct support of MCM medical operations.

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ARRL - Dennis reported the League had filed comments with the FCC on all pending issues. This should enable the FCC to act on these issues. He invited members to check out the Roanoke Division website. For DX confirmation, it was noted that International Return Coupons are no long available from the Postal Service. Advice was provided on how to facilitate written responses from DX contacts. Dennis also noted that use of the Log Book of the World would serve to confirm DX contacts.

Encomm - Gary noted the two up coming events was the Reagan Airport Drill on Sept 18th and the Marine Corp Marathon on October 31st. A form for participating in the Marine Corps Marathon will be posted on the web site. Our ARES net continues to run on schedule with good participation.

Members were encouraged to come up on our repeater following emergencies, such as the recent strong thunderstorms that hit the area. We were also encouraged to be capable of using the 449.325 MHz repeater that covers Arlington county fairly well. Members were also encouraged to work on their ISO 100 and 700 certifications.

CERT - Cynthia noted that CERT classes will begin on September 16 and 21st. These classes run for 8 weeks. About 450 Arlington residents have been trained by CERT and about 250 remain active in CERT.

Other news - Mike will make a montage of Field Day photo and post it on the web site. Dennis provided a gift to the club of two digital clocks. Folks interested in a presentation on traffic handling should speak to George about that interest.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM

In attendance were: Ken WB4AKK, George KR4MU, Chuck KI4DHW, Dennis W4PWF, Mike KG4RKL, Arthur W4ART, Roy KI4GO, Gary KC5QCN, Jim AA0J, Randy WB4MJF, Erik KI4BXU, Mike KA8OPJ, Mike NW3V, Cynthia KJ4CLK, and Bill (Visitor).

Fred Field is compiling an obituary for Walt for their high school. Both he and Walt went to the same school. He would appreciate it if we could put a notice up on our website requesting any information about what Walt did while up here in this area. Information for Fred is as follows:

Fred W. Field

1516 Avenida Selva

Fullerton, CA 92833

714-871-5767

fwfield@juno.com

Arlington Amateur Radio Club
Operating Mobile HF is Potentially Fun & Useful
The key problem with HF mobile is the antenna.
Various HF whips over the years have come and gone
Most HF mobiles today use the screwdriver antenna. You can build your own??
Maybe the approach used in the Stealth HF antenna is the way to go

An Example of a Stealth HF Mobile Antenna
Another View of Stealth AntennaSee the Radiating Element

Can We Afford This ? – NoCan We Build This ? - Maybe
This is a commercial product, and that means expensive
But if the concept is valid, maybe we can build a simpler and cheaper version
So let us examine how it works

Operating Concepts - 1
The basic antenna concept is a magnetic loop antenna
The 50 ohm coax feeds the antenna via a small loop.
The main loop is tuned to resonance by the high voltage capacitor

Operating Concepts - 2
The Stealth antenna is build on a modified loop concept.
The coax feeds on side of the antenna, in what might remind you of a gamma match
The loop is also tuned by a HV capacitor

Operating Concept - 3
Yet another feedpoint concept is the omega match
This concept is offered in the loop matchboxes made by MFJ
This may be easier to tune for a perfect match

Operating Concept - 4
This approach might be good for those whose radio already has a built in antenna tuner
It just steps up the low antenna impedance with a wide band transformer

General Project Approach
Simplify the antenna geometry so it is easier to build
Build the basic antenna framework first
Consider alternative feedpoint approaches for trial and error testing
Who knows – Maybe one of us will come up with even a better way to do this

Simplified Antenna GeometryPlan View
Simplified Antenna Geometry Elevation View

Simplified Antenna Geometry
Makes the antenna buildable from commonly available copper and PVC pipe
Once the basic antenna is built, then we can try different feedpoint concepts and see what we like. Each antenna can be customized for your vehicle roof size

Discussion Time !
Let me hear who would be interested in trying this project out.
Let us leave the details for a separate meeting of those specifically interested.
No rush….We can do this at our own pace
Might be fun for the next VA QSO Party

The 13 club members in attendance were: Lew Doss – WB6YGX, Mike Skelly – KA8OPJ, Pat Lengle – KJ4OCA, Gary Sessums – KC5QCN, Chuck Norton – KI4DWW, Cynthia Kellams – KJ4CLK, Dave Shaw – KJ4EMI, George Saunders – KR4MU, James Adriansen – AJ4VP, Dennis Bodson – W4PWF, Mike Callaham – NW3V, Jim Murphey – AA0J, and Richard Simpson – WB3HYZ.

The guest speaker scheduled for tonight’s meeting was unable to attend. Mr. Chuck Norton shifted the agenda and moved into the business portion of the meeting. A motion was made by Ms. Pat Lengle to approve the June 2010 meeting minutes as distributed to club members. Mr. Dennis Bodson seconded the motion. The motion was approved by majority vote. In the absence of club treasurer Mr. Mike Ingles, Mr. Dennis Bodson gave the treasurer’s report.

A report on the club’s participation in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day activities conducted on June 26th was given. AARC participated as a Class 3-F station. Mr. Dennis Bodson, ARRL Roanoke Division Director, gave an update on the recent Board of Directors meeting that he attended at ARRL headquarters located in Newington, Connecticut.

A briefing on Arlington County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) activities and opportunities for amateur radio public service was given by Mr. Gary Sessums, Arlington County ARES Emergency Coordinator. The Marine Corps Marathon is scheduled for Sunday October 30, 2010. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will be conducting an exercise at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Saturday September 18, 2010. Arlington County ARES has been invited to provide amateur radio support for both of these events.

Mr. Mike Callaham, AARC Net Manager, reported on the club’s weekly radio net held on the W4WVP repeater. Members are encouraged to volunteer as a Net Control Station (NCS) in order to gain experience running the club net. An update on Arlington County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) activities and the availability of future training opportunities was given by Ms. Cynthia Kellams, Arlington County CERT Coordinator.

It was noted that the Berryville Hamfest is scheduled for Sunday August 1, 2010. A PDF flyer can be downloaded from http://www.svarc.us/flyer5.pdf . The next AARC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday August 17, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the Arlington chapter of the American Red Cross located at 4333 Arlington Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22203. The scheduled guest speaker, Mr. Ken Heitner – WB4AKK, will give a presentation on building stealth HF radio antennas. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

ARRL - Dennis reported that there had been a good hamfest at Manassas. The ARRL Board of Directors will meet again in July. All pending items of interest at the FCC have been released (as proposed notices of rulemaking). This includes a ruling on spread spectrum operation without the need for automatic power limiting. Overall power is limited to 10 watts. The FCC has also clarified the issue of amateurs operating as part of their paid work in the amateur bands. Some additional flexibility has been granted in the use of the 5 MHz channels (60 meter band) . The ARRL will reply to all FCC proposals.

Encomm- Gary reported that at the Dayton Hamvention he spoke with the ARRL Encomm person and the Section Encomm manager. There may be drills within the state of Virginia in which AARC can participate. Members were encouraged to volunteer for the MC Marathon. This is a good opportunity for on-the-job training. Gary is looking for other opportunities were the club can support events. This will put us in a better position to support the Red Cross or State of Virginia if needed. Gary noted in emergencies we could operate either from the Red Cross station or the Pentagon MARS station. Consideration will be give to presenting the new ARRL basic Encomm training course later this year.

ARES Net - The net is operating typically with about a dozen check-ins each week. More net control stations would be welcome. The repeater is working fine. Art noted that the repeater could use a backup power system.

Red Cross - No changes are reported. The Red Cross emergency generator has been repaired. The club members were informed about our backup emergency location.

CERT- CERT now has trained a cadre of 30 to 40 people with both CERT training and amateur radio licenses. The opportunity to participate in the National Airport Emergency Certification Drill on Sept 18 was noted.

Old Business - The availability of the W8HNT repeater on 440 MHz band was noted again. Members were encouraged to take the FEMA ICS 100/700 courses. The club will start a Communications Committee to support the Red Cross. Volunteers are needed for that committee.

Field Day - An extensive discussion of Field Day was held by the membership. The general outline of a plan using three transceivers set up to operate on 80, 40, and 20 meters was the generally supported. The operations would be initially on phone and CW. Digital operations would be done on Sunday.

The meeting adjourned about 9:30 PM. In attendance were: Ken WB4AKK, Dennis W4PWF, Mike KA8OPJ, Pat Kj4OCA, Arthur W4ART, Gary KC5QCN, Curt N3GQ, Chuck KI4DHW, Mike KG4RKL, Cynthia KJ4CLK, Prentiss K4PDJ, Lew WB6YGX, and George KR4MU.

——— For Immediate Press Release ——–

Emergency Ham Radio Demonstration in Arlington
June 26-27

June 26-27th Arlington Amateur Radio Club members will be participating in a nationwide exercise to test communications via selected radio frequencies that could be used in case of emergency.

Amateur radio operators, known as hams, provide a valuable safety net when disaster strikes and traditional communication, such as cell phones and computers, fail. Hams are widely known to work closely with emergency and relief agencies, such as the Red Cross, FEMA, Salvation Army, as well as the Fire and Police Departments, at crucial times.

The June exercise is a demonstration of Arlington Amateur Radio Club’s capability to respond during a disaster or in time of need. The club’s amateur radio station, W4WVP, is housed in the local chapter of the Red Cross and serves as a base for the emergency response organization called Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). ARES is a nationwide communication network that is organized on a local basis to serve its immediate community.

The general public is invited to visit the Field Day operation on Saturday afternoon between the hours of 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm (June 26th) to witness hams in action. Elected officials in Northern Virginia are also invited to tour the facility at that time. On display and viewable will be radio transmitters, emergency equipment, hams operating with different modes, including phone, radioteletype, an
d Morse Code. All visitors are welcome.

As a totally voluntary organization the Arlington Amateur Radio Club seeks to inform the public of its services, involve citizens in amateur radio, and promote radio as a hobby.

All queries may be addressed to:

Chuck Norton, President
Arlington Amateur Radio Club
rcn22@comcast.net
Tel: 703-527-3010

Field Day venue:
Red Cross, Arlington Chapter
4333 Arlington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203-2961

Mike/NW3V gave the ARES Net update. He and Craig /K4GOR , the net managers, said that there have been a good number of people checking into the weekly net. George/KR4MU said that the situation with the Red Cross is ever changing and after July 1, new policies should be set in place. Pat/KJ4OCA reported that the CERT classes are over and new classes will form again in the fall. Chuck/K14DHW commented on the May 15, 2010 MMT-100 race where there was no cell phone coverage. There were 5 repeaters and lot of professional radio folks who worked together to monitor the 100 mile race.

Under “Old Business”, a reminder that the W8HNT 449.325 (-) PL tone of 151.4 repeater is available for use and that you do get good coverage in the area. Additionally, if you have some free time, take the IS 100 and IS 700 FEMA courses online. If anyone is interested in taking Red Cross courses, a handout listed the steps and description of the Red Cross Disaster Services.

New Business included one new member who was not present and so his application will be taken up at the next meeting. Randy/KWB4MJF submitted a bill for 2 antenna s and 2 lightning arrestors for repeater maintenance. He also had extra copies of radio HF,UHF and VHF Band Plans for distribution. Another handout listed qualifying items to take advantage of the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” . For more information go to www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday .

The main focus of the meeting is Field Day, to be held June 26-27. Mike /NW3V commented on lessons learned from last year. After a brief discussion, it was decided that emphasis be placed on training members to become familiar and comfortable utilizing several different types of radio equipment and to have a good time. The team approach per meter band was suggested. Mike/NW3V and Prentiss/K4PDJ will work together to suggest the formation of two or three teams correlating with the 80, 40, and 10 or 20 meter band usage . Both CW and voice will be used.

Prentiss/K4PDJ will take on the responsibility of publicity for the event . George/KR4MU will be the official chef and prepare sloppy joes for the Saturday evening meal and eggs cooked to order for the Sunday breakfast meal. Shirts, caps, and water bottles from ARRL commemorating Field Day, can be ordered through our treasurer, Mike/KG4RKL. Additional ideas can be discussed on net night. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08PM.

In attendance were : Mike KG4RKL, Mike KA80PJ, Jack K50TZ, Randy WB4MJF, Pat KJ4OCA, Chuck K14DHW, John KJ4SEZ, Jim K9AUC, George KR4MU, Efrain HK3TKI, Prentiss K4PDJ, and Mike NW3V

Respectfully submitted by Pat Lengle, KJ4OCA at the request of Chuck Norton K14DHW.

Posted by Michael Callaham, NW3V, at the request of Ken Heitner, WB4AKK.