will and schwarzkoff funeral home

Utica Shelby Emergency Communications Association, Inc.
Volume 27, Number 5, May 2011
Dennis Gaboury,
W8DFG, SK
COUNTDOWN TO
FIELD DAY 2011:
Click the image
to the left to get
your complete FD
2011 package.
I
t is with the heaviest heart that
we mark the sudden and
unexpected passing of our
brother, Dennis, who signed SK
on April 13, 2011. Dennis‘ death
is a stunning blow to U.S.E.C.A.
Walt, WB8E, put it best, ―We
didn‘t lose one member, we lost
five. Truly.‖ Dennis had enormous dedication to the club,
serving in so many capacities, giving selflessly of his time and
effort. I dare say there is no one in our fine organization who could
fill his shoes. Ever.
The Significance of Field Day 2011
G
iven the recent horrific events in Japan, this Field
Day will have special meaning for me. It reminds me
that while Field Day is a blast, we should also be mindful
ennis was born on February 25, 1948, dying at the age of 63. of its purpose: to learn how to operate at maximum
He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren, as efficiency while in less than optimal conditions.
D
well as his parents and siblings. Visitation will be held at the Will
and Schwarzkoff Funeral Home, 233 Northbound Gratiot, Mount
Clemens, on Sunday, April 17, 2011, from 12:30 - 8:00 p.m.
F
ield Day 2010, I spent quite a bit of time talking with Dennis and
helping him out in the mess tent. He spoke often of his family,
especially his children. He was a man blessed a million times, and
he knew it. I will forever remember Sunday morning. I woke up
quite early, and the only other person up and moving was Dennis. I
stumbled into the mess tent and Dennis offered me a coffee, which
I gratefully accepted. Then Dennis proceeded to pour a shot of
Jack Daniel‘s into it saying, ―Try this, and let me know what you
think.‖ For the next hour or so, Dennis and I talked about many
things: the club, Field Day, politics, and how great JD went with
coffee.
T
here is an axiom in police training: Train like you
fight, fight like you train. Treat every training experience as if it were the real deal. If you do this, a funny
thing will happen: it‘s called ‗stress inoculation.‘ When
you‘ve been properly trained and equipped, an actual
emergency seems just like another day in training. And,
don‘t be surprised if you get that ‗I‘ve-done-this-before‘
feeling. As a result, you‘ll be very calm, which leads to
clear, decisive thinking and action, which leads to positive
results, which leads to a positive attitude. See how this
works?
A
s we head into the field on the last weekend in June,
let us behave as we would want to in a real emerhile I love Field Day, it will never be the same for me again,
gency,
all the while saying a prayer for the people of
nor for anyone who attended this event while Dennis was
Japan
who
have suffered so terribly at the hands of
involved. No one ever went hungry while he was running the mess
nature.
tent, nor was Dennis ever lacking a joke or a kind word.
W
I
will forever be sorry that I didn‘t hang out at the Elk‘s Club after
the last Board Meeting. Dennis gestured to his beer, asking if I
wanted one. For some obscure reason now, I had to rush home, so
I declined. What I wouldn‘t give now to have that beer with him.
Keep one cold for me in Heaven, Dennis. 73, Pal. - Pete, AA8GK
Ever wonder where hams get
that cool Field Day merchandise!
Click on the photo to the left to
order yours from the ARRL.
Next Meeting: May 9, 2011
(Click Here for Map of Meeting Location)
Our 27th Year!
1
The USECA Express
Officers and Committees
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Larry Stocking / W8SOX (586) 294-7718
Vice Pres. Pete Matejcik / AA8GK (248) 433-7724
Recording Secretary Rob Lifton / NY8W (248) 797-2264
Treasurer VACANT
Membership Sec. Ray Anderson / K8RDJ (586) 979-4456
Board Member Walt Gracey / WB8E (586) 596-9547
Board Member Alec Beardsley / NF8X (586) 873-8841
Board Member Chuck Perushek / N8ZA (586) 557-4983
Past President Bill Chesney / N8SA (586) 468-0106
COMMITTEES
ARRL Liaison Bill / N8SA
Awards Manager Bob / N8ZY (586) 978-1682
Door Prizes –OPEN–
Editor Pete/ AA8GK (248) 433-7724 [email protected]
Field Day Chair Bill / N8SA, Steve / N8XO
Health & Welfare Rob / NY8W (248) 816-2222
Historian Jerry / K8CFY (586) 791-4484
Mailers/Sorters Joe / N8KA
Net Manager Bob / N8ZY (586) 978-1682
Photographer Wes / KD8DHS
Program Director Dan / N8ZBA
Public Relations Officer Ken / N8KC (248) 652-1187
Refreshments Walt / WB8E
Repeater Trustee Dennis / W8DFG (586) 465-7126
Swap Director Larry / WB8SJD [email protected]
Technical Director Jim / W1IK (586) 771-4135
Technicians N8SA, W1IK, N8ZA, K8RDJ, W1SKU
VE Testing Alec / NF8X (586) 873-8841
Webmaster Bob / N8ZY (586) 978-1682
CONTROL OPERATORS (*Phone #’s Above)
Jim / WY8I
Alec / NF8X
Rob / NY8W Chuck / N8ZA Jim / W1IK
Dan / N8ZBA
PROGRAMMERS
Jim / W1IK Brad / N8VI
VHF / UHF Nets
DAY
TIME
NET
FREQ
SUN
1:00 PM
USECA / Information
147.180 +100 PL
SUN
8:00 PM
USECA / Traders/Tech Support Net
147.180 +100 PL
SUN
9:00 PM
HPARC / Info
146.640 +100 PL
SUN
9:00 PM
Garden City ARC
146.860 +100 PL
SUN-SAT
10:15 PM
S. E. Michigan Traffic Net
146.76 +100 PL
MON
7:30 PM
SATERN
147.180 +100 PL
MON
8:00 PM
MECA / Info
147.200 +100 PL
MON
8:00 PM
GMARC
443.075 +123 PL
TUE
8:00 PM
Digital
145.550
TUE
9:00 PM
Motor City Radio Club
147.240
WED
9:00 PM
ARPSC / Info
145.490
THU
8:00 PM
Macomb County RACES / ARES
THU
8:30 PM
LCARC / Info
147.200 +100 PL
147.080
HF Nets
DAY
TIME
NET
FREQ
MON
7:30 PM
LCARC / 15 Meter CW
21.165
MON
8:30 PM
LCARC / 15 Meter Phone USB
21.395
TUE
2300 UTC USECA / 75 Meter Phone LSB
WED
7:00 PM
USECA / 6 Meter Phone USB
50.140
THU
7:30 PM
LCARC / 10 Meter Phone USB
28.435
THU
9:00 PM
USECA / 15 Meter CW
21.140
FRI
9:00 PM
USECA / 80 Meter CW
3.570
FRI
10:00 PM
USECA / 10 Meter Phone USB
28.425
3.830 +/- QRM
USECA VE Testing
COWBOY UP
Testing will be the THIRD Monday of the month from
September thru June. Alec, NF8X, is the Contact VE.
Pre-registration is encouraged. Test fee is $14.00 cash
(exact change only). Examinees need to bring Xerox
copies of current license and un-expired CSCE's, if any.
There is no copy machine at the test site. Official starting
time is 7:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcomed. Test site is at the
Mt.Clemens Elks Club (179 S.Main St. in Mt.Clemens).
Other VE test sessions can be arranged— contact the
Contact VE for details.
The club has suffered a terrible loss with Dennis’ passing. Now
is the time for club members to step up, to do their part in
making the club ‘tick’. Sadly, it is only after Dennis’ death that
we truly begin to see how much he really did for the club.
Click here for the
ARRL audio news.
Our 27th Year!
Please be ready to volunteer, to do your one small part of the
enormous job that Dennis did single-handedly.
-Editor
Electricity is really just organized lightning.
- George Carlin
2
The USECA Express
Off Topic: Michigan Concealed Pistol License Restrictions
By AA8GK
A
s a concealed pistol license instructor certified by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement
Standards (MCOLES), I‘m often asked about the Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL). I thought
this might be a good time to cover some of the most frequently posed questions.
Firstly, there are 9 places where a concealed pistol CANNOT be carried under MCL 28.425o:
Schools or school property but may carry while in a vehicle on
school property while dropping off or picking up if a parent or
legal guardian
An entertainment facility that the individual knows or should
know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more
A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or
university
Public or private day care center, public or private child caring
agency, or public or private child placing agency.
A Casino
Sports arena or stadium
Furthermore, effective March 29, 2001, per Administrative Order
2001-1 of the Michigan Supreme Court:
A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of
alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises
"Weapons are not permitted in any courtroom, office,
or other space used for official court business or by
judicial employees unless the chief judge or other person designated by the chief judge has given prior
approval consistent with the court's written policy."
A hospital
Any property or facility owned or operated by a church,
synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, unless
the presiding official allows concealed weapons
N
ote that "Premises" does not include the parking areas of the places listed above. While not listed
above in the 10 locations where concealed carry is not permitted, there is an 11th: Private property
where the owner, manager or caretaker does not want firearms on the property. I‘ve belonged to
Lifetime Fitness for 8 years, now. Clearly posted at the entrance to their facilities is the sign ―Lifetime
Fitness does not permit firearms on the premises.‖ As a company, they have a right to run their business as
they wish. As a member, I can either obey that rule, or find another club.
Consuming alcohol while carrying is another great way to get yourself into trouble. Here are the Blood
Alcohol Contents (BAC) and their associated penalties if you drink and carry:
BAC of .02 - .07 = State civil infraction, $100 fine, and up to 1-year CCW license revocation. (NOTE: 2 beers in 1 hr. could get you to .02!)
BAC of .08 - .09 = 93-day misdemeanor, $100 fine, and up to 3-year CCW license revocation.
BAC of .10 or more = 93-day misdemeanor, $100 fine, and permanent CCW license revocation.
Bottom line: If you are going to drink alcohol, lock up your weapon. And, if you‘re in a dangerous area that
requires you to be armed, maybe you shouldn’t be drinking there! Guns and alcohol really don’t go together.
B
eing a concealed pistol licensee in Michigan means you have many responsibilities. Start by carrying
your pistol only where you are allowed, being 100% clean, sober, and clear-headed. Carry safe! Read
more about your responsibilities as a concealed pistol licensee HERE.
L
earning from others can mean learning how to do something, but can also mean how NOT to do
something! Click on the image to the right and decide for yourself which is the case here! I
once heard a saying that a smart man learns from his mistakes, but that a wise man leans from the
mistakes of others. Now, I‘m not saying that I laugh at the expense of others, but… oh, who the hell
am I kidding? Of course I do! Watch this video, and you‘ll see what I mean! 72.
ARRL
AMSAT®
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111-1494
1-860-594-0200
Our 27th Year!
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Springs, MD 20910
1-800-322-6728
3
The USECA Express
USECA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Meeting called to order @ 7:41 p.m. by Larry
49 attendees and guests signed in
There was a round of applause for the kitchen crew.
The microphone was passed around and all attendees
introduced themselves.
Express Editor's Report From Pete: The May issue will
be all about Field Day.
ARRL liaison report given by Bill: Bill urged anyone who
has not already done so to please write your congressional representative about HR 607. This bill contains a
provision that would take away a large part of the 70 cm
band.
April 2011
Club Officers
President, Larry
W8SOX
Membership Secretary, Ray
K8RDJ
Board Member, Chuck
N8ZA
Vice President, Pete
AA8GK
Recording Sec, Rob
NY8W
Board Member, Walt
WB8E
Treasurer, Dennis
W8DFG
Past President, Bill
N8SA
Board Member, Alec
NF8X
NOTE: Name in RED indicates absent
KS8M Larry offered a motion to accept the March general meeting as printed in the Express. NF8X Alec seconded and
the motion carried.
Ray reported that as of tonight's meeting we have 107 paid members.
Field Day Report from Bill: We need a station chair for 10 meter digital.
Inter Club Liaison report from K8LFE Jim:
Local club meetings are as follows:
L'Anse Creuse meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm
Hazel Park meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm
GM ARC meets on the third Tuesday at 7:00 pm
The Metropolitan ARC meets on the first Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Harper Woods municipal courthouse.
Dayton runs from May 20 through the 22nd. Field Day will be June 25th & 26th
The General Motors ARC is raffling off a Yaesu FT-79000 2M/70CM reado. Tickets are $10.00 or 2 for $20 which
will include a membership in the GMARC. The drawing will be May 7th at their Trunk Swap. Tickets and more info
are available from K8LFE Jim.
Packard Proving Grounds: Their semi annual open House will be on May 1st from 1-5 pm. This will also be a
venue to show off your classic cars and its will be free.
The March of Dimes annual March for babies will take place May 1st at Metro Beach. The event starts at 8 am.
Anyone who wishes to help out should show up by 7:00. Contact N8EB Keith for further details.
New Business:
KS8M Larry has a friend who is a scout leader. KD8HIZ Andy volunteered to show them satellite operations. We
have invited them to Pre Field Day as well as Field Day.
The Michigan QSO Party is this Saturday April 16th from noon to midnight. Check out www.miqp.org for contest
rules and details.
N8SOB Shaun has resigned as vice president, creating a vacancy on the board. At this time we have opened
nominations for that post. Pete was nominated and resigned his board seat in order to accept the nomination. The
other nominees are KS8M Larry and NF8X Alec.
Votes for vice president were cast with a show of hands and the results are as follows:
17 votes for Pete, 7 for Larry and 7 for Alec. Pete is USECA's new vice president.
At this time we opened up nominations for the empty board seat. Those nominees were: NF8X Alec, KS8M Larry
and WB8SJD Larry. Votes were once again cast by a show of hands and the results were as follows:
16 for Alec, 10 for KS8M Larry and 14 for WB8SJD Larry. Alec is now a member of USECA's board.
Following the business portion of the meeting Bill gave a presentation on station grounding.
Respectfully Submitted by Rob Lifton NY8W Recording Secretary
Our 27th Year!
4
The USECA Express
HR 607… Keep up the Pressure!
Pressure
If you haven‘t sent in the letter to your member of
Congress concerning HR 607, may I ask you a
question? ―WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?‖ If HR
607 becomes law, it will have a devastating effect upon
amateur radio. Let‘s take a two pronged approach to
saving this valuable resource: Write, fax, call, and email
your member of Congress. Click HERE to get started.
Secondly - after you‘ve buried your member of Congress under the pile of letters and faxes you sent him /
her - support clubs with 70 cm repeaters and work the
ARRL VHF / UHF contests!
Click on the above image to view a
short video on HR 607
USECA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Left, Talk about a
proud Grandpa!
AprilOfficers
2011
Club
President, Larry W8SOX
Membership Secretary, Ray
K8RDJ
Board Member, Walt
WB8E
Vice President
VACANT
Recording Sec, Rob
NY8W
Board Member, Chuck
N8ZA
Treasurer, Dennis
W8DFG
Past President, Bill
N8SA
Board Member, Pete
AA8GK
NOTE: Name in RED indicates absent
lly
rea
HAM’S
“Get
off my lawn, kid!”
Using really large dogs to protect your turf. Pg 91
Look inside for great coupons for stool-softeners, prune juice, and spark-gap transmitters!
Founded in 1795 by Ray and Walt and read by eager hams around the world ever since!
Meeting called to order @ 7:00 p.m. by Larry, W8SOX
Chuck offered a motion to accept the March board meeting as printed
in the Express. Pete seconded and the motion carried.
Ray reported that as of tonight's meeting we have 105 paid members.
Express editor's report: May issue will be about field day.
ARRL: Bill reported that HR 607 is still in committee and as of yet
there is no companion senate bill. This is the bill which contains a provision to auction off a large segment of the 70 cm band.
Field day: Bill stated that we desperately need station chairs for 15
digital.
Walt went with a few others to the Packard Proving Grounds. They got
the antennas set up. Gary WA8FEA purchased wire for it at a cost of
$130.74. Walt moved that we reimburse Gary. Rob seconded. The
motion carried.
Shaun has resigned his position as Vice President. We will accept
nominations for the post at our next general meeting.
We discussed the possibility of raising funds to buy an LCD projector
for our presentations. We will seek membership approval to purchase
a second radio to raffle.
At this time Walt made a motion to adjourn and Ray seconded.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Rob Lifton, NY8W
Recording Secretary
Don’t want to hear the wife nag?
Turn off your hearing aid! Ray tells all! Pg. 25
Our 27th Year!
5
The USECA Express
Field Day Checklist
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Radio and power cord
Back-up radio and power cord
Battery(ies) to power radios
Headphones
Microphone (if you do that sort of thing)
Morse key / paddles
Antenna
Antenna mast / tower
Spare antenna parts, wire, etc.
Coax
Coax repair kit, PL-249s, tape, etc.
Tool kit, butane-powered soldering kit
VOM
Parachute cord, heavier rope
Bug spray
More bug spray
Sunscreen
Tent pegs, yellow /orange plastic are best
Work gloves, safety glasses
First aid kit
Lantern and lantern fuel, extra mantles, funnel
Fire extinguisher
Tarp(s)
Personal rain gear (poncho, coat)
Pocket knife / Leatherman
Mechanical pencils / pens / notebook
Laptop and power cord
Thumb drive
Warm clothes, just in case
Tent for radio operation (if applicable)
Duct tape (millions of uses!)
Personal medication(s)
Frequency band charts (CLICK HERE)
Personal hygiene items (do it for us, if not for you!)
Flashlights and extra batteries
Pass-a-dish for Saturday‘s dinner
Imported dark German beer for The Express
editor (a good Czech Pilsner will also suffice).
 ____________________________________
Our 27th Year!
C
an you believe it? Field Day is just a month
off! Tick-tock, tick-tock! Now is a great time to
start pulling together all of the equipment and
supplies you will need to make your station as efficient, and your stay as comfortable, as possible.
Don‘t wait until the day before to get started!
Serenity will come to those who have prepared
and who can find every necessary item in their vehicle. Panicked will be he who has driven to the
Field Day site only to discover he left his tent,
radio, and antenna 32.7 miles away...at
home...through rush hour traffic...both ways.
T
here is an old saying that it is better to have
something and not need it, than it is to need
something and not have it. As you are getting your
gear together, look around the basement or garage
and ask, ‗Is there anything else I might need? If
you do come across that extra lantern or tent, do
like Walt, WB8E, does and bring it in case someone else might need it.
Click on the above image above to see a new
online magazine for hams!
6
The USECA Express
Field Day Safety
E
ven the best Field Day would be ruined if someone got hurt… or worse. There is no
activity in amateur radio that is worth anyone suffering an injury.
Stay alert! What is going on around you? For example:
When / where people are erecting towers and antennas (a great time to get hurt).
Watch your step! It‘s easy to trip on guy lines and tent stakes.
Have a flashlight with you as you walk through the field at night.
Keep thinking ‘what if?’ This is little more than anticipating what will happen if Murphy
and his ubiquitous laws come calling. For example, what will happen to your antenna or
tower if a storm produces high speed winds? Have you guyed your installation appropriately? What about a fire? As dry as the Field Day site has been in the past, a brush fire is
not inconceivable; better take along that fire extinguisher!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Heat illness is insidious. The symptoms can be subtle. Read more about
heat exhaustion and heat stroke HERE. The best prevention is keeping hydrated, keeping in mind that
carbonated beverages do not count! Water, fruit juices, and Gatorade are a great way to keep up your
fluids and electrolytes. Keep out of the direct sun whenever possible. Speaking of which, use LOTS of
sunscreen, constantly re-applying it as you will sweat it off throughout the day.
If you have any allergies or medical conditions, be sure to have whatever prescription medications
you will need. A diabetic condition can quickly become an emergency if the insulin is
left at home. An allergy to bee stings could be positively deadly if an Epi-pen isn‘t
available. If you don‘t know what an ‗Epi-pen‘ is, thank God you don‘t have this allergy.
If possible, use brightly colored guy lines. With any luck, this will prevent anyone
from running into your guys and possible collapsing your antenna. If your guy lines are
dark colored, consider tying brightly colored tape ‗flags‘ on the guy line
within 8 feet of the ground.
‘Flag’ your guy lines!
THINK! As Sir Isaac Newton said, ―To every action, there is an equal
and opposite reaction.‖ What will be the consequences of a given
action that you take? Will it affect or possibly injure someone else?
Think through how you are going to put up your antenna: what will
happen if you lose control of it and it falls? Where is it going to go? This
isn‘t just stuff to think about, it‘s stuff to know!
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!
MAKE IT HAPPEN!
NOTE: Be sure to check with Bill, N8SA, if there are still any open station chair positions
open for Field Day! The last I‘d heard, he‘d like a couple of digital stations for 10 and 15
meters filled! - Pete
P.S. If no one else wants the 10 Meter digital station, I‘ll take it—Pete
Our 27th Year!
7
The USECA Express
The Commandments of USECA Field Day
LEAVE THOU THE
FIELD OF HUSBANDRY
CLEANER THAN THOU DIDST FIND
IT. GIVEST THOU A HOOT,
AND POLLUTEST NOT
BRINGEST NOT ANY GLASS
CONTAINER UNTO THE FIELD DAY SITE
THOU SHALT NOT HARASS THE ANIMALS,
FOR THEY ART WISER THAN THEE AND MORE
VALUABLE THAN THOU ART TO JIM, N8MCD
WOE TO HIM WHO DOST NOT REMOVE ALL OF HIS
TENT STAKES AT THE END OF FIELD DAY! DEATH WILL
COME ON SWIFT WINGS IF JIM’S ANIMALS ARE
HARMED BY THE ONE TENT STAKE THOU DIDST LEAVE!
THE ONLY FLAME ALLOWED ON THE SITE OF FIELD DAY
IS THE ONE THOU DOST HOLD IN THY HEART FOR HAM
RADIO. ALL OTHER OPEN FLAMES ARE NOT ALLOWED.
THOU SHALT NOT ENTER THE DWELLING OF JIM,
N8MCD, FOR ANY REASON. BUT, IF THY ARM HAS BEEN
RIPPED OFF, AND THOU ART BLEEDING PROFUSELY,
RINGETH THE DOORBELL , WAIT, AND PATIENT BE
LEAVEST NOTHING ON THE SITE OF FIELD DAY EXCEPT
ELECTRONS. TAKE NOTHING WITH THEE EXCEPT
THINE OWN EQUIPMENT AND FOND MEMORIES.
OFFEREST THY HELP TO THOSE WHO LABOR IN
THE TENT OF THE VICTUALS, FOR THEY WORKETH
VERY HARD. KEEPEST THINE EATING AREA CLEAN.
OF SAFETY THINKEST ALWAYS, FOR
ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED. THEREFORE, ALL ARE
OFFICERS IN SAFETY. THINKEST THOU OF
SAFETY, AND IT WILL BE SO
ONCE THE BLESSED DAY OF THE FIELD HATH
BEGUN, MOVEST NOT THY VEHICLE LEST YOU
DESTROY THE ANTENNA OF ANOTHER, OR
TURNEST A FELLOW HAM INTO A SPEED BUMP
OFFER THY ASSISTANCE TO OTHERS WHO MAY
NEED IT, ESPECIALLY AS ANTENNAS ERECT OR
FLACID BECOME
BEIST THOU THE PERFECT STEWARD OF JIM’S
FARM, TREATING IT WITH THE GREATEST
RESPECT AND CARE. TREAT IT NOT AS THY
PROPERTY; TREAT IT BETTER!
BEIST THOU THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR TO THY
FELLOW HAMS, BEING CONSIDERATE AND
KIND, LEST THY COAX BE PINNED IN THE
BITTER WATCHES OF THE NIGHT
GIVEST THOU MUCH BEER UNTO THE FOOD
STAFF, FOR THEY THIRSTESTH GREATLY WHILST
PREPARING THY MEAL
Long Term Battery Maintenance
P
ublic safety communications relies heavily on batteries…. LOTS of batteries! Some agencies keep dozens of batteries on chargers in case of a
large scale incident. But, how to keep batteries on a perpetual charge without
damaging them? I know, I know, trickle chargers, blah, blah, blah. I don‘t trust
them. An I.T. guru I know who works for the City of Troy has an elegant
solution: place fully charged batteries in the appropriate chargers. Then, place
the chargers on a timer that only comes on for 2-3 hours a week. He has
found that NiMH batteries can safely be kept in chargers throughout the year,
ready for emergency service, without damaging them.
Our 27th Year!
8
Just a Reminder…
If you‘d like to put an article in the
next issue of The Express, please,
please, please, get it to me no
later than one week before the
General Meeting. By the night of
the General Meeting, The Express
is ready to be sent to the printers
and I‘m just waiting for Rob,
NY8W, go get me the meeting
minutes. Thank you for your
understanding! -Pete, AA8GK
The USECA Express
Playmate Cooler Battery Box with Digital Meter
By Jerry N8KLX
Introduction
S
pring is finally in the air and thoughts turn to USECA‘s ―larks in
the Park‖, Field Day and battery operated radio operations.
This project is a simple way to house and monitor the batteries you
use to power your radios.
I use a Playmate cooler to house my batteries. I wanted to have
some way to see how the batteries were doing while running the
radio. I designed a simple meter system that allows the viewing of
either voltage or current with just the flip of a switch.
Theory
Measuring current flow requires a straight forward application of
Ohms Law. Ohms law stated that the voltage drop across a resistor
is proportional to the current flowing through that resistor.
(FIG.1) If you use a resistor, RS, who‘s resistance is such that the voltage drop, V s, is numerically equal to the current
flow, IL, you can use a voltmeter to ―see‖ the current. For example, 1 amp of current flowing through 1 ohm of resistance
creates 1 volt, numerically equal to the current. It would also consume 1 watt of power. A more practical example is 1
amp of current flowing through 0.001 ohms creates a drop of 1 mV (0.001 volts) and consumes 0.001 watts of power. 20
amps through the same resistance would produce 20 mV (0.020 volts) and only consume 0.020 watts of power.
So to be able to measure the current used by a radio (or anything else), we need to be able to measure very low voltages
across very low resistances.
Design
So how do you come up with such a low resistance and measure such low voltage? The voltage measurement is pretty
easy. Most modern digital multimeters can measure down into the mV range, which is what you need to do.
A quick check of resistor suppliers shows that getting resistors with those kind of values (0.001 ohms) is difficult if not
impossible. You could take a bunch of 1 ohm resistors and wire them in parallel to get the right value but given the
tolerance of affordable resistors it would be hard to get exactly the right resistance. So, what can we do? You can build
one. It‘s called a shunt. A shunt is an adjustable, very low resistance used to measure current and it‘s easy to build.
Construction
To build the shunt, you need to collect some hardware. For a shunt
that will measure 0 to 50 amps or better, you need the following:
(1) 6X32 X 2.5 in or longer steel pan head screw (not stainless)
(6) 6X32 nuts
(2) ring tab wire connectors to fit a # 6 screw for 12 ga. Wire.
Color code yellow
(2) ring tab wire connectors to fit a # 6 screw for 18 ga. Wire.
Color code red
A quick trip to the local hardware store should get you everything you need.
You start assembly by soldering (or crimping) suitable wire into the ring tab wire connectors. The heavy gauge (yellow)
ones will get 12 ga. (or better) wire to carry the main current load. Make sure the wires are long enough to facilitate the
final connect to the power supply. The two smaller (red) ones get 16-18 ga. wire and are used to connect to the volt meter
to measure the voltage drop across the shunt. Be sure to make them long enough to allow for easy connection.
(Continued on Pg. 10)
Our 27th Year!
9
The USECA Express
(Continued from Pg. 9)
The assembly of the shunt itself starts by threading one of the nuts onto the screw all the way to the
head. Now add one of the yellow ring tab connectors followed by another nut. Tighten this assembly
together. Add one red ring tab connector and follow it with a third nut. Tighten this while keeping the
two ring tabs about 180 degrees from each other (see figure 2). That finishes the non-adjustable end
of the shunt.
For the adjustable end, reverse the assembly order. Nut, red tab, nut, yellow tab, nut leaving about
13/16‖ of space between the two inside nuts. Snug this set together but leave it loose enough to be
able to adjust it up or down the length of the screw during calibration.
Calibration
Now that the shunt is assembled, you need to calibrate it. You will need the following equipment:
A voltage source. ( power supply, battery, etc)
A digital multimeter with current reading capability.
A load to connect to the voltage source. (a radio, power resistor(s), a lamp, etc)
Connect the load to the voltage source with the multimeter in series with the positive lead. Turn on the
voltage and note the current on the meter. Turn off the voltage. Substitute the shunt for the multimeter
and then use the multimeter, now set to measure voltage instead of current, to measure the voltage
across the shunt when you turn on the voltage. Adjust the distance between the sets of nuts to change
the voltage drop across the shunt until it equals the numeric value of the current you noted in the first
step. Farther apart adds more resistance, hence more voltage drop, closer together, less resistance,
less voltage drop. Once you have it adjusted, tighten the nuts well and the re-test as the tightening may
have changed the resistance a bit. Re-adjust as necessary. If you‘re using power resistors for a load
as I did, make your tests short so the resistors don‘t over heat and change resistances. Well, that‘s it!
You now have a calibrated shunt that you can use to measure current.
Application
Of course, it is a bit clumsy to have your multimeter out all the time, especially if you are out in the field
playing radio. There is an easier way.
A dedicated digital meter
A quick check of the internet or the tables at you local swap, and you can find low cost digital panel meters. I found mine at Dayton, it‘s a model PM-128, but most of the major suppliers (Digikey, Mouser,
etc) have equivalent units. A Google search on ―panel meter PM-128‖ will get you a bunch of sites to
choose from.
The voltmeter at its default setting measures 199.9 mV and that just happens to be what we want to
measure! How convenient. These most of these type of meters do require an independent power
source, a 9 volt battery will do just fine and will last a long time. There are a set of jumpers for setting
the decimal place on the meter. Jumpering P3 will set the decimal place at 199.9. Leave P1 and P2
open.
Connect the wires coming from the red tabs on the shunt to the Vin (+) and GND (–) inputs of the meter.
(See fig. 3) As to the correct polarity, the panel meter reads plus or minus 199.9 mV so current flowing
in one direction will produce a positive voltage across the shunt and current flowing the other way will
produce a negative voltage. You can decide which direction you want as positive on the meter. One
advantage to this is, in the case of a battery, the meter will show load current and charge current and
charge current.
Figure 3 shows the shunt connected to the negative side of the power supply. Connecting it this way
has several advantages. It keeps the entire shunt assembly at or very near to ground potential, a good
safety practice.
(Continued on Pg. 11)
Our 27th Year!
10
The USECA Ex-
(Continued from Pg. 10)
It also provides you an easy way to configure the
meter to monitor either the supply voltage or the
current with the flip of a switch.
Figure 4 shows a simple circuit that allows the
monitoring of either the current or the voltage. R1,
R2 and R3 form a voltage divider that produces a
voltage that is 1000th of the supply voltage. This
voltage is then connected via S1a to the Vin (+) on
the digital meter. R2 allows for calibration of the
voltage measurement. S1b is wired to supply
power from the battery to the digital meter. Switch
S1 is a DPDT center off miniature switch.
Options
In my experiments developing the
mechanics of the shunt, I tried
using different type of metal
screws. I tried steel, stainless
steel, and brass. Each one has
different electrical resistance and
that is affected the size and length
of each shunt. Stainless steel has
a lot more resistance that mild
steel and when I attempted to calibrate that shunt, I wound up with
the adjustable end right up tight
against the fixed end and still had
too much resistance! Maybe going
to a larger size screw, say, 8X32
or even 10X32 might have done
the trick, but I was trying to keep
the overall size down and a regular
steel screw worked out best for
me.
Packaging
The options for packaging the meter are wide open. You could put it in a small plastic box, put Powerpole connectors on the power wires and use it to monitor any of you DC powered devices or build it into
you bench power supply.
I put mine in my ―Playmate Cooler‖ battery case as seen in the pictures. You can connect the charger
via the powerpole connections. The charge current will show on the current meter with the opposite
polarity than the load current.
See you at the next lark in the Park!
Our 27th Year!
icle!
t
r
a
n
a
S
Jerry, N8KLX
THAT’
w
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!
W
, Jerry!
WO
b
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a
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ive! G
- Editor
!
o
Superlat
o
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me for
i
t
n
i
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u
J
11
The USECA Ex-
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New Member applications MUST be mailed to: USECA, P.O. Box 46331, Mt. Clemens, MI 48046
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: USECA
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Houston AMSAT Net! It is every Tuesday night, 0100 UTC, April-September, 0200 UTC, OctoberMarch. Listen online HERE. If you‘d like to check into the net, you may do so via e-mail, phone, echo
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Upcoming Events
Date
Time
Event
Location
May 1, 2011
8 am—1 pm
March for Babies
May 20-22
8 am-5 pm
Dayton Hamvention Hara Arena , Admission: $20 advance, $25 at the door. Order HERE
June 5, 2011
11am-?
Pre-Field Day
Metro Beach, 31300 Metropolitan Parkway, Harrison Twp, MI 48045
Jun 19, 2011
7:30 am - 1 pm
Monroe Hamfest
Monroe County Fairgrounds in Monroe, Michigan
Jun 24-26
ALL WEEKEND
FIELD DAY
Metro Beach, 31300 Metropolitan Parkway, Harrison Twp, MI 48045
N8MCD’s farm, CLICK HERE FOR MAP
The USECA EXPRESS is published monthly (except July and August), by the UTICA SHELBY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION, INC., of Macomb
County, Michigan. Club meetings are held on the second Monday of each month (except July and August), 7:30 p.m., local time, at the Elks Club, 179 S. Main
(between Church and Robertson), Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Visitors are always welcome. Articles for the EXPRESS should be submitted to the editor no later
than one week before the club meeting for publication in the following month‘s edition. The articles within are those of the author and not necessarily endorsed
by USECA. Material contained in the EXPRESS may be reprinted provided credit is given to the USECA EXPRESS and the author, except material published by
permission of a copyright holder.
Our 27th Year!
12
The USECA Ex-
Stamp
Here
Utica Shelby Emergency Communications Assoc., Inc.
P.O. Box 46331, Mt. Clemens, MI 48046
FIRST CLASS MAIL
useca’s radioactive
As Compiled by Bob, N8ZY, April 10, 2011
CALL
NAME
N8ZY
N8ZA
NY5Q
N8YBY
AK8S
K8RDJ
WB8E
KD8HIZ
KD8CXJ
AA8GK
W8SOX
W1IK
KC8UHK
KD8MFR
KD8JDC
BOB
CHUCK
TOM
LEONARD
ALAN
RAY
WALT
ANDY
ED
PETE
LARRY
JIM
RANDY
BRUCE
RYAN
VHF HF TOTAL
56
79
50
98
35
35
24
33
42
31
31
23
13
26
10
156
126
104
53
50
41
42
24
6
14
13
12
20
6
18
212
205
154
151
85
76
66
57
48
45
44
35
33
32
28
U.S.E.C.A.
CALL
KS8M
W8AOQ
NAME
LARRY
STEVE
VHF HF TOTAL
15
0
12
26
27
26
WA8FEA GARY
12
14
26
N8AE
KA8POZ
KD8NCN
N8SOB
KC8REX
KC8ZRY
KB3PTA
W9BHI
KC8JCB
KD8CFU
KV8Z
N8HTV
8
13
6
6
2
5
0
0
3
11
15
14
16
8
14
13
16
12
16
16
12
4
0
0
24
21
20
19
18
17
16
16
15
15
15
14
CARL
SHAWN
PAUL
SHAUN
BERNARD
RANDY
JAMES
DON
LARRY
DAVE
CHRIS
JOHN
CALL
KG4JTC
N8UO
VE3IJX
K8DHH
WB8ITB
K8DJE
KC9PTD
N8LD
W8OJE
K9DLW
KC8GFN
N8ZBA
N8KAN
W1NB
KC8LUM
NAME VHF HF TOTAL
DAVE
KEN
ALLAN
JOHN
FRED
JONESY
GARY
DENNIS
OTIS
DENNIS
DAVE
DAN
JOHN
SCOTT
MIKE
13
7
12
11
11
6
0
10
10
7
9
3
8
0
1
0
6
0
0
0
4
10
0
0
2
0
6
0
8
6
13
13
12
11
11
10
10
10
10
9
9
9
8
8
7
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Speed
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