More info: Split 66 Blackjack - Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club

The Condenser
V O L U M E
1 2
I S S U E
5
M A Y
2 0 1 2
Nicolai Repeater Report
HOA’s
2
HOA’s cont’d.
Joe Walsh
3
President Message
Communication 4
Tip of the Month
RFinder
5
What’s After Tech?
SWR
6
SWR, cont’d
Satellite link
7
Nicolai Pic’s
8
Scouts & Morse
Lightning Strike
45 Net Report
9
Why we Monitor 10
EMI
11
Field Day
12
W7BU Info
Area Nets
13
SEARC has started the process of
obtaining internet access for the
lightship Columbia radio room. Part
of this process will also include the
possibility of adding IP to the repeater sites and system network control. There are a number of overlapping security issues, FCC rules, Oregon law, ethics and conduct standards
that will need to be addressed during
this process. Once the framework is
adopted, an acceptable use policy
will be proposed for adoption in the
Members Guide. The basic lightship
IP proposal will be outlined at our
next club meeting. Oregon law and
regulatory rules will be presented at
this time.
Nicolai Mountain
Repeater Visit
Dateline: Early April — Just a couple
pictures off my iPhone - and an initial report. The Mainline Road up is
mostly clear (rain did a lot of good
over the last week) except for a few
stretches that would be manageable
with a 4X4 with aggressive snow
tires. But the last 2 mile stretch is a
bear - high drifts and deep snow that
sure looks like it's not going away
any time soon. The last week's monsoon-style rains we got was in the
form of snow above 2500 feet.
Snow Cat at the mountain base
“This ain’t drivin’ Miss Daisy.”
An April Fool’s Day trip was
made up to the Nicolai site
(The 76 repeater) in a most
excellent Snow Cat that was
offered, provided and operated by Bruce WB7DOB and
Jim KF7RIN (owner) who
hauled it all the way from
Renton. We met at exit 39
(Sheri's) Longview and
headed out from there to
Nicolai. An old, outstanding
Snow Trac that is mostly
Volkswagon Bug parts made
by the Swedes and no longer
in production (sadly). It is
awesome. Even with the Cat,
the last 3 miles were almost
unmanageable. More snow
fall even yet - there were
only a few spots where we
could see the snowmobile
tracks from the previous
week.
It's apparent that
Spring is definitely not here
yet above 2500 feet. The
depth and drifting of what's
there looks to me that it will
be some time before that last
climb will be possible in a
normal vehicle, even with
chains.
Conditions at the top.
Towing generator fuel to the top.
More NM7R photos
on page 8
PAGE
2
Stop HOA's From Restricting
Ham Radio Antennas
If you have ever dealt with a home owners association (HOA) or deal with Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
(CC&R) to your property that prevent you from participating in Amateur Radio, then you may be pleased to see
what the FCC and ARRL are trying to do.
The FCC is taking public comments on the issue to be debated and possibly put into law. In America today, somehow a person's fictitious right to high property values has been taking away the rights of property owners in the
form of restrictive covenants. They put these covenants into the deeds when you buy a new home. They argue that
you have a choice whether or not to buy there so the restrictions are not unreasonable. You must abide by these
unreasonable rules when you purchase the property. They argue that you can either buy an older home or move to
the country so that you do have a choice.
I would argue that their point is not a fair choice. If an American succeeds in life and chooses to build a new home,
they are invariably going to have restrictive covenants attached to it. To argue that you have a choice to buy an
older home means that you, as an Amateur Radio operator, are not welcome in a new home and are not free to buy
one without giving up your rights to operate your legal radio. Also to argue that you can move to the country is
counter to the ever present environmental concerns people have today and so by moving to the country, you are
contributing to urban sprawl.
Why do these CC&R's exist? Developers put them in the deeds of the property before a single dwelling is built.
They do this because they have invested a lot of money into the property and wish to regain this investment upon
the sale of the individual homes. If they allow people to do anything with their homes, they argue that they will
have a difficult time selling the remainder of the properties. For example, if one paints their home, pink with purple
polka dots, then the vacant lot beside them may be difficult to sell. Once the development is complete and all lots
are sold, the developer turns over these rights over to the home owners. Most of the CC&R's have provisions, and
in most cases a requirement to develop a home owners association made up of home owners. This association will
have committees that create rules on construction, modifications, etc. that home owners must adhere to. The problem is that once the developer has sold all of the properties, the rules never go away. They usually have a term of
effect such as 20 years that will be automatically renewed in 10 year increments unless at the expiration, a legal
document is drafted and 90% of the home owners sign, and ratify. As you know, it is difficult to get 90% of people
to agree on anything so the end result is that home owners are kept under these repressive rules forever.
The truth is that there is no such thing as a right to maintain high property values. A person takes a risk when they
purchase any property such as a home or automobile. The owner is free to invest as much as they wish into their
property to keep the property values up. When their desire impedes on their neighbor's rights then Americans must
draw the line. Freedoms, once lost, never return. An Amateur radio operator should not forfeit their right to practice a hobby that is legally licensed just so their neighbor can have a fictitious right to maintain high property values.
VOLUME
12
ISSUE
5
Stop HOA’s, continued
If you agree with this, then you may wish to participate in giving your public input to the ARRL on the following web site…
http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-andimpediments-to-amateur-ra
On that page you will have two opportunities to tell how restrictive covenants have prevented you from participating in emergency communications and also to tell how an HOA has prevented you from installing an antenna
through unreasonable restrictions.
Below is a link to read the FCC's actual text of their request for public input.
http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Commission_Seeks_Comment_on%
20Emergency_Communications_by_Amateur%20Radio_and%
20Impediments_to_Amateur_Radio_Communications.pdf
I cannot stress enough the importance of getting this legislation passed because over time, there are fewer and
fewer homes available without these restrictions. Once they are placed on the deed, they are there forever. I
have never been a member of the ARRL but I can tell you that if they can get this passed, I will become a life
long member from here on. Please pass this information onto other hams. In my opinion, there has never been a
bigger threat to ham radio than this. Broadband over power lines (BPL), morse code, etc. are small issues compared to the never ending erosion of the freedoms of Amateur Radio operators in the name of protecting a fictitious right to high property values.
Thank you,
Paul, K5GLH
Joe Walsh (WB6ACU) - Analog Man
Grammy Award-winning rock-and-roll legend Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, enjoys operating on 75 meters AM
(amplitude modulation) and his new solo album is appropriately titled Analog Man. The album, is set to be released June 5. This is Walsh’s first solo album since 1992’s Songs for a Dying Planet.
According to Walsh’s website, Analog Man is both modern and timelessly soulful, packed with Walsh’s wit,
charm and chops; it delivers an incredibly raw and intimate sound. “It’s been 20 years and I have a lot to say,”
Walsh explained. “These songs [on Analog Man] come from the heart.”
Read the full ARRL story at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/joe-walsh-wb6acu-is-an-analog-man
Find out more about the new album and listen to the track Analog Man at:
http://www.joewalsh.com/
Find out more about AM operating at:
http://www.arrl.org/am-phone-operating-and-activities
The AM Window:
http://www.amwindow.org/
PAGE
3
PAGE
4
Ouch! That smarts!
Communications Tip of The Month
By Patti Lind
Sarcastic retorts …
There was a time when I used to enjoy making quick sarcastic retorts. I
felt smart, funny … and spot on. Sarcastic people take pride in their edgy
way at taking jabs at people, problems and situations.
The impact of sarcasm; however, is anything but funny when it comes to
relationships. Sharp and cutting…sarcasm catches people by surprise,
confuses, and then brings forth pain and embarrassment. It is actually a
tool of the intellect intended to hurt. Once I realized the hidden truth of
what I was doing, I made a commitment to stop the wisecracks.
Just because you are quick and smart enough to be sarcastic doesn't mean you should. There are better,
more direct ways of communicating your opinions. It will take more effort, though. While sarcasm can
emerge unbeckoned, stating your thoughts openly and respectfully in a way that builds towards solutions takes intentional effort. It also takes more courage than it does to make a snide quip.
If you are on the receiving end of someone's quick repartee, you can bring an end to it by shining a
light on it. In an inquisitive manner, you can briefly say …Sarcasm doesn't work with me. Sounds like
you have a point to make.
You could also simply say "ouch".
I have found that as bold as sarcastic people seem to be, they frequently back down when asked to
speak directly to their point. Once you consistently appeal for directness in a neutral manner, the less
likely you will be on the receiving end of it.
www.pattilind.com
[email protected]
P.S. — Sarcasm is a bad habit for individuals and teams. Consider setting a ground rule to minimize
sarcasm and defeatist humor. Once you set that ground rule, it is important to honor it and follow
through by asking the person to restate their thought
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
This applies to clubs as well. Contentious, divisive, derogatory and often sarcastic comments on the radio do not further your cause in the club. They
cause hard feelings and can easily split a club. Let’s keep it positive on all repeaters, our own and on others. Can I get an amen, Brother?
A Message from the Editor:
VOLUME
12
ISSUE
5
PAGE
5
RFinder Integrates Repeater Directory Into Smartphones
RFinder, the World Wide Repeater Directory, and RT Systems are pleased to announce the integration of RT Systems’ suite of programs with the World Wide Repeater Directory! This monumental event signifies a breakthrough in programmability for Amateur
radios that cover VHF and above. RT Systems’ programs now have an easy user interface to query RFinder’s World Wide Repeater
Directory without the tedious process of manually entering the repeater data.
Users do not need to know the latitude and longitude - simply query a place, such as “Eiffel Tower”, “Sydney Opera House” or
choose other worldwide locations from the exotic to just around the corner. Within seconds the system returns repeaters within the
specified radius (up to 90 miles). Then, with just two mouse clicks, the data is transformed by the RT Systems program into a file
ready for your specific radio. (Software for your specific radio is required).
RT Systems is very excited about the release of this new feature: “The ability to get repeater data from the Worldwide Repeater Directory has a great impact on the Amateur community. You have all this data right at your fingertips - anytime, anywhere. Whether
you’re just visiting or on a DX-pedition, as long as you have internet access you’ve got fresh and accurate data.”
The World Wide Repeater Directory is constantly updated by the Amateur community, making it the most complete and accurate
repeater directory in the world. The RT Systems and RFinder teams are both very thrilled to bring this capability to the Amateur
community! An annual subscription to the World Wide Repeater Directory is only $9.99… a fraction of the annual cost of competitive data sources. For more information about the radio programming software with the new RFinder Web Service feature visit,
www.RTSystemsInc.com. You can also access the world repeater directory from http://www.rfinder.net, Smart phones and tablets.
RFinder can be found in the Android Market (Google Play) and shortly in the Apple App Store for running on iPhones, iPads and
iPods.
What’s Next After I Pass My Tech Test?
As soon as you pass the Tech test, you should start studying for your General Class license. While there are certainly many
fun and useful things you can do as a Technician, there are several reasons that you will have more fun as a General Class
amateur radio operator.
One reason to upgrade right away is that you’re in study mode already. There’s no need to get back in the habit of studying
and getting used to taking tests again. While the General Class test is more difficult than the Tech test, there are lots of good
resources, both in print and on the Internet, as well as local classes to help you pass. .
Another reason upgrade to General Class is that it will make you a better ham. Seriously. Even if you memorize the answers
to all of the questions in the question pool, you’re bound to learn something. That knowledge could come in handy when you
want to put up a new antenna, buy a new radio, or determine the best band to use for a particular communication.
Perhaps the best reason to upgrade to General is that it gives you more privileges on the HF bands. While talking on the local
repeater may be fun, let’s face it, there are only so many folks to talk to. By getting on the HF bands, you’ll be able to talk to
thousands of hams all around the world, not just around the corner. That’s why many hams, including me, think that the
shortwave (HF) bands are where the magic happens. As a General Class operator, you’ll get access to all the HF bands, including 20m, and you get to operate phone on them as well as CW and packet.
Operating the HF bands literally expands your horizons. You get to meet hams from all over the world, not just around the
corner. If you haven’t yet operated on the HF bands, you don’t know what you’re missing. To get a taste of HF operation,
ask a ham with an HF station if you can visit him sometime and watch him or her operate. Chances are you can make a few
contacts of your own. You may also get the opportunity to operate an HF station during Field Day or ion the Lightship Columbia.
Another thing that you can do as a General Class licensee is become a Volunteer Examiner (VE). Becoming a Volunteer Examiner and helping others get involved in amateur radio is a great way of giving back.
A General Class license will let you do more and have more fun with amateur radio. If you haven’t yet taken the Technician
test, you should be aware that you can take both the Tech and the General (and even the Extra) Class tests at the same test
session. If you prepare for both tests, you could walk out of your first test session with a General Class license and skip the
Technician Class altogether.
PAGE
6
SWR
...most misunderstood and misused.
Of all the things Amateur Radio operators measure, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is
probably the most misunderstood and misused. The “SWR”, as it is usually referred to, in an
antenna circuit is a measure of the match between the impedance presented by the antenna at its
feedpoint, and the characteristic impedance of the feedline. This is important because, the intrinsic impedance of a feedline is that value of resistance which, if used to terminate the line, will
result in maximum energy transfer from the line to the load. A 50-Ohm coaxial cable will only
deliver its maximum energy into a 50-Ohm resistive load.
SWR is measured as a
ratio is a comparison becase, the highest and lowThis uses the total power
pared to the reflected
“ratio”, as the name indicates. A
tween two numbers, in this
est RF voltage on the feedline.
(forward plus reflected) compower.
An SWR value of 1.0:1,
antenna and none is retheory, the highest SWR
cal context, very high valplayed. Normally, a value
3:1 is considered the
transceivers begin to cut
flected power below a safe
ends up being dissipated in
enemy of solid state elec-
means all power is leaving the
flected, a “perfect” value. In
would be infinite, but in practiues tend to be inaccurately disof somewhere between 2:1 and
threshold at which most modern
drive in order to keep the relimit. Excess reflected power
the power amplifier, as heat, the
tronics.
The correct place to measis at the point where the
tenna. Most folks install
that is more convenient. If
location other than the base of the antenna, however, be aware
“better” than the real value.
ure SWR in an antenna system
feedline connects to the anthe meter in the ‘shack’ because
you do use an SWR meter at a
that the reading you get will be
An example should illustrate this point. Assume a 100-watt transmitter feeding the antenna
through 100-feetof coax cable. Our coaxial cable has a 3dB-per-100-feet loss. Three decibels
represents 50%.
An SWR of 3:1 represents 25% reflected power. Assume we measure the SWR at the antenna.
Our 100-watts leaves the transmitter, and 50-watts arrives at the antenna (the 3dB loss). The
“forward” power is actually the “forward plus reflected” power, or 50-watts. The reflected power
is 12.5-watts. The actual forward power is 37.5-watts, and compared to the 12.5 reflected we get
an SWR of 3:1. Most Hams would consider this an unacceptably high reading.
Continued on next page.
VOLUME
12
ISSUE
5
PAGE
SWR, continued
Now let’s move to the ‘shack’. The meter there compares 100-watts (forward plus reflected) and 6.25-watts reflected (our
12.5-watts adjusted for the 50% loss traveling back down the feedline). The meter compares 93.75-watts forward (100-6.25
watts) with 6.25-watts reflected, for an SWR of 1.05:1. Most Hams would consider this a “nearly perfect” value. We are
measuring the exact same antenna, but from two different locations.
So a lower SWR is always better, right? Not necessarily. Assume I have a quarter-wavelength vertical antenna, cut for 80meters, worked against two radial wires for a ground. The intrinsic impedance of the radiator portion of this antenna is
about 35-Ohms. Each of the radial wires represents a similar 35-Ohm impedance. The pair, in parallel, combine to make
the ground circuit impedance 17.5-Ohms. The combined impedance is 52.5-Ohms, which will give an almost perfect SWR
of 1.1:1, as the ratio of 52.5 (antenna) compared to 50-Ohm cable.
The problem is, 35% of the power is going into the ground system, heating up the Earth instead of radiating to your target
station.
Now let’s improve the performance of this antenna. A third of the impedance of this antenna is in the ground system. A
“perfect” vertical would have a zero ground impedance contribution. I’m going to add 20 more radials, for a total of 22. The
ground impedance is now 1.6-Ohms. The total impedance of the antenna is now 36.6-Ohms. The measured SWR will be in
the range of 1.4:1.
In this case, even with the “worse” SWR, the ground impedance is only 1.6-Ohms, and the ground is only soaking up 3% of
the power. So this antenna will radiate 97-watts, where the previous one will only radiate 65-watts.
An SWR meter is designed to operate in a specific impedance environment. In the case of our communications equipment,
that is generally 50-Ohms. If the antenna or feedline impedance is very far off 50-Ohms, the meter may not indicate correctly, particularly if used at the ‘shack’ end where the coaxial cable effect is greatest.
SWR is a tool, and like all tools, it can only help us if it’s used correctly.
de NM7R
Interested in Using Satellites? Check Out The Link Below
http://www.n2yo.com/satellites/?c=18
7
Nicolai Trip Pics, Continued
An incredible amount of work must be done at the various repeater sites on mountain tops around
the county so we can have push-to-talk communications down in the valleys and at the beach..
We want to express a big THANK YOU to the tireless efforts of all those volunteers who assist
us with repeater maintenance under difficult conditions.
Scouts New Morse Code Interpreter Strip
Got a Scout in the house? The Boy Scouts of America introduced a Morse Code Interpreter Strip for wear on youth
and adult uniforms to designate those who are proficient in Morse Code. It denotes their availability for emergency
communications and other types of supporting communication for Scouting and the community.
The patch design (shown above) spells out the word M-O-R-S-E in Morse Code.
The Morse Code interpreter strip designates those who are proficient in Morse Code and denotes their availability
for emergency communications and other types of supporting communication for Scouting and the community. Youth and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of Morse Code by:
Carrying on a five-minute conversation in Morse Code at a speed of at least 5 words per minute.
Copying correctly a two-minute message sent in Morse Code at a minimum of 5 words per minute. Copying means
writing the message down as it is received. Sending a 25 word written document in Morse Code at a minimum of
5 words per minute. These requirements closely match those of other interpreter strips.
Lightning Strike Survivor Lucky To Be Alive
KAKE News reports that radio amateur Bill Isles KD0IIF is recovering after he survived a lightning strike and used
his ham radio to call for help. KAKE News say that at 9:30pm Thursday, March 29, the volunteer storm spotter was
standing in his backyard and thought the lightning was far away from his home in Southeast Wichita. "In the distance,
I would hear thunder and see lightning. I didn't think anything was quite that close," said Bill. "And it came as quite a
shock." Please excuse the pun.
The shock knocked Bill to the ground. The only thing nearby was his amateur or ham radio. "My whole body was
twitching. My radio had flown a little further ahead of me. I managed to grab it and call out," he said. When Bill
called for help through the ham radio, the KAKEland chase coordinator, Mike Mathia KD0IJO, heard his call. Mathia
and two other amateur radio operators called 911.
Read the full KAKE News story at:
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Wichita_Man_Struck_By
_Lightning_During_Thursday_Storms_145019845.html
45 Net Statistics
Thanks go out to Frank Van Winkle for handling the management of the Monday night
ARES net on the 45 repeater. There were 104 check ins for the month. The net controls
were Doug (KC7MFN), Scott (KE7QQR) and Bob (WA7WIW). As the 45 linking to
the
Have You Been Monitoring Our Repeaters??
Dateline Baja 03:15 UTC……..Okay, I just always wanted to say that!
What follows is not that much of a story—it was simply HAMs helping fellow HAMs—and reminds me why I
keep my radio turned on. It also started me thinking that I should monitor the repeaters more.
It's Friday night and I’m working at my computer in the motor home here in Playas de Tijuana, Baja California,
Mexico—the grandkids are here raiding my potato chips and M&M stash (I need a better hiding place)—even
with all that QRM in the background I am able to hear a scratchy call on the PARC repeater (147.730) across the
border in San Diego County.
It went something like this: This is KJ6KPR...... I need someone to make a call to my propane company as we are
up here at Mount Laguna and are out of gas for heating, and it’s freezing up here. There were a couple of come
backs one from N6KI a PARC member who was mobile at the time and a couple of others tried to copy the message to be relayed a couple of times—in any case, I chimed in as well—said I had copied all but wanted a verification on his location which was at: – the Shriners’ camp --approximately 6000 feet up, near Mount Laguna.
I called the propane company on my VOIP line from here in the Baja and got a night-time answering service;
Tracy was at the other end of the line; I explained to him Steve's (KJ6KPR’s) predicament and that I was relaying
this message to him via HAM radio. He responded with the usual surprise "Really??" Yes, we are still around and
doing what HAMs have always done—helping out when help is needed. Tracy, the night phone OP, said he
would have the company call me within 30 min....and I relayed that back to Steve (KJ6KPR).
Of course, by now you are asking yourself WHY he didn’t just call on the phone, himself, RIGHT? Up there at
the camp there is no public phone and no land line available at that time of the evening, and his cell phone had no
signal up there either. But—he DID have his HT that did, with a marginal signal, get in to the Palomar Amateur
Radio Club repeater.
I get a call back from Kamps Propane. Rick was on the phone; he wanted to know if Steve (KJ6KPR) had an account and the usual info. He said he would call me back after he consulted his files. A short time later the VOIP
line rang again and Rick, the propane guy, was unable to locate Steve's (KJ6KPR) account. So another relay or
two or three from me on the phone with Rick and on two meters with Steve ensued. Finally Rick said he would
head up the hill to replenish Steve’s propane gas.
AT 5:03 UTC Steve (KJ6KPR) calls me (his signal still marginal on the repeater) and reports happily that Rick,
the propane guy, arrived and was in the process of filling his tank. He thanked me and all those on the repeater
who tried to help out.
Tom KI6IET—a PARC member, also made contact with the night service, but got cut off.
Thanks to Steve’s (KJ6KPR’s) new HAM radio license and radio, he was able to help himself and his family late
on a cold evening—one that would shortly turn into a truly frigid night.
73,
Dave XE2/KE6ENI
EMI—Electromagnetic Interference
EMI or RFI signals are all around us. You can stop these signals at their source or just let them go. If you do
let them go, there is a possibility that someone will find out about it with their equipment.
Electromagnetic interference is a part of our lives. Many people think that the proliferation of electronic products is a good thing because they improve our comfort, safety, and health These products also bring with them
the potential for electronically harmful EMI signals. EMI signals can come from various sources, including the
common electronic devices around us, as well as vehicles and heavy equipment.
In automotive designs, some of these EMI generators reside in the same cabinet as the vehicles’ sensitive electronic circuits. This proximity affects the audio equipment, automatic door controls, and other equipment. I
recently added an external hard drive to the computer in my shack and the noise on the HF bands is just horrendous! I have to disconnect the power from the external hard drive in order to operate whenever band conditions are poor.
Every electronic device, including cell phones, creates both good and bad characteristics. Cell phones these
days offer the convenience of talking to friends, family, and business associates from just about anywhere.
However, they also have the potential to produce EMI signals—and those signals are only part of the problem.
The evolution of these devices exceeds the basic phone services by including smartphone capabilities.
Neighboring equipment and circuits do not expect this type of EMI noise. Cell phones rely on high levels of
RF energy to do their jobs. Although they comply with regulations, they may become sources of unintended
EMI to susceptible devices.
Where does all this EMI come from? PCBs, clock circuits, oscillators, digital circuits, and processors also can
be sources of EMI in circuits. Electromechanical devices that switch currents produce EMI during make-orbreak operations. These EMI signals do not necessarily have a negative effect on other electronic equipment.
The spectral content and intensity of an EMI signal
determine whether it has the
potential for an unexpected response from a susceptible circuit.
You can simplify the spectral
nal to its frequency and rise
tem frequency establishes a
circuit, but its edge rates creics.
content of a digital sigtime. The clock or systime reference for the
ate interfering harmon-
It is better to stop the interferrather than allow it to propayou are building a radio or a
low for good shielding to
of your device. It is easier to
the EMI or RF once it is in
ing signal at its source,
gate through circuits. If
repeater be sure to alkeep the EMI or RF out
do that than suppress
the device.
As for vehicles, carmakers are constructing more vehicle bodies with plastic, which becomes a problem when
you need to find a low-impedance ground or provide shielding.
Once the signals are free and roaming about, they stand a chance of entering your sensitive systems and
wreaking havoc.
What Should a New Ham Do???
Go to Field Day!
Field Day, held on the last full weekend in June, is the quintessential amateur radio event. It includes elements of
just about everything that makes amateur radio the great hobby that it is, and you should make every effort to participate in Field Day the first year that you’re licensed.
Field Day got its start in 1933 as an emergency-communication exercise. Ham radio operators dragged their
equipment out into a field somewhere and operated using emergency power sources. The aim was to see how prepared amateur radio operators were to respond to an emergency and to learn how to do it better. Tents often serve
as shelters for Field Day stations.
Emergency communications preparedness is still the primary purpose of Field Day. Amateur radio operators tune
up their gasoline-powered generators and test their solar panels to ensure that they will be ready in case of an
emergency. By hauling out into the field all manner of radio equipment, we find out what radios will work best in
that operating environment.
Of course, the only way to tell how well your equipment will work is to actually operate it. That’s where the contest part of Field Day comes in. Stations score points by making contacts with other stations, and those with the
most points win. Other things being equal, the stations that work the best will make the most contacts and score
high in the contest.
Many Field Day stations have multiple transmitters, and when you have multiple transmitters, you need multiple
antennas. Setting up a multiple-transmitter operation can be a lot of work. That’s why Field Day is often a club
activity. For some clubs, it’s the biggest event of the year. In addition to all the technical activities, clubs use Field
Day as a social event. There’s food and drink and reminiscing about Field Days gone by. For some hams, that’s
more fun than actually operating.
Finally, because Field Day is such a big event, the ARRL encourages us all to use the event to reach out to the
public, elected officials, and served agencies, such as county emergency management and the Red Cross, and
educate them about amateur radio. Unlike many contests, where you only score points when you make contacts,
you score Field Day points for holding your operation in a public place, handing out brochures to interested parties, and having the mayor come and visit your Field Day site.
How to participate
By participating in Field Day, you’ll learn more about amateur radio in a single day than you will doing just about
anything else. If you’re a club member, ask how you can help out organizing your club’s Field Day event. That’s
sure to win you points, and it will make your Field Day experience that much more fun and educational.
If you’re not a club member, or if you’ll be out of town that particular weekend, you can find a Field Day site
close by, by going to the ARRL Field Day Locator. The clubs that are listed there are sure to welcome you, especially if you arrive early and help them set up.
I hope I’ve persuaded you to participate in the next Field Day. You’ll not only learn a lot, but you’ll have a lot of
fun. Don’t forget to take some sun screen and mosquito repellent!
What should an OLD ham do? You guessed it. Go to Field Day!!!
W7BU
Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 264
Astoria, OR. 97103-0264
http://www.sunset-empire-arc.org
President - Jim Santee
[email protected]
Vice President - Greg Filliger [email protected]
Secretary - Don Webb
[email protected]
Treasurer - Pat Haggard [email protected]
Trustee - Terry Wilson
[email protected]
717-3484
Your Area Nets Need You
Oregon Emergency Net. (OEN)
Daily at 6:00 & 7:00 PM on 3980 kHz.
Sunday - The Coastal "YL" Net rolls at 8:00 pm weekly. This net is for young ladies of all ages.
This is a lady's social net on the W7BU repeater system. For this net, the W7BU repeater system
will be linked to the BeachNet System.
Monday - The Clatsop County ARES Net rolls at 7pm weekly on the W7BU repeater system.
The W7BU repeater system is normally linked to the BeachNet System for this net.
Wednesday - STARS ARES Seaside Tsunami Net 7pm weekly on repeater - 145.490 with a PL
tone of 118.8.
Thursday - Oregon ARES District One. This net rolls on the Timber repeater (in the Forest
Grove area) on 145.270 with a PL tone of 107.2 at 7:30 PM. FYI - ARES District One includes
Clatsop, Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook and Washington counties.
NTS Nets Daily 5:30 PM o 3990 kHz
Daily 5:45 PM Oregon ARES Traffic Net on 3920 kHz
Daily 6:30 PM Northwest Oregon Traffic and Training Net on 3569 kHz