Spielautomaten Jammer Bauen -

S U N S E T
E M P I R E
A M A T E U R
C L U B
R A D I O
The Condenser
V O L U M E
1 2
I S S U E
8
A U G U S T
2 0 1 2
Arch Cape (74) Repeater Report
REPEATER REPORT
REPEATER REPORT, cont’d
HAM ANGELS APPEAR IN ASTORIA
If you would like to see a great
pictorial report of the 74 repeater repair trip, check out
the link below:
At this point the branches were
small enough that his really big
hand trimmers could accomplish
that task.
http://www.archcape.com/
radio/acrepeater/
visit29Jul12.html
We discovered some making
sawdust ants at the site. See the
photos. In the pictorial report.
The dirt needs to be dug away
around the foundation and some
sort of spray applied. Greg Filliger (N7RIA) has something
that will work and he will word
with Dale to resolve the problem..
Even the most experienced ham
needs help once in a while. We all
know Ed Aho (W7LY). He is a long
time ham in Astoria that retired after
30 years as a volunteer ham on the
Lightship Columbia. He recently
added a Signal Link USB interface
to his home rig.
Details of the trip report are
summarized below:
Mary Jo Mosby (KB7NJE)
and Dale Mosby (K7FW) went
up the mountain on Saturday a
couple of weeks back thinking
they would get the installation
of the replacement of the solar
controller completed.
Dale found the old controller
was fastened to the wall with
square drive screws and he did
not have a proper bit. He also
could not find his collection of
terminal strips so not much got
done that day other than dropping off the new controller and
new battery cables.
On Sunday Tim Crawford
(KE7TAC) and Dale spent
from about 9:30 to 1:00 at the
site.
The trail was getting rather
overgrown and Dale was tired
of having his mag-mount antennas removed so on the way
to the site they trimmed a few
branches.
Dale exchanged e-mails with
Bernard Rate, ((N7DAL) and he
agrees with Dale that we need to
install two blocking diodes. He
has details on what is needed.
We will also need two heat
sinks. They must be separate as
the two diodes cannot be electrically connected to each other.
Dale will follow up on this.
Dale wants to get some better
cables from batteries to the
breaker box that feeds all the
equipment. He does not like the
#12 brown and orange wire. He
wants to use some good stranded
red/black wire. Dale
will deal with this at
some time in the
near future. He
knows that the current draw is low but
it will make for a
nicer install.
He emailed the club at w7bu@sunset
-empire-arc.org and asked for help.
The call went out for a ham that was
knowledgeable in using a Signal
Link. Ed’s request was announced
on the Monday night ARES net and
before you know it here he came.
Swoosh, swoosh - a Ham Angel flew
to his home and magically knocked
at his door.
Lucky for Ed this particular Ham
Angel was Nate Lee (KD7IBA) only
the most experienced and distinguished expert on the digital world
in Clatsop County. He is the Digital
AEC for Clatsop County ARES. A
few hours later Ed was
up and running and Nate
(the Ham Angel) flew off
to assist yet another ham.
Way to go Nate!
The moral of this story is this. If you
are having a problem with your rig,
need help with an antenna installation or even assistance with a license
upgrade, email us and ask for help.
We will do our best to find the best
Elmer or Ham Angel to do a fly-by.
and provide assistance.
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2
Venting: Relief Valve or Emotional Block?
By Patti Lind
…”being offended is a natural consequence of leaving your home.”
Patti Lind
The other day, a friend called up to complain about an especially frustrating day. Unfortunately, they
became even more frustrated when my response was more about what to do about the situation than to
empathize with their feelings.
The whole interchange got me thinking about how uncomfortable I am when someone wants to vent for
venting sake. I saw it in a meeting the other day. A team leader wanted to vent and vent and vent about
a problem she was having with a co-worker. The more she vented the more I felt she was moving away
from what it was that she wanted … a relationship that worked. There was actually a variety of possibilities available to her, but they had no chance of being considered because of her unrelenting vent.
My chief concern is that venting can become a disabling experience when any of the following is true:
It builds our anger and frustration to higher levels
It reinforces our feelings of being a victim, or seeing a situation as hopeless
When we get stuck in a cycle of venting over and over again about the same stories
When we hyper focus on someone and they become a steady target for our venting.
And yet, there are times when venting can be valuable. When you feel the urge to release your frustration with a solid vent, consider the following:
Vent to only one person, and someone who will keep it confidential
Set a time limit for how long you want to vent.
Have a way of crisply ending your vent: "There! I’m done with it."
Change the subject.
If there is nothing you can do, wash your hands of it and talk about something different and more positive.
If there is something you can do about it, then switch to problem solving.
In the long run, the earlier you learn how to get on top of being annoyed at others, the easier your life
will be. I like the quote, being offended is a natural consequence of leaving your home. Learning to
accept that annoyances and offenses will happen as a normal course of living, developing the skills to
minimize the emotional impact rather than maximize it is an important life skill.
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Your Area Nets
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 (145.450). For this net, the
W7BU repeater system will be
linked to the BeachNet System.
Monday
Tuesday - No VHF/UHF nets
Friday - No VHF/UHF nets
Wednesday - STARS ARES
FYI - District One includes Clatsop,
Seaside Tsunami Net 7pm weekly
on repeater - 145.490 with a PL
tone of 118.8.
Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah,
Tillamook and Washington counties.
Thursday - Oregon ARES Dis-
- The Clatsop
County ARES Net rolls at 7pm
weekly on the W7BU repeater
system (145.450). The W7BU
repeater system is normally
linked to the BeachNet System
for this net.
trict 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.
Daily HF Nets The OEN (Oregon Emergency Net)
rolls daily at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM on
3980 MHz LSB. This is a directed net
where you respond when you city is
called. General or Extra class license
required for the 80 meter band.
How To Chase (and Catch) DX
We have an amazing mix of folks in our club. We have members from many different life and employment backgrounds. It is a great educational opportunity to learn from them and gain from their experiences. As we all know,
amateur radio has many facets such as chasing rare DX, Packet Radio, Contesting, EME, satellites, equipment
building, repeaters, electronics experimenting, as well as much, much more. We have members who are active in
many of the varying aspects of amateur radio and we love it whenever they agree to share their experience and
expertise.
We very much appreciate members and non-members that are willing to share their expertise with others and contribute to our newsletter. Learning from an experienced ham on how to chase DX can save you from wasting
hours and hours of frustrating operating.
The lengthy “Chasing DX” article that begins on page 8 was generously
submitted by the DX award winning Tim Crawford (KE7TAC). I hope
you enjoy it and learn as much as I did. I am looking forward to Tim’s
upcoming article on working ham satellites. I have read the article and it
just might entice you to try a foray into a facet of amateur radio that you
may not have attempted as yet.
THANKS, Tim!!
Tim Crawford (KE7TAC)
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PAGE
Always,
always,
always
keep
your
antivirus
and
your
antispyware
software
up to
date.
Did I
say
always?
Yep,
always.
4
What Is The Difference Between A
Worm, A Trojan & A Virus?
Some people call any type of malicious software a “computer virus,” but that isn’t accurate. Viruses, worms, and Trojan’s are different types of malicious software with different behaviors. In
particular, they spread themselves in very different ways.
Malicious software in general is referred to as “malware.” If you want a catch-all term for bad
computer software, malware is the word to use. The good news is that your antivirus program
doesn’t care what the malicious software is called — antivirus programs also remove worms,
trojans, and other types of malware.
Viruses Infect Other Files
A computer virus infects other files, similar to how a biological virus
infects living cells. When you execute a virus by running an alreadyinfected file, the virus infects other files on your system. In most cases, it
adds itself to existing .exe files on your system, so it will run when they
do.
Some types of viruses can also infect other types of files, such as macros
in Word or Excel documents. The virus spreads when an infected file is
transmitted to another system. This may happen when you open an email
attachment, access removable storage device or a network file share.
Viruses also wreak havoc on your system. In some cases, they may replace existing program files
with themselves entirely instead of just adding themselves to the existing programs. They may
delete files and announce their presence. Viruses can also take up system memory and cause
crashes.
Viruses are dangerous because of how they spread. When a legitimate file moves between systems, the virus comes with it.
Worms Copy Themselves
A worm is a standalone program that doesn’t require user intervention to spread. Worms don’t infect existing files – they spread copies of themselves instead. Some worms, like the infamous MyDoom
worm, email copies of themselves to every address in a computer’s
address book. Some of the most dangerous and fast spreading
worms, such as the Blaster and Sasser worms, exploit vulnerabilities in network services. Instead of emailing files, they travel over
the network and infect un-patched systems that aren’t running firewalls. You are running a firewall aren’t you?
Worms that spread over the network can generate a large amount of traffic, slowing down the
network. Once a worm is on your system, it can perform the same malicious actions that a virus
can.
This article continues on page 5.
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Worms, Viruses and Trojans, cont’d
Trojans Lie In Wait
Trojans are named after the mythological trojan horse. To conquer the city of Troy, the Greeks constructed a wooden horse and presented it to the Trojans as a gift. The Trojans accepted the gift into
their city. Later that night, Greek soldiers emerged from the inside of the hollow wooden horse,
opened the city gate – and you can imagine what followed.
A trojan horse is the same sort of thing. Trojan horses masquerade as useful software, such as a
legitimate program or an illicit crack for a legitimate program. Instead of being well-behaved program, a trojan opens a backdoor on your system.
The trojan’s author can use this backdoor to make your system part of a botnet, use your Internet connection to perform
illicit activities that will be traced back to you, download other malware programs onto your system, or do anything else
they want. Trojans don’t try to spread themselves in any way. Trojans must be manually executed by a user. They are a
self-inflicted wound.
Other Threats
These aren’t the only types of malware. Here are a few other common ones:
•
Spyware – Spyware spies on you. Spyware encompasses everything from “key loggers” that log your keystrokes
to steal your credit card information and online banking passwords, to advertising programs that monitor your web
browsing activity and send it over the Internet. Spyware is generally designed to make money for its creators. Some antivirus programs don’t detect and remove this sort of software, but Windows Defender, built into Windows 7, does. This is
where an anti-spyware program in addition to your anti-virus program is a good idea.
 Scareware – Scareware,
also known as crimeware, often appears as a fake antivirus alert on a web page. If you believe the alert and download the
fake antivirus program, it will inform you that you have viruses on your system. The antivirus program asks for a credit
card number, insisting on a payment before “fixing” your system. Scareware holds your system hostage until you pay or
remove it; and they are not easily removed.
Keep your operating system and other software up-to-date and run an antivirus program to protect yourself from these dangers.
Is there anything else you want to know about viruses, worms, trojans, or other type of
malware? Email your club and we’ll answer any questions you have.
Image Credit: Infected Computer via Shutterstock, Bacteriophage via Shutterstock, Worm in Email via Shutterstock, Trojan Horse Photo from
Alaskan Dude, Hand Reaching Out From Laptop via Shutterstock
Just a thought—The economy being in the condition that it is, we all want to save money. Some FREE application
software that can help you with these bugs are AVG antivirus and Superantispyware. The companies that produce this
software also has paid versions of each program that are more thoroughgoing and have more features but these FREE
versions of the programs can definitely help you and your budget. Just Google them and download the FREE versions.
One more thing - You really should download and USE them before you have a problem. If you are already running
anti-virus or anti-spyware software that may be out of date, be sure to uninstall them just before you install these programs. As always read and follow the instructions.
5
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6
Antenna Restrictions On Mt Evans?
I activated Mt. Evans for Summits on the Air (SOTA) on July 15th. I took the route from Summit Lake
to the top early in the morning since thunderstorms were in the forecast for the afternoon. I had the
peak to myself for almost half an hour which was unexpected, considering that there is a road all the
way to the top. I setup my vertical Buddipole for 20m and started my activation – so far nothing out of
the ordinary besides the bad band conditions due to the recent CME (Coronal Mass Ejections).
I was talking to ACØA in Kansas when I spotted a National Forest Ranger running up the path from the
parking lot. I could not understand what he was saying since I was distracted by my ongoing QSO and
the lack of oxygen combined with his running up the mountain made his signal about a 2 X 2, with
highly distorted audio. He arrived at the summit breathless and stood next to me, courteous enough to
let me finish my QSO (or just to catch his breath?). He then introduced himself and informed me that I
have to take down the antenna immediately.
My first thoughts were that the antenna was considered some sort of a safety
hazard for other visitors but NO. The reason is, he informed me, that you cannot build a structure on Nation Forest land without a permit. Sounds like a
sensible rule to me…. who wants to see cabins etc. erected on public land
everywhere. I argued that my antenna can hardly be considered a structure
and my short survey among the few visitors on the summit (~10 people) came
to the same conclusion – nobody considered my antenna a structure but he
insisted.
Furthermore he instructed me to drive to the Clear Creek Ranger District HQ
in Idaho Springs to get a permit. Needless to say that I was not planning to
make a ~60 mile round-trip to get a permit for my activities. I already had
enough contacts for my Mt. Evans SOTA activation and the fact that I had
planned another activation for later in the day I did not want to waste my time
arguing so I began to pack up. Luckily I had my tape-measure YAGI with me
for my next activation and I was hoping it would pass the NOT BEING A
STRUCTURE test by the National Forest (to make sure I did not ask). I tried
to follow up with the person in charge for the Clear Creek Ranger District…
she is on vacation. Sure glad I did not drive all the way to Idaho Springs.
GOOGLing, I found Forest Rules You Need to Know, published by the Secretary of Agriculture. On
page two, under the chapter OTHER PROHIBITED FACTS it indeed prohibits “Constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of communication equipment without a special use authorization“.
Again, that makes sense to me to avoid anyone setting up his/her own repeater on public land… it does
however not make sense to me for a temporary, mobile/portable antenna as I was using. Oh well…..
It would certainly put a damper on future SOTA activations. I am almost certain that on Field Day a lot
of antennas go up on NF (National Forest) land.
I would be interested in your experience and/or opinion and I am planning to follow up with the Clear
Creek Ranger District. Maybe I was just dealing with an overly eager Ranger? Stay tuned…
Matt/KØMOS
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New 2 Meter Rig To Launch To The ISS
A new VHF ham radio system will soon be headed to the meeting Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, reported that his
group is in the final stages of preparing the flight certification for of the replacement hardware for the degraded
Ericsson 2 meter radio. That rig is part of the 2nd ISS amateur radio station that is located in the Columbus
module.
According to Ransom, they had been hoping to launch of the equipment on flight 33-S on
December 5th. Now however comes word that the new radio could be carried aloft ob
flight 49-P that's slated to launch on November 1st. As such, Ransom's group is trying to
finish the certification process in time for this earlier flight option.
The degraded Ericsson VHF radio may be returned on flight 32-S in October. The team is very interested in
trying to determine what the problem has been with this particular piece of gear.
VE Sessions Available in Naselle, WA.
Volunteer Exams are offered every month in Naselle, WA. by the Pacific County ARC, at Hunters Inn about 10:30
a.m., on the second Saturday of the month, following their meetings (which start at 9:00 a.m.). Anyone wanting to
take any amateur radio exam is welcome. Prior notice is recommended, but not required. Please email your request
to the VE Liason, frank at [email protected],
UNLICENSED OREGON OPERATOR FINED $15000
The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $15,000 to Joshua McMurchie of Prineville, Oregon.
This for his alleged operation of a an unauthorized station on 97.9 MHz. Ouch!!
Back in 2011 agents from the FCC's Portland Office of its Enforcement Bureau responded to a complaint and traced the
signal to McMurchie's home. Local law enforcement officers accompanied the FCC agents and left a Notice of Unlicensed
Operation with another resident of the house and also mailed a notice as a backup. According to the FCC, McMurchie
signed for the latter notice in October 2011.
This past May, the FCC's Portland Enforcement Bureau received another complaint about an illegal station on 97.9 MHz.
Both the FCC and Prineville Police officers went to his home, were granted admittance and found a transmitter broadcasting
at that location. The FCC says that McMurchie admitted he operated the station and offered to surrender his equipment to
the agents. Woops! A little late for that now, Joshua.
Now the FCC has issued a proposed penalty. In reaching its decision, the agency boted that the base fine for operating an
illegal station is $10,000. However, the commission fined McMurchie $15,000 because of his repeated violations. He too
has the customary 30 days from receipt of the notice to pay the proposed fine or to file an appeal.
7
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8
Making HF Contacts, Follow Up Options,
Awards & Contests
Always Be Aware of Band Privileges For Your License Class
Making contacts:
Two Approaches: CQ (call/listen) Or Use Of A Spotting Network Or Cluster Pgm
Before calling CQ, Ask if the Frequency is in use!
CQ Anybody: “CQ CQ CQ Kilo Echo Seven Tango Alpha Charlie CQ CQ CQ.. Listening”
CQ Specific: “CQ CQ CQ Texas call sign CQ CQ CQ Texas.. Listening”
CQ DX Only (not USA or Country of Residency): “CQ CQ CQ DX call sign CQ CQ CQ DX.. Listening”
Best Spotting Pgm, IMO (In My Opinion), “VE7CC-1 CC Cluster”: http://www.ve7cc.net/
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By using Spotting or Cluster progams (there are others… google them or check out:
www.eham.net reviews) you can locate active stations on the air that you might have a specific purpose for contacting, i.e,
Worked All Continents, Worked All States, DXCC awards.
If using VE7CC-1 you simply click on a listed call sign and the program will take you to a web page which shows the location
information (you may have to sign in to qrz.com to be able to see location information).
Or as an alternate, look up what country the call sign is associated with and the Ham’s name & address by using (there again,
you may have to sign in to use, pretty sure no fees are involved unless you have a very high volume of lookups within one
day):
http://www.qrz.com/db/?cmd=1
Two Key Q-Signals As used by HF Stations:
“QRZ”, or more commonly “QZED”: Means I am able to take a new caller – hint.. Ok to give a shout out when this happens,
i.e., say your call sign (phonetically).
QSL: Means Did you Copy Me – response could be something like “Roger, copy” or “Roger that” or simply “Yes.”
HINT.. if you can’t hear ‘em keep your cotton picking fingers off the PTT button.
9
Please Read The “DX Code of Conduct”
If a station on the cluster has a pile up (lots of hams trying to contact the station) the operator will sometimes say, OK,
only call signs with a six in the call sign or only call signs with a 1 OR Japan only, or Europe only, so pay attention to
what is being said. Keep your cotton picking fingers off of the PTT button until your country and or call sign number is
called, in such situations!
Another “tool” used by some of the stations with a large pile up is to listen on one frequency while transmitting on another (small percentage, typically, do this).
UP-UP: When you see the Cluster/spotting program showing UP 5 or UP 10, or whatever, then that means if you are
listening to the operator transmitting on 14.250 that the operator is actually listening to responses on 14.255 or 14.260 (5
or 10 kh up, as the case may be). You need to discover how your transmitter will enable you to listen on one freq to the
operator and then send your output on another frequency, where the operator is listening; check your manual and see what
options, if any your transmitter may have for this purpose. Also, again, listen to the operator; good ones will from time to
time state that they are listening up and how much (the case that drives you nuts is the operator that says they are listening
up 5-15; you will have to search around and figure out just where they are at; all part of the fun).
Then there are the Up police who will announce, and sometimes quite loudly, “UP- UP” (and occasionally the really rude
ones will also imply you are deaf or stupid)… DO NOT RESPOND (even to say you are sorry.. only makes it worse for
the operator)… simply change to the appropriate frequency and ignore the UP police person’s remarks, if any.
A Typical Contact involves an exchange of verifying the call sign (always use phonetics) a Signal Report, first name
(helps, again, to also state it and then state it with phonetics) and the Country or State and possibly even the city… although most folks pull up the call sign from the qrz data base and therefore do not need to exchange QTH information.
If the Station is working a pile up, skip the chitchat and thank them for the contact after the brief exchange; also if a station is really slammed or during a contest they will almost always give a signal report of 59, even when it is not, so respond in kind as it helps them move along quickly… otherwise try to give a reasonably accurate signal report in most
other cases.
Google Ham Radio Signal Reports or: http://www.hamradio.me/rst for a list RS portions only unless using CW then
RST report.
FYI, there are some nice programs out there that will control your radio, helpful, if working contests, and serve as a logging program to keep track of your contacts, here is one option:
http://www.hrdsoftwarellc.com/
There are lots of other logging pgms. Google Ham Radio Logging Pgms and or check out Software reviews on eham.net.
Two Ways to verify Your Contacts
Exchange of Cards or by using the ARRL Log of the World (LoTW).
Exchanging Cards: Well, first you have to get some QSL Cards, duh ;-).
I started with WWW.PhotoQSLs.com as there were at SeaPac several years back. There are a number of classified ads in the back of QST or CQ magizines for purveyors of QSL cards. They should all contain, along with
your Call Sign, name and address, your County and Grid locator together with the exchange information.
Once you have your cards there are three options you can effect an exchange:
Direct To the Contact or their QSL Manager (my preferred)
Through The ARRL “Bureau” Exchange System (very slow process)
Through a private DX QSL Service (never used)
If using option 1: Now that you have cards you will also have to have some envelopes (one to contain your card
and a pre-addressed envelope for them to mail you back their confirming card. Challenge here is to find a two
envelope system where one will fit inside of the other, here is one potential source (hunt for others).
http://www.airmailpostage.com/envelopes1.html
Hint, if you use the above, their plain cover envelopes will hold a standard return envelope, 3 5/8” X 6 ½” as
sold at most stores (be kind and get self seal for the person on the other end).
Return Postage: if USA then be sure and stamp your return envelope. If out of USA then be sure to include
adequate “money” for the contact to be able to pay for the return postage.
Postage “Money” is either sent in Green Stamps (there are simply dollar bills) or International Reply Coupons
(IRU’s). The contacts web page using QRZ will generally inform you of the postage requirements, that is one or
two green stamps or one or two IRU’s. Some countries do not accept IRU’s and some folks do not accept dollar
bills. Pay attention to what their QRZ page or other web page instructs you to do; also be sure your return envelope is pre-addressed back to you!
Purchase IRU’s from the Post Office, online, Item # 330900, $2.20 each. Local post offices may require that you
order ~ 2 dozen at a time. Any Qty on line works.
ARRL Log Book of the World (LoTW) for Contact Verification (in place of
cards or with):
http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world
One drawback to using LoTW is that there is no way to be assured that the contact will also use this same service
thereby verifying the contact; so good idea to check their qrz page and see if they do, if you are counting on it.
I use a direct card exchange for all new States, Territories/possessions, IOTA locations and Countries. I also
upload ALL contacts to the LoTW system.
3 Most Popular Contact Awards:
Worked All Continents: http://www.arrl.org/wac
Worked All States: http://www.arrl.org/was
DXCC Awards (minimum of 100 Countries): http://www.arrl.org/dxcc
There are hundreds of awards available from a variety of sources, here is one place to take a look at (google around,
check QST & CQ magazines and the ARRL web pages)
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/DX_Resources/Ham_Radio_Awards/
Contests:
It’s a good idea to watch for contest weekends as this will provide you with a number of opportunities to add to your
award pursuits, if that is your goal. You do not have to actually be a contestant to make contacts but you will be expected to make the required exchange per the contest rules. Best way to track the majority of them throughout the year
is to print out a calendar from the following link:
http://hornucopia.com/contestcal/contestcal.html
Before you jump in, however, check out the rules for the contest as to what the exchange is supposed to be. The ARRL
e-newsletter usually lists the current weeks contests and sometimes links to the contest information page: http://
www.arrl.org/arrlletter
Otherwise google the contest name to find the rules.
Also fun to jump in and participate in a contest yourself. The “ARRL Rookie Roundup” (3x/year) is a great place for
folks who have been licensed for three years or less:
http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup
Another easy contest to participate in is the local W7 call area’s “7QP” contest which takes place in May of each year
(voice, CW and digital, i.e., PSK31).
http://www.codxc.com/new/page.asp?content=dryland7s
The vast majority of contests require that you submit your data in a specific format. One of the best (and free) contest
logging programs (NMM1 Logger) to use that will track your score live and then when finished provide you with a data
file for uploading to the contest host:
http://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage
HINT: Practice with this before the contest date so you understand how it operates.
Two Magazines worth considering:
DX Magazine, bi-monthly with optional weekly newsletter:
http://www.dxpub.com/dx_mag.html
NCJ (National Contest Journal), bi-monthly: http://www.ncjweb.com/welcome.php
’73 and good hunting
Tim Crawford
KE7TAC
3/04/2012
DX Code Of Conduct

I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.

I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.

I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign
before calling.

I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune
up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.

I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.

I will always send my full call sign.

I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.

I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.

I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.

I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than
mine.

When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he
has copied it incorrectly.

I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.

I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.
FCC Fines Alaska Man $12,500 For
Interfering with Air Traffic
On July 17, the FCC announced that it had issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order (NAL) in the
amount of $12,500 to Glenn S. Yamada, of Kenai, Alaska. Yamada is accused of “apparently willfully and repeatedly violating Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 95.409(a) and 95.411(a)(1) and (b) of the
FCC Rules by operating his CB radio “without requisite Commission authorization.”
In January 2012, the FCC received a complaint regarding interference to an authorized user in the aeronautical band -- a
safety of life service -- on 21.964 MHz. According to the FCC, the complaint “Concerned a male subject talking and interfering with the control and monitoring of air traffic over the North Atlantic.” The FCC’s High Frequency Direction Finding
Center (HFDFC) monitored the frequency over the next few days, and on January 31, “observed a subject matching the details of the compliant transmitting on the frequency 21.965 MHz.” The HFDFC noted that the subject was using the call
“1600 Alaska,” that the actual operating frequency was 27.025 (CB channel 6) and that the transmissions were coming from
Kenai.
An agent from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau in Anchorage used direction finding techniques to locate the source of the
interference. He found the source to be coming from Yamada’s residence and found that the interfering signal to 21.964
MHz was determined to be on 21.965 MHz, which correlates to CB channel 6 on 27.025 MHz; apparently, faulty equipment
on CB Channel 6 produced a spurious signal on frequency 21.965 MHz, the source of the interference to frequency 21.964
MHz. A review of the FCC’s Universal Licensing System revealed that Yamada had no individual license to operate a CB
radio station.
The agent, along with an officer from the Kenai Police Department, inspected Yamada’s station on February 6. “The agent
observed a non-certificated CB transmitter and a linear amplifier as part of Mr Yamada’s CB station,” the FCC noted. “Mr
Yamada admitted to the agent that the linear amplifier was capable of generating a power output of 200 W. The agent observed that the transmitter and the linear amplifier were connected and that the linear was connected to a transmission cable
and ultimately to the directional antenna at the back of Mr Yamada’s residence. Mr Yamada told the agent that this was his
hobby setup and that he had been operating it for the last several weeks.” Yamada admitted to the agent that he used the
handle “1600 Alaska.”
Here, we find that an upward adjustment of the base forfeiture amount is warranted because of the gravity of the violations.
As the record reflects, Mr Yamada’s unauthorized operations posed a significant public safety risk, given the interference
caused to an authorized user in the aeronautical band (a safety of life service). Applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement,
Section 1.80 of the Rules and the statutory factors to the instant case, we conclude that Yamada is apparently liable for a
forfeiture in the amount of $12,500.”
Given what the FCC called “the public safety concerns of the violations,” it also directed Yamada to submit a statement
signed under penalty of perjury “confirming whether he is still engaged in CB operations and, if so, to state if he: (1) is using a certified CB transmitter; and (2) has not attached any linear amplifiers to his CB station.” Yamada must submit this
statement to the FCC Office in Anchorage no later than August 17, 2012. Failure to comply with this requirement could
subject the Yamada to additional enforcement action, the FCC warned. You better hurry, Glenn.
Yamada has until August 17, 2012 to pay the full amount of the forfeiture or file a written statement seeking a reduction in
the amount or a cancellation. The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture, if any, must
include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits, such as federal tax returns for
the most recent three-year period, financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices or
some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the Yamada’s current financial status.
FCC Denies Arizona Ham’s Petition to
Extend PRB-1 to Private Contracts,
Such as CC&Rs
In January 2012, Leonard Umina, (W7CCE), of Gilbert, Arizona, filed a Petition for Rulemaking, asking the FCC to
“expand its policy of limited preemption of state and local regulations governing amateur station facilities to preempt private land use regulations such as covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) and rental agreements
that limit amateur licensees’ ability to deploy antennas.” On July 16, the FCC notified Umina that it had denied his
Petition.
In its denial, the FCC told Umina that it had already answered the question of whether to preempt CC&Rs in deeds
and bylaws that restrict the installation of antennas and associated support structures used by Amateur Radio stations back in 1985 with PRB-1. PRB-1 -- as codified in Section 97.15(b) -- states that “state and local regulation of
a station antenna structure must not preclude amateur service communications. Rather, it must reasonably accommodate such communications and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the state or
local authority's legitimate purpose.”
With PRB-1, the FCC “established a policy of limited preemption of state and local regulations governing amateur
station facilities, including antennas and support structures, but expressly decided not to extend its limited preemption policy to CC&Rs in home ownership deeds and condominium bylaws because ‘such agreements are voluntarily
entered into by the buyer or tenant when the agreement is executed and do not usually concern the Commission.’
In 2001, the Commission denied a Petition requesting that the Commission adopt rules to preempt CC&Rs that do
not provide reasonable accommodation for Amateur Radio operators, and affirmed that the limited preemption policy of PRB-1 applies only to state and local regulations. The Commission noted that its decision in PRB-1 to exclude CC&Rs from its preemption policy was premised upon the fundamental difference between state and local
regulations, with which an Amateur Radio operator must comply, and CC&Rs, which are contractual terms to
which the purchaser of a property voluntarily subjects him- or herself.” The FCC also concluded in its PRB-1 decision that “there had not been a sufficient showing that CC&Rs prevent Amateur Radio operators from pursuing the
basis and purpose of the Amateur Service.”
It also pointed out that “should Congress see fit to enact a statutory directive mandating the expansion of its limited
preemption policy to include more than state and local regulations, it would expeditiously act to fulfill its obligation
thereunder.” The FCC noted that less than a month after Umina filed his Petition for Rulemaking, Congress enacted
the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, requiring the FCC to report to Congress regarding the
uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.
This report will “identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications and recommendations
regarding the removal of such impediments, including ‘the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use
restrictions on residential antenna installations.’ Had Congress intended to mandate an expansion of the Commission’s policy at this time, it would have done so directly. We believe that it would be inappropriate and premature
for the Commission to consider modifying its policy until after Congress has an opportunity to review the report and
decide whether to enact a statutory directive mandating the expansion of the Commission’s limited preemption policy to include more than state and local regulations. We therefore deny the petition.”
Darn. Now we wait for Congress to act. Don’t hold your breath. It could be awhile.
The Repeater
We, at least most of us, use repeaters frequently. Some of us every day. We generally don’t give them a second thought. It’s as
if there is a “repeater utility” out there that builds and maintains them, like the telephone or cable company. We have become
so used to there being a repeater available when we want to use one that we just take them for granted.
A repeater is a “full-duplex” station, that is, it transmits and receives simultaneously. Most use a single antenna for this. If you
think about it for a minute, that’s rather astounding.
Most of us use transceivers that transmit OR receive, but only either/or, not both at the same time, at least not on the same
band. What would happen if we did try to do both? A 50-watt transmitter is putting out about 35-volts of Radio Frequency
energy (RF). A good receiver is able to clearly recover audio from a signal of less than 0.35 microvolt. That’s quite a difference, on the order of 80 dB. This is the ratio of: 1 to 100 million; 1 inch to 1578 miles; 1 sec to 3 years; 1 oz to 3125 tons; a
quarter-stick of TNT to the Hiroshima atomic bomb. If the transmitter were connected directly to the receiver, it would certainly “let the smoke out”. Just “saving” the receiver from destruction isn’t enough. The receiver has to be able to hear a distant station clearly while completely ignoring the transmitter.
The first necessity with a repeater is to use two different frequencies. The “output” frequency is the one on which the repeater
is transmitting, the one your radio is listening to. The “input” frequency is the one the repeater is listening on, and your radio
switches to when you transmit. Two frequencies are necessary because if we tried to transmit and receive on the same frequency, all the receiver would hear is the transmitter. Even with two frequencies, however, they are so close together that the
receiver would still go up in smoke if connected directly to the same antenna as the transmitter, or even to a second antenna
that was too close to it.
Two antennas can be used, and rather effectively, for a repeater, but this can take a tall tower to be able to get enough distance
between them that the receiver no longer “hears” the transmitter. In the case of 2-meters, this can be 60-feet or more vertically. Two antennas also means the “pattern”, or precise coverage, will differ on the transmit side and receive side of the repeater. That can lead to problems where a user can hear the repeater, but cannot work it.
The answer is to use a single antenna for transmit and receive. This will require industrial-strength filtering. We will talk
about filters in another installment, but for now, let’s just say there exist filters that can be used to pass one frequency, while
attenuating another relatively nearby. These can be combined in a number of ways to allow our repeater transmitter and receiver to co-exist, even be connected to a single antenna. There is some loss in the process. These filters are passive devices,
and always introduce some loss, but if engineered properly, the system can work well.
Another item on our repeater list is shielding. While we have used filters to isolate the receiver from the transmitter, that can
be ruined if there isn’t sufficient shielding. Ever hear KMUN leaking through into the 145.45 repeater? That is caused by a
breach in the shielding.
So why go to all that trouble? On line-of-sight frequencies, like VHF and UHF where we find most of our repeaters, a station’s range is limited by how far the antenna can “see”. Obviously, a station on a mountain top or other high point can “see”
farther than one closer to sea level. While a pair of Handie-Talkie radios might be able to talk directly over a couple of miles,
if they can both work a repeater, then they might be able to communicate over a much longer distance, maybe over tens of
miles. In the case of linked repeaters, perhaps 100-miles or more. In the case of Internet linking, such as IRLP or EchoLink,
the range becomes truly world-wide. The entire point of a repeater is to extend the range of low power or mobile stations. Repeaters make our investment in radios worthwhile.
Who takes care of these complex radio stations? Ah! A club like SEARC or STARS should have a “crew” of perhaps 4 to 6
individuals, interested in learning about the technical side of the hobby and willing to occasionally spend some time driving to
some beautiful out-of-the-way spots. At the moment, this exciting job is looking for a few good applicants.
de NM7R
KJ6CEY ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY
POINTING LASER AT FIRE ENGINE
Thirty-one year old Irene Levy, (KJ6CEY), of San Jacinto, California, is in trouble with the law once again. This
time after allegedly pointing a laser at a firefighter behind the wheel of a fire engine.
At around 3:45 a.m. on June 30th, officers from the San Jacinto Police Department responded to a call to assist CalFire. When officers arrived, the fire personnel claimed that Levy had shined a laser light at the driver of their engine while they were driving on East Main Street, and also that she had shined the laser at their driver several times
earlier in the evening as well. Not cool, Irene. Can you spell WHACKO??
Levy was taken into custody and booked into the Larry Smith Correctional Facility charged with pointing a laser at
a moving vehicle and violating the terms of her probation. At last report she was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
You may recall back in May of 2010 when Levy used an amateur radio station to interfere with an emergency response dispatcher. In that case Levy was found guilty of jamming emergency radio frequencies by broadcasting
threats. As part of her probation, she was ordered to complete a mental health program and stay out of trouble.
Record Year For The ILLW
With less than two weeks to go, the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend has already exceeded last
year's total of 470 registrations in its 15th year and is headed for a new record.
The 48 hour fun event has steadily grown from the 158 in its first year and most of those early registrations continue
to be involved.
In the United Kingdom there are 60, and half of those can be found in England.
There are plenty throughout Europe including Germany on 52 and The Netherlands 25.
North, Central and South America have more than 80 stations registered with Argentina, Canada, Chile, Curacao,
Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Puerto Rico plus 55 in the USA.
Nearly 70 been received from Australia and New Zealand, South Africa has 15 and no matter where you are there
will be plenty to work. Most issue special QSL cards.
The mainstream media continues to run the story. The Clare Herald reports that the Loop Head Lighthouse in
County Clare will be on air courtesy the Limerick Radio Club EI0LHL. It will join others to participate in promoting public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration.
The International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is on August the 18th and 19th.
Visit its website ILLW.NET to make an online registration, read the guidelines and explore it for more details.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Heathkit Files For Bankruptcy - AGAIN
The Herald-Palladium newspaper says that the remnants of the famed Heathkit Company that once employed up to 1,800
people in St. Joseph Township, Michigan, is now on the auction block.
Owner Don Desrochers told the paper that the company, which was down to half a dozen employees at the end, defaulted
on its lease and has filed for bankruptcy.
The organization was last known as Heathkit Educational Systems. Desrochers told the Herald-Palladium that this business
was primarily dependant on federal and state funding for schools. Unfortunately, spending in education continued to drop
and as such it was economically unfeasible to continue operating.
Founded in 1926 as an aircraft company, Heathkit shifted its focus to electronics after World War II when it bought surplus
electronic parts to build kits. Heathkit left the kit business in 1992, focusing on educational materials, then announced it
was getting back into the kit business in 2011. According to Desrochers it was losing the educational business faster than it
could grow the electronics business, which was not sustainable. Hold your tears. There is always another chance.
FCC To Investigate Phone Failures
After June 29th Mid-West Storm
The Federal Communications Commission is looking into the damage that a massive wind storm caused to wireless and
landline phone networks in the mid-Atlantic states. The storm took place on Friday, June 29th. It swept from the Midwest
into the Northeast with the mid-Atlantic states including Virginia and West Virginia taking the worst pounding.
David Turetsky, is the Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. In an e-mailed statement he said
that his agency plans to meet with a number of carriers in the coming weeks to explore the cause of service issues to 911
service centers and the overall lessons learned. Truetsky continued by saying that these and other issues will be taken under advisement to ensure that the public receives the best communications service possible and is able to communicate
effectively and in a way that safeguards public safety in these situations.
FCC spokesperson Lauren Kravetz said the commission is still investigating the problems with emergency calls, but that
911 operators might have been unable to identify a caller's number and location. She said it is unclear how many people
were unable to make an emergency call at all.
According to The Washington Post, many 911 callers in the region heard silence, busy signals or recorded messages saying the line was inoperative. Meantime, here in West Virginia, so far there have not been any reports reaching us concerning ham radio related severe weather watch or post storm amateur radio emergency communications efforts.
And I still hear people ask, “I have my cell phone. Why should I consider ham radio?”
LASER LIGHT DEMO VIDEO BY DH5YM
An interesting albeit short laser light communications video has been made available for on-line viewing by Mario
Roessler, DH5YM. In it, you can see the green Laser of DK5WMA and hear the demodulated telegraphy signal. The fading by humid air is clearly visible and audible. The distance was about 48km. The video is on-line at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zO3TaE7q5k&feature=player_embedded
W7BU
Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 264
Astoria, OR. 97103-0264
503-895-3207
Email: us at [email protected]
Check out our web site at 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]
August Board & Member Meeting Sked
The August membership meeting for August has been cancelled due to conflicts with the schedules
of major local events . The Board will meet on Wednesday evening the 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the El
Compadre restaurant in Warrenton. It is located at 119 S. Main near the Post Office. Members are
encouraged to attend.
Ham Radio License Class Sked
Technician Class Nov 2012
Brought to you by the folks at www.clatsophamclass.com.
Please register at their web site listed above.
Friday (Day 1 of 2) November 16, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday (Day 2 of 2) November 17, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Clatsop Community College located at 1455 N Roosevelt, Seaside, OR.
Questions? Give your club a call at 503-895-3207
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Pacific
time.