Dues are due! Last newsletter!

THE AIRWAVES February 2010

SIERRA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB An ARRL Special Service Club

RACES ARES

P O Box 1442 Ridgecrest California 93556-1442

BOARD President Harry Stephens KI6PSZ 446-3095 KI6PSZ@webstephens.com

First VP Fred Moses KG6STR 371-3582 kg6str@verizon.netOF Second VP Gene Brewer W5DQ 382-5201 w5dq@radioroom.org

Secretary Paula Herr N6VGW 375-5324 n6vgw1@gmail.comOFFICERS Treasurer Julie Stephens KI6YRA 446-3095 KI6YRA@webstephens.com

SARC OWNED AND MAINTAINED REPEATERS

Randsburg WA6YBN 145.34 MHz (-), PL 100.0 Hz, Wide Area, Emergency PowerRidgecrest WA6YBN 146.64 MHz (-), Translator, No Squelch Tail, Emergency PowerRidgecrest YBNBBS:WA6YBN, 145.050 MHz, Bulletin Board, 1200 BaudRidgecrest #YBNSW:WA6YBN-4, 223.580 MHz, Node, 1200 BaudRidgecrest #YBNSW:WA6YBN-4, 439.025 MHz, Node, 9600 Baud

SARC CommitteesTechnical Assistance: Greg, WA7IRW 446-4383 Public Relations: Fred, KG6STR 371-3582Program: Gene, W5DQ 382-5201 Airwaves Editor: Mike, WA6ARA 375-5324RF Interference: Bill, WA6QYR 375-8566 Emergency and Public Service: Mike, W6PM 793-0541

THE AIRWAVES CALENDAREvery ARNewsline Audio News

1900 (7:00 p.m.) on 146.64 MHz

IWV Emergency Net Visitors Welcomed!

Monday 1930 hrs (7:30pm) WA6YBN Translator 146.64 MHz (-)

East Kern County Emergency NetNight Visitors Welcomed!

Rand repeater 145.340, pl 1002000 hrs (8pm)

10 Feb SARC Board Meeting 7:00pm– Heritage Inn

10 Feb SARC General Meeting 7:30pm– Heritage

Inn “Six Meters: The Magic Band”

27 Feb 100 mile Horse Endurance – details inside

AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE EXAMSEvery Even Month, Second Saturday

13 February Volunteer License Exam Session Location: Guns 4 Us, basement classroom 417 East Ridgecrest Blvd, Ridgecrest CA No handicapped access Pre-reg by 8 Feb. Limited to 8 applicants All must register at 9 AM Contact Elvy Hopkins NØLV 760-384-3589

E-mail <lvrh7589@iwvisp.com>

2010 SARC Dues are DUE!This may be your last newsletter

Yep, it's that time once again. Your 2010 SARC dues aredue. Your dues support numerous repeaters, somefuture repeater expansion, insurance, meeting site,licensing classes, the newsletter and a host of otheritems. Please use the application at the end of thenewsletter and join or re-join! Please remember, startingin 2010, SARC will only be publishing an email, PDFversion of the newsletter.

President's ShackWell, it’s 2010 already. I’d like to begin by wishingeveryone belated Happy New Year, and thanking GregWA7IRW and the other outgoing club executives for allof their hard work in 2009.

A little about me… my family and I migrated toRidgecrest from the urban sprawl of the Silicon Valleyabout 2 years ago, with no ham radio experiencewhatsoever. Fred KG6STR heard about my interest androped me into the first Technician-class class sponsoredby the SARC. After passing that class I bought somemobile gear and then passed my Extra-class test lastyear at the end of the SARC’s General-class class. I’mrunning strictly mobile VHF/UHF right now, and don’t geton the air much, but I do have an old HF rig donated bya friend’s father, who’s been a ham for something like60 years. I just have to figure out how to go aboutputting up an antenna that won’t rile the neighbors…

Most of you are way ahead of me where radio isconcerned, but I look forward to learning from all of youand bringing a “newbie’s” perspective to the club. WhatI’d like most is to find ways to generate interest inamateur radio and the SARC among folks in thecommunity, perhaps by integrating amateur radio withother activities in which our members are interested.Some of you are already involved with Boy Scouts.Maybe we can find a way to set up a temporary station ina remote/difficult area for a contest weekend (LittlePetroglyph Canyon, Bodie, Badwater…), or sponsor astation at one of our local schools.

So please give some thought to the above, as well aswhat you’d like to see from your club over the next yearand don’t be afraid to speak out early and often.

If you can possibly manage the time, please considerputting together a presentation on something you’vedone that would be of interest to our members. If you’re“presenter-phobic” I’m sure we can find someone who’llhelp you put the slide-show together, and maybe evenpresent the material for you. From what I’ve seen so far,it’s a pretty sympathetic crowd.73,HarryKI6PSZ@webstephens.com

Treasurer’s ReportAs of January 31, 2010

Beginning Balance $5,127Income 468Expenses (565)Ending Balance $5,030

Submitted by Julie Stephens, KI6YRA

SARC 2010 Installation Dinner

Technician ClassWe are going to offer the Technician class again thisyear and it is coming up fast. The class will be startingwith a sign up night on 23 February and run seven nightson Tuesdays followed by a test night. Cost will be $20.Those who have taken the class before and not passedmay take it again at no cost (as long as you still haveyour book). The class will be held at the LDS StakeCenter at S. Norma and Bataan. If you are interested,please contact Mike Herr, WA6ARA 375-5324.

ARRL Audio NewsletterFor the past few years we have been retransmitting theARRL Audio News. However, the ARRL has announcedthey will be suspending the audio news for anundetermined amount of time while they evaluate it. I willlook at replacing it with the Amateur Radio Newslinereport. This usually runs about 30 minutes long, so thenews will be starting at 7pm, instead of the 7:10pm time.

Upcoming 100 mile Endurance HorseRide Support

The next horse endurance ride is the 100 miler onSaturday February 27th. The Fair Grounds is the basecamp for this one. The route is around the Spangler Hillsand off west to Black mountain area and down into Golardip. This one will take a few more people than the FireMountain 50 miler just completed. We will need to haveoperators available to take shifts at some of the locationsand have good mobile radios to work the portablerepeater. Bill, WA6QYR is heading this one up. If youhave that weekend available, please give Bill a Call at760-375-8566.

2010 Fire Mountain 50 Report

We had a great sunny day for the 2010 Fire Mountain 50horse endurance ride on January 23. After a week of rainand snow it was great to get out and help with the ride.We had a few operators that had to back out; one withtravel Fred, KG6STR; Mark, N0BLM with a cold andJohn, AI6A with bladder infection. Several came intoaction for us to make the ride happen, Phillip, KG6JEL;Mike, W6PM; Jerry, KK6PA and Tim, NH2BV. Tim put up the SARC portable repeater at 700 am on a peak inthe hills south of town. The ride had 3 loops to travel in12 hours covering the Spangler Hills south of town. There were 25 fifty milers, 16 thirty milers, and 7 fifteenmilers (new to endurance riding). The 50 milers startedat 6:30 am followed a half hour later by the 30 milers and7:30 am the fifteen milers. Bill, WA6QYR was the BaseCamp coordinator. The first loop had Jerry KK6PA at thefirst water stop. The horses came in to base camp after the first 14 milesfor a Vet check, water and Hay. After a 30 minute hold

the horses headed back out on loop 2 where Phillip,KG6JEL was at Water 2, Roger, KI6PSX was at Radio 1and Jerry, KK6PA at Water 3.

There was one horse that was having trouble at thebase camp so was dropped from the ride. After an hourhold at base camp the 50 milers headed out on loop 3 tothe east of camp. Hal, KM6JM covered water 4 on theNavy Echo Range road, John, KC6UWM and Lorilyn,KG6LEW covered Water 5 along the Johansburg-TronaRoad and Mike, W6PM worked Water 6 at the Rock Pile.Dennis W6DWF was our in town support person to dealwith phone communications just in case we neededsome thing. Mid afternoon Tammy, KG6VYA took overBase Camp communications and closed the ride down at550 pm. Thanks to all who helped in the various jobsneeded to make the ride safe. Bill WA6QYR

ASK ELMERThe Question...How about some tips on taking care of deep cyclebatteries? Type of chargers to use and avoid,recommended gage wire recommended PM etc.

And the Answer...Good question. There is lots of excellent readingavailable from various sources on this important subject.One of the best sources that I've found is the EmergencyPower for Radio Communications by Michael Bryce,WB8VGE, available from the ARRL and various AmateurRadio stores. Although the book covers much more thanjust deep cycle batteries and chargers, this book canprove invaluable in helping you design the system thatpowers your radio shack.

Another excellent source of information is an article inthe December 2003 issue of QST by Joel Hallas / W1ZRtitled, Emergency Power at W1ZR. This article isavailable for download to all ARRL members by going tothe “QST Archive Search” page and searching for thesubject article. This article will most likely answer everyone of your questions.

As far as taking care of your batteries, it depends onwhat type of battery you have. If you have the common,old wet-style, flooded cell, lead acid battery, be sure tokeep them topped off with distilled, deionized or otherapproved processed water. Never use tap water ormineral water. The impurities in the water will drasticallyshorten the life of your battery. Also be sure to use thesetypes of batteries in well ventilated areas. Thesebatteries vent hydrogen gas when being charged andthat gas WILL explode when exposed to a spark!

You should always use the largest wire within reason,your budget will allow. Keep your wire runs as short aspossible also! Just because the manufacturer placed a10 foot power cord on your HF or VHF rig doesn’t meanyou need to use it all. As a great example, Joel Hallas /W1ZR in his Emergency Power article talks aboutpowering a rig that draws 20 amps using 6 feet of 10gage wire from the power supply to a RigRunner andthen another 6 feet of 10 gage wire to the radio. Thisequals a total of 24 feet of wire (12 feet times 2 wireseach). Doing the math and calculating the resistance ofthe wire, the voltage drop between the power supply’soutput of 13.8V to the radio would be a minimal .5V, or inother words, the radio would see 13.3V. Nothing wrongwith that. However, if you were to try to power that sameradio with 16 gauge wire, that voltage drop would now bea whopping 2 volts! Not so good anymore. Yes, 10gage wire costs a lot more money, but in the long run, it’sworth it. An excellent source of wire (and PowerPoles /accessories) is www.powerwerx.com.73…….Hal/KM6JM

Hey, What happened to my radio?By: Ed Czajka – KI6PSPki6psp.blogspot.com

On a semi regular basis, I start up my Kenwood TS-440and check propagation by listening to the WWV stations.I have them programmed into memory to make it easy,as well as all of the PSK31 freqs and the 60 Meterchannels. Yesterday I turned on my radio and I wasn'tgetting any sound from the speaker. Thinking the fallenkeyboard may have knocked a cable loose I checked thewires. I then discovered that the Heath Kit filter that I wasnot using was turned on but not powered, cutting off myaudio to the speaker. Simple, ok, but how did thathappen, my wife avoids my desk as well as radio stuff.Then today, I observed my 20 month old, climb onto thechair, and without any help did the following:She stood up on the chair, leaned forwards and turnedon the Power Supply, then turned on the radio. Yeah,she figured out the radio doesn't work without the powersupply being on first.Then she started changing the channels I hadprogrammed into memory by turning the knob andlistening to the WWV stations.Oh it gets better, then she leans forward even more, putsher hand on the mic and says in a cute voice, "Heddo,Heddo...". She hasn't associated the PTT button to whenyou talk into the mic but she is well on her way to being aHam Radio Operator. She loves to snatch my hand heldsfrom the counter and run around the house saying"Radio".According to her mother, She loves to climb into my chairand play with my radio in the morning while I am at work.I think it is really funny considering the January dinnermeeting with the local club (WA6YBN). Tickets werebeing drawn for door prizes, and the oldest person washeading up there. Then someone asked who theyoungest person was to go next, without realizing whatwas going on, they looked towards me and asked howold I was, and my daughter Amanda raised her hand, asto say, "I'm the youngest!!!". Everyone started laughingand it took me a second to realize how silly my daughterwas. Its cool though, she got me a good morse codepractice kit and a Marine VHF radio with a couple of wallworts. Ok, we got the bubble wrap calender too.

Its a good thing I usually leave the Mic disconnected, andthe RF carrier at 0%, just in case she figures that outnext.KI6PSP

How to submit an article to thenewsletter

This last month I had a deluge of submissions to thenewsletter. Thanks! It really helps make the newsletterbetter. There were some problems, folks are making itharder on themselves trying to make it easier for me,which I appreciate. But, overall, it was actually harder onyour editor.The best way to submit an article is simple text in anemail. Don't worry about the font or size. Photos shouldbe an attachment, not embedded. No HTML. If you wanta photo at a particular spot, simply put in parenthesis(photo 1 here).Please do not use PDF. It is very difficult for me tomanipulate. In general don't try to put into the format Iuse, in font, size, column, etc Again, I just need toreformat anyway and move stuff around in order to get itall to fit right.In general, I don't like to pull an article off a web page.From time to time certain artifacts come over and I endup fighting it for a while.If you submit something from another club, someoneelse's web page, etc, please get written permission to re-publish it. Most give it readily but I have had some whoinsist on complete editorial action over the entirenewsletter. Needless to say those article never make it.And, if you send something to me for publication, pleasenote that in the email title. I get a lot of articles, whatabout this or that and such from folks all the time. I amnot always sure who wants an article in and who simplyis sending me something interesting.So, please, please, please keep those articles comingand let's make it easier on all of us....the editor

FOR SALE

Clyde Lebsock KA6UGF has given his amateur radioequipment to SARC with proceeds of sales to go into theSARC treasury.

Kenwood TR-7950 2 mtr FM mobile xcvr with mobilemount and MC-46 speaker mic. I have electronic PDFversions of both manuals. $50.00

Yaesu FT-208R 2 mtr FM HT with NC-8 base/chargingstand and YM-24A hand mic. This HT works in the basestand but needs a new set of FNB-2 batteries availablefrom <http://www.batteriesamerica.com/> for $20 +S&H. Manual is downloadable from<http://www.foxtango.org/ft-library/FT-Library/Eighties/ft208r.jpg> $25.00

Mirage B-23, 2 mtr, solid state FM/SSB RF amplifier. 2Watts in-30 Watts out. Small 5"x4"x2". No manual isavailable from the current owners of the Mirage line<http://www.mirageamp.com/>. Currently bolted to thetop of and connected to the pwr sup below. $25.00

Astron KPS-12, 12 VDC/10 AMP continuous/12 AmpICS, power supply. Astron sent an RS-12A manual forthis one. <http://www.astroncorp.com/> $40.00

Ranger Communications RCI-8000 VHF marine (NOT 2mtr.) HT without charging device, with manual. $5.00This hardware is nearly 30 years old. Clyde says that allwere working well when taken out of service severalyears ago.

All units are in excellent mechanical condition and bearno gross, or even not-so-gross, visual defects.Contact Elvy Hopkins NØLV at<LVRH7589@IWVISP.COM> or 760-384-3589.

FOR SALECollins R648/ARR-41 w/manualDrake R4, TX4, TR7A, w/RV7 VFO, MS4 supply/spkr.,misc mic, etc...Nice H.B. antenna matcherHy-Gain High Tower mostly completeKenwood TR9000 multi-mode 2 mtr mobileWebster Bandspanner coils in boxesMany larger tunable coils and caps, high power typesHeathkit CantennaHustler HF mobile whips and coilsNMO VHF type mobile ant.Misc mobile ant. Make offer to Sam Edwards, WA6???, 648 Sonja Court,(760) 371-9872

FOR SALEGonset 20mtr 5 elm beam $10; 220MHz heavy duty 7 elbeam $15 ; 6 ft spin aluminum dish (no back mountingsupport) $50; Hallicrafter HT32A transmitter with manual$50, Trio (Kenwood) TS520D 80-10 meters SSB 90w rigwith manual $75 Bill WA6QYR 760-375-8566bburns@ridgenet.net.

FOR FREEEarly Heathkit items- G-2 sine/square wave generator;V-5 VTVM; Later Heathkit- 5 inch scope O-10 BillWA6QYR 760-375-8566 bburns@ridgenet.net.

FOR SALEYaesu HF Transciever FT-757GX-II 160-10M includingWARC Bands (30-17-12M), 100W output on SSB, CW,FM and 25 watts AM. The receiver features IF shift, asquelch that works on modes other than FM, and noiseblanker. The General Coverage receive covers 500 kHzto 30 MHz. The rig also has an excellent built-inelectronic keyer with semi/full break-in CW. Other

features include an attenuator, dual VFOs, speechcompressor and VOX. Tested and radio works to specs.Includes Yaesu MD1-B8 Desk Mic and "ExternalAmplifier Keying Relay" optional attachment. Wired forAnderson Powerpole DC connections. No manual butcan provide a downloaded electronic copy. Was myfather's rig before he passed. Asking $375.00

If radio buyer is interested, I have 2 additional items that Iwill sell as a package ONLY. I prefer to sell all threeitems together. All three items (radio, tuner and P/S) as apackage for $430.00 FIRM

MFJ-901 200W Manual tuner. Connecting coax betweenradio and tuner and original manual included.

Astron PS-20 Power Supply. No meter version. 13.8V at20A ICAS rating, 16A continuous. Wired for FT-757GX-IIconnection using Anderson powerpoles. No manual butone should be available online.

This is an excellent starter station for the newly upgradedGeneral or Extra Class ham. Contact Gene W5DQ at"w5dq-at-radioroom-dot-org" or call 760-446-1315. Ifoutside Indian Wells Valley, shipping charges will applyor coordinated delivery may be arranged.

WANTEDDigital storage scope with GPIB interface. Any majormanufacturer.Call Claude Wood- WA6YSQ at 1-760-377-5558.

Check out the SARC Web Pagewww.qsl.net/wa6ybn/

RACES, ARES and INDIAN WELLSVALLEY EMERGENCY NET

MEMBERS

In case of impending or current emergency, monitor theSARC translator on 146.64/04 MHz or the backup simplex frequency of 146.52 MHz. W6PM, Mike or AI6A, John, the local RACES ECs, will coordinate mobilization.An Emergency Net Control Station will direct radio communications. Check in. State your capabilities. Be prepared to go outside the IWV for at least three days.An E-Pac should contain: your RACES card, radios and accessories, batteries, charger, paper, pen, clipboard, flashlight with spare batteries, timepiece, headgear, sunglasses, spare glasses, your medications, yourmedical history, first aid kit, severe weather clothing,non-perishable food, 3 gal. water, sleeping bag.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

SIERRA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB of the HIGH MOJAVE

Please fill out this form. It is used to make the club roster and newsletter mailing list. This form must accompany allmembership and badge payments. All renewals are due 31 March. Please mail this application and your payment toSARC, POB 1442, Ridgecrest, CA 93556-1442 or give them to the Secretary at a meeting.

Membership – Please circle one

Individual via Email - $17.00

Family via Email - $27.00

Full time student via Email - $8.50

Active Duty Military via Email - $8.50

Individual or First Family Member Date ______________________

Name: Last__________________________ First______________________ Call Sign_______________

Novice___ Tech___ Gen___ Adv___ Ex___ ARRL Member : Yes _____ No ______

E-Mail Address______________________________________ (Note: Email address is not shared, for newsletter only)

Mailing address: ________________________ City__________________________

State________________________ Zip______________________

Phone: ________________________

Second Family Member (For more family members please duplicate)

Name: Last__________________________ First______________________ Call Sign_______________

Novice___ Tech___ Gen___ Adv___ Ex___ ARRL Member : Yes _____ No ______

DO NOT DETACH BADGE ORDER DO NOT DETACHThe club badge shows your Amateur Call, your Name and Sierra Amateur Radio Club. It will identify you at club meetingsand public service events. To order a badge, provide the information below and, include $11.00, for each badge inMembership Application total above or with this form and mail to SARC, POB 1442, Ridgecrest, CA 93556-1442 or give itto the Treasurer at a meeting.

Name to put on my badge is_____________________ (What you like to be called)

Amateur call for my badge is____________________