The Chairman Speaks! Tom Jennings KV2X

Transcription

1 The Rochester VHF Group The VHF Journal Volume 69, Issue 6 February 2016 The next regular meeting of the Rochester VHF Group will be Friday, February 12th at 7:30 PM located at Spencerport Wesleyan Church2653 Nichols St., Spencerport. Come early and enjoy snacks and talk about Ham Radio. Map and directions on last page In this issue: The Chairman Speaks! Secretary s & Treasurer s Report Vice Chairman s Report. January VHF Contest VHF Super Conference Contest Calendar Winter Hamfest Classifieds Topic: Show and Tell RVHFG s Beacons Band MHz 6m m m cm cm Beacons Hosted at AWA Museum W2UTH 6 meter Skimmer sd1/dxsd1.php?f=0&c=w2uth&t= de The Chairman Speaks! Tom Jennings KV2X Groupers: It looks like the ARRL January VHF Contest had good participation this year from FN13 and members from the RVHFG. As of today, there are 14 log submissions to the ARRL. If you haven t submitted your log(even if it is one qso), please do it soon as the submission dead line is coming up fast! K2TER and I formed the K2TER Rover team and had an OK contest. However, it could have been better. As usual, we were plagued by a few problems, which affected our score. In FN22, Bill had to put up with an extremely high noise level plus not hearing many signals. Solution to those problems was a broken connection on the 6-meter beam and my laptop s noisy power supply. In addition, on Sunday from FN02 our 222 feed coax broke but we did make a 40-mile qso with K2DH! Otherwise, the bands had few signals. No 6-meter opening, we did not hear very far on 2 meters either. The Rover Blitz was a success as 6 rovers participated. Thanks to Bill, K2TER, for coming up with an efficient method of making contacts. The topic for the February meeting will be Show and Tell Please bring anything communications related to show. If you have project, please bring it even if it is not finished. The group may offer some great suggestions. 73, Tom Jennings, KV2X Published by Rochester VHF Group PO BOX Rochester, NY Editor: Tom Jennings, KV2X The VHF Journal is published by the Rochester VHF Group monthly except June-August. The subscription price is included in the membership dues. If you elect to receive the PDF version by downloading it from our website, dues are US$10 per year. In this case, you will be notified by the day it is available for download. If you choose to receive the hardcopy Journal by Postal delivery, the dues are US$15.00 per year. Articles and comments should be submitted to journal@rvhfg.com

2 Secretary Report Freddie Sulyma, WB2GFZ Rochester VHF Group Meeting Minutes for 8 January Tom (KV2X) called the meeting to order at 1928L. Tom welcomed everybody and we all had an opportunity to give highlights of our recent ham radio activity. Tom (KV2X) asked for a motion that last month s meeting minutes be accepted as written in January s journal. John (WB2YJH) motioned to acceptance and Jeff (K2EHF) seconded. Tom (KV2X) asked for a motion that the Treasurer s report be accepted as written in January s Journal. Jim (WB2YJH) motioned to accept and Jarred (KF2MR) seconded. A motion to close the meeting was presented by Jarred (KF2MR) and Frank (K2OS) seconded. Attending: Tom (KV2X), Freddie (WB2GFZ), Steve (K2STF), Al (K2MPE), Harry (W2HRY), Jarred (KF2MR) Frank (K2OS), Jim (WB2YJH), Jeff ( K2EHF), Ken (K2UAD) & Ken (N8KH). Old Business: There are issues with some of the Beacons at the AWA. Freddie (WB2GFZ) indicated he would try to establish a crew (Duncan (K2OEQQ) & Dave (K2DH)) to check this out on 16 February 16. The 220 MHz Transverter project was brought up, discussed and will be highlighted on the RVHFG s website ( The RVHF group is hosting the annual Banquet this year. The venue will be Lillian s in Penfield and Jarred (KF2MR) is investigating and will provide details. The Worked All Rochester award was highlighted and all were encouraged to consider participation. The idea to award any RVHF group members who submits a January contest log a commemorative coffee mug is going forward. RVHFG / RDXA Banquet is scheduled for 16 April 16 (Saturday) at Lilians restaurant & Party house. New Business: Discussions to attract new members at the Rochester Ham Fest were initiated and all agreed that the Ham Fest is a good opportunity to recruit. Jarred indicated that he would establish a survey on the RVHFG Yahoo News Group that would help identify interests amongst the members. Program: The evening program demonstrated Contest Logging Software for Rover Log, demonstrated by Jarred (KF2MR) & VHF Contest Log (N3FJP) demonstrated by Frank (K2OS). Contest Log reporting to the ARRL was also highlighted.

3 Rochester VHF Group Treasurer s Report (01/31/2016) CHECKING/CASH ACCOUNT Previous Balance (PP = $22.64, Cash = $313.83Cash, $ Checking): $ Income: Dues Ken (W2UAD, $10) & Al (K2MPE, $10) $ Ducan (K2OEQ, $10 Chk) Expenses: Flowers to brighten up Gloria (K2GAB, $81, Chk # 1057) $ Current Balance (PP = $22.64, Cash = $333.83Cash, $ Checking): $ Members paid up for are as follows; AB2YI, David Muller K2TER, Bill Rogers W2LT, Joe Hoodak AE2DM, David Malecki KB2BLS, Bill Hanes W2UAD, Ken Evans AF2K, Irv Goodman KC2PCD, Len Crellin (2017) WA2QAU, Robert Roberts K2AXX, Mark Hoffman KD2DCC, Ed Pendzik WB2BYP, John Stevens (2017) K2DH, Dave Hallidy KF2MR, Jarred Jackson WB2GFZ, Freddie Sulyma K2EHF, Jeff Luce KV2X, Tom Jennings WB2QCJ, Dean Keyser K2GAB, Gloria Stevens (2017) N2BEG, Doug Stewart WB2SQS, Mike Gioka K2OEQ, Duncan Brown N2HEG, Martin Ippolito WB2YJH, Jim Reilich K2OS, Frank Pollino VE3DS, Dana Shtun WO2P, Fred Miller (2017) K2MPE, Al Cook W2CNS, Bob Nezelek K2STF, Steve Fleming W2GMT, Gary Terrana Respectfully submitted, Freddie Sulyma, WB2GFZ, Treasurer Corrected Treasurer s Report (12/31/15) Freddie Sulyma, WB2GFZ Note that there was an error in January's Journal. I reported $66 for flowers and it was really for PO Box annual rental Flowers for $81 was reported in the new report (February). CHECKING/CASH ACCOUNT Previous Balance (PP = $3.82, Cash = $303.83Cash, $ Checking): $ Income: Dues Frank (K2OS, $10), Doug (N2BEG, 9.41), Dana (VE3ES, 9.41) (PayPal) $ Ducan (K2OEQ, $10 Chk) Expenses: AWA Donation ($50, Chk #1056) & PO Box Annual Rental ($66, Chk # 1055) $ Current Balance (PP = $22.64, Cash = $313.83Cash, $ Checking): $

4 Vice Chairman s Report By Jarred Jackson, KF2MR The January VHF contest is now behind us and I am looking forward to a lot more activity this year. We have the Spring Sprints coming up, the April 16 th Banquet, then on to the June VHF Contest and Field Day with the Rochester Hamfest stuck in there somewhere. I have big plans for June that I hope I can turn into a reality. It will involve adding 3456 and laser (10 bands), making sure all my antennas point the same way ;) and mapping out at least 7 grids, maybe more. This Friday all of you will have the opportunity to bring along an interesting project, piece of equipment or software to demonstrate. We will keep the business meeting short and give everyone an opportunity to take a look at what others have been working on and talk about our recent activities. Not finished with the project? No problem, bring it along anyway and maybe get a few tips from others or even the encouragement to wrap it up. If you are like me, you have several projects in various states of completion. If so, feel free to bring along more than one. I look forward to seeing you on Friday and hearing you on the air. January VHF Contest Bill, K2TER, and his rover Two Towers in FN22 Rover Blitz in FN03 Broken coax made 40 mile qso from Werner Rd to K2DH

5 K2DH contacts K2TER/R (KV2X making this contact) on the microwave bands KF2MR/R poses for this picture trying to hide the rat s nest of coax behind him W2HRY/R wraps up operation in FN03 after completing his first VHF/UHF contest W2HRY/R Band QSOs Grids G 2 2 Grids Activated 4 Totals Claimed Score 8424 All s this contest has spoiled me...weather wise it was too nice... I suspect every future January VHF contest will be a weather disappointment. I talked to many great contestants, met a lot of nice people at (Mooney's) for lunch and had a great time. I learned a lot. Again thanks to Jarred for taking me under his wing and showing me all the VHF hotspots and to both Al (K2ERG) and Jarred for the additional equipment to make my first VHF Contest a memorable one. - W2HRY

6 K2DH Generally, I was impressed with the amount of local activity this year. However, it always amazes me that with all the K2DH --Single Op High Power Assisted Band QSO's Mults G G G G G 1 1 TOTAL Claimed Score , Dave K2DH HF cm radios that are out there, that we can t get a higher percentage of folks showing up in the weak signal portions of the bands, at least for a little while. If they did, they d be surprised how much they could work even with simple dipoles. I was pleased with the effort the Rovers made this year- we need more of that next year, and they need to keep adding microwave bands. The point value of those contacts is amazing. It disappointed me not to make any QSO s on 3456 at all, or on 10GHz until Jarred showed up in my driveway near the end of the contest. I ll do better in June, September and next January- I ll have bigger power on 2304 and 3456, and I ll have 5760 running as well. I also have to say this- as much as I ve been against Assisted mode operating in the past, I used the chat room to self-spot and make skeds, and it worked out beautifully. I m a fan! By far the best ARRL VHF contest in the last 10 years. Lots of good FM activity and the sidebanders were willing to visit FM's and score some of that goodness. The rovers did an excellent job working everybody. Can only hope the excitement carries over to the June contest. First time over 100 Q's in a VHF contest - K2SI from 3830scores.com Very flat band conditions. No openings to speak of. Thanks to all the mobiles and FMers who got on the band to hand out Q's. Best local activity heard in years. - N2BEG from 3830scores.com The K2LIM Contest station worked more stations in the Rochester area than we can remember, thanks to the efforts of Jarred-KF2MR - KA2LIM K2LIM To our south, the familiar WNY multi-op station was again on the air and having fun. Operators included: Al-W9KXI, Gregg-NX2W, Walt- N2IK, Rob-KB2YCC, Larry WA3CSP and Ken-KA2LIM Check out more details on the KA2LIM website Band QSOs Grids Totals Claimed Score Ken, KA2LIM, operating with the back door of the Grid Limo open... in January??

7 KF2MR/R We had a very cold and windy setup Friday night and Saturday Band QSOs Grids morning, but a beautiful weekend for a contest. Local activity was great and the Rover Blitz on Sunday was a lot of fun. In the graph below, I compare my QSO rate from 2015 and The gigantic spike on Sunday is the result of the rover blitz. We had WB2GFZ/R, K2TER/R and KF2MR/R on MHz, W2HRY/R and N8KH/R on MHz and WB2YJH/R on 50/446/1294. Best DX for the contest was with 1.2G 26 8 KT1R in FN54 on 2m CW from FN12hq, nearly 450 miles. My multiplier 2.3G 5 4 count was not as high this contest as I anticipated as a result of having 10G 1 1 more locals to talk to and a battery charging problem that kept me from calling CQ much. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, both Grids Activated 4 the battery and my body were exhausted and I missed some of the Totals productive evening hours. I still doubled my score from a year ago and Claimed Score had a great time. I am already looking forward to improvements I can make for June!

8 K2TER/R Here is the summery from the K2TER/R. We only worked less than half the number of grids we usually do. Mostly the grids surrounding FN13 were worked. We usually work a few stations in FN22 but not this January! Bill, K2TER Tom, KV2X Band Mode QSOs Pts Gird 50 CW USB CW SSB USB CW USB CW USB USB CW USB CW USB Total Both Score 32,205 VHF Super Conference The First Ever, VHF SUPER Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles International Airport, Sterling, VA, April 14-17, If there ever was One VHF Conference to go to This Is IT! The Southeastern VHF Society (SVHFS), North East Weak Signal Group (NEWS) and Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club (Pack Rats) have come together to sponsor this VHF Super Conference. It is being hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group (K8GP) and Directive Systems and Engineering. For further information and to register for the conference please go to vhfsuperconference.com. This is a rare opportunity to meet with and hear from some of the top operators and technical minds in VHF Amateur Radio today all in one location. Don't miss it! Thursday, April 14, 10am-6pm Guided Bus Tour (3 hrs) of Washington DC, and afternoon stop at Smithsonian Area Museums 7pm-Hospitality Suite & Swap Friday, April 15, 8am-5pm Presentations, Vendors, Lunch with Speaker, Auctions 9am-4pm Washington DC Bus Transportation to Smithsonian/US Capitol/National Mall/Botanic Gardens area 7pm-Hospitality Suite & Swap Saturday, April 16, 8am-5pm Presentations, Vendors, Lunch with Speaker, Auctions 7pm-Banquet, Speaker, Awards, Door prizes Sunday, April 17, 8am-11am Swap & Vendors

9 Special $89+tax Hotel rate includes breakfast on Friday & Saturday. The $89 rate is available from Tuesday, April 12 through Tuesday, April 19 Must confirm on-line or telephone reservations for VHF Super Conference using group code E06 to get the discounted rate + Fri/Sat Breakfast. Registration includes Lunch and all day beverages for Friday and Saturday! Register before March 15 and save up to $30 each person, on Registration, Banquet, and DC bus transportation total! Free Hotel shuttle to and from Dulles Airport & the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum available daily. This is a beautiful time to visit the Washington, DC area with Warm Spring Weather and Cherry Blossoms! Mark, K1MAP Contacts for the VHF SUPER Conference: SVHFS: N2CEI, W8ZN, K4MEP Mt. Airy/Packrats: K3TUF, K1DS NEWS: K1MAP, W1GHZ, WZ1V Winter Hamfest February 27th 2016 Big Flat s America n Legion 45 Olcott Rd S, Big flats, NY $5 Admission $10 for a flea market table - First come, first served Food Available--VE Testing --50/50 drawing--$100 Grand Prize (Drawing at 12 noon) Doors open to public at 8:00 a.m. Venders welcome at 6:30 a.m. Contact phone number: Shake off the winter blues and come out and have a cup of coffee and a conversation with friends and maybe find a new toy in the inside flea market. Rt. 86 Exit 49 Big Flats, NY

10 VHF+ Contest Calendar Event Date Local Time Notes 144 MHz Spring Sprint 4/1/ PM Get on the air before and after the RVHFG net 222 MHz Sprint Sprint 4/19/ PM ON4KST used for Spring Sprints 432 MHz Sprint Sprint 4/27/ PM 902 MHz and Up 5/7/16 8AM 2PM 50 MHz Sprint Sprint 5/14/ PM Great chance to exercise the microwave gear before the big contest is June ARRL June VHF Contest 6/11-6/12/16 2PM Sat. - 11PM Sun. 2PM Sat ARRL Field Day 6/25 6/26/16 2PM Sun 2PM Sat CQWW VHF 7/16 7/17/16 5PM Sun 2PM Sat ARRL August UHF 8/1 8/2/16 2PM Sun 10 GHz and Up Weekend #1 8/20 8/21/16 See rules 2PM Sat ARRL September VHF 9/10 9/12/16 11PM Sun 10 GHz and Up Weekend #2 9/27 9/28/16 See rules This is the next big one for RVHFG. Let s plan for a busy weekend. What band can you add? 6m 70cm commonly used. Give CW and PSK31 a try on VHF for extra points Amazing what can be done on these bands come out and see! NY QSO Party 10/15/16 10AM 10PM Look for updates on NYQP.org later in the year. Similar to field day, we can run the bands using all different modes for extra points. EME Weekend #1 10/22 10/23 See Moon EME Weekend #2 11/19 11/20 See Moon

11 Classified Listings T-Cases For Sale We were at ALPCO this past weekend when we spied these used T-cases in the for sale area. I called and talked to the owner, Al, who said he has 500 of them at their Brockport warehouse. He said his price was $25 apiece, but after talking with him a bit he dropped it to $15 apiece; not sure, if this assumed for everyone, but at least you know you can work with him a bit. He did say that he was facing the prospect of shredding them since he could not move them. These five were at ALPCO in Macedon, I did not find out how to get these from the Brockport location, so best to call ahead for availability ((315) , ask for Al). KD2HFC

12 Meeting Location and Directions Spencerport Wesleyan Church on 2653 Nichols St. (actually Hwy. 31). Directions from Rochester: 531W exit RT. to 259N 259N turn Rt. on 31E (first Rt. at traffic light) Look for Spencerport Schools Bus Garage on left Take first Rt. on Sheldon at A-framed church, park in rear lot. Enter gray metal door under fire escape.