The Dummy Load. Newsletter of the San Juan County Amateur Radio Society April 2009

Transcription

1 The Dummy Load Newsletter of the San Juan County Amateur Radio Society April 2009 Next Monthly Meeting: Friday, April 10, 11:30A Second floor, Friday Harbor Firehouse, Friday Harbor The Repeater Quit! What Do We Do? By Peter McCorison We sometimes see that our repeater has problems with longer term use. Suppose it died in the middle of an emergency incident. What do we do? Here is a protocol designed to keep us in contact even if the repeater fails us: Step One: We go to simplex on the repeater output frequency. This is something we often do, but haven't formalized the action. Now we agree that if we can't use the repeater, we just switch to simplex on the output. We should all have this programmed into our radios so that it's just a matter of turning the channel dial a couple of notches. But, you say, "Suppose we can't use the repeater because there's heavy interference on the output frequency?" Hence Step Two: Good point, and we need to answer that. If the output frequency is unavailable, we'll all move to TAC11. TAC11? Well, surely you have downloaded the Frequency sheet from the SJCARS web site and programmed those frequencies into your radio. No? Well you would be better prepared for an emergency if you did. For those who are going to do that, but haven't yet done so, the frequency is with a tone of 131.8, the same CTCSS tone we use on the repeater. To Recap: If the repeater fails, we go to simplex on the output frequency. If that frequency is unavailable for any reason, we go to TAC11, with tone. Both of these channels should be programmed into your radios so that they are available at the twist of a knob. This Radio Thing Actually Works! By Bryan Hoyer Sure I have a degree in electronics and worked as an engineer for many years, but the simple fact is, radio still amazes me. I was monitoring the repeater the other day when an unfamiliar call sign came in; I wish I had written it down now. The ham was just trying to make a contact and he came in full quieting when he announced: I m at the top of the Space Needle using a 5W handheld and just wanted to see if I could reach the San Juans. Often I struggle to make contact with people mobile on some part of the Islands and this guy comes in 59 from 75 miles away. This radio thing actually works. San Juan County Amateur Radio Society POBox 1530, Friday Harbor, WA President: Bryan Hoyer Vice-president: Jerry Swalling Secretary: Dani Hoyer Treasurer: Dave Vandaveer Newsletter Editor: Dan Drath Copy Editor: Jan McCorison N7JN Trustee: Peter McCorison Please send Dummy Load contributions to: drathmarine@rockisland.com

2 Every Tuesday, rain or shine, four club members head out in the early morning to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Mullis Fire Station to participate in the CEMNET weekly drill. These members are Ed Kelm, Charlie Lindenberg, Dick Rich, and Jerry Swalling. Often Wayne Rankin monitors from his home in Eastsound providing relay when the radio circuit and atmospherics are not cooperating. What CEMNET is, and what it does is described in the paragraphs below. Ed. Emergency Management Radio Systems Comprehensive Emergency Management Network (CEMNET) Submitted by Ed Kelm The Emergency Management Division (EMD) operates a statewide, very high frequency (VHF) low-band radio system, as the primary backup communication link between the state EOC and local EOC s throughout the state. It also serves as a link to other agencies such as: Department of Ecology Department of Health University of Washington Seismology Lab National Weather Service, and Harborview Medical Center. The map below depicts the location of the twelve mountaintop base stations that comprise the backbone of the network. The CEMNET base stations are controlled from the state EOC through the Washington State Patrol microwave system. CEMNET operates primarily on three (3) frequencies, designated for accountability purposes as F MHz, F MHz, and F MHz. In radios set up primarily for CEMNET use, this will usually correspond to channels 1, 2, and 3. The State Emergency Operations Officer (SEOO) located within the state EOC monitors the network on a 24-hour basis. For operational purposes, the state has been divided into five regions (see table at right), with a channel designated for use within that region. The State Emergency Operations Officer (SEOO) will monitor the designated channel (frequency) for both routine and emergency traffic and respond accordingly. Should traffic build-up cause a problem within the network, the State EOC will act as Net Control. CEMNET is tested weekly with local emergency management jurisdictions on the following schedule: Western Washington stations: Tuesday, 0900 hours Central Washington stations: Wednesday, 0900 hours Eastern Washington stations: Thursday, 0900 hours Local emergency management jurisdictions are authorized to use the designated CEMNET region channel for local operations. Local jurisdictions should use the region channel assignment as identified in the preceding table for local base station to mobile/portable communications in support of local day-to-day and emergency needs. Each local jurisdiction is authorized at least five (5) mobiles per license. Additionally, MAST helicopters from Fort Lewis and/or Army National Guard may communicate on Channel F1 on their FM systems. Page 2

3 NORTHWEST SOUTHWEST CENTRAL NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST F1 (45.20 MHz) F2 (45.36 MHz) F3 (45.48 MHz) F1 (45.20 MHz) F2 (45.36 MHz) Clallam Clark Adams Ferry Asotin Island Cowlitz Benton Lincoln Columbia Jefferson Grays Harbor Chelan Okanogan Garfield King Lewis Douglas Pend Oreille Whitman Kitsap Mason Grant Spokane San Juan Pacific Franklin Stevens Skagit Pierce Kittitas Snohomish Skamania Klickitat Whatcom Thurston Yakima Bellevue Wahkiakum Walla Walla Kent SW Snohomish Seattle Auburn Kirkland Snoqualmie Port Angeles Redmond Five Regions of CEMENT Net Division Tacoma Lacey Shelton Puyallup Communications Academy Remember April 4 and 5 is this year's Communications Academy at South Seattle Community College. For more info, check the website at : Where the Action Is...continued Results from 24 hour Scan of , Friday, March 20, 2009 Hourly Distribution M N Tot HrTotal Page 3

4 A Visit to the Puyallup Flea Market The largest ham radio swap meet in the State takes place in March of each year at the Western Washington Fair Grounds in Puyallup.The crowd started forming an hour ahead of the 9AM door opening, patiently waiting in the 39 degf morning to be the first inside. Photos and captions by Dan Drath. Three rows of tables stretch the length of the room on two floors, filled with old radio equipment, new radio equipment, and computer parts. The event is produced by the Mike and Key Amateur Radio Club headquartered in Renton, WA. Mike and Key can be found on the web at and on the air at and MHz. Retired Coast Guard Radioman John Barnwell, KE7TPA, sits proudly behind his display of beautifully restored equipment. John served on the Coast Guard vessels Mellon and Ironwood. All of this equipment is for sale. These shelves are filled with RF components many can recognize from WW2 surplus equipment. A swap meet is probably the only place quality HF RF components can be found at a reasonable price. Speciality vendors have items for the ham. This is one of the cable tables. Better than mail order, one can try before he buys. Page 4

5 Every manner of RF connector can be found at a great deal less than department store prices. Digital connectors are another matter, however, the author could not find a DB37F anywhere...even at Fry s. Dick Morrison, K7KFM, shows off his new repeater to be placed on Mt Packwood on / Dick has been teaching ham radio classes in Chehalis that have produced 30 new licencees. There are many opportunities for a trip down memory lane. The receiver model at the left was used by the author in the beginning on his ham career. Transmitting tubes at one vendor s table. Buying new-oldstock or used equipment has its risks. Vendors are usually reputable, however, and offer guarantees of one form or another. Found sitting behind the MARS table was Dick Morrison formerly of San Juan Island. Dick was one of the hams largely responsible for the early installation of our repeater. It operated under his call for several years before becoming N7JN. New computer memory was available at a fraction of the going price at on-line stores or on ebay. About 350 sticks are shown above. I bought two sticks to bring one desktop up to 1 Megbyte, came home, and installed it without issue. The vendor is Dan Scherer of Serious Surplus in Woodinville. He can be reached at serioussurplus@gmail.com. Page 5

6 Top Hat Novelties can be found at every hamfest and swapmeet in the Pacific Northwest. Operated by D and D Humphrey of Seattle, WA, they make badge, desk plates, license frames for individuals and clubs. Our SJCARS name badges come from their shop. They may be found on the web at ww.tophatnovelties.com and reached by at n7qhc@arrl.net. The YLs table with many items of interest to the women operators. One of the questions that comes to mind concerns our vocabulary and use of OM and YL. All men radio operators are referred to as OM, old man/ men, regardless of age. Women radio operators are referred to as YLs, young ladies, regardless of age. The parallel is tilted. Perhaps the men should become YMs, or drop the whole issue and call the respective parties Ms and Ls. A typical table of older equipment. I found many of the radios I knew as a new ham and could not afford. They are now for sale at seemingly bargain prices. If one wanted to assemble a 1950s AM station, here is the source for equipment. Turn on the way-back-machine, Natasha. ICOM had a big display of new equipment right by the main entrance to the swapmeet. Literature was available and knowledgeable representatives were on hand to answer questions. The new radios with computer interfaces were especially impressive. Above is the latest in hand-helds. Page 6

7 Three vehicles of note in the parking lot across from the swapmeet. (Parking is free, by the way.) The bus was equipped for mountain top DXing on VHF, UHF and beyond with all manner of antennas, some rotatable. The other two vehicles show approaches to high power, high frequency (the lower bands) mobile operation. The Puyallup Mike & Key Fleamarket will take place March 6, Mike & Key meets at the Salvation Arm Center, 720 South Tobin Str, Renton, the third Saturday of each month at 10A. They are on the web at Turn Your Radio On Ham hats made by Hams. Hotpress of Bonney Lake WA. They make the hats we see so frequently at ham gatherings. They can be found on the web at Page 7

8 The ARES Net meets each Wednesday at 8PM on the San Juan County Amateur Radio Society Repeater MHz; -600 khz offset; Hz tone and/or , MHz; +5 MHz offset; Hz tone Net Control Schedule Please arrange a substitute if needed. Mar 25 Charlie (1) Lindenberg, W7BXH, Apr 01 Ed Kelm, KD7TUN, Apr 08 Nancy Lindenberg, KD7IRD, Apr 15 Jerry Swalling, WA7ZTT, Apr 22 Mark Dawber, N6CSM, Apr 29 Dan Drath, N6AU, May 06 Dave Vandaveer, K9MRQ, Upcoming Events April 4 and 5, Communications Academy at South Seattle Community College. April 10, Monthly Club Meeting, 2nd floor, Friday Harbor Fire Station April 22, Deadline for material for the next Dummy Load Let the Editor know if you wish to be added to the Net Control rotation This issue of the Dummy Load was prepared with the help of Jan McCorison. The Dummy Load c/o Drath POBox 1460 Friday Harbor, WA First Class Mail