k6mep keyer – the journal of the ventura county amateur ... 2015 12... · 12/05/2015 | 1914...

K6MEP Keyer – The Journal of the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club

K6MEP Keyer December [email protected] / www.qsl.net/k6mep of 22 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventura-County-Amateur-Radio-Club/218258118205441https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/K6MEP/info



The KEYER is published monthly by K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. as a means of providing club members the minutes from K6MEP’s monthly general membership meetings, the monthly board of directors meetings, a calendar of events and articles of interest on amateur radio.

Layout and logos are the property of The Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, K6MEP. The stories printed in this journal remain the property of the writers, without whom we would not have a publication. Permission to reprint articles should be obtained from the authors. Articles from the ARRL are reproduced with permission.

Material submitted for inclusion is encouraged. Submit material on IBM(tm) PC diskettes, USB sticks, or by e-mail to [email protected]. MS Word, WordPerfect or ASCII is preferred. Send all submissions directly to the club mailing address atK6MEP, PO Box 2103 Oxnard, CA 93034-2103 or deliver to the editor at any time mutually convenient.

K6MEP holds general membership meetings at 7:30 p.m on the 2nd Friday of each month at The Ventura Port Authority building, 1603 Anchors Way Ventura 93001

Dues are $20 per year.

Message from the President

Greetings Members:

The tradition of VCARC is to have a dinner gathering, DecemberFest, for December instead of a meeting on the second Friday. This year we are signed up for Dec. 11 at Olive Garden, 1891 Ventura Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93036 from 6:30 PM onwards. Our RSVP is for 30, and we have nearly that many from a show of hands at the November meeting.

Congratulations to Steve Noll, WA6EJO. Steve was elected to serve as member at large on the Board of Directors for 2016. The incumbent directors were re-elected for 2016.

We may be restructuring our monthly meetings a bit in the coming months as the directors discuss ways to add new features and activities - stay tuned!

See you all at Olive Garden!

Joe Krigbaum K6NE President, VCARC

Secretary’s Column and Meeting MinutesVentura County Amateur Radio Club Inc. Club Meeting Meeting Date : 11/13/15

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES MEETING ADDRESS : Ventura Port District Building 1603

Anchors Way, Ventura ATTENDANCE : Listed on Roll Check-In Sheet CALL TO ORDER Established quorum (25% of Voting Members = 5 ) 20 /4

= 5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEETING MINUTES Open meeting with Pledge of Allegiance Introductions. Call for approval of minutes. Quorum to approve the

minutes . Seretary Bob KD6UDA reports on active membership about

20 as renewals continue to change this evening. Time to file State form SI-100, and Treasurer should prepare to report full year total income to report to IRS next year.

FINANCIAL REVIEW Treasurer reports John AG6GL on current bank balances. (cont pg 14)

Ventura County Amateur Radio Club 2015 Officers and ChairsPresident Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 Vice-President John Castorina WB6AZP Secretary Rob Byl KD6UDA Treasurer John Gartman AG6GL Board Member Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Board Member Rod Austin KA6GSU (805) 983-7141 Board Member (open) ARRL Liaison Chris Dimond KJ6QOP Awards Mgr. VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club Editor/ Publisher Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Elmer Coordinator VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your clubFacilities Mgr. Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 Historian VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club License trustee Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 New Members Bob Brodie KJ6AAE Photographer Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 PR chairman Dana Wentling KG6WXE Prize Chairman VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club Programs Chair Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 QSL Manager (open) Refreshments Webmaster Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337

The Inside StoryMessage from the President………….…………….…….…..………2 Meeting Notes………………………….……………….…...…………2 Contests & Spec Events…………….…………………..……........…3 Gear Available…………………….………………………………....…4 Trivia…………………..……………………….………...…..…………4 Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions…….……………..…….............5 - 6 Upcoming HamFests ……….……..……………...………..…………7 Net Script……………..…………..………….……….……..….…...…8 K6MEP Calendar……………………..…………...…….…...……..…8 Volunteer Training Classes…………..……..…..…...…..........9 & 10 ARES & Frequency information……..………………….…..………11 ARRL Public Service Classes……..……….……………………….12 Area Nets…………….……..…………………….……..….……..….13 Meeting Local Maps ……………………………..…….….…………15 K6MEP DecemberFest Map and Info……………………………....16 WD6EBY Sulphur Mt. Repeater Project……………………………16 WRC Approves Global 60 Meter Allocation!………………….……18 ARRL Members in Sta Barbara Elect New Section Manager…....19 MARS-Amateur Radio Exercise an Overall Success…………….19 You May be a Ham If -- …………………………..………..………..20 A Ham’s Night Before Christmas……………………..………….…22



Selected December Contests & Special EventsThe following contests and special events caught your editor’s eye. This is by no means a complete listing. Please see QST or the ARRL website (www.arrl.org) for any details and QSL information.

---------------------------------------------------------- 12/03/2015 | Pearl Harbor Commemoration Dec 3-Dec 9,

1400Z-2100Z, W2W, Baltimore, MD. Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum. 14.241 14.041 7.241 7.041. Certificate & QSL. ARCNEM: W2W Pearl Harbor, PO Box 1693, MS 4015, Baltimore, MD 21203. The Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum will again commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Operations are expected to be primarily Dec. 5, 6, and 7. Additional information will appear on ww-2.us

12/05/2015 | 1914 Waller-McMunn Hamshack Dec 5, 1400Z-2200Z, W8VP, Cambridge, OH. Cambridge Amateur Radio Association. 7.240 7.230. Certificate. Cambridge Amateur Radio Association, PO Box 1804, Cambridge, OH 43725. Roy Waller, founder of the club in 1913, and his brother-in-law Homer McMunn used this building as their radio shack 1914, and later (briefly) as an AM broadcast station (1924). Please QSL with contact information and $1 for postage when requesting a certificate. www.w8vp.org

12/05/2015 | 74th Anniversary of Civil Air Patrol Dec 5, 1700Z-2300Z, N0C, Chicago, IL. Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol. 18.125 14.250 7.255. QSL. ILWG CAP, Major Ron Walerowicz, PO Box 4027, Saint Charles, IL 60174. www.n0c.info

12/05/2015 | Battle of Great Bridge Dec 5-Dec 6, 1500Z-2100Z, W4CAR, Chesapeake, VA. Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service. 21.375 14.275 7.275 3.875. Certificate. Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service, 116 Reservation Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Special Event stations will be manned during the hours of the battle reenactment, (Eastern Standard Time (EST)) Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 10 AM until 4 PM and Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 10 AM until 4 PM. www.w4car.org

12/05/2015 | Celebrating the Discovery of Pluto Dec 5-Dec 13, 0000Z-2359Z, W7P, Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona DX Association. 10 - 80 meters; General frequencies. Certificate & QSL. W7P - NADXA, 6315 Townsend-Winona Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. From Lowell Observatory, where the discovery was first made. See website for QSL and Certificate details. www.nadxa.com

12/05/2015 | Christmas From Bethlehem, GA Dec 5-Dec 6, 1700Z-1900Z, WR4BC, Winder, GA. Barrow Amateur Radio Club. 14.290 7.290 3.890. QSL. Barrow Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 951, Auburn, GA 30011. Stamp and Address Label for QSL appreciated. [email protected] or www.barrowhamradio.org

12/07/2015 | Pearl Harbor Day, Anniversary of Death of Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd Dec 7, 1500Z-2200Z, W5KID, Baton Rouge, LA. Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club. 14.240 14.060 7.240 7.060. QSL. USS Kidd Amateur Radio Club, 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. www.qrz.com/db/w5kid

12/10/2015 | NJ Santa's Workshop Dec 10-Dec 23, 0000Z-2359Z, W2S, Barnegat, NJ. W2CCW with help from South Jersey DXA and Old Barney ARC. 28.475. QSL. Chuck Weber, W2CCW, 240 Montclair Rd S, Barnegat, NJ 08005. Station is being held to spread holiday cheer and help promote amateur radio to children and others when they speak with Santa. www.w2ccwqsl.com

12/12/2015 | Christmas City Special Event Dec 12-Dec 13, 1400Z-2200Z, WX3MAS, Nazareth, PA. Christmas City and Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club. 28.465 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.850; CW and PSK 40 20 15 10 meters. Certificate. WX3MAS, 14 Gracedale Ave, Greystone Building, Nazareth, PA 18064. www.dlarc.org

12/12/2015 | Holiday Lights at Shore Acres Dec 12-Dec 13, 0000Z-2000Z, K7CCH, Coos Bay, OR. Coos County Radio Club. 28.487 14.287 7.287 3.987. QSL. Coos County Radio Club, K7CCH, PO Box 698, Coos Bay, OR 97420. coosradioclub.net

12/12/2015 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Special Event Dec 12, 1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Ship. 14.320 7.250; PSK31 14.070; D-STAR REF1C. QSL. USS Midway Museum Ship Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.

12/13/2015 | 6th Anniversary of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner First Flight Dec 13-Dec 14, 0000Z-2359Z, KB7QPS, Seattle, WA. KB7QPS. 14.250 3.900 146.540. QSL. Greg Magone, 27492 254th Pl SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Event will be held near Boeing Field, where the first 787 Dreamliner was based out of during the flight test program. [email protected]

12/18/2015 | Bethlehem, New Mexico Dec 18-Dec 24, 1500Z-2300Z, KC5OUR, Belen, NM. Valencia County Amateur Radio Association. 28.383 21.283 14.283 7.183. QSL. VCARA, PO Box 268, Peralta, NM 87042. Please QSL to KC5OUR with SASE for QSL from Bethlehem New Mexico. www.kc5our.com

12/26/2015 | WE7GV HAPPY HOLIDAYS SPECIAL EVENT Dec 26, 1600Z-2000Z, WE7GV, Green Valley, AZ. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club. 14.246 14.244 14.242. Certificate & QSL. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club, 601 N La Canada (SAV), Green Valley, AZ 85614. Put that new rig you got for xmas on the air and give us a call. GVARC.US

12/31/2015 | 72 Rag Chew New Years Special Event Dec 31-Jan 2, 0000Z-0000Z, K1R, Brooklyn, NY. 72 Rag Chew Group. 7.272. Certificate. Robert W. Lobenstein, WA2AXZ, 1958 E 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11234. www.72chew.net



D-STAR Radios For SaleRusty Hemenway <[email protected]>

ICOM ID 5100 New 675.00 BT plug in card / Microphone New 115.00 / Software 63.00

VHF/UHF, D-Star and FM, Large control head. Good D-Star coverage in most of VC (inhabited areas)

BT Headset ? Will talk with ICOM Software for Android Cell phones (Exchange

pictures etc) via BT Selling for $500.00

ICOM ID-51 Plus Anniversary Edition (Color Red). New 823.00 Fast Charger New 74.00 / 2 Batteries New 143.00 Ea / Dry Cell

battery holder ? / Speaker Mic 74.00 This is a much improved version of the original ID51 Asking $600.00

Contact Rusty K1GGS 805-426-6357 (home)

Available Gear

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Trivia for December 2015

1) Which of the Munsters sometimes operated a ham radio? -- Herman used the call sign W2XRL4 or W6XRL4

2) In the movie Independence Day, military officers used which mode of ham radio? -- CW

3) Who played the ham in the Twilight Zone episode The Monsters are Due on Maple Street? -- Claude Akins

4) Doris Day used ham radio to contact “Pop,” played by what real-life ham in the movie The Glass Bottom Boat? Arthur Godfrey, K4LIB

5) Which late-night TV show host sponsored a contest between two hams (K7JA and K6CTW) using Morse code and two text-messaging champs? -- Jay Leno

de Dana [email protected]

-------------------------------------------

Icom IC-756 Pro III and Heil PR-781 Mic and stand for sale $2,200

Contact Dan Dicke KE6NYT

[email protected]



Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions

ON EXAM DAY BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1. A legal photo ID (driver's license, passport). 2. When no photo ID is available, two forms of identification must be presented:

a. non-photo ID/driver's license (some states still have them) b. birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal) c. social security card d. library card e. utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked

envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605. 3. Students may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID, minor's work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may

present a photo ID. 4. Bring your Social Security Number (SSN) or your FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN). VEC's are required by

FCC to submit either your SSN or your FRN number with your license application form. If you prefer not to give your SSN, then you may use your FCC issued FRN, if you have one. For instructions on how to register your SSN with the FCC and receive a FRN, visit the FCC's FAQ page and the FCC's registration instructions page.

5. If applicable, bring the original and a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license and any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. The photocopy(s) will not be returned.

6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen. 7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations

into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session. The phones' calculator function may not be used.

8. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee(s). Check the ARRL VEC's current exam fee.

License Preparation and Sample Test Sites

http://aa9pw.com/radio/

http://hamexam.org/

http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation -- Weekly Webcast

http://www.AmateurLogic.tv -- Weekly Webcast

http://www.eham.net/exams/

http://www.Facebook.com/HamStudy

http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com -- cost / on-line subscription

http://www.hamstudy.org (ICOM sponsored site)requires free registration

http://www.qrz.com/ht/ -- requires free registration

http://www.radioexam.org/

Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions

12/02/2015 Time: 7:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: Baldwin Hills ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Edward L. Walker (323) 394-1818 www.barc.us Email: [email protected] Location: Round Table Pizza 4330 Redondo Beach Blvd Torrance CA 90504-1031

12/05/2015 Time: 8:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: SMRA Emergency Repeater Network VEC: ARRL/VECContact: George W. Kreider (805) 754-2677 Email: [email protected] Location: Betty Plotkin Center, American Red Cross 834 / 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo, Ca 93012; 34d 11m 55.21s N / 119d 00m 28.30s W ;

Directions: From US 101, exit Pleasant Valley / Santa Rosa Road, southbound on Pleasant Valley turning left at Pancho Rd. approx. 3/4 mile on Pancho Rd. Left on Pancho at Calle Bolero; Red Cross is 1/4 mile directly ahead.

12/05/2015 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Test 1st Saturday Every Month Sponsor: AA6WC/Ali Hassan VEC:ARRL/VEC Contact: Ali Hassan (323) 758-0565 Email:[email protected] Location: VE's Residence 6043 3rd Avenue Los Angeles CA 90043-2618

12/05/2015 Time: 10:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:ARES LAX VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: James W. Laage



(818) 368-8710 Call before 6PM Email:[email protected] Location: Valley Presbeterian Hospital Health Education Center 15107 Vanowen St Van Nuys CA 91405-4542

12/12/2015 Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:South Bay ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Joseph M. Lanphen (310) 328-0817 Email: [email protected] for details Location: Torrance Memorial Med Center 3330 Lomita Blvd Rm A, 2nd Flr, West Tower Torrance CA 90505-5002

12/12/2015 Time: 11:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:ARES LAX VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: James R. Stoker (310) 775-5613 Email: [email protected] Location:Huntington Hospital 100 W Colorado Blvd Pasadena CA 91105-3010 Wingate Bldg East conf. Room; Check in Booth E parking Lot www.arrllax.org (ed. Note – Huntington Hospital is 100 W CALIFORNIA )

12/13/2015 Time: 8:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Conejo Valley ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Jeffrey M. Reinhardt (818) 706-3853 Email:[email protected] Location: Ventura County Sheriff's E County Station, Community Room 2101 E Olsen Rd Thousand Oaks CA 91360-6861 Betw 23 Hwy & Reagan Library

12/19/2015 Time: 8:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Downey ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Steve J. Grudzinski (951) 674-4699 Email:[email protected] Location: Fire Station #1 12222 Paramount Blvd (1/2 Mile N Of Imperial Hwy) Downey CA 90242-3537

12/19/2015 Time: 12:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Pine Mountain ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Irene M. Smith-Quick (661) 242-1345 Email:[email protected] Location: Frazier Park Library 3732 Park Dr

12/26/2015 Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: Crescent Bay VE Grp/W6TRW ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Scott V. Swanson (310) 459-0337 Email: [email protected] Location: Northrup/Grumman 1 Space Park Blvd Redondo Beach CA 90278-1001 *LAST EXAM AT THIS LOCATION!*

01/09/2016 Time: 7:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: PAPA VEC: Greater LA VEC Contact: Norman M. Goodkin (818) 403-5123 Email: [email protected] Location:Coffee Co. 8751 La Tijera Blvd Los Angeles CA 90045-3906

01/17/2016 Time: 2:30 PM (No walk-ins) Sponsor:Calabasas/LH Sheriff's Station VEC: Greater LA VECContact: Norman M. Goodkin (818) 222-7893 Email:

[email protected] Location: Lost Hills Sheriff's Station (Assembly Room) 27050 Agoura Rd Agoura Hills CA 91301-5332

01/24/2016 Time: 7:30 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor:Calabasas/LH Sheriff's Station VEC: Greater LA VECContact: Norman M. Goodkin (818) 222-7893 Email:[email protected] Location: Lost Hills Sheriff's Station (Assembly Room) 27050 Agoura Rd Agoura Hills CA 91301-5332

01/31/2016 Time: 7:30 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor:Calabasas/LH Sheriff's Station VEC: Greater LA VECContact: Norman M. Goodkin (818) 222-7893 Email:[email protected] Location: Lost Hills Sheriff's Station (Assembly Room) 27050 Agoura Rd Agoura Hills CA 91301-5332

02/06/2016 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Test 1st Saturday Every Month Sponsor: AA6WC/Ali Hassan VEC:ARRL/VEC Contact: Ali Hassan (323) 758-0565 Email:[email protected] Location: VE's Residence 6043 3rd Avenue Los Angeles CA 90043-2618

02/12/2016 Time: 8:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: SMRA Emergency Repeater Network VEC: ARRL/VECContact: George W. Kreider (805) 754-2677 Email: [email protected] Location: Betty Plotkin Center, American Red Cross 834 / 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo, Ca 93012; 34d 11m 55.21s N / 119d 00m 28.30s W ; Directions: From US 101, exit Pleasant Valley / Santa Rosa Road, southbound on Pleasant Valley turning left at Pancho Rd. approx. 3/4 mile on Pancho Rd. Left on Pancho at Calle Bolero; Red Cross is 1/4 mile directly ahead.

02/13/2016 Time: 8:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Conejo Valley ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Jeffrey M. Reinhardt (818) 706-3853 Email:[email protected] Location: Ventura County Sheriff's E County Station, Community Room 2101 E Olsen Rd Thousand Oaks CA 91360-6861 Betw 23 Hwy & Reagan Library

02/13/2016 Time: 7:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: PAPA VEC: Greater LA VEC Contact: Norman M. Goodkin (818) 222-7893 Email: [email protected]: Lulu's Restaurant 16900 Roscoe Blvd Van Nuys CA 91406-1101

02/20/2016 Time: 12:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Pine Mountain ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Irene M. Smith-Quick (661) 242-1345 Email:[email protected] Location: Frazier Park Library 3732 Park Dr



Upcoming HamFests & Conventions

Superstition SuperFest 2015Start Date: 12/05/2015 End Date: 12/05/2015 Location: Mesa Community College 1833 West Southern Avenue Mesa,

AZ 85201 Website: http://www.superstitionsuperfest.org/ Sponsor: Superstition Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 147.120+ (PL 162.2) & 449.600- (PL 100.0) Public Contact: JD Smaylis , KF7VOX Superstition Amateur Radio Club PO Box 21522 Mesa, AZ 85277 Phone: 480-455-9923 Email: [email protected]

Thunderbird Hamfest 2016Start Date: 01/09/2016 End Date: 01/09/2016 Location: Northwest Community Church 16615 North 43rd Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85001 Website: http://www.w7tbc.org Sponsor: Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 446.150 -5MHz (PL 100) or 146.700 -600KHz (PL 162.2) Public Contact: Walter Reinert , N7GDP PO Box 83615 Phoenix, AZ 85071 Phone: 602-938-8219 Email: [email protected]

Quartzfest 2016Start Date: 01/17/2016 End Date: 01/23/2016 Location: Roadrunner Short-term BLM Land

US Highway 95 and 53rd Street North Quartzsite, AZ 85346 Website: http://QuartzFest.org Sponsor: QuartzFest Planning Committee Type: ARRL Convention Talk-In: 146.55 Simplex Public Contact: Dave Anderson , K1AN 14050 West Van Buren Street, #404 Goodyear, AZ 85338 Phone: 602-616-8338 Email: [email protected]

Southwestern Division Convention (Yuma Hamfest)Start Date: 02/19/2016 End Date: 02/20/2016 Location: Yuma County Fairgrounds 2520 East 32nd Street Yuma, AZ

85364 Website: http://www.yumahamfest.org/ Sponsor: Yuma Amateur Radio Hamfest Organization Type: ARRL Convention Talk-In: 146.840 (PL 88.5) Public Contact: Roger Hunt , K7MEX 13156 East 51st Lane Yuma, AZ 85367 Phone: 928-305-1034 Email: [email protected]

Palm Springs HamfestStart Date: 03/12/2016 End Date: 03/12/2016 Location: Palm Springs Pavilion 401 South Pavilion Way Palm Springs,

CA 92262 Website: http://www.palmspringshamfest.com Sponsor: Desert R.A.T.S. ARC Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 146.94 - (PL 107.2) Public Contact: Glenn Morrison , WB6RLC 68040 Valley Vista Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234 Phone: 760-770-6434 Email: [email protected]

Scottsdale Spring HamfestStart Date: 03/19/2016 End Date: 03/19/2016 Location: Mountain Valley Community Church 17800 North Perimeter Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85250 Website: http://www.scottsdalearc.org Sponsor: ARCA and Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 147.18 (PL 162.2) Public Contact: Edwin Nickerson , WU7S 902 North 73rd Place Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Phone: 480-949-5162 Email: [email protected]

21st Annual West Coast Military Radio Collector’s Group Meeting Friday May 1 – 8 AM to very, very late; Saturday May 2 – 8 AM to 4 pm Location: Camp San Luis Obispo

NCO Club, San Luis Obispo, CA. The 21st Annual West Coast Military Radio Collector’s Group meeting at Camp San Luis Obispo has been confirmed with

the base to take place at the NCO Club on Friday and Saturday May 6th & 7th, 2016. Early arrivals on Thursday are welcome after 1 pm as usual. Coffee and Donuts on site in the NCO Club.

Dates: Un-official Early Birds – April 30 (Thursday after 2 pm ), Friday May 1 – 8 AM to very, very late, Saturday May 2 – 8 AM to 4 pm Location: Camp San Luis Obispo, NCO Club, San Luis Obispo, CA. http://www.mrcgwest.org/



K6MEP Net Script“Is this frequency in use, or is there any emergency or priority

traffic?” “Hearing none , the following is a Q-S-T.” “This is ____, net control station for the Ventura County Amateur

Radio Club Net.” “This is a directed, open net for all radio amateurs, sponsored by

K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club. This net begins each Monday evening at Eight Thirty P-M local time, first on Two—Eight—Decimal—Four—Zero—Zero megahertz, and then will Q-S-Y to One—Four—Six—Decimal—Nine—Seven—Zero megahertz. This is linked to Four Four Eight Decimal Eight Zero Zero Megahertz. All amateurs are welcome to check in. A roundtable will follow roll call. A ragchew session may follow the formal net.”

“K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, meets at Seven Thirty P-M on the Second Friday of each month at the Ventura County Port Authority 1603 Anchors Way Ventura, CA 93001.”

“The next meeting date is___________” (From the newsletter calendar section).

“A roll-call of club members will be followed by a request for late, missed and visitor check-ins.”

(Roll Call) ******** “Any late, missed, or visitor check-ins? Please call K6MEP”

(Roundtable) ******** “Any last comments?”Ten Meter Closing: — “Control is now transferred to One—

Four—Six Decimal—Nine—Seven—Zero megahertz. All net members are invited to Q-S-Y. This is _____.”

Two Meter Closing: — “Good evening to you all, this net is closed at ___________. (Time) We would like to thank WB6YQN and K6JLW for the use of their repeaters for our net”

“73, This is ______.” ****************************************************************

K6MEP CALENDAR December 2015 5: NWS Skywarn Recognition – ARES Support; contact Marc

KM6B [email protected]: Hanukkah begins 11: DecemberFest Dinner Meeting – Olive Garden in Oxnard

6:00 PM -- 1891 E Ventura Blvd, Oxnard, CA – Map pg 1612: Camarillo Christmas Parade – ARES Support; contact Ted

KI6PTX [email protected]: Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon -- – ARES Suport; contact

Stewart KG6BOV [email protected] ; 24/25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day – Reindeer Watch 31: ARRL Straight Key Night and New Year’s Eve January 2016 1: New Year’s Day 2016 8: Regular Monthly Club Meeting at 7:30pm. K6MEP Board

meeting precedes the club meeting at 7:00pm 18: Martin Luther King Day 30: Bandit 50K Run – ARES Support; contact Steve KE6WEZ

[email protected] 2016 2: Groundhogs Day 8: Regular Monthly Club Meeting at 7:30pm. K6MEP Board

meeting precedes the club meeting at 7:00pm 12: Lincoln’s Birthbay 14: Valentine’s Day 15: Presidents’ Day 29: LEAP Day



Emergency and Volunteer TrainingSome excellent emergency and volunteer training is

available through the American Red Cross of Ventura County, FEMA and the American Radio Relay League.

Red Cross CoursesThe following is a list of locally available Red Cross

courses and a current schedule of classes over the next two months. Enroll by calling the Red Cross Chapter House at 805-987-1514 Ext 320 leaving your name, course code and telephone number. If you are interested in a class not currently scheduled call to be placed on a waiting list for the next scheduled date.

Note: The classes Fulfilling Our Mission and Introduction to Disaster Services are required for all Red Cross classes if you are not currently registered as a Red Cross Volunteer.

For training class registration, call: 805-987-1514 Ext 320. Course schedule and descriptions:

http://www.arcventura.org/DSCourseDescriptions.html

http://www.arcventura.org/contact_us.html

COLLABORATING TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY(ARC3089-4)

COMMUNITY SERVICES OVERVIEW (ARC 3068-1) DISASTER ASSESSMENT (ARC 3067-1) DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES: OVERVIEW (3076-1F) DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES SIMULATION (ARC 3076-

2F) DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (ARC 3077-1F) DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH: AN OVERVIEW (ARC

3077-2) DISASTER WELFARE INQ.:CONNECTING YOUR

COMMUNITY(ARC 3085-1) DISASTER WELFARE INQUIRY SIMULATION (ARC 3085-

2) EMERGENCY OPS CENTER/INCIDENT COMMAND

LIAISON (ARC 3089-5) ERVs: READY, SET, ROLL (ARC 3068-4) FAMILY SERVICES: PROVIDING EMERGENCY

ASSISTANCE (ARC 3072-1) FINANCIAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

(ARC 3078-2) HUMAN RESOURCES IN DISASTER (ARC 3087-3F) LOGISTICS: AN OVERVIEW (ARC 3087-1) LOGISTICS SIMULATION (ARC 3071-2) MANAGING TOTAL DIVERSITY MASS CASUALTY DISASTER (ARC 3079 1F) PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN DISASTER 1 (ARC 3080 1F) SAFE FOOD HANDLING WORKSHOP SHELTER OPERATIONS (ARC 3068-11) SHELTER SIMULATIONS (ARC 3068-12) WORKING WITH TOTAL DIVERSITY

Scheduled Red Cross ClassesFor training class registration, call: 805-987-1514 Ext 320. Please try to register for classes a week before the class is being offeredFor class info call 805-987-1514 Ext 320



The following free FEMA Independent Study Courses are recommended. There are several other FEMA courses available; see the other courses at http://training.fema.gov/is

IS-005.a An Introduction to Hazardous Materials - (10/31/2013) IS-010.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness -

(10/31/2013) IS-011.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning - (8/13/2010) IS-015.b Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety

Agencies - (10/31/2013) IS-022 Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness

- (10/31/2013) IS-029 Public Information Officer Awareness - (10/31/2013) IS-035.15 FEMA Safety Orientation 2015 - (1/2/2015) IS-036 Multihazard Planning for Childcare - (10/31/2013) IS-055.a Household Hazardous Materials – A Guide for Citizens -

(10/31/2013) IS-075 Military Resources in Emergency Management - (2/25/2011) IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 -

(10/31/2013) IS-111.a Livestock in Disasters - (10/31/2013) IS-120.a An Introduction to Exercises - (1/23/2008) IS-144 Telecommunicators Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT)

Basic Course - (10/31/2013) IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents -

(10/31/2013) IS-230.d Fundamentals of Emergency Management - (12/16/2013) IS-240.b Leadership and Influence - (6/16/2014) IS-242.b Effective Communication - (3/31/2014) IS-244.b Developing and Managing Volunteers - (3/29/2013) IS-271.a Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk, 2nd

Edition - (10/31/2013) IS-288.a The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency

Management - (2/12/2015) IS-315 CERT Supplemental Training: The Incident Command

System - (8/13/2013) IS-317 Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams -

(6/26/2014) IS-325 Earthquake Basics: Science, Risk, and Mitigation -

(10/31/2013) IS-326 Community Tsunami Preparedness - (10/31/2013) IS-328 Plan Review for Local Mitigation Plans - (10/31/2013) IS-340 Hazardous Materials Prevention - (10/31/2013)

IS-366 Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters - (10/31/2013)

IS-368 Including People With Disabilities & Others With Access & Functional Needs in Disaster Operations - (2/20/2014)

IS-393.a Introduction to Hazard Mitigation - (10/31/2013) IS-394.a Protecting Your Home or Small Business From Disaster -

(10/31/2013) IS-405 Overview of Mass Care/Emergency Assistance - (12/10/2013) IS-454 Fundamentals of Risk Management - (10/31/2013) IS-524 Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planner's Workshop -

(4/14/2014) IS-546.a Continuity of Operations Awareness Course - (10/31/2013) IS-547.a Introduction to Continuity of Operations - (10/31/2013) IS-559 Local Damage Assessment - (10/31/2013) IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) An

Introduction - (10/31/2013) IS-775 EOC Management and Operations - (8/6/2008) IS-800.b National Response Framework, An Introduction -

(10/31/2013) IS-909 Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities

for Everyone - (10/31/2013) IS-910.a Emergency Management Preparedness Fundamentals -

(10/19/2012)

---------------------------------------

The ARRL offers several on-line courses. The courses listed here are recommended for those involved in disaster and emergency service. See these and other courses at the ARRL web site.

Introduction to Emergency Communication EC-001 HF Digital Communications EC-005 PR-101: ARRL Public Relations (EC-015) Public Service and Emergency Communications

Management for Radio Amateurs- EC-016

There are some costs with the ARRL courses but discounts and occasional scholarships are available to ARRL members. See www.ARRL.org for details and enrollment.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------ARES-ACS Frequency Updates

The Tuesday night Ventura County ARES/ACS Net is held on the SMRA ERN South Mt Repeater. Local nets are 7:00 to 7:30 PM; County Net starts at 7:30 on SMRA South Mt / K6ERN 146.385 Mhz (+) PL 127.3 (linked to 224.100 Mhz (-) / PL 127.3 and 447.320 Mhz (-) / PL 100.0).

Good Frequencies to have pre-programmed into your radios...

Area 1 Simi Valley – K6ERN 146.805 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Area 2 Conejo Valley, T. Oaks, Newbury Park – N6JMI 147.885

Mhz (-) PL127.3 BOZOArea 3 Camarillo, Somis,– K6ERN 147.915 Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 4 Oxnard, Port Hueneme, NBVC – WB6YQN 146.970

Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 5 Ojai Valley – N6FL 145.400 Mhz (-) PL 114.8

Area 6 Ventura City – N6VUY 147.975 Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru – WA6ZSN 146.385

Mhz (+) PL 127.3Area 8 Moorpark, Santa Rosa Valley – K6ERN 145.460 Mhz (-

) PL 127.3County-Wide – WA6ZSN 146.385 Mhz (+) PL 127.3ACS Portable – VCACS/p 144.930/147.585 Mhz PL 127.3

Other Good Area Frequencies ...

W6GRG 146.940 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Simi DSW Repeater WA6FGK 146.640 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Simi Valley WD6EBY 145.240 MHz (-) PL 127.3 Chatsworth Pk N6EVC 146.850 Mhz (-) PL 94.8 Rasnow K0AKS 147.150 Mhz(-) PL127.3 TOaks WD6EBY 145.200 Mhz(-) PL127.3 Sulphur Mt WD6EBY 147.060 MHz (-) PL127.3 Laguna Peak (Temp Inact) K6ERN 146.880 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 SMRA Red Mt. K6ERN 147.765 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Olivas Park / SMRA K6TZ 146.790 Mhz (-)PL131.8 SBARC

W6YJO 145.180 Mhz (-) PL 131.8 Sta Ynez WB6OBB 147.000 Mhz (+) PL 131.8 Sta Barbara AA6DP 147.090 Mhz (+) No PL Catalina KB6C 147.735 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Oat Mt / MMRA LA DCS K6CPT DCS 145.300 Mhz (-) PL100.0 LA DCS K6CPT DCS 147.270 Mhz (-) PL100.0 LA DCS K6DCS DCS22 147.225 Mhz (+) PL 94.8 N6FDR 145.260 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Malibu W6AAX 147.180 Mhz (+) PL 186.2 Verdugo Peak WA6PPS 147.300 Mhz (-) PL 110.9 L.A.City ACS

Due to assignment and coordination of several D-Star Repeaters, TASMA, the southern California Two meter amateur frequency coordination body, has had to re-align several frequencies. Among these changes are the channelization (15 KHz spacing) of the 145.5 - 145.6 simplex allocation and reassignment of several frequencies from simplex to other uses.

None of the local Ventura County repeaters are directly affected; however several previous simplex frequencies are now in use either as repeater inputs or outputs. New County ARES Packet frequency is 145.050 Mhz;

Ventura County ARES-ACS simplex frequencies have been re-assigned as follows:

Area 1 Simi Valley – 145.510 Mhz (S) Area 2 Conejo Valley, T.O., Newbury Pk – 146.445 Mhz (S) Area 3 Camarillo, Somis – 146.550Mhz (S) Area 4 Oxnard, Port Hueneme, NBVC – 146.595 Mhz (S) Area 5 Ojai Valley – 145.555 Mhz (S)

Area 6 Ventura City – 147.510 Mhz (S) Area 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru – 145.540 Mhz (S) Area 8 Moorpark – 146.535 Mhz (S) County ARES Simplex – 145.615 Mhz (S) National Simplex – 146.520 Mhz(S)

__________________________________________________________________________

Ventura County ARES / ACS Emergency Coordinators

ACS RO/ARES DEC: Rob Hansen, W6RH, Email: [email protected] ACS RO/Deputy DEC: Rick Tate, KQ6NO Email: [email protected]

Area 1 Simi Valley EC: Steve King, KE6WEZ Email: [email protected] 2 TO, Conejo Valley EC: Zack Cohen, N6PK , Email: [email protected] 3 Camarillo, Somis EC: Ted Lansing KI6PTX Email: [email protected] 4 Oxnard, Hueneme, Mugu EC: Stewart Stone, KG6BOV Email: [email protected] 5 Ojai EC: Wayne Francis, W6OEU Email: [email protected] 6 City of Ventura AEC: Grant Mohr, KG6SFW, E-mail [email protected] 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru AEC: Stuart Fox, K6MQA, email: [email protected] 8 Moorpark, Santa Rosa Valley EC: Marc Handley KM6B, Email: [email protected]



ARRL offers online training for hams who want to participate in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

The time for training is before a disaster...not during one.

The former Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) series of three training courses has been reconfigured into two courses: An introductory course and a course for leaders and managers.

Introduction to Emergency Communication (#EC-001)

Revised in 2011, this is an update of the former Level 1 course. It is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for hams who want to serve as a Public Service volunteer. It provides an opportunity for non-hams who rely on communications in emergency situations to learn about Amateur Radio and its unique role in emergencies.

The course is offered online using the Moodle learning platform. The Introduction to Emergency Communicationcourse has six sections with 29 lesson topics and a 35 question final assessment. Participants should plan on completing the course in approximately 45 hours over a nine week period. This is a mentored course, in which you may work according to your own schedule. Cost is $50 for ARRL members and $85 for non-members.

For start dates, registration deadlines and more visit www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog

Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs (#EC-016)

Launched in 2010, this course is designed for Amateur Radio operators who will be in leadership and managerial roles, organizing other volunteers to support public service activities and communications emergencies. Participants will learn how radio amateurs prepare to support local community events and, when working in coordination with governmental and emergency response organizations, how to deploy their services. This is a self-study course. For more information and to register visit www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog.

PR-101: ARRL Public Relations (EC-015)

This is a basic training course for PIOs and anyone interacting with the media and promoting Amateur Radio.

This course is designed to give hams a quick overview in public relations activities. It uses the skills of experts in various aspects of public relations to provide volunteer Public Information Officers with the basic skills and expectations that a PIO needs to know to be effective in their home region. PR-101 covers everything from the basic news release to Web sites and video work.

This course is available--free! – on-line, or can be purchased in CD format from the ARRL store. --------------------------------------------------

The new Ventura County ACS Trailer at SkyWarn Operations, NWS Oxnard, 7 Dec 2014



Local Area Radio Nets

Weekly Nets Monday

Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday morning from 7:00 AM to about 8:20 AM

California Rescue ARES Net 7.25 Mhz MTWThF 8:30 AM

K6MEP / VCARC Club Net -- 8:30 PM 28.400 Mhz USB / 146.970 Mhz (-) / 127.3 PL (WB6YQN repeater) linked to K6JLW 448.800 Mhz (-) PL 131.8

Santa Barbara South County ARES net 7:30 p.m. on 146.79 Mhz (-) PL 131.8.

LA Section ARES Net - HF Every Monday following the VHF/UHF net (~2130 hrs) 1st, 3rd and 4th Monday - 75 meters 3.995 MHz (± 45 kHz) / 2nd Monday - 10 meters 28.495 MHz

LA DCS-22 Net -- 1930 Hrs. - K6DCS - 147.225 MHz (+)then on 7.235± MHz LSB

Southern California ACS NET MONDAY AT 2000 HOURS LOCAL TIME ON 3992, 3960 KHz LSB

California Emergency Services Net (CESN) Monday at - 2000 hours local 3960, 3992, or 1987 KHz LSB* (* Note - 3992 is primary until further notice due to excessive noise floor on 3960 *) (Mutual Aid Regions 1 through 6)

Tuesday Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday

morning from 7:00 AM to about 8:20 AM


Ventura County ARES-ACS 6 Meter Net -- between 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM K6SMR 52.980 Mhz (-) PL 82.5 SMRA Red Mt

Ventura County ARES-ACS HF Net -- between 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM 40M on 7.230 Mhz LSB +/- ; 80M on 3.820 Mz LSB +/-

Ventura County ARES/ACS Nets between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Emergency Service / Auxiliary Communications Service holds their local and County-wide nets. Local Nets are by area and normally run from 7:00 to 7:30 PM. The County-wide Net starts at 7:30 PM and normally finishes by 8:00 PM 146.385 (+) / 127.3 PL

West SB ARES HF Net ( 1st Tuesday, Monthly) 3822 Khz LSB 2030 / 8:30 PM

2000 6-Meter Roundtable - 50.125 Mhz USB First Tuesday of each month.

2030 ATV Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL K6TZ repeater

Wednesday Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday



Channel Islands 10-10 Net 28.340Mhz USB 10:00 AM / 6:00 PM

Southern California ACS NET 1000 Hours, 40 Meter Net 7230 KHz

SMRA Tech Net 146.880 Mhz (-) / 127.3 PL (SMRA Red Mt) 8:00 PM

SBARC Swap Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL K6TZ 2000

California Emergency Services Net (CESN) Wednesday at 1000 hours local - 7230 KHz LSB* (Mutual Aid Regions 1 through 6) * Note that 7230 KHz is the daytime calling and coordination frequency: 3960, 3992, or 1987 KHz are the nighttime frequencies for the same purpose.

Thursday Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday



So Cal 6 meter net, 51.940 Mhz – pl 82.5. 1900-2000 local Thursdays.

Southern Calif 6M SSB Technical Roundtable NetThursday night at 8:00 PM on 50.2 MHz USB SSB

SBARC / K6TZ Technical Mentoring Net -- Thursday nights 8:00-9:00 PM 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL and 224.08 Mhz (-) 131.8 PL (linled)

Friday Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday



Saturday Quad Squad Net 1300 / 1:00 PM 21.365 Mhz USB

Military Radio Collector Net 1830 / 6:30PM 3985 Kc +/- AM

Sunday Newbie Net 7:00-7:30 pm Sundays; Bozo Repeater 147.885

Mhz (-) / PL127.3


-------------------------------------------------------- Secretary’s Column and Meeting Minutes (cont fm pg 2)

OLD BUSINESS Inquiry from the floor in regard to status of return of funds, and Joe reports he was notified that repayment will

not be made. Future steps will be in the hands of District Attorney.

NEW BUSINESS Election Joe opens the floor to nominations, announces candidates for open seats, issued ballots. Ballots cast Counted by Michael Underwood Result: Joe K6NE Pres John WB6AZP VP Robert KD6UDA Secretary John AG6GL Treasurer Rod KA6GSU Board Steve Noll WA6EJO Board Stewart KG6BOV Board

December Dinner Plans, selected Yolanda's and Olive garden as alternate. Yolanda's Ventura booked, Olive Garden in Oxnard reserved starting 6:30 Dec. 11th

GENERAL MEMBSHIP MEETING

John WB6AZP makes announcement for upcoming military radio related events Stewart KG6BOV announces public service ham activities Santa to theSea 13th December need station operators and mobile operators

COMMENTS 24 Members reported by Bob KD6UDA Dave Palmer suggest the club send out letter or publicity to organizations which may be looking to contribute to

non-profits as a fund raising effort. Steve Noll discussed his suggestion of sponsoring a special award for the science fair. Awards given in the past

: $50.00, $100.00, plaques, certificate, binoculars, etc. Idea for awards : Junior Division, Senior Division, for electromagnetic communication, electronic communication.

Two $100 awards, plus plaque/ trophy and estimated total $300.00.

Asks for a special committee to pick some judges. Comittee members joining : Joe, Steve Noll, Bob, Steve Hudson, Reese West, Hovan KI6BQL (6). Report out in January. Science Fair is April. Application due in February.

Notes Roll Call Total attendance : 20 Guests: Secretary note 24 members at close of meeting.

----------------------------------------



DecemberFest Dinner Meeting

Join us for our Annual DecemberFest Dinner Meeting – 11 December 2015 -- Reservation starts at 6:00 PM / 18:00 Local / 0200 Z (12 Dec)

This year at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 1891 E Ventura Blvd, Oxnard, CA

34°13'27.43"N / 119° 9'8.62"W

---------------------------------------------------------

WD6EBY Sulphur Mt. Repeater Project

Hello Ventura County, I wanted to give you an update on the work that was completed on Sulphur Mtn over the weekend. There were nine of us on sight that accomplished a tremendous amount of work for one day. What a wonderful day it was on Saturday. The weather was perfect and the camaraderie was outstanding. I can not

remember when I have had such a wonderful and fulfilling day. Thank you all for your dedication and your hard work. The goals were pretty lofty but with all of us pulling together we accomplished what I thought could not have been

done in a day. Over the past couple of days, I have had the opportunity to start looking at the performance of the various systems. I

am very pleased, in fact surprised with some of the performances. I am extremely happy with the changes resulting in great performances improvements

REPEATERS: 145.200 / 127.3 -- The original antenna was a Hustler Dual band antenna which was replaced with a Station Master

Antenna. WOW!!!, what a difference in performance. I am now full quieting into the repeater with my MT2000 from my



house. At this time with the low power of the test repeater, 18 watts to feed-line, is hard to hear. I am looking forward to installing the Motorola VHF MSF5000 during the Holidays will hopefully be a better balanced system.

447.580 / 141.3 Test Coordination...currently a stand alone system This is a test repeater with a power output of ~20 watts to the 7/8 inch feed-line onto a PD201 antenna at the top of the tower. I am using a Motorola R1225 repeater that is a bit numb as the receiver is about 2 MHz out of band. Again when I install the Motorola UHF MSF5000 the performance will improve.

The three Link Antennas, L1-Camarillo, L2-Chatsworth Peak and L3-Laguna Peak were physically installed with the feed-lines to be installed at a later date.

MESH: During the instillation of the new antenna systems, the Sulphur Mtn Sector Antenna had to be temporally removed. It

was to be relocated on the tower but we ran out of daylight and will be scheduling a trip soon to reinstall this MESH Sector Node.

I want to thank all that was involved with this phase of the project. I am truly grateful to have such wonderful friends. If you have a chance, give the systems a try and let me know how they are performing for you.

Thank you all for your time.

Paul... WD6EBY [email protected]



World Radiocommunication Conference Approves Global 60 Meter Allocation!

11/18/2015 The Plenary Meeting of the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva has approved an

allocation of 5351.5-5366.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis with a power limit of 15 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP). The November 18 decision on Agenda Item 1.4 was approved on two back-to-back readings. Some Region 2 countries, but not the US, will be permitted up to 25 W EIRP. With this action, and despite conditions that are more restrictive than had been hoped at the start of the Conference, the Amateur Service has obtained its first new global HF allocation since 1979.

The IARU team in Geneva, is now focusing its efforts on tweaking the agenda for WRC-19. It is likely, but not certain, that the agenda will include an effort to harmonize the Amateur Radio allocation at 50 MHz. A proposed agenda item to align the 160 meter allocation in Region 1 with the rest of the world is no longer under active consideration.

The WRC-19 agenda will also likely pose spectrum defense challenges, including the possible consideration of the 144 MHz and 430 MHz Amateur Radio allocations for sharing with the space operations service, and the possible consideration of one or more bands above 10 GHz for 5G smartphone use. The bounds of these potential defensive items, however, are still under discussion.

The IARU team continues to monitor several other WRC-15 items that appear to be headed toward acceptable conclusions. WRC-15 continues through the signing of the Final Acts on November 27.



ARRL Members in Santa Barbara Elect New Section Manager

11/24/2015 ARRL members in the Santa Barbara Section have elected a new Section Manager in the only contested election in

the fall election cycle. Jim Fortney, K6IYK, of Camarillo, California, received 218 votes, and incumbent Section Manager Robert Griffin, K6YR, received 175 votes. The ballots were counted on November 23 at ARRL Headquarters. Fortney’s 2 year term of office begins on January 1, 2016.

Fortney is has been active in Amateur Radio leadership roles for more than 40 years, including in such ARRL as Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, District Emergency Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator ,and ARRL National Spectrum Management Committee member. He has also been honored with the ARRL Southwestern Division Meritorious Service Award for his broad service to Amateur Radio.

At the end of this year, Griffin will conclude his 20th year at the helm of the Santa Barbara Section. He first became Section Manager in 1996. He also chairs the ARRL National Traffic System’s Pacific Area Staff, and his Amateur Radio station serves as the primary station for the West Coast ARRL Code Proficiency Certificate Program.

MARS-Amateur Radio Exercise an Overall Success

11/27/2015 A 2 day Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) communications exercise in early

November was an overall success, especially in terms of MARS-ARES cooperation. The November 8-10 exercise was built around the scenario of a simulated massive coronal mass ejection (CME) that disrupts conventional communication systems across the US. Following the simulated CME, MARS stations returned to the air and received requests for information from the supported Department of Defense (DoD) organizations and asking that MARS stations establish contact with Amateur Radio operators in as many of the 3142 US counties as possible. MARS operators were limited to using mainly HF NVIS bands as well as VHF and UHF repeaters. Communication between MARS and Amateur Radio operators were to be made directly, without relying on Internet-linking capabilities or store-and-forward messaging systems.

“Data analysis following the exercise shows that MARS members successfully contacted 816 counties across the US (26 percent),” US Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, told ARRL. “Amateur Radio participants in this exercise included individuals, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)-affiliated clubs, and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) as well as a few state, county, and city emergency operations centers.”

English credited advance publicity given to the exercise by ARRL and others for MARS exercise planners having received 181 e-mail inquiries from individual, clubs, and emergency management personnel wanting to receive more information about the exercise and how they could participate. English said MARS received inquiries from 41 states and included more than 50 ARES groups.

“The purpose of these exercises is to reach beyond interoperability and focus on our ability to exchange usable and relevant information from the local level to the national level following a crisis event,” English explained. “Only through the cooperation among MARS and the larger Amateur Radio community (individuals, ARES, RACES, SATERN, etc) can we hope to achieve that synergy.”

English conveyed the appreciation of DoD MARS leadership to all who supported this exercise and said that MARS is looking forward to conducting these types of exercises more frequently with the Amateur Radio community.

During the exercise, the Commanding General of the Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command, Maj General Morrison, visited the Fort Huachuca HF Gateway station to receive a briefing on the exercise and presented a plaque celebrating MARS 90th Anniversary which occurred on 1 Nov 2015.



You Might be a Ham Operator if.... How many of these symptoms can you honestly claim ?

1. When you look at a full moon and wonder how much antenna gain you would need. 2. When a friend gets a ride from you and remarks that you have a lot of CBs in your vehicle, it turns

in to an hour long rant on how ham radio is not CB radio. 3. When someone asks for directions, you pause, wondering if long or short path would be best. 4. When you can look at a globe and be able to point to your antipode (and you know what an

antipode is). 5. Your cell phone ring tone is a Morse code message of some kind. 6. You have accidentally said your Amateur Radio call sign at the end of a telephone conversation. 7. Your favorite vacation spots are always on mountain tops. 8. You notice more antennas than road signs while driving your car. 9. You have driven onto the shoulder of the road while looking at an antenna. 10. Porcupines appear to be fascinated with your car. 11. If you ever tried to figure out the operating frequency of your microwave oven. 12. When you look around your bedroom of wall to wall ham gear and ask: Why am I still single? 13. The local city council doesn't like you. 14. You actually think towers look pretty. 15. Your family doesn't have a clue what to get you for Christmas, even after you tell them. 16. Your HF amplifier puts out more power than the local AM radio station. 17. The wife and kids are away and the first thing that goes through your head is that no one will

bother you while you call "CQ DX" a few hundred times. 18. When you pull into a donut shop and the cops there on their coffee break ask if they can see your

radio setup. 19. You refer to your children as your "Harmonics". 20. Your girlfriend or wife asks: "You're going to spend $XXXX on what??? 21. You actually believe you got a good deal on eBay. 22. When you see a house with a metal roof, and your only thought is what a great ground plane that

would be. 23. You have pictures of your radio equipment as wallpaper on your computer's desktop. 24. Every family vacation includes a stop at a Ham radio store. 25. The first question you ask the new car dealer is: "What is the alternator's current output"? 26. You buy a brand new car based on the radio mounting locations and antenna mounting

possibilities. 27. You have tapped out Morse code on your car's horn. 28. A lightning storm takes out a new Laptop, Plasma TV, and DVD Recorder, but all you care about

is if your radios are okay. 29. Your wife has had to ride in the back seat because you had radio equipment in the front seat. 30. Removing snow from the roof of your car requires working around the antenna and wires. 31. Your wife has delivered meals to your Ham shack. 32. Your wife threatens you with divorce when you tell her that you are going on a "fox" hunt. 33. Your next door neighbor thinks that your wife is a widow. 34. Your neighbors thought you were nuts when you ripped up your lawn to bury chicken wire.



35. You always park on the top floor of the deck, just in case you might have to wait in the car later. 36. When house hunting, you look for the best room for a radio shack, scan the property for possible

tower placement and check CCR for antenna restrictions. 37. When house hunting, you give your realtor topographical maps showing local elevations. 38. The real estate agent scratches his head when you ask if the soil conductivity is high, medium, or

low. 39. You have Ham radio magazines in the bathroom. 40. When your doorbell rings, you immediately shut down the amplifier. 41. Fermentation never enters your mind when "homebrew" is mentioned. 42. Instead of just saying no, you have said "negative". 43. You have used a person's name to indicate acknowledgement. 44. You become impatient waiting for the latest AES or HRO catalog to arrive. 45. You have found yourself whistling "CQ" using Morse code. 46. You always schedule the last full weekend in June for vacation. 47. You walk carefully in your back yard to avoid being close-lined. 48. You have deep anxiety or panic attacks during high winds or heavy ice. 49. You and the FedEx/UPS men are on a first name basis. 50. You really start to miss people that you've never seen. 51. Your exercise machine is a Morse code keyer. 52. You walk through the plumbing section at the hardware store and see antenna parts. 53. If you sold all your Ham radio equipment, you could pay off your mortgage. 54. You can carry on a conversation and send CW at the same time. 55. You know a dozen ways to hide antennas in CCR restricted areas. 56. You sell a house and have to explain the grounding points and independent 30 Amp AC circuit in

the spare bedroom. 57. Your flagpole has ground radials. 58. You look for unused 30 A circuits in a new car's fuse panel. 59. You have more HF Radios than your family has automobiles. 60. You can use a different HT every day of the week.

What did you score ? -- Be Honest !

(I scored 30 – ed.)



A Ham's Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas,

And all through 2 meters, Not a signal was keying up Any

repeaters.

The antennas reached up From the tower, quite high,

To catch the weak signals That bounced from the sky.

The children, Tech-Pluses, Took their H-Ts to bed,

And dreamed of the day They'd be Extras instead.

Mom put on her headphones, I plugged in the key,

And we tuned 40 meters For that rare ZK3.

When the meter was pegged By a signal with power.

It smoked a small diode, And, I swear, shook the tower.

Mom yanked off her phones, And with all she could muster

Logged a spot of the signal On the DX Packet Cluster,

While I ran to the window And peered up at the sky,

To see what could generate RF that high.

It was way in the distance, But the moon made it gleam.

A flying sleigh, with an Eight-element beam,

And a little old driver Who looked slightly mean.

So I thought for a moment, That it might be Wayne Green.

But no, it was Santa, The Santa of Hams.

On a mission, this Christmas, To clean up the bands.

He circled the tower, Then stopped in his track,

And he slid down the coax Right into the shack.

While Mom and I hid Behind stacks of CQ,

This Santa of hamming Knew just what to do.

He cleared off the shack desk Of paper and parts,

And filled out all my late QSLs For a start.

He ran copper braid, Took a steel rod and pounded

It into the earth, till The station was grounded.

He tightened loose fittings, Resoldered connections,

Cranked down modulation, Installed lightning protection.

He neutralized tubes In my linear amp.

(Never worked right before; Now it works like a champ).

A new, lowpass filter Cleaned up the TV.

He corrected the settings In my TNC.

He repaired the computer That would not compute,

And he backed up the hard drive And got it to boot.

Then, he reached really deep In the bag that he brought,

And he pulled out a big box. A new rig? I thought!

A new Kenwood? An Icom? A Yaesu, for me?!

(If he thought I'd been bad, it might be QRP!)

Yes! The Ultimate Station! How could I deserve this?

Could it be all those hours that I worked Public Service?

He hooked it all up And in record time, quickly

Worked 100 countries, All down on 160.

I should have been happy, It was my call he sent.

But the cards and the postage Will cost two month's rent!

He made final adjustments, And left a card by the key:

"To Gary, from Santa Claus. 73."

Then he grabbed his H-T, Looked me straight in the eye,

Punched a code on the pad, And was gone with no good-bye.

I ran back to the station, And the pileup was big,

But a card from St. Nick Would be worth my new rig.

Oh, too late, for his final came over the air.

It was copied all over. It was heard everywhere.

The Ham's Santa exclaimed What a ham might expect,

"Merry Christmas to all, And to all, good DX!"

©1996 Gary Pearce, KN4AQ Permission granted for any print or electronic reproduction.

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