the printed circuit - k4tlh.net

The Printed Circuit

The Monthly Publication of theTallahassee Amateur Radio

Society September 2017

MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 TARS MEETING

Compiled and Submitted by: Tom Brooks (K4TB) – TARS Secretary

Call to Order: President David Miner (W4SKG) at 7:00 PM

Guests/Visitors: Wayne Cornish (G7OKI), Curtis Adair -Crawfordville, Norm Beauchamp(KM5QC), Dave Bussey (KM4SAC), Stan Carr (KB5IKR), & Todd Clark (KA4FCC)

Program: TARS PIO Jason Ford (W4JMF) introduce his friend and fellow ham Wayne Cornish(G7OKI). Wayne spoke about his interests in digital radio communications modes andparticularly what was trending in Great Britain. Digital modes he discussed included VOIP,Zello, EchoLink and more.

Business Committees:Treasury Report: Bob Clark (K9HVW): Accepted as published in the August 2017 PrintedCircuit. He said the current balance is $1,974.79 in checking and $4,096.62 in savings, for anet total of $6,071.41.Minutes: Tom Brooks (K4TB): Approved as published in the August 2017 Printed Circuit.Repeaters: Repeater Trustee Randy Pierce (AG4UU) reported that the repeaters are upexcept for 444.8, the Fusion repeater. He said the 53.03 repeater is newly operational and hewill be performing preventative maintenance on the 147.03 machine.Testing: Alan Terrell (N4KGT) said there would be a test session the first Tuesday of next

TARS Newsletter September 2017

month.Education: President Miner said Phil Ashler (N4IPH – not present) was still deciding onwhen the next class will be.

Old Business:STEM Event: Vice President Pantoja (KM4FAM) mentioned the upcoming event happeningin October which the club could support. It will be either the 1st or 2nd weekend in October. 22 to Zero Walk: VP Pantoja reminded club members he is looking for TARS volunteers tosupport the walk which will be December 2nd. The walk is to support suicide prevention forveterans. Much of it will be along the St. Marks Trail.Spaghetti 100: President Miner reminded the group that we need volunteers to support thecycling event. It will be October 7th. Stan Zawrotny (K4SBZ) is coordinating for TARS. ThePresident asked those interested in volunteering to sign the list on hand.Halloween Howl: President Miner reminded those present about the event which ChiefFusilier (KA5USN) is coordinating.Club QSL Card: PIO Jason Ford (W4JMF) said he has a design ready for the HalloweenHowl, which he is sending to Chief, and has several designs for the club QSL which he isworking on with Mike Maynard (K4ICY). He will send out copies to the club so a vote can behad to select one.Volunteer Examination Coordinator Program: Alan said he discussed the alternateVolunteer Examination Coordinator Program, called Laurel VEC, with the Thomasville Clubwho is already using it. (The Laurel VEC program was described at the last meeting). Thomasville has agreed to allow TARS to work with their group. Each club would back upthe other. Alan said he has heard of no problems with the program. President Miner saidbasically it allows us to forego the $15 fee that the ARRL VEC program charges each licenseapplicant and the club will incur only materials mailing costs, estimated at about $5/month.Member-at-Large Gerry Gross (WA6POZ) made the motion that TARS switch to the LaurelVEC program with Thomasville. Chief Fusilier (KA5USN) seconded the motion. Themotion passed by show of hands.Tallahassee Marathon: The President said it would be February 4th and discussion will bepostponed until January.November Elections: The President said we still have a need for a Vice President candidateand to see Chuck Basham (AI4KA) if interested.Logging Class: Gerry will be teaching the class on September 16.Holiday Dinner: Gerry said he is still working on using Longhorns again this year. Stanmade the motion to authorize Gerry to finalize arrangements and there were multiplesimultaneous seconds (Chief, etc.). The motion carried.

New Business:Hurricane Irma: Dave Davis (WA4WES) representing the Amateur Radio EmergencyService, Gary Alberstadt (KA3FZO) representing the American Red Cross, TARS Member-at-Large Gerry Gross (WA6POZ), and Chief Fusilier (KA5USN) in turn each addressed topicsand issues related to Hurricane Irma. Points emphasized were ARES and ARC operations, the


status of preparations throughout the state and local area, the need for volunteers for variouspurposes, and guidance on donations needed and some possibly not needed based onexperience (e.g. clothes).

Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.

TARS Treasurer’s Report for August - September, 2017

Submitted by Bob Clark, K9HVW – TARS Treasurer Beginning Balances – August 17, 2017 For Month Year-to-Date

Checking Account: $ 1974.79Savings Account $ 4096.68

Total: $ 6071.47

Summary of Month’s Activity:

Total Receipts: $ 0.00 $ 2318.88Total Expenditures: $ 0.00 $ 198.53

Receipts Derived From:

Member Dues: $ 0.00 $ 1280.0050/50 Raffle: $ 0.00 $ 327.00

Member Donations: $ 0.00 $ 1065.88Spaghetti 100: $ 0.00 $ 0.00

Miscellaneous: $ 0.00 $ 1063.07Total: $ 10.00 $ 3735.95

Expenditures:

Banking – TV-40 check cashed $ 0.00 $ 10.00Field Day: $ 0.00 $ 197.53

American Red Cross $ 0.00 $ 0.00Plaque for Tars and Feathers Award $ 0.00 $ 0.00

Repeaters: $ 0.00 $ 4281.70Post Office Box Rent $ 0.00 $ 130.00

ARRL Club Insurance $ 0.00 $ 200.00FL Department of State $ 0.00 $ 61.25

Donation to the Great Southern Hamfest $ 0.00 $ 100.00Total: $ 0.00 $ 4980.48

Ending Balances – September 17, 2017 For Month

Checking Account: $ 1974.79Savings Account $ 4096.68

Total: $ 6081.47

Ham Happenings


Contest and QSO Parties

07 OCT 1600Z - 2159Z Oct 8 California QSO Partyhttp://www.cqp.org/Rules.html

08 OCT 0500Z - 2300Z RSGB International DX http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf10 OCT 0001Z - 2359Z 10-10 Int. 10-10 Day Sprint

http://www.ten-ten.org/Forms/QSO%20Party%20Rules.pdf14 OCT 1600Z - 2200Z Oct 15 Pennsylvania QSO Party

http://www.nittany-arc.net/14 OCT 1600Z - 2359Z Oct 15 Arizona QSO Party

http://www.azqsoparty.org/15 OCT 1300Z - 2359Z Oct 20 ARRL School Club Roundup

http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup21 OCT 0001Z - 2359Z Oct 22 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW

http://www.ten-ten.org/Forms/QSO%20Party%20Rules.pdf21 OCT 1400Z - 0200Z Oct 22 New York QSO Party http://nyqp.org21 OCT 1800Z - 1800Z Oct 22 South Dakota QSO Party

http://www.kb0wsw.com/SDQP28 OCT 0000Z - 2400Z Oct 29 CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB

http://www.cqww.com/rules.htmZ= UTC; L-local – Contests and QSO Parties Source” QST & WA7BMW

DXFrom To Prefix Call, () is the IOTA designation01-Oct ??? OE 9N7GE 01-Oct ??? RI1F UA4RX/1 01-Oct 01-Dec YV YV1KK/HC1, YV1YL/HC1 01-Oct 01-Oct SM SM7/DF8HS (EU-037) 01-Oct 01-Oct VU VU3NPI (AS-096)01-Oct 02-Oct V6 V63FKR, V63MLO (OC-010)01-Oct 02-Oct YB YB1/PD1SA 01-Oct 03-Oct P4 P4/K8JH, P4/KB8KB01-Oct 03-Oct P4 P40M, P40N01-Oct 03-Oct SP SN0MPW, SN1944W 01-Oct 06-Oct OZ OZ/DL4VM (EU-171) 01-Oct 07-Oct HB0 HB0/DL5YL, HB0/DL5YM 01-Oct 07-Oct RI1F RI1F (EU-190)01-Oct 08-Oct UA R60SAT01-Oct 09-Oct VK VI5ANTLER 01-Oct 10-Oct 7X 7Y7AI (AF-104)


http://www.azqsoparty.org/

http://nyqp.org

http://www.kb0wsw.com/SDQP

01-Oct 10-Oct VP8/H HF0ARC 01-Oct 15-Dec CE9 VU3LBP/P (AN-016) 01-Oct 15-Oct YJ YJ0ST 01-Oct 20-Jan CE9 8J60JARE (AN-015) 01-Oct 20-Oct H40 H40GC01-Oct 30-Jun VR2 VR20 20th anniversary 01-Oct 30-Nov J6 J68GD 01-Oct 30-Oct XT XT2AW01-Oct 31-Dec 9X 9X0TA 01-Oct 31-Dec CE9 FT3YL (AN-017) 01-Oct 31-Dec DU DU3/W6QT (OC-042) 01-Oct 31-Dec TR TR8CA 01-Oct 31-Dec ZS8 ZS8Z (AF-021) 01-Oct 31-Mar VP8/H RI1ANO (AN-010) 01-Oct 31-Oct TZ TZ4PR 01-Oct 31-Oct Z6 Z68BB 02-Oct 10-Oct VK9/X VK9XI02-Oct 19-Oct VK9/X VK9XGJ (EME)03-Oct 13-Oct SV5 SV5/DK7TX03-Oct 17-Oct CT3 CT9/DF6QP05-Oct 11-Oct CN CN2R (EME)06-Oct 09-Oct EI EJ1D (EU-006)06-Oct 13-Oct KG4 KG4LA06-Oct 20-Oct KG4 KG4HF, KG4WV07-Oct 15-Oct 8Q 8Q7BI (AS-013)10-Oct 17-Oct VK9/C VK9CI11-Oct 16-Oct T8 T88CU, T88CX, T88DG, T8EM11-Oct 17-Oct T8 T88SM, T88UW, T88WM12-Oct 15-Oct VK VK5CE/8 (OC-198)12-Oct 19-Oct A5 A52SJ12-Oct 21-Oct S9 S9CQ12-Oct 24-Oct XW XW4XR13-Oct 18-Oct 3DA0 3DA0MB (EME)15-Oct 07-Nov V4 V47JA15-Oct 15-Dec JD1/M JG8NQJ/JD115-Oct 18-Oct S2 S21 (AS-140)16-Oct 15-Nov ON OP36CLM16-Oct 23-Oct 3B8 3B8/IW2NEF17-Oct 25-Oct 8P 8P9KZ, 8P9RN, 8P9SL17-Oct 26-Oct FJ FJ/AI5P, FJ/N0KV20-Oct 01-Nov S7 S79KB20-Oct 22-Oct XE 4B3ASM21-Oct 25-Oct S2 S21 (AS-127)


21-Oct 31-Oct 6Y 6Y4E, 6Y4F, 6Y4J, 6Y4V22-Oct 05-Nov PJ7 PJ7T23-Oct 01-Nov C6A C6ARW (NA-080)23-Oct 01-Nov FS FS/K3NK23-Oct 01-Nov PJ4 PJ4Q23-Oct 01-Nov PJ7 PJ7/K3NK, PJ7A23-Oct 06-Nov VK9/C VK9CZ (OC-003)23-Oct 31-Oct P4 P40W25-Oct 02-Nov A2 A25A25-Oct 29-Oct 7X 7Y9C27-Oct 06-Nov 3X 3XY4D27-Oct 31-Oct ZC4 ZC4MK28-Oct 29-Oct 5X 5X8C28-Oct 29-Oct 8P 8P50B28-Oct 29-Oct BV BW/JL3RDC, BW/JN3MXT, BW/JP3PZG28-Oct 29-Oct FM TO5A28-Oct 29-Oct KH2 AC2AI/KH228-Oct 29-Oct PZ PZ5K28-Oct 29-Oct V3 V31RJ28-Oct 29-Oct V4 V43Z28-Oct 29-Oct V5 V51/TA1HZ31-Oct 04-Nov EL 5L3BI (AF-111)31-Oct 14-Nov DU DX7EME (OC-129 EME)31-Oct 31-Oct OE OE500ML*** DXpedition or NotableDX source s - The Daily DX, 425 DX News, or DX Zone

THE RESURRECTION OF THE 146.655 REPEATER

Tallahassee and Big Hams can look forward to the 146.655 repeater returning to the air. Jerry,N4JL, says that the long absence of this popular repeater is about to end. Jerry, Theo, W4MVL,and others have been working diligently over the past couple of years to put the popular repeaterback on the air. They have acquired tower space on a tower in the Northwest side of Tallahassee,and are assembling the other components necessary. Jerry relates that he anticipates the 100 watttransceiver will be placed at the 500 foot level on the tower and should a footprint that favors tothe eastern and southwestern part of Tallahassee with it particularly favoring the Lake Seminolearea. Hopefully they can put it at this site in the near future, but a lot depends on the alignmentof the stars. Incidentally, well maybe not so incidentally, a UHF repeater, 443.950 MHz willalso be installed at the same location as the 146.655 machine.Actually, the repeater is already on the air. Theo has it at his house, which is on the east part ofthe county. [I live on the northwest part of the county and could hit the repeater with the return


signal about 2 bars. Ed] So, if all goes as hoped Tallahassee hams should once again be blessedwith another reliable repeater. PL tones will be 94.8 Hz for both repeaters with the standard 600KHz and 5 MHz offsets.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria Amateur Radio operators in Leon County and Capital District responded to the threats posed byHurricanes Irma and Maria. Starting about September 7, 2017 hurricane forecasts had powerful Hurricane Irma hitting thesouthwest coast of Florida as a category 4+storm and then moving north, directly to Tallahasseeand Leon county. It looked like it would hit the Big Bend as a Category 2 or 3 storm

As the community at large prepared for the storm by boarding windows, buying tuna fish andwater, hams in the area also prepared. Generators were checked, as were antennas. StartingThursday evening and continuing every day aftwards, the Captial District ARES held 8 p.m. netson the 147.03 repeater. Operational plans were reviewed, advice given, and tentative availabilitydiscussed. In particular the Situational Awareness Reporting System developed over the lastseveral months was discussed and several stations gave their locations, which was then pinned ona googlemaps.

Prayers were answered, however, and what looked like a disaster on the horizon, in fact turnedout to be a mild breeze. Irma blew ashore and jogged a bit east, hitting the east part ofTallahassee and Monticello. Winds, rather than being category 2 were much less, about 15-25mph. Rain also was light. None the less, there were widespread power outages, and somesignificant structural damage with trees falling on houses and wind damage.

Starting Monday morning, hams began reporting their status, specifically regarding poweroutages. As they reported to the Net Control Station, their pin on the google map was changed togreen, if they had power, and red, if not. Within a few hours, we had a good idea of what parts ofLeon, Wakulla, and Jefferson counties were without power. About 50 hams in totalparticipated.[The map with pins can be seen at floridaares.org and then clicking on“bigbendsituation map.”]Access to the marked up map was given to the Leon County EOC, and it was shared amongseveral sections within it.

Significantly, the EOC approached Erik, KC4NVU, EC for Leon County on Tuesday seekingham radio assistance. It has several professionally trained damage assessment specialists. Theproblem was that they had a vast area of the county to survey and few specialist to do so. Hamoperators were pressed into roaming around the county to find structures with significantdamage, such as trees on house. The ham would then radio back the specific location, whichwould significantly help the EOC direct its damage assessment teams rather than wasting timegoing where there was no damage. Several hams spent Tuesday afternoon finding those damagebuildings. The Wakulla County and Jefferson County EOCs ham stations were operational and manned, as


was the State EOC. On a different focus, the Statewide Amateur Radio net was activated onSaturday and ran through Monday afternoon. In Tallahassee, hams gain access to this net usingeither the 442.100 MHz or 443.500 MHz repeaters. The net was run as an open net, and severalstations throughout the state, but mostly in the southern part, used it to pass traffic or makeinquiries. As the storm came ashore, a couple of SARnet repeaters went down, but Randy,AG4UU, net administrator, had teams putting them back on the air within hours.

Hurricane Maria posed no threat to the Big Bend area. Such, obviously, could not said of PuertoRico and several other islands in the Carribean. Amateur Radio operators gave early reports ofmassive power and internet outages. 2 meter and 440 repeaters to the various islands were sweptaway, and one report said that it will be at least six weeks before power is restored, which may beoptimistic. The Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz gave regular reports on Maria’s progress,and the SATERN net on 14.265 MHz tried to raise stations in the islands, but was largelyunsuccessful. On Thursday, however, several Carribean stations could be heard on 3.815 MHzand 7.188 MHz though the bands were noisy and the stations were weak. /Several Tallahasseehams tried to reach into that area, but traffic was specifically limited to outgoing messages.

Holiday Party. At the September meeting, we decided to hold the annual Christmas party at The LonghornRestaurant. We have recently learned, however that it has limited the size of our group to 40people, which means another location must be found. The problems are that other venues chargesignificantly more, which may put them out of our price range. So, ideas are welcome foroptions. Contact Gerry, WA6POZ , with your suggestions .


TARS is hosting a Halloween Special Event, a Halloween Howl, on, well, October 31st. Theevent will begin 0001Z October 31 and run until 2359 Z October 31. Translated, that is 1900EDT October 30 to 1900 EDT October 31. Local stations participating can work from their homes. The following frequencies will be monitored:

14.331 MHz, 7.231 MHZ, 3.931 MHz.

This lovely QSL card can be obtained by sending a SASE to K4TLH, P.O. Box 37127,Tallahassee, FL 32315, or by sending a request to www.k4tlh.net


TARS Committee CoordinatorsRepeater Trustee: Randy Pierce, AG4UUAssistant: Doug Ferrell, KD4MOJK4TKLH Callsign Trustee: David Miner, W4SKGEquipment Manager: Steve Welsh, AD4ETesting Coordinator: Alan Terrell, K4KGTPublic Information Officer: Jason Ford, W4JMFIT: John Pantoja, KM4FAMNewsletter: Dave Davis WA4WES


73

DaveWA4WESTARS Newsletter Editor


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