RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club August 2006 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 The next regular meeting of the LVRAC is August 8, 2006. Leadership Message By Director Richard Stage - AB7ZI Summer time and the livin' is … HOT! The usual Las Vegas weather. Some of our members are on vacation and the meetings are sparsely attended. That is a shame because the meetings have been improving. The Board has listened to your suggestions and reformatted the meeting. There has also been an improvement in the quality of the raffle prizes. We will welcome additional suggestions to improve your Club. We have received thank you letters from some of the charities for whom we have provided communications. I am proud of this Club and what they accomplish year after year. There are still at least three races left this year where we can provide communications. Watch the Radio Active for announcements so you can sign up. Did you know that Amateur Radio keeps it's bands by the volunteer work we do? If it weren't for that, the commercial radio companies would buy up our bands in a heartbeat. We also have a money raiser at the Las Vegas Speedway in September. It is only one day, and not a full day at that. That makes it an easy way for first timers to learn the ropes at the Speedway. Lots of fun with your fellow members and the weather should be a little cooler by then. Richard AB7ZI ****************************************************************************** now then from the Editor's Desk... Frank Drake, KL7IPV This month's article by AD5X is about taking your hobby with you when you travel. Pictures don't transfer well from a PDF file so a reference to the site where you can see the pictures is included. I have also included an article from two other amateur radio clubs – Victor Valley Amateur and Anchorage Amateur radio clubs. Now for something new for travel. Do you carry a PDA around? Do you or would you like to work DIGITAL on ham radio? Do you know you can do that with a PDA? I came across an article on eHam about using them together. Look at: http://www.N0HR.com and see the programs that are available for that use. I was so impressed, I bought a used HP Jornada 567 on eBay and downloaded the program the day I got the PDA. It worked great! It can be better and will be once I get the audio coupling better. But it amazes me to see that hams are doing around the world. The program decodes PSK31, RTTY and CW for the PDA and is free software from OK1IAK and available on www.N0HR.com site along with others. Look it up. Maybe you will see the value as I did. For portable and QRP work, I don't think the combo can be beat. Also under a "traveling" context, the Silverman Classic comes to us again on November 12th. For more info look here: http://www.silvermannv.com/news/07_06/ How time flies. You see me now and I remember then. How things change, huh? Until next month, 73, Frank *********************************************************************************** From Frank Kostelac – N7ZEV: For those who are so inclined you can receive the ATV repeater on 912 FM. The easiest way is a yagi and a satellite receiver. The coax should be as short and as high a quality as possible. There are about a half dozen other ways to receive 912. Feel free to suggest your favorite by reply all. When you are ready to test your receiver just call and I'll send some video your way. I have two Motorola MTX 9000 Ht's with batteries and desk chargers. All the local freq and "Jim" has recently upgraded the units to the DTMF front panels. $300.00 apiece or 550.00 for the set (the set will include a speaker mike and mag mount antenna) Look here about eleven rows down and click the picture: http://atv.hamradio.si/ATVrptLIVE.HTM Frank N7ZEV 702-348.7072 ***************************************************************** Ham Profile of the Month: Art Sheldon – K7ZE I can remember my Dad sitting up all night in the next room pounding brass trying to work Easter Island or somewhere else. Well, at least it seemed like all night. Dad was always asking me if I would like to get a license and I would say "No", I had other things to do. I can remember in high school the science teacher had an Amateur Radio class and a lot of my friends were in it. But, I had no interest. I went in the Navy in 1960. While stationed at Long Beach, CA. I met my wife and got married in 1961. After I was discharged from the Navy in 1963, we settled in Orange, CA. I went to work at the Marine Corps Air Station in Santa Ana, CA. I met a couple of people, one who was a ham and the other was studying for his Novice. I talked to them and got the bug, and I told dad I was going to study and get my license. My folks came to visit the summer of 1968, we put up an "A" Frame mast and a 40 meter dipole. We went to Henry Radio, in Anaheim, and I bought a Drake 1-A receiver. My folks went back to Kansas and my friend set up a schedule on 15 meters with him. I would try to copy them each night. In September 1968 I passed my Novice and received WN6LHB as my call. I picked up a used Heathkit DX-60B for a transmitter. My first contact was the ham who gave me my Novice Test and then I worked my Dad. What a blast. And yes I got up out of my chair and kicked myself for not doing it sooner. My hand shook as I tried to send on the hand key. Dad and I had a schedule each evening until his death in 1972. Every time I would go back to him and send "solid copy" he would turn up his keyer a little faster. Your speed will go up doing that and you will continue to be nervous. Hi Hi I put up a Mosley MC3B Cubical Quad antenna a short time later and started working DX. (Quad and A Frame shown below.) I got my General License in January 1969 and picked up a Hallicrafter's HT-37 transmitter to go with the Drake 1-A in the picture above. It was great talking around the world and making new friends on SSB. My folks enjoyed talking to their grandchildren over the air, but CW was still the mode I preferred. After moving to Tustin, CA. on New Years Day 1970, I began to set up a station and got the Quad up on a 36 foot mini-mast. In June, 1970 I purchased Swan's newest radio, the 500CX. A nice change from the HT-37. I found myself sitting up into the late hours of the morning trying to work some station out there that I hadn't worked before. I think I had caught the bug. I joined the Orange County Amateur Radio Club around this time. A great bunch of hams and was elected Vice President in 1974 and President in 1975. I still have many friends there and try to visit them a couple of times a year. Also in 1971 I started building the HeathKit SB line station. This was a lot of fun. Building a kit, watching it take shape and then working when you plugged it in. We moved back to Orange in June 1976. In March 1978 I passed my Extra Class License. I wrote the FCC and requested to change my call, WA6LHB, to a W or K call. I asked that if I could not have a W or K call to leave it as it was. Well, they sent me AD6B as an extra call…. figures. I continued on with hamming on ATV and DX for a while and lost interest in the hobby. From August 1981 to May 1996 I was off the air. A friend at work was talking about 10 meters and I began to get interested enough to get back on the air. I purchased an Icom IC735 and power supply, then started checking into the club net and listening around the bands. In March 1998 I received the vanity call K7ZE for our upcoming move to Las Vegas in June of 98. I retired from the government after 38 years in May 1998 as Contracting Officer's Representative on CH46E and CH-53E Helicopter Flight Simulators. I joined LVRAC soon after the move and got interested in ARES/RACES here. I joined ARES/RACES and have been active in the capacity of AEC North Las Vegas, ARES Net Manager, and ARES Admin. I was elected to the LVRAC Board in 2004 as a Director and as Treasurer in 2005. Today, I enjoy working CW and talking to people wherever they are. I am a VE and enjoy being part of the team testing new people for their license, upgrades and giving back a little that was given to me. I've had and am still having a great ride. Amateur radio offers so much. It is a great hobby. ***************************************************************** A Suitcase Portable Station for HF operation By Phil Salas – AD5X ( AD5X@ARRL.net ) Introduction I really enjoy this hobby of ours. So since I don't like to let something like a vacation interfere with it, I always carry an HF station with me when on vacation. Over the past few years I've evolved my portable set-up to make it more compact and transportable without sacrificing performance. This article describes my current, very compact portable station that is easily carried on "planes, trains and automobiles" and will provide you a tremendous amount of enjoyment when you reach your final destination. The Basic Station I prefer a full 100-watt rig for portable operation so as not to suffer a power disadvantage. While I use an IC-706MKIIG, you have many compact transceivers to choose from. The accessories I use are an MFJ-4125 switching power supply (smallest and lightest 25 amp peak switcher available), and the MFJ-902 travel tuner. For an antenna, I use the 40-10 meter portable dipole described elsewhere on this web site, along with 15- and 25-foot sections of RG-174 coax and a balun. My portable key of choice is the Palm Paddle. And finally, I've fit the entire station into an MFJ-6404 carrying case. The MFJ-6404 carrying case is perfect for transporting your portable station. It is externally rugged, has internal foam padding, and has a foam insert that is easily customized for your particular equipment. The foam insert is made up of 5/8 inch serrated pieces and is easily modified by hand (see photo "Foam Insert"). The MFJ- 6404also comes with a carrying strap, and includes keyed latches to secure your equipment. See photos: "CutOuts" and "Station". Photos "PortableStation" and "AD5X&Rig" show my portable station in-use on the 15th floor balcony of a condo during our vacation on Mustang Island, Texas (IOTA NA092). Man – what a great portable location that was! Conclusion Portable operation with minimal compromises is extremely easy with the compact equipment available today. I've described a very compact portable station that is hard to justify NOT taking with you on trips. Certainly you can substitute other equipment, but you get the general idea. So get out of the house and have fun operating HF portable! The pictures entitled: "Foam Insert Cut-out", "Unloaded Case" , "The complete portable station in the MFJ-6404" and "AD5X & Station at Mustang Island Portable Station close-up" and more articles may be seen on the AD5X website: http://www.ad5x.com ***************************************************************** Clark County ARES – Races By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ An ARES/Races Meeting was held on Saturday, July 22nd at 8:30AM for all ARES members at the Clark County Government Center. The focus was Rapid Response Team Training. The morning was spent reviewing ARRL EmComm Level 1, ICS-100, ICS-200 & ICS-700 training. Vern Garmin – K0EGA and Bill Croghan – WB0KSW gave the presentations and provided a well presented review so that those who had taken the courses got them refreshed in their memories. With fires, alerts and SkyWarn becoming a common occurrence, knowing and reviewing emergency procedures is a necessary thing. Vern – K0EGA Bill - WB0KSW This is the latest ARES/Races calendar for 2006: August 26 - General ARES meeting. Clark County Gov't Bldg, Training Room 3 September 13 - UNLV Clark Country Interoperability Exercise. October 4 – McCarran Triennial Exercise/Annual ARES SET ***************************************************************** From the Victor Valley Amateur Radio Club – Victorville, CA. Route 66 on the Air - Sept 9 - Sept 17, 2006 It's official! Once again, our club will be supporting the Route 66 on the Air event. We will be one of 17 groups participating, each with different 1x1 calls, from W6A (Chicago) through W6Q (Santa Monica). Our call sign will be W6M. This event goes on for 9 days, and there are hams out there trying to contact all 17 groups participating. Our local members can operate out of their homes, all using the special event call sign. There are suggested frequencies to make it easier for people looking for us. If we have 5 or more hams working for a few hours every day, we can provide enough coverage. Members without HF equipment can perhaps help out some of those who do, to help increase our time on the air. Think about supporting this fun event, and consider helping out. ***************************************************************** Secretary's Report By Kraig Knapp, KD7JSN Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club General Meeting July 11, 2006 – 7:00 PM Welcome – Keith, N0LSL Introductions: Visitors 2, Members 27 = Total 29 (two new members tonight!) Reports: Secretary – Kraig, KD7JSN: Minutes of June meeting were approved. Treasurer – Dennis, KD7ZAL: June financial report was approved. ID cards are available. Repeater Committee – Tom, KE4ULL: No report Newsletter Editor – Frank Drake, KL7IPV Librarian – Mike, KM1KE: No report Communications Trailer Manager – Bob, K7RJM: No report Public Information Officer – A new PIO is still needed. Any volunteers? School Support – Sully, KC6GLD and Dave, WD6ZZY: No report. Silent Key Program – Bob , K7RJM: No report. Old Business: None New Business: Field Day – Looking into a new area for next year. There is a questionnaire to ask about food, location and other items. We would also like to know how may people are interested in coming out next year. Speedway – Truck Race September 22nd & 23rd. There is a sign-up sheet tonight. SSCC Lund to Hiko – Email Charlie at AA5QJ@aarl.net, September 16th & 17th. Announcements: Club Reminders – Bob, K7RJM: The Club receives commissions for new ARRL memberships and renewals. Please pay through the club! Recycling of inkjet and laser cartridges – Pick up envelopes for smaller cartridges; bring your laser cartridges to the monthly meetings. ARES/RACES – Rapid response training at the Clark County Government Center July 22nd. PROGRAM: Field Day presentation by Fred, K9GAJ Frank Lowery gave a presentation about the Silverman Nevada Tri-Athlon and asked for help. *(Short Break & Refreshments – Thank you Karen, KD7MGK!)(absent) Raffle – Don Jaster, KA7GRU Kenwood TH-K2AT 2M HT – Fred, KB2CT Stereo Headphones, Radio Shack – Bob AA7NR Scanner Headphones – Mary, KE7HKL Power Pocket – Jim, KC7UXB MFJ-682 – Art, K7ZE Soldering Iron, Butane – Fred, K9GAJ Projection Alarm Clock – Jim, KC7UXB ARRL Software Library CD – Frank, KL7IPV Attenuator Kit – Mark, KE7BPP Hints & Kinks book – Art, K7ZE ARRL Tech Q&A book – Bryon, KD7JJH Adjourned: 8:05 PM ****************************************************************** Treasurer's Report By Dennis Barker, KD7ZAL *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ** Articles and Pictures are needed for the newsletter. Submit your articles and pictures to Frank Drake, KL7IPV, our Newsletter Editor. Send them to: sirdrakejr@AOL.com All submissions should be in my hands no later than the third Friday after the general meeting. LVRAC Contact Information President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Director Director Newsletter Editor Trustee Public Information Librarian Webmasters Net Controllers Keith Lee, N0LSL Bob Mathewson, K7RJM Kraig Knapp, KD7JSN Dennis Barker, KD7ZAL Richard Stage, AB7ZI Don Jaster, KA7GRU Don Randles, KD7YNS Frank Drake Jr, KL7IPV Pat O'Gara, N7QE Open Mike Stratton, KM1KE Jamie Gorr, N3TOY Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ Howard Mark, K3HM Frank Drake, KL7IPV Bob Mathewson K7RJM Jay Peskin, KE7EGO Kblee4@cox.net K7rjm@yahoo.com kraigknapp@earthlink.net barkerdl@earthlink.net rvstage@yahoo.com donj@mail2world.com donrandles@gmail.com sirdrakejr@aol.com patogara@cox.net km1ke@arrl.net n3toy@yahoo.com aa5qj@arrl.net hmark@earthlink.net kl7ipv@aol.com k7rjm@yahoo.com jpeskin@cox.net 247-6150 564-6263 362-1265 362-6971 247-9424 737-0544 897-5029 838-3452 804-6629 612-5696 233-2479 334-1196 256-3662 838-3452 564-6263 896-4104 LAS VEGAS RADIO AMATEUR CLUB P.O. Box 27342 Las Vegas, Nevada 89126 Membership Application Please Print Legibly ? NEW MEMBER (Please attach copy of license) ? RENEWAL ? UPDATE INFORMATION Name_______________________________________________ApplicationDate ____/______/_______ M D YR Call Sign _______________ License Class ______________ Expiration Date ____/______/______ Address _______________________________ City ___________________ State _____ Zip ______ Home Telephone (____)___________________ Work Telephone (____)___________________ Cellular/Pager (____)______________________ E-mail: ________________________________ ?Family Membership Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ ?ARRL Member Signature ___________________________________ Your preference in receiving the monthly club newsletter - Club Web Page w/email notification The club operates on a calendar year (January through December) with dues presently at $20 per year. Dues are the same for an individual or family membership. Please send check or money order payable to the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club (or LVRAC) and mail to the club's post office box listed in the heading of this application or pay by PayPal at www.lvrac.org Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club P.O. Box 27342 Las Vegas, NV 89126 August 2006 Issue Internet: http://www.lvrac.org/ Radio: 146.940 MHZ (K7UGE repeater) 448.500 MHz (K7UGE repeater) 146.730 MHz (QST machine) K7UGE Page 1 http://www.lvrac.org Las Vegas Amateur Radio Club August 2006 K7UGE Page 7 http://www.lvrac.org K7UGE Page 8 http://www.lvrac.org