Thursday, September 7, 2023

RADIO HAPPENINGS 9.7.2023

,    CALENDAR* SEPT. 9 – SEPT. 23RD  , 2023

**SEPTEMBER 9TH:  ORC Fall Swapfest: Cedarburg, WI
SEPTEMBER 13TH: Siren Test Net ..11:45 – 12:05
SEPTEMBER 14TH  Tech Talk 6:30 B4 Meeting. RFI (RadioFreq Interference) 
SEPTEMBER 14th GB Mike & Key Club Meeting, 7PM .St Norbert College,
   G-M Science Building 4th Floor                   . 
**SEPTEMBER 22-23, HRO Superfest

 GBM&K Meeting: 
The September meeting is the one that if you have a suggested ByLaw Change, bring it in writing to the meeting. The agenda looks interesting again this month. The Minutes of the Last Meeting & Financial  will be sent out in a separate email.

**There will be a Tech Talk, at 6:30ish. The subject will be about Radio Frequency Interference. This will be presented by Paul, K9ARF.    ALSO if the Tech Talk is in progress.. either come in and be courteous and not disrupt the talk, OR wait in  the hallway until the talk is completed …  thanks.. 
 
Join Meeting with Zoom (give a little time for host to connect) 
Meeting ID: 985 2084 1730
Passcode: 240648
One tap mobile Find your local

Possible upcoming events . .
Sept. Bylaw change submission
Oct .  Demonstration of radio at the Kewaunee Lighthouse
    :Nomination of Exec.Board/Officers : STEMpede-- Scouting event at Bear Paw Camp.
         :JOTA (Jamboree On The Air) 3rd weekend
         : Plan Christmas Party
Nov. Ham Cram
         Annual Corporation Meeting
        Election of Board/Officers

RADIO DEMONSTRATION:
  The Kewaunee Lighthouse ,where we activated for National Lighthouse Day, is having an open house  on the weekend of October 6-8.. There is an opportunity to demonstrate Ham Radio during their open house. This would be showing how radio played an important part for ships finding the lighthouse. As well as what it is  today..  .. If interested, contact Dave, N8KQS.. 

STEMpede:   
   This Scouting event is held at Bear Paw Scout Camp near Mountain. We usually set up our EComm Trailer, string up an antenna and provide the needed means of radio communications for those working on  their Radio Merit Badge.. also tweaks  the interest of those stopping by… Scouts as well as their parents.   A one day event for us this year. This means an early start to set everything up.. 

JOTA:                                                                                  
   At the next Club meeting, the question “Will we want to participate in the Scout Jamboree  On The Air this year?” … This event is when the Scouts have an opportunity to try to contact other Scouts from around the world via Radio.. We just provide the means and mentoring  to do that. More on this at the meeting… 
 
Helping to -- 
Stay Radio Active





Saturday, August 12, 2023

RADIO HAPPENINGS 8.8.2023

 

CALENDAR AUG. 9th to AUG.31st. ,2023

AUGUST 9TH:  Siren Test Net. Check latest siren list attached.

AUGUST 10TH :  GB Mike & Key Club Meeting, St Norbert College, G& M Science Building 4th Floor     

AUGUST 10TH:  Winlink Thursday : https://emcomm-training.org/index.html Then pick on “Winlink Thursdays”


BREAKDOWN

GBM&K Meeting: If there is a Tech Talk, it would be before the meeting.. Meeting time is 7PM. Enter from the Chapel side, turn left watch for the elevator on the right. go to 4th floor.

Join Meeting with Zoom (give a little time for host to connect)
https://zoom.us/j/98520841730?pwd=Q212bzltb2o4bitHQ3lHRnVtMy9aZz09
Meeting ID: 985 2084 1730
Passcode: 240648
One tap mobile Find your local
number: https://zoom.us/u/atfy36sxq

 Winlink Thursday: EMCOMM-training is a group that provides training to pass messages.  Using Winlink, they show how to manipulate the forms that are within the Winlink program as well as how to send them out and receive replies. Presently, it is a once a month program. There is no cost. Messages can be sent via Telnet, HF Radio or even VHF radio. Very similar to Packet but at a higher level..

CQ Tuesday:  On the third Tuesday of the month, around 11:30 Ham radio operators and those interested, meet at the Bay Family Restaurant on the corner of Military and 9th Street for a lunch and chat.. all welcome..

Other items of interest:

From Steve, KB9MWR kb9mwr@gmail.com

If you have old ham radio materials there is now a fast track way to
donate them to a global library.  See the links below:
I have mailed them boxes of local SK's collections in the past and
normally it takes a few years before they get time and spare resources
to digitize such things.

I am working with them to get those out of their storage queue and
move them to the front of the line

http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-digital-communications-grants-continue
https://youtu.be/ZNPtKMoGagg
https://archive.org/details/dlarc-handout
Either reach out to me, or arrange to leave them at Tower Electronics and I'll get them from there.

  
Lighthouse Weekend Aug 5-7
  The gate was open to us as we arrived at 8AM to the GB Yachting Club.  A 40 thru 6mtr OCF dipole was placed between the two Range Lights.      In case someone else would show up with a radio and wanted to join in, a 80 thru 6mtr OCF dipole was raised from atop  the South Light  and sloped toward the East.  There did not seem to be anyone on 40 or 20 meters.. switched over to the longer antenna, but was rejected on all bands by the radio. Took that antenna down and put up a different 80- 6mtr OCF dipole.. but had the same problem … went back to the 40+ antenna and began to make contacts.
 While putting things away when we closed down, Wes found that the connector between the two coax cables was only connected on one side..
Of course, that was on me. But we made contacts and met a bunch of visitors as they came to view the Lights. Once again, Wayne Dunbar and the rest of the Light Keepers were very hospitable and big THANK You to them.
  The OCF dipoles were checked again the next day because we planned on using them at the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse  on the 7th.
        Which we did…… Monday the 7th was a beautiful day.. Mike, W9MWP and I headed out to Kewaunee and upon arriving , met up with Heather, one of the Lighthouse Keepers. She went out and opened the Lighthouse while we took out  the items from the trailer to use for the event.  While walking out the 1,280 feet of pier, Jim, one of the other volunteers and the lead person that was contacted by Walt, KE9WTT to arrange to operate from this Lighthouse, came up by bicycle.  The bike was the way to go if you were making a number of trips to the site. He lent a hand and carried up some of our load.

  The crew was very hospitable and helped us set up. The plan was to throw down a rope from the light, then tie on one end of the antenna, stretch it out and tie it to one on the ship tie on’s that are in the middle of the pier… so we had a  sloping to the West. Our desk was right at the front door… a super view..  After a few contacts on 14.263, one check in told us that a net would be starting on .262, so we QSY’d and did not take long for Mike to start drawing them in.  You can see the video at the Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse web site, or the club Facebook page.

  It was a fun time with all the visitors that came in and the interaction with the volunteers… Did I forget to mention the beautiful day, The breeze off the lake, the quietness, and the low humidity (which was envied by the Southern states we talked to.. ) 

IF you have a item of interest such as a new piece of equipment, software, gadget, or power supply  that you want to let operators know about, send it to the editor of this newsletter. Then it will be shared to those on the list.. LIKE;;;

 
How about the “Digirig” .. Want a link between the radio and your computer..? Want to spend less than $100 ?  Nice and smaller than the Signalink?   Not going to say any more about it…  look for it on line… the manufacturer has the lesser price (at least it was last week…) 
 
Be sure to check out the items that were attached to the same email this came on …
Stay Radio Active…. 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

/RADIO HAPPENINGS\

CALENDAR: July 22 to August 16 July 22nd,2023

JULY 29TH: Brat Barn at the De Pere Festival, Main Street on the West Side.

AUGUST 5TH:  Special Event Station, Lighthouses On The Air. Grassy Island Range Lights , 100 Bay Beach Road at the GB Yachting Club.

AUGUST 7TH:  Special Event Station, Lighthouses On The Air, Kewaunee Pier Head Lighthouse, located at the far East End of Highway 29 at the Lake.

AUGUST 9TH:  Siren Test Net. Check latest siren list attached.

AUGUST 10TH :  GB Mike & Key Club Meeting, St Norbert College, G& M Science Building 4th Floor.

AUGUST 10TH:  Winlink Thursday : https://emcomm-training.org/index.html Then pick on “Winlink Thursdays”

AUGUST 15TH:  CQ  Tuesday, 11:30 – Bay Family Restaurant. 


BREAKDOWN –

 Brat Barn Chairperson: Keith, KS9WI, If you can help, need most folks in the morning and lunch time. Scheduled 9 to 5. Please consider purchasing some brats and/or burgers.

  Lighthouses On The Air : Chairperson Dave, N8KQS, Operating 0900 to Noon. Setting up at 0815, bring a chair, need at least 4 persons, everyone will get a chance to operate… Green Bay could have two stations (please bring the second radio / pwr supply)   Kewaunee could carpool… ( d.catalano2937@gmail.com)

 Look for us on 20 and 40 meters xx.270

GBM&K Meeting: If there is a Tech Talk, it would be before the meeting.. Meeting time is 7PM. Enter from the Chapel side, turn left watch for the elevator on the right. go to 4th floor.

Winlink Thursday: EMCOMM-training is a group that provides training to pass messages.  Using Winlink, they show how to manipulate the forms that are within the Winlink program as well as how to send them out and receive replies. Presently, it is a once a month program. There is no cost. Messages can be sent via Telnet, HF Radio or even VHF radio. Very similar to Packet but at a higher level..

CQ Tuesday:  On the third Tuesday of the month, around 11:30 Ham radio operators and those interested, meet at the Bay Family Restaurant on the corner of Military and 9th Street for a lunch and chat.. all welcome..

Other items of interest:

  On July 20th,  Gene AB9GK, and Dave N8KQS, went to the “Shack” at St. Norbert and checked the DX3000 and the peripheral equipment to see how the settings are for possible use as a Special Event station.  The Antenna Switch worked well as well as the SWR/Power meter. Had a learning curve for setting the power levels. There was a menu adjustment to keep the CW setting from coming on with the SSB mode… this had kept the power output setting from showing up on the front of the radio. Had to set the mic gain down a little… the microphone is quite sensitive..  The auto turner worked well on 20 and 40 meters.. (did not try any others – there is not a 75 meter coil on the antenna)   

   It looks as if the radio is set for phone operation … give it a try…. 

IF you have a item of interest such as a new piece of equipment, software, gadget, or power supply  that you want to let operators know about, send it to the editor of this newsletter. Then it will be shared to those on the list..

 Stay Radio Active



Friday, July 21, 2023

Up date of radio events... July16th

 

  Just a few thoughts of things coming up.

   If you are about to renew or join the Amateur Radio Relay League for the first time, please consider going through the Club's Treasurer, John Wolfe. If you submit your application and send a check through him, the Club gets a donation from ARRL.. and it does not cost you any extra money...  
    
    Now is the time to upgrade to General... If you want to know why... go to  this link.. .

 This Tuesday July 18th is CQ Tuesday.  Lunch at the Bay Family Restaurant.. 11:30

      Saturday, July 29th, A Brat Barn at the De Pere Festival... If you can help out or come and purchase some brats or burgers, it would be great....  it will be open from 9 to 5 (10 for food) ... contact Keith @920-619-3394.

      Special Event: Lighthouses On The Air (LOTA) .. Saturday August 5th 9AM to Noon. Grassy Island Range Lights at the Yachting Club, 100 Bay Beach Road... more in a couple of days... 

      Club Picnic? --- Corn should be just right then.. It was a little concerning because of the dry weather..

Plans are in  the works for setting up for the Christmas Party.  As in  the past, it will be the Second Thursday of December.   The 14th. The location has not been solidified at this time but might be the American Legion on N. Irwin Ave as before.   More on this as it draws closer... 


Thursday, July 13, 2023

Radio Happenings (Short Version) July 9th

 

  Pretty much put the schedule up in the Happenings last week. Just going to update this week's schedule of events as a reminder to those that will attend.. . It is a hodge podge of local items that may not pertain to some... 

   
   Monday Evening: Field Day recap (Hot Wash) meeting.
    Tuesday all day UTC time... State ARES Winlink check in
   Tuesday Morning ; Local (drill)  exercise 
   Tuesday Evening: ARES meeting
    Wednesday : Noon Siren Test Net ** 
    Thursday (13th): ETO Winlink Thursday Training (UTC Time) 
    Thursday Evening: GB Mike & Key Club Meeting

   Attachments: Minutes of last meeting
                         Financial report for June
                         Siren Test Net List ** 
   We have had more operators come off the HF bands because of restrictive rules in their "hood" .. What if a HF station was set up to operate remotely so they could be back on the air? If they could jointly put it together, the cost would be less prohibitive. There are other details that would need to be worked out.... huuumm .. 

   Stay Radio Active..   

    Zoom Information   
July 13th –The Tower Room, 4th floor
of the G-M Science Bldg. (elevator)
7PM. (sometimes a Tech Talk at 6:30)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 985 2084 1730
Passcode: 240648
One tap mobile Find your local