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Everglades Radio Club Minutes – February 8, 2019

President’s Report: Steven Taylor, W1HQL (absent).

Secretary Report: Secretary, Bill, KG2CS. Report tabled.

Vice-President: Frank, AF4FU Chaired the meeting. (Thank you Frank)

Treasurer: Timothy Sleepy.   

Treasurer’s Report: $3266.20.00(approx) petty cash $35.00

Motioned and passed. (per Pete and Frank)

Introductions/New Business: 

Frank, AF4FU did introductions.

ISS Demostration SSTV. ISS was sighted, but not received. Apparently , they were not transmitting. Steve gave demonstration.

Doug talked about the wilderness protocol 121.5 Mayday frequency (air band Alaska only)

16th  a work party at the Ag Center. 10 am start time. For antenna raising. HF, dual band and APRS. It’s time to put the club on the air. Not too early to think about Field Day. It’s going to be great. Frank mentioned a free flea for around April 2019.

Review by Frank, Field Day.

One for testing. Hoorah for DJ! Frank  gave to the club. $15.00.

ARRL:

Current Nets: (subject to change)

Tuesday Night: 7 PM American Red Cross. 7:30 PM EARC. 146.865.

Cutler Bay 146.865. PL 94.5. This will be the net repeater for the moment.

Wednesday night: 7 PM. Cutler Bay 146.865. Simplex 146.520. 7:30 PM Main 146.700

Thursday Night: North Dade Radio Club. 444. 800 PL 94.5

ARES: 3.940 on 7:30 AM Saturdays.

General Nets of Interest: Southcars 7.251 8 am-1 pm (365 days a year). Sunday morning: Bill: N4LTT (former president EARC) 9:00 am.  Bill, KG2CS: 10 AM.

Maritime Mobile Net/Intercontinental Net: 14.300 10 am-10 pm. (365 days a year)

Waterway Net 7.68 7:30 am.

Adjourned 8:16 PM.

Meeting ending motion, and seconded to adjourn at 7:38 PM.

3 for testing.

We need emails for members. For group emails.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill KG2CS

On the Bands- Bill KG2CS                    October 2018

Well I’ve been a bit more radioactive over the past few months. So with that said, I am going to present the resurrected version of: On the Bands. Basically, it’s a stream of consciousness about my amateur radio activities over the past month. Some might find it interesting, some may use it to line their Kitty pan.

HF conditions. If I hear one more time somebody tell me how bad the bands are, well they have not been sitting in front of their radio. With the autumnal equinox, 20 meters has been open in the evenings for stateside and DX contacts. On a typical evening in about 90 minutes of operating I work about 13 to 15 states, have a couple ragchews, and work a couple countries.

Also, with the lower sunspot activities there are some upsides. With the winter coming, think of the lower bands as the atmospherics will be much quieter. 40 meters is a good DX band now, nearly every evenings to Europe. Early in the morning, 5or 6 AM, I’ve worked into Australasia and Oceana pretty regularly.

I know many of you like the new digital modes, and I’m doing some of that too. But I’m kinda old school and I enjoy a ragchew. So what can happen with the rag shoe? I worked a fella in California the other night that I spoke to in 2005. He was able to tell me that at that time my operating conditions were in ICOM 730. Seems like a lifetime ago. I worked another fellow the other night that I had worked 16 years ago on 6 meters. So, you can renew old friendships and make new friends throughout the country.

And I’d like to thank Steve, and others on the club, as we navigate through the various repeaters and FM nets. I’ve been experimenting with some of the beams I put up, and I’m having fun with them. Also, in the spirit of keeping your radio on, I was walking the other day for my two-mile walk in the late afternoon. I turned my phone off and I carry my handheld. So I talked to my home base on 146.520. And we were chatting, and then all of a sudden another person jumped in the conversation. He was monitoring 520 driving past us on US 1 and joined in the conversation. That was cool. Well, that’s about it for this month for On the Bands. If you’d like me to go old school and print some information you have for the club, just email me at william232@aol.com.

73’s and good DX,

Bill KG2CS

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WINTER FIELD DAY 2019

Amateur Radio Winter Field Day 2019

Interested in the amateur radio hobby? Already a “ham” and just looking for an excuse to go play radio? Join us at the Everglades Amateur Radio Club on the weekend of January 26-27, 2019 for Winter Field Day!

What’s Field Day?

Field Day is a national event in which amateur radio operators across the country hone their emergency preparedness skills by setting up their radio gear in less than ideal conditions, often times outdoors and running off emergency power. Radio contacts are made all over the world by hams on their improvised stations.

Where and when?

We will be holding our 2019 Winter Field Day event at the John D Campbell Agricultural Center, 18710 SW 288st, Homestead Fl 33030. The event will run from 10AM 1/26, till 10AM 1/27.

What to bring? Who can join in?

The event is open to all, an amateur radio license is not required to attend. This is a great way to see ham radio in action and ask questions if you’re interested in the hobby. This event is outdoors so plan accordingly.

I’m a ham and I want to setup my radios! Who do I coordinate with?

The EARC monthly meeting is 1/11/2019 at 7PM, same location as Field Day. If you can’t make the meeting, you can reach out to us via the club’s website or the South Florida Hams Facebook page. Overnight camping for radio operators is allowed.

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Everglades Radio Club Minutes January 11, 2019

Everglades Radio Club Minutes

 

President’s Report: Steven Taylor, W1HQL (absent).

Secretary Report: Secretary, Bill, KG2CS. Report tabled.

Vice-President: Frank, AF4FU Chaired the meeting. (Thank you Frank)

Treasurer: Timothy Sleepy.   

Treasurer’s Report: $3266.20.00(approx) petty cash $35.00

Motioned and passed. (per Pete and Frank)

 

Introductions/New Business: 

 

Frank, AF4FU did introductions.

 

January 26, 27th 2019 is the date for Winter Field Day. (a good time had by all)

Gates will open early.

Some will be bringing food, and equipment to cook.

Saturday we will set up and split up the bands.

 

Frank gave an update on the Free Flea. It was well received by the local amateur radio community. MD cares@groups.io9. W4SVI is our website for the club.

 

Frank also talked about repurposing a 70’s transistor radio with a 6 dollar Bluetooth board. Very cool idea. Pete gave a presentation on his board that transmits and receives duplex on all the newer digital modes. ($40). Pete also mentioned you can get outboard amplifiers to boost the output.

 

ARRL:

Current Nets: (subject to change)

 

Tuesday Night: 7 PM American Red Cross. 7:30 PM EARC. 146.865.

Cutler Bay 146.865. PL 94.5. This will be the net repeater for the moment.

Wednesday night: 7 PM. Cutler Bay 146.865. Simplex 146.520. 7:30 PM Main 146.700

Thursday Night: North Dade Radio Club. 444. 800 PL 94.5

ARES: 3.940 on 7:30 AM Saturdays.

General Nets of Interest: Southcars 7.251 8 am-1 pm (365 days a year). Sunday morning: Bill: N4LTT (former president EARC) 9:00 am.  Bill, KG2CS: 10 AM.

Maritime Mobile Net/Intercontinental Net: 14.300 10 am-10 pm. (365 days a year)

Waterway Net 7.68 7:30 am.

Adjourned 8:16 PM.

Meeting ending motion, and seconded to adjourn at 7:38 PM.

3 for testing.

We need emails for members. For group emails.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill KG2CS

 

 

 

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EARC FREE Flea

Saturday December 1st was our first try at coordinating an Amateur Radio Flea Market. Robert (KE4MCL) had presented the idea many months ago. Being so far South it was thought that it may attract folks from the Keys and attract those curious from the North. Our location at the Agricultural Center is spacious and comfortable and would provide an opportunity for the club to raise additional money for its coffers.

 

Well Robert, it is the opinion of most attendees that your suggestion was certainly well worth its efforts and results. We had about 10 "vendors" including the club attempting to sell their wares set up along the parking lot edges. The weather was a tad grey to start the morning. I counted about 40-50 raindrops before the sun finally appeared. The temperature was perfect with a comfortable light breeze setting the theme for the side event that was about to take place.

Alain (K4KKC) along with Mauricio (K4NBU) and his friend Orlando showed up with a smoker and BBQ grill. Alain and his crew prepared eggs, and bacon that went well with the chili that Orlando will now be famous for to start out the morning. Coffee and Donuts shortly followed thereafter thanks to Jen (KM4ZHM) who ran out to D&D's. Meanwhile Alain and his crew meticulously prepared (smoked) steaks and ribs. Needless to say that their set up area was the most popular and well occupied throughout the day. Many of the monetary donations given to the club were the results of gracious folks way of thanking us for the free food that was prepared by Alain and his Team.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR OFFICIAL CLUB PIT MASTERS!

Overall the atmosphere and mood was "family like" warm and inviting which made this event unique and worth the effort to schedule another. So stay tuned for updates on this site and on the nets.

Your President

W1HQL

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Cutler Bay Ham & Egger Christmas Breakfast

Come One Come All to the annual Cutler Bay ARES Ham & Egger event. Enjoy a great breakfast and conversation. K4IDN David Feinberg coordinates this event every year inviting ham radioers far and near to enjoy the holiday camaraderie. Where??? Do you ask!....At the IHOP on 18869 South Dixie Hgway at 9am. Hope to see you there and Merry Christmas.Image result for christmas icons

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EARC Free Flea

Is your ham hoard getting out of control? Wife telling you it's her or the radios and her odds ain't looking too good? Come to the Everglades Amateur Radio Club's FREE FLEA! Join fellow hams as we all bring our unwanted gear to the giant vortex of junk swapping we call the ham-fest.
Here's the details!
Saturday, December 1st, 2018
Location: South Dade Agricultural Center parking lot,
SW corner of 288 ST. and SW 187th Ave
8AM-1PM or everybody leaves, whichever happens first.
Bring your own tables if you need them
We will have access to the bathrooms
cost - FREE
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Wings Over Homestead

As the weekend of November 3rd and 4th rolled in, so did the the thunderous roar of military aircraft dating back to the WW II era.

Our club was invited this year to participate as a static display in the S.T.E.M. Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics tent. Our intent was to "show and tell" to the younger generation as well as anyone interested, what Amateur Radio is all about. Our focus was to attract attention to the educational benefits Amateur Radio can offer.

Coordination of the event was directed by our assigned club liaison Alain Arocha, K4KKC.

Alain made sure that all club participants had the required security clearances, also the vehicles that were to stay on the flight-line for 48 hours , develop schedules and gather the necessary logistics to make the event a successful one.

Friday, (set-up) was in itself a rewarding experience. Alain with much help from Robert Cruz (KE4MCL) set up the solar power system, a HF 40 meter inverted V, and a dual band vertical base station antenna  by using their vehicles as the mounting point. Soon after the antennas were up, Steve Taylor, President of the Club set up the clubs Icom 746 for VHF operation to monitor a space station contact between astronaut Serena Chancellor and the Pathfinder Regional Technical High School in Adams Massachusetts. Using solar powered batteries and connected to Roberts antenna we were able to monitor the ISS throughout the contact with the school. Once the school lost contact (the ISS went below their signal horizon) the ISS was still in ours. Taking advantage of that Steve put out a call to the ISS with only 53 seconds estimated before the ISS was below our contact horizon. . NA1SS  this is W1HQL. Chancellor responded in kind! Steve thanked her for the contact in Adams MA. and for her contribution toward education. Serena responded back thanking us for all we do also. Salutation exchanged "73" AND GOOD LUCK...!  Too bad we did not have an audience.

We also had our own personal airshow while the various planes were practicing for the big event. At one moment there was a Russian Mig racing a Lamborghini, Japanese Zeros bombing and strafing the air base, F16's flying just under Mach 1 in full afterburner streak over our heads, and biplanes performing hi g graceful stunts! Needless to say.....set up took all day!!!!

Below is a nice article submitted by Robert (KE4MCL) to the ARRL that sums up the event:

Florida Air Show Gives Ham Radio Some On-the-Air Exposure

11/08/2018The Everglades Amateur Radio Club (W4SVI) put ham radio in the spotlight during the 2018 Wings Over Homestead Air and Space Show, held in Homestead, Florida, November 2 – 4.

“We were given space on the tarmac in the STEM section which was intended in getting kids interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Robert Cruz, KE4MCL. “We were allowed to bring two of our field station vehicles right up to the tent and set up their free-standing masts.”

The club fielded operating positions on HF through UHF, slow-scan TV, and satellites for special event station W4H. “All three stations were active during the event. Since we set up early on Friday, we operated fully off solar power that day as the onsite generator was not to be fired up until the weekend,” Cruz explained. He said arriving on Friday offered an additional benefit. “The setup crew got to see most of the air show, plus some cool behind the scenes stuff, minus about 100,000 people,” he quipped.

“Since this was a military airshow, I brought along a Collins R-388 and a BC-348 just for show and tell,” Cruz recounted. “We had a few veterans come around and talk to us about how they used to operate one of these while [in the service].”

Cruz said a highlight of the weekend was a contact by Steve Taylor, W1HQL, with a crew member of the International Space Station. “The ISS had a scheduled school contact, and once they got out of range of the school, Steve called on a whim and the ISS responded for a quick QSO,” Cruz said.

He said the club, which is headquartered in Homestead, tried something a little different at this year’s air show. “Traditionally, Amateur Radio displays are filled with call signs and terminology that the general public doesn't understand,” he said. “To a non-ham, a call sign looks like a license plate number, for example. We created a new banner targeted at those interested in preparedness and made sure it had plain English and not ‘hamspeak’ on it.”

The club also created a half-page handout with the club’s information and meeting time on it for visitors to take home instead of relying on having to look things up online. “We shall see if the new banner and handouts paid off at the next club meeting,” Cruz said.

Other operators taking part included Alain Arocha, K4KKC; Esther Cruz KI4OTX; Steve Taylor, W1HQL; John Kolansinski, KK4QKL; Logan Brauer, W0LAB; Frank De Cespedes, AK4FU; Luis Pinon, KI4VEY; Ivan Cholakov, NO2CW, and Tommy Cholakov, N1SPY. — Thanks to Robert Cruz, KE4MCL

 
 
In Closing:
 
Additionally we demonstrated SSTV , had some children and adults attempt HF contacts on 40 meters , John KK4QKL demo'd DMR type comms.  with contacts in Norway and Poland,  Steve conducted several successful satellite  contacts on AO-91 and AO-92  with the assistance on one of the contacts using a student aiming the handheld beam and adjusting it for signal quality, and capturing satellite weather images from NOAA birds.
 
Although we anticipated a better showing at our booth, those that we touched were certainly impressed and interested. I think we may have recruited some new young members for the club also...Only time will tell.
 
The next event will be in 2020 since it is done every 2 years. We now have a good idea what to expect and will also work on trying to improve on interactive activities to draw in the younger generation.
 
Here are some stills taken during set up and the event.