The following people have balances due for WRTC purchases. If you’re planning on coming to this Friday’ meeting please see Dave or myself to pay off your balance. If not a check sent to our PO Box ASAP would be greatly appreciated.
Now that things are warming up in Hampden County, I think it’s time to have ourselves a Foxhunt. So dust off your direction finding equipment and make sure it works. With thanks to Larry, W1AST (ex WB1DBY), We had a decent turnout for our last foxhunt that took place in the fall of 2013. Jeff, NT1K has volunteered to the be the fox this time. If you are interested and want to join in on the hunt, please contact NT1K. You can either reply to this post, fill out the form below, e-mail (my call @ arrl.net) or see NT1K at the next meeting. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join in on the fun. Home stations with a beam could also help the operators by providing beam headings.
We have permission to use the K1ZJH repeater. The fox will transmit on the repeater while the hunters will be using the input frequency to look for the location of the FOX.
Frequency: 146.715 MHz
Input Frequency: 146.115MHz (This is the frequency you want to track the fox on)
PL: 100hz
Date: Sunday, June 1st, 2014
Time: 3:00pm Local
Starting Location: Holyoke Mall Overflow Lot (Behind Sears)
Transmissions will start at approximately 3:00pm. It’s Important that you check in with the fox. I will transmit for 1-2 min every 10 min. I will also chat it up with anyone else on frequency. My power level will vary from 55W (at the start) to 5W to make it easier for people to track me. I will stop transmitting either when all checked in stations arrive or at 5:00pm whichever is first. That is why it’s important to check in.
Home stations with the proper equipment are encouraged to help out and provide headings if possible.
Are you Interested? Contact NT1K below
[contact-form to=’NT1K@NT1K.com’ subject=’Interested In Fox Hunt (APR 2014)’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Callsign (If Any)’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Quoted from the ARRL Website.
““Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication” is the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2014, Friday, April 18. Radio amateurs celebrate World Amateur Radio Day each year on April 18 to recognize the anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in Paris in 1925. ARRL Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, 1AW, was its first president. The primary purpose of World Amateur Radio Day is to highlight Amateur Radio and its benefits to countries and communities. This year the IARU and its more than 150 member-societies are marking the organization’s 89th anniversary.”
All HCRA board members would like to extend a big “Thank You” to everyone that turned out for last night’s meeting and volunteered your skills and time to keep HCRA rolling along both now and in the future.
It was refreshing to see long time and new members willing to add their skills to the mix and fill the open slots to produce a strong board of directors for the upcoming 2014/2015 season.
Here’s our Election Slate:
OFFICERS
President: Ed/KB1NWH – Ed’s been VP for years, it’s a natural, right? Vice President: Eric/W1MOR – thanks for stepping forward Eric! Secretary: Dave/WM1B – Dave also volunteered to fill in this year too! Treasurer: Dave/AA1YW – Dave’s staying with us ‘one more year, thanks!
DIRECTORS
Zero Beat: Gary/WA1MOW – Thanks Gary, I’m sure you’ll do well! Program: Larry/W1AST – Back from the past an in his old position! Technical: Bob/K1YO – Bob’s the guy for tech and everything else too. Membership: Rich/N1KXR – Master of social media, raffles and more At Large: Jeff/NT1K – Our Webmaster joins the ranks adding a fresh view.
There you have it, a great assemblage of energetic,engaged and forward thinking hams in place to keep HCRA strong. If you’ve ever wondered how HCRA has been around for over 50 years, this is a fine example why.
It’s spring cleaning time in the HCRA Field Day trailer. We need to make room for the new equipment coming our way from the WRTC stations later this year. So…..
Offered to HCRA members only at an unbelievable price are two (yes two!) 15 meter mono-band HF Yagi antennas. Both antennas are used but in good condition, nothing badly bent or broken and are 99% complete. We purchased these a few years back prior to using tri-plexers, they are now surplus to our needs. We paid $75 each for them but can be yours for $35 each. I’ll have them with me at this Friday’s meeting. Seems like a good item to sell considering the meeting is all about Yagi antennas, eh?
One antenna is similar to a Cushcraft 15-3CD and may well indeed be an older version of that antenna. It features three elements on a 12′, 2″ boom. Feed point is a gamma match. All hardware, boom to mast bracket, U-bolts and clamps are included. Some of the hardware is SS. Take a look at this beauty!
Three elements on a 12′, 2″ boom. Matching section is a gamma match.
Next up is another three element 15 meter yagi on a longer 16′ x 2″ boom. Once again in fine condition but it’s heritage is unknown. All hardware, some SS, no bends or breaks and includes a pigtail attached to the beta or hairpin match. Feast your eyes on this one!
Price for either beam, if you’re an HCRA member, is $35. What can you do with these antennas?
1. Put them up. 15 meters is HOT!
2. Turn them into a different antenna. At this price you could build almost anything.
3. Use the parts to repair/modify a current antenna.
4. Build some 1/4 wave verticals, or perhaps a vertical array.
5. Keep the hardware and sell the aluminum as scrap. At almost .50 cents/pound you’ll get most of your money back and you’ll still have lots of hardware!
I’ll have them in the back of my truck Friday evening, all packed and wrapped and ready to go. The Cushcraft? is a package about 12′ long, the ‘unknown’ one is about 14′ long. Easily carried on a cars luggage rack. I also have a reprint of the Cushcraft 15-3CD manual.
Please don’t call or email, the only way you can get these antennas, at this price, is to attend Friday’s meeting! While you’re there stay for the Yagi seminar by Bob/K1YO, see your friends and grab a coffee or snack from Bruce’s donut bar.
