Welcome to HCRA

Blog

  • HCRA Trailer Day

    This past weekend some of your HCRA BOD members were hard at work getting the trailer in ready for field day!

    20150517_132138

    We’ve took almost everything out the trailer and made note of any damaged or missing items. We also partially assembled one of two WRTC TX-38 antennas that we’ve purchased to get a general idea of how it will be assembled. Even though there are a lot of parts, it’s not really that bad.

    Over the winter HCRA has acquired another 40 meter 2 element beam that is the same make and model as the one we already have. Since we’ve moved to school street park, we’ve been using  40m beams on both CW and SSB but we’ve always had to borrow the 2nd beam. Now we have two beams.

    20150517_132144

    The beam has seen better days however but the traps are decent shape and there is no major damage other than crack in one of the support arms that doesn’t effect the antenna. The antenna also has rusted and missing U-bolts. We lightly sanded the antenna, assembled as much as we could and tested the driven element.

    20150517_132135

     

    We hoisted the driven element up into a tree and hooked it up to an analyzer

    Screenshot_2015-05-17-13-19-22Results are not bad considering the testing conditions. Once the replacement parts show up, I think we will have a decent beam to add to our stock. We will no longer have to beg people to use their antennas as we’re now fully stocked

    The AB-577 towers

    For many years whenever we needed to put up a fourth tower, we’ve always had to ask a club member to use their personal AB-577. Since we’re now located at School Street Park in Agawam, having a 4th tower is important due to the lack of trees with the height for a 40 or 80m wire antenna. This year proved quite difficult to obtain a 4th tower so we thought we should purchase one. Thankfully the Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association (MTARA) had an AB-577 they were willing to sell. We’ve since picked it up and it’s now with the other AB-577s we have in stock. It’s in really good condition with no work needed. This means we no longer have to beg people to use their tower. If there were ever a situation other than Field Day where we would have to set these up, it will much easier to deploy and we would hopefully have enough.

    Overall the day went well. Other than a couple broken bolts/clamps, the list is quite small. We now have a better understanding of the TX-38s and having the 4th AB-577 made things much better and easier.

    If you’re going to be in the Agawam Area on the weekend of June 27th, please stop by school street park and say hello. We’re also looking for volunteers to help with setup, operating and teardown. Without volunteers, Field Day at School street park will not be possible. So please check out the Field Day page for more information.

    Hope to see you there!

    – Jeff (NT1K
    HCRA At-Large

     

  • Links and slides from this past meeting

    Big thanks to Steve Dick (K1RF) for making the trip up to Hampden County to talk about speaker design for the amateur radio operator. It was very interesting. Steve referenced a lot of websites and products. He has sent us a PDF of his presentation.

    Loudspeaker Design Considerations for Amateur Radio RevD

    With this PDF, you should be able to click on the links he referenced.

    Thanks for coming out to the meeting!

  • Volunteers Needed For Scantic Spring Splash!

    From Bob (W1SQ)

    scanticspring

    Good Morning.

    The annual Scantic Spring Splash Canoe/Kayak Race is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2015.

    The group is in need of licensed Amateurs for coordination/river security.
    I request is to pass this email to them so they may volunteer as individuals.
    Hours will be from 8:30 AM to approximately 2:00 pm.
    Meeting Point is Powder Mill Barn, South Maple St at the Scantic River, Enfield, Ct.

    Contact Bob Laflamme, W1SQ
    860-982-6471 or w1sq@arrl.net

     

  • Jan 2015 Board Meeting Minutes

    HCRA. BOD Meeting Minutes for Jan 9, 2015
    Location: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield

    Called to Order @ 18:30

    BOD Members in attendance

    • Rich  N1XR                   via conference call
    • Jeff   NT1K                   in person
    • Bob      K1YO               in person
    • Gary     W1MOW                      in person
    • Eric      W1MOR                       in person
    • Ed        KB1NWH         in person

    VP W1MOR-Holiday party- Sales, Recap.

    • 53 tickets sold by HCRA

    Treasurer AA1YW-report.

    • Need a check for the HMC for a donation for the use of the room.
    • Donation check to Agawam Park and Rec.
    • MTARA to mail a check for $1,250.11 to the HCRA P.O.Box for Holiday party reimbursement
    • Name Badges to be increased from $11.00 to $12.00 due to loss of  revenue
    • Money requested and ratified for used beam purchase in the amount of $175.00
    • $11.00 profit of 50/50 Raffle from January club meeting
    • $92.00 check requested for PO Box payment

    Secretary WM1B-report,

    • absent

    ZB WA1MOW- deadline for ZB.

    • Any more input from members?
    • Should we discontinue?
    • Ask an Elmer section?
    • Classified Section?
    • Should we ask other clubs for content?
    • Add contact info and procedures for ordering custom attire provided by W1AST

    At Large/Website NT1K-updates, KX3 sales.

    • KX3 sales on track and all websites being managed/maintained/updated

    Membership  N1XR

    • We have 96 total members valid through 2015. The breakdown is as follows:
    • Paid members: 83
    • Family members: 5
    • Prospect (Free): 5
    • Life ((Free): 3

    Program W1AST-

    • Need to advertise the meetings.
    • Request contact info and procedures for ordering custom attire

    Technical K1YO-

    • tech corner before the meeting.
    • Started with antenna diagnostics.

    BOD Mtg locations.

    • Larry (W1AST), Gary (W1MOW), & Rich (N1XR) to form a committee to find and reserve suitable location for March BOD meeting.

    Meeting Adjourned @ 19:42

  • NEAR-Fest: May 1st and 2nd, 2015

    From: W1RC, MisterMike
    To: All for Immediate Release
    nearfestlogo

    Dear Friends of NEAR-Fest:

    It is with great regret and sadness that I must inform the radio amateurs and electronic hobbyists of New England that the NEAR-Fest Board of Directors finds it necessary to POSTPONE the FreeFest aspect of NEAR-FEST XVII that was scheduled for May 2015.  It will be held at a later date.  However, first and foremost, I want to assure everyone that NEAR-Fest XVII WILL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED on May 1st and 2nd, 2015, at the Deerfield NH Fairgrounds.  NEAR-Fest XVIII will also be held as scheduled on October 16th and 17th, 2015.

    The Directors made the difficult decision to POSTPONE the FreeFest due to a legal issue that has arisen since the FreeFest was announced last October.  The matter is being addressed professionally; however the funds that would have financed the FreeFester may now be needed to resolve this issue at hand.  There was no other option open to us.  It is important for everyone to understand that there are no issues or problems with the Deerfield Fair Association; in fact our relationship with them is better than ever.

    I want to personally assure you all that the FreeFest will be rescheduled as soon as possible once this issue has been resolved.  The entire NEAR-Fest management team is committed to, and is looking forward to, hosting the FreeFest, in it’s original spirit, to thank all our loyal attendees and the amateur radio community for the support since 2007.  We appreciate your understanding and continued support. We hope to be able to post an update about FreeFest on our website before the end of the year.  Advance tickets and inside parking passes will be on sale in the usual places starting in April.  Check our Web site (www.near-fest.com) for more details.

    To summarize:  NEAR-Fest XVII WILL TAKE PLACE on May 1st and 2nd, 2015, exactly as scheduled,  Admission will be the same as always, $10 per person and $10 for an inside parking pass.  NEAR-Fest XVIII will also take place as scheduled on October 16th and 17th, 2015.  The FreeFest that was planned to take place as a part of NEAR-Fest XVII is POSTPONED until a later date.

    The NEAR-Fest staff and management as well as I thank you for your total support and understanding.

    73,
    MisterMike, W1RC

  • Elecraft KX3 Winner Is…

    First off, We would like to thank everyone who purchased a ticket and those who help with promoting. The money raised from this raffle goes to help the HCRA and help fund future events such as Field Day, Classes, Formal events and promoting amateur radio around the county and beyond. We would also like to thank the Mt. Tom Amateur Repeater Association (MTARA) for putting on an excellent hamfest. They helped us selling tickets and they allowed us to use the hamfest as the place to draw and announce the winner.

    After a 9 months of promoting and even some begging, we sold approximately 180 tickets. I wish everyone could be a winner but there could only be one.

    The person holding the winning ticket was Raymond Burk (WB1GLX). He purchased the winning ticket #136 while at the hamfest.

    kx3winner15

    We hope he gets good use out of the radio. Once again, thanks to all those who were involved and those who supported HCRA by purchasing a ticket.

    – Jeffrey Bail (NT1K)
    HCRA At-Large

  • More ISS SSTV passes this weekend… Maybe

    From ARISS:
    http://www.ariss.org/news.html

    February 11, 2015

    Another Round of SSTV Activity from the ISS is scheduled for Late February
    Space enthusiasts have another chance to receive SSTV image transmissions activity from the International Space Station.  Participants can anticipate watching for the transmissions from February 21, 2015 through February 23, 2015.

    The pictures to be downlinked will be a repeat of the Series 1 images commemorating Russian space history that were previously sent during the weekend of December 18, 2014 until December 20, 2014.

    SSTV transmissions will begin running non-stop on February 21 and ending at 21:30 UTC on February 23. As in previous sessions, the mode used to transmit the Slow Scan TV signals will be PD180 producing a high quality images with a frame scan of 187 seconds. A total of 12 different photos will be sent throughout an operation period. The transmit frequency will be 145.800 MHz with a 3-minute off time between transmissions. Received images can be uploaded to the image gallery found at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .

    Plans are being discussed for transmitting new images from space enthusiasts around the world in upcoming months. Watch for more details that will be released about the upcoming SSTV transmissions to begin February 21.

    Just a couple days after… NASA announced Upcoming EVA (Space Walk) was delayed to the same weekend as the planned transmissions.  Amateur radio equipment needs to be shut off during the EVA. Rumors are floating around about delaying the SSTV transmissions until the 22nd-24th. 

    Stay tuned to the following website to see if it’s still going to happen
    http://www.ariss.org/news.html

    If everything goes as planned, there are many chances to catch the ISS here in Hampden county. Below is an image of the upcoming ISS passes. The passes in the red box were originally going to be transmitting SSTV. Still not sure if it’s going to happen.

    ISSPass4If there is indeed a transmission, there are some really good overhead passes. All that is needed for the pass is receiver that can receive VHF, Audio cable, Laptop with SSTV software that can decode PD180 Mode (MMSSTV) and either a handheld directional antenna (Tape measure yagi for example)

    Stay Tuned…
    NT1K

  • QSL Card Sources

    Did last night’s meeting want you to start making QSL cards? Here are some sources in how to obtain some QSL cards! There are many printers that are local, regional and even international. These are just some of the many places

    • UX5UO Print – See a lot of QSL cards come from this printer. Prices range from $59 per 1000 to $160 per 1000 high quality
    • Cheap QSLs – $9.99 per 100, this would be great for a portable operation or if you don’t do much activity
    • Universal Radio’s Blank Globe Cards – for $5 you can get a 100 cards. But you would have to manually fill in all the information.
    • KB3IFH – Another known QSL card maker
    • Franklin Printing – $135 per 1000 for new cards, $85 per 1000 for reprints

    There are also options in how to print cards from home

    Not sure how to design your card?

    Some QSL card makers will help you out with your design at no cost or a small fee.
    Radio QTH offers to help you out. All you need to do is fill out the information, upload a picture and you now have a design!

    Avoid having to print, label and sort cards! Global QSL will do it for you! Check out their website for prices. It’s not bad considering the only work you need to do filter and send your electronic log file to them

    Card designed and printed? You can send direct or you can using either the ARRL Bureau or others to save on postage.

    Don’t forget that QSL cards will be coming back to you from the DX!

    You’ll need to have an account setup with the W1 QSL Bureau.
    Please checkout their website for more information

    A big thanks goes out to Eric (KV1J) who made the trek out to western mass and gave a great presentation. You now have an idea in what it takes to get you your QSL card.

    – Jeff (NT1K)
    HCRA At-Large

  • Next Meeting, February 6th 2015.

    From Larry Krainson (W1AST):

    HCRAQSL3

    Everyone still LOVES getting QSL cards in the mail. Sure LOTW works great, but the thrill of getting cards is still exciting. But, how does the QSL Bureau work? How does that batch of cards arrive at your mailbox?

    Come to the Friday night HCRA meeting to find out. Eric Williams, KV1J from the buro is coming out to talk to us and show some hands on what is involved.

    Come and join us at 7:30 pm at the Holyoke Hospital meeting room. Not only will you hear about an interesting subject, but you’ll get to chat in person with local hams that you haven’t seen since the last meeting or hams you’ve spoken to on the 10m net or local repeaters.

    I hope to see you there,

    Larry, W1AST

    Check out W1 QSL Bureau at:
    http://www.w1qsl.org/

    Click here for directions to the meeting location

  • Russian SSTV Transmissions planned for this weekend (Jan 31, Feb1)

    From ARISS (1/29/15)
    http://www.ariss.org/news.html

    Russian SSTV transmissions are planned from the International Space Station on January 31 and February 1. The transmit frequency will be 145.800. The expected mode is PD180 producing a high quality image with a frame scan of 187 seconds.

    Image transmissions for Saturday, Jan. 31 should begin at 10:00 UTC and on Sunday,  Feb. 1, look for signals to start at 09:00 UTC. For both days, operation is expected to terminate around 21:30 UTC.

    Locally (Hampden County) the predictions don’t look promising according to AMSAT pass predictions.

    ARISSpassJan15http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/index.php
    (Also check out http://www.n2yo.com/passes/)

    If you happen to catch it, you may receive an image similar to
    Hist5Or others that are shown on the ARISS Website
    http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php

    The equipment needed can be simple as a Laptop, Radio/Scanner and a VHF directional antenna.

    NT1K has received the above image using his laptop running MMSSTV, A radio shack scanner and a log periodic antenna. You can substitute the antenna for a tape measure yagi

    20141220_135105