Blog

Meeting Highlights – 5/2/14

Attended the meeting last night? Want to learn more about SDR (RTL) and JT65? Here are the links that were mentioned last night

SDR

OsmocomSDR
One of the first websites that expermiated with the RTL-SDR, A lot of valuable information is located on this website. A suggest read to purchase the correct unit

RTL-SDR Dongle – $15 USB SDR Stick Blog
This site is a blog featuring articles about the popular RTL-SDR. There are many sources of retail shop online that offer the RTL-SDR Dongles

Ham It up converter
Want to use the RTL-SDR to listen to HF signals? This is a very popular up converter that allow you to listen to HF

NT1K-SDR-Final Power Point Presentation
The slides from last nights meeting.

JT65

From
http://wd1s.com/jt65/

Remote Rig and JT65 Resources

Powerpoint Slides

JT65 resources

JT65 Software and Setup

Remote Rig Software

PC Remote Control

Skype for Audio

Other Links

WRTC payments due this month!

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.

Mark/KB1SO – $456.00
Eric/W1MOR – $141.75
Dave/AA1YW – $175.00
Marty/W1MJB – $680.00
Dave/WN1E – $600.00
Larry/W1AST – $116.00
Juergen/NV1Q – $30.00
Ed/WT1W – $50.00
Larry/KD1RV – $400.00

Send checks made out to HCRA to:

HCRA
PO Box 562
Agawam, MA 01001-0562

Thanks and hope to see everyone at the May 2nd meeting, ready to listen and learn about SDR technology and JT65 communications.

April 30, 2014
HCRA Foxhunt – June 1st
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)
- Duration: 1-2hrs
If you are new to Amateur Radio and never participated in a fox hunt, This would be the perfect time to get your feet wet. Take some time and read an excellent post by Larry (W1AST) about fox hunting basics. You can also check out homingin.com for more information.

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]

[mapsmarker marker=”3″]
April 24, 2014
World Amateur Radio Day 2014

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.”

April 18, 2014
Election Slate for 2014/2015 Announced!

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.

’73…
Jim/KK1W

April 5, 2014
HCRA Inventory Reduction Sale!

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.

Jim/KK1W

April 3, 2014
Treasurer’s Report – March 11, 2014

Income:

WRTC: $290.25
Dues: $45.00
FT857 Raffle: $860.00
Hamfest Sales: $61.21
Total Income: $1256.46

Expenses

None: $00.00
Total Expenses: $00.00

Starting Balance: $8410.49

Ending Balance: $9666.49

Net Income from FT857 Raffle: $910.00

Note: WRTC has a payable of $4000 by June 1st (balance on WRTC station purchases)

March 26, 2014
Board Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2014

HCRA Board of Directors Meeting
March 11th, 2014

Location: West Springfield, MA. The meeting was called to order at 7:13PM
Present: KK1W, KB1NWH, AA1YW, N1FJ, N1KXR, W1MSW

OFFICER REPORTS

Vice President – KB1NWH
More antenna installation with Eric/W1MOR

Treasurer – AA1YW
Current financial report: $9666.49
Status of WRTC Sales: $5713.00 sold to date
Status of FT857 raffle: Net profit for this raffle: $910.
It is noted we have a payable due WRTC by June 1st for $4000 for the WRTC stations.
We have a balance of $28.52 in our PayPal account.

Secretary – Open – KK1W will take notes
Ed is handling USPS PO Box pickup. All mail is up to date

DIRECTOR REPORTS

Technical – K1YO (not present)
April’s Tech corner will expand to fill the whole meeting with the subject of Yagi antennas.

Zero Beat, N1FJ
Frandy is close to securing a service that can print and mail the USPS Zero Beats. He will be testing it and have results for us at the May meeting.

Membership – N1KXR
Current Membership: 74 Regular, 9 Family, 3 Life and 7 Prospects
Members joining after March 1 will have an expiration date of 8/31/2015
Rich is working on a method of following up with non-renewed members from 2012 and 2013.

At Large – Not present
Venture Crew 510 Charter should be on track for renewal.

Program – W1MSW – Not present
April: – Bob/K1YO on Yagi Antennas
May: Chuck/ARRL on the ARRL’s “Intruder Watch” program
June: Field Day planning, N1MM workshop, elections

OLD BUSINESS
The ‘cloud database’ has not been completed. The board decided to stay with our present Access database. Ed is maintaining it and Bob/K1YO has offered to help with queries.

Jim/KK1W is working on reaching out to members and encouraging them to join the board.

Ed/KB1NWH reported the Town of Agawam is happy to have us back for Field Day 2014. There is construction at the park but it shouldn’t pose any problems.

Dave, Jeff and Jim will develop a ‘PayPal’ workflow so next year’s Treasurer will be in a position to handle the high renewal influx.
.
NEW BUSINESS
Our table at the MTARA hamfest was a great success. We had lot’s of staff for the table and many visitors. Raffle ticket sales were brisk. HCRA donated two tickets to MTARA for raffle prizes during the hamfest. The drawing was held at noon and the winner was Frandy/N1FJ. HCRA thanks MTARA for their generous hospitality. (KK1W)

W1MSW and KB1NWH tell us Field Day 2014 planning in underway and on schedule. There was some discussion about providing food. General consensus was not to do so again this year. The main reasons are close proximity to many restaurants and a lack of a ‘food person’ to run the job. They would entertain providing coffee/donuts on Saturday and Sunday morning if a volunteer is found to do it.

Our new contact person at HMC is now Doug/KB1JC.

2013/2014 Board Meeting Dates
May 6th
June 10th

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM

Respectfully submitted by Jim Mullen/KK1W

March 26, 2014
Ham radio ops / Volunteers needed for Simulated Emergency.
From Bruce Fuller (KB1TLX):
(As mentioned at HCRA’s past meeting (3/7/14))

The simulated emergency is based on the aftermath of a “tornado”. They are looking for patients/victims and well as radio operators. For anyone interested, the volunteers can operate on the “Tag Team” basis, meaning they can volunteer for what ever time they feel comfortable with. The exercise will start on Thursday, 10 April at around 1400 hours and end on Friday, 11 April at around 1200 hours. The website to sign up for this exercise is http://umassdrill.eventbrite.com/

Shelter victims will portray the part of those affected by the tornado disaster. They will arrive at 3pm and live the life of a shelter resident. Participants are encouraged to consider the option of joining a sleepover as part of the event. How many people can say they’ve had a slumber party in the Mullins Center?!

Shelter volunteers will assist the team leaders with shelter operations. Volunteers are needed in various positions from 2-9pm. There are 8 positions to choose from:
- Registration Volunteers: Assist with welcoming victims into the shelter.
- Donations Management: Assist the team leader with collecting donations brought to the shelter.
- Dormitory Management: Assist the team leader with management of sleeping quarters.
- Medical Component: Assist the team leader with medical needs of clients (both simulated and real).
- Food Service: Assist the team leader with serving pre-made meals to all participants.
- Mental Health: Assist the team leader with assessing simulated mental health needs of clients.
- Childcare: Assist the team leader with providing a safe and entertaining area for children.
- Animal Sheltering: Assist the team leader with managing shelter pets.
All exercise participants will be provided meals during the event, including snacks, dinner and breakfast.
Registration for the shelter roles is on a first come basis. All participants are encouraged to bring their pets to the drill. You do not need to bring anything for cats and dogs, but be sure to bring the necessary habitat for unique pets (i.e. cage/heat lamp for snakes). Children are also invited to the drill as there will be a childcare area. Please be advised though there will be some simulated injuries with blood, so younger children are not recommended to attend.

We hope you are able to join us at this great event!
March 13, 2014
Thanks to everyone that stopped by our table at the MTARA hamfest today!

A fun day at the hamfest. Thanks to everyone that stopped by to say hello, purchase some raffle tickets, join the club, pick up a few bargains and more. It was nice seeing many faces we had not seen since last year too!

Congratulations to Frandy/N1FJ – winner of the Yeasu FT-857. I checked, it does have CW on it so he ‘may’ actually turn it on! Also congrats to Laurie who went home with a new VHF radio thanks to the MTARA raffle. Our table was the place to be!

A special thank you to everyone that volunteered to help cover the table throughout the morning. Laurie/KB1WQK, Jeff/NT1K, George/KC1V, Dave/AA1YW, Steve/N1SR and Rich/N1KXR. What a crew and they did a fantastic job!

’73 until next year,

Jim/KK1W

March 1, 2014