KARS Weekly Tuesday Net

DATE: February 1, 2011 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Owen Morgan (KF5CZO)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…

Net topic (Question): This week’s topic will be “Have you home-brewed a piece of amateur radio equipment & if so, what have you built? It could be a cable or a complete rig, we’d like to hear about it!”

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Howdy folks.

I’ve got one 80′ cord, but the rest of my cords are packed away in boxes…somewhere.  So, if you have some spare cords, bring ‘em along, the longer the better.  Also, I think I have enough folding tables, but if anyone has some spares they can bring along, that will probably help us out a bit.

A bit disorganized this first round, but it should still go ok. 

Here’s the news for today.

Equipment

I talked with Joe yesterday and he said he is bringing out his portable antenna setup.  It’s fed with ladderline, and I have a big honkin’ tuner, so that will get us on the air from 80m to 20m without too much trouble.  He’s bringing a radio and PSK31 equipment so that will be in use.  A few other folks are bringing their complete setup to test and I think that’s a GREAT idea.  There’s a lot of questions on PSK31 going around, so I will be doing setups on at least 3 rigs and answering questions.  If you’ve ever wanted to know how to set up your radio for digital modes, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

When you arrive, don’t struggle unloading your equipment.  I’ve got a cart and more importantly, I’ve got a tractor with a front end loader that we can use to move everything you’ve got in one shot without any back strain. 

Burn Ban

The Burn ban has been lifted!  Just checked the map today and Fort Bend is finally clear of the red ban mark.  I’ve got a big pile of brush to burn that we probably wouldn’t be able to finish even if we fed it all night long.  No worries about getting cold, but ya may want to bring marshmellows or any other type of campfire type yum yums.

That’s about it for today.  If you’ve got any questions, direct them at radioN5TGL@gmail.com

Sorry folks, no newsletter this week as we’ve been pretty busy getting the house shipshape for the weekend.  We’re just about there and have made some great strides.  I’m still looking to get the field day supplies from Dave, should hopefully have that nailed down today.  Might need some spare coax though if we can’t meet up.

We’ve got some beds set up now, so we will have a conventional king bed, two queen air mattresses and one double air mattress.

I’ve got the following for overnight stay:

• Stephen M.
• Ronald R.
• Owen M.
• Paul G (potentially)

I’m going to have my Flex running, and we should probably get the club kenwood to set up a second station.  I haven’t seen anyone update the equipment part of the signup sheet, so I’m not sure if anyone else is bringing radios and just haven’t put them on the list yet, but we really only have one radio now for sure, possibly two if I get my 706 fired up.  Dave, maybe you can bring the kenwood from the FSHS when you come over?

I’m pretty sure we’ll want to get at least one other antenna up, as the two I have up currently are pretty close together and most likely will interfere with the other, no matter how good of a filter is on them.  We’ve got lots of room so that shouldn’t be a problem.

For dinner/lunch we have some pizza and fajitas.  I see about 14 potential folks coming out, and I don’t know how far 3# of fajitas and some pizza will go?  If you are planning on bringing something along and you haven’t updated the list yet, please let Sachiko know.  Out in Fulshear, the grocery stores are about 20 minutes away, so plan ahead!

That’s about all I’ve got for now, more as it develops.

73,

Michael

DATE: January 25th, 2011 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Ron McDonald (WB5FFD)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…

Net topic (Question): This week’s topic will be “Have your operated or do you like to operate CW?”

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Hello KARS Members!

Been a busy week here.  Dave and his team got the tower bases set in concrete at the firestation this weekend.  So now in a few weeks, we’ll be able to set the towers, and we’ll have a couple of 50′ mounting points for our antenna.  Thanks Dave for spearheading this and everyone else who pitched in to help out!

Pat F. also contacted the club through the firestation, and made an equipment donation to the club.  Donated was a National NC-88 “World Master” general coverage receiver, tunable from 540 KHz to 40MHz in 4 bands.  Also donated was a Heathkit external VFO.  Thanks Pat!

Coming ever closer is Winter Field Day!  We have asked for and received permission to operate under the club call sign.  I’ve arranged with Dave (WD8RZA) to get the field day supplies, as he’s been hit with overtime and won’t be able to attend.  For those of you who are going to participate: Please send me an email to radioN5TGL@gmail.com with your name so I can get a confirmed head count.  Also, please indicate if you plan on staying over.  That way I can let everyone know if we will have enough bedspace.

As always, if you know of an activity that I’ve missed, or would like to have included, please email me at radioN5TGL@gmail.com and I will make sure that information gets distributed.  Also, if you would rather not be included on this email distribution, please let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list.

Volunteer Opportunites

PUDDLE FOR THE DUCKS bike ride

The ride will be Saturday, February 5. The ride starts and ends at the Sun & Ski Sports Store in Katy Mills Mall and will begin at7:30AM. This is their 4th year and they have had HAM support for the last two  years. The ride is expected to have between 650 and 1000 riders.  Please contact Scott Reeve (screeve@earthlink.net) for more information.

Contests

YL-ISSB QSO Party, SSB: 0000Z, Jan 22 to 2359Z, Jan 23
Mode:    SSB
Bands:    All
Exchange:    RS(T) + name + (state/province/country) + YLISSB No.
Find rules at:    http://www.ylsystem.org/qsoparty/qsodates.htm

Hamfests

Got one in San Antonio this weekend.  It’s the closest, earliest hamfest, so if you need to add to your junque pile, here’s your chance!

01/22/2011 | San Antonio Amateur Radio Fiesta
Location: Schertz, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: San Antonio Radio Club
Website: http://w5sc.org

02/12/2011 | Williamson County Amateur Radio Club
Location: Georgetown, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Williamson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.wcarc.com

02/26/2011 | Orange Hamfest 2011
Location: Orange, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Orange ARC & Jefferson County ARC
Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5nd/

03/05/2011 | South Texas Section Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest)
Location: Rosenberg, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.houstonhamfest.org/

Closing Notes

A little bit late on the newsletter this week, been a bit hectic at the house.  Please, everyone who is wanting to work winter field day, let me know you’re coming.  Also, please coordinate with Sachiko for the food portion.

Remember, the KARS net is held each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time. The nets are held on the club repeater, KT5TX with an output frequency of 147.200(+) and a PL of 141.3.  We are also transmitting tone, so you can use tone squelch if you have it.  We have a pre-net “Elmer session” which starts at 7:30pm.  Feel free to bring your technical questions and we’ll do our best to answer them.  We also get together each Saturday at Skeeters for breakfast around 8 am.  Skeeters is located on the NE corner of Mason Road and Highland Knolls. You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the food and fellowship.

73,
Michael/N5TGL

DATE: January 18th, 2011 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Del Partridge (W5QQ)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…

Net topic (Question): This week’s topic will be announced later.

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

On Friday, Jan. 14th a group of us got together to start the tower project at the FSHS. We hired a Tree contractor to dig the 3 foot diameter holes first. Then put the re-bar inside and the forms around the hole. Next was the hard part, we supported the bottom section of the tower with it’s ‘base’ pieces that go into the concrete above the hole at just the right height. Then it was lunch time!

The concrete truck came after lunch and we poured both holes in about 30 minutes. Then Mike smoothed everything off and it started to rain! Just a light sprinkle.

The foundations will cure for a couple of weeks (or so) and then we’ll have a ‘tower raising’ party to put the rest of the towers together and put the wire antenna up!

Hello KARS members!

I’m glad to report that the Kenwood TS-830s that was donated to us is aligned and operational!  Dave and I spent some time over the weekend tweaking, but weren’t able to get it quite there.  Special thanks go out to the yahoo group for the 830, as Dave posted a question there and got some help really quickly.  Now all we need is an antenna tuner and we’re in great shape for the fire station ham station.

I made quite a bit of noise about the up and coming winter field day (WFD) on the 29th.  I’ll be giving a presentation on it at the business meeting on Monday, so if you are interested in participating in WFD in any way, shape, form or fashion, please attend the meeting as we’ll be going over how we plan to make this work!

As always, if you know of an activity that I’ve missed, or would like to have included, please email me at radioN5TGL@gmail.com and I will make sure that information gets distributed.  Also, if you would rather not be included on this email distribution, please let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list.

Volunteer Opportunites

PUDDLE FOR THE DUCKS bike ride

The ride will be Saturday, February 5. The ride starts and ends at the Sun & Ski Sports Store in Katy Mills Mall and will begin at7:30AM. This is their 4th year and they have had HAM support for the last two  years. The ride is expected to have between 650 and 1000 riders.  Please contact Scott Reeve (screeve@earthlink.net) for more information.

Contests

One of the big ones is coming up, the north american QSO party!  This is a great one to help you on your way to Worked All States.
North American QSO Party, SSB: 1800Z, Jan 15 to 0600Z, Jan 16
Mode: SSB
Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
Exchange: NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name
Find rules at: http://www.ncjweb.com/naqprules.php

Hamfests

01/14/2011 | Cowtown Hamfest
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Lockheed Martin Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.cowtownhamfest.org

01/22/2011 | San Antonio Amateur Radio Fiesta
Location: Schertz, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: San Antonio Radio Club
Website: http://w5sc.org

02/12/2011 | Williamson County Amateur Radio Club
Location: Georgetown, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Williamson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.wcarc.com

02/26/2011 | Orange Hamfest 2011
Location: Orange, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Orange ARC & Jefferson County ARC
Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5nd/

03/05/2011 | South Texas Section Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest)
Location: Rosenberg, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.houstonhamfest.org/

Closing Notes

Our next major activity is WFD, and I’ll be discussing it at length at the meeting tomorrow.  I encourage all KARS members to come out and share in the good times and fellowship.  Come as early or late as you want, stay for a few minutes, a few hours, or overnight.  It’s all in the name of having a good time and playing radio.

Remember, the KARS net is held each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time. The nets are held on the club repeater, KT5TX with an output frequency of 147.200(+) and a PL of 141.3.  We are also transmitting tone, so you can use tone squelch if you have it.  We have a pre-net “Elmer session” which starts at 7:30pm.  Feel free to bring your technical questions and we’ll do our best to answer them.  We also get together each Saturday at Skeeters for breakfast around 8 am.  Skeeters is located on the NE corner of Mason Road and Highland Knolls. You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the food and fellowship.

73,
Michael/N5TGL

DATE: January 11th, 2011 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Dave Land (KD5FX)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…

Net topic (Question): This week’s topic will be “What would you like to see presented or discussed at one of our KARS Club meetings this coming year?”

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/