Hello KARS members!
Superbowl kinda pre-empted last week’s newsletter, but we’re back in full swing now!
Don’t forget about the KARS business meeting tomorrow. Details of the location are under the “about us” tab at the top of the screen. We’ll be distributing ballots for voting on club officers at this meeting.
If you haven’t been on the upper bands lately, you might want to check them out. The solar flux hit 107 (!), the first time over 100 SFI for cycle 24. I was watching the MUF today, and saw it get very close to 28 MHz. The good news about all of this is that as cycle 24 continues to improve, we’ll be getting to that point where 10m will REALLY open up, and we can work the world with a whip and a few watts. Even as it is, 15m is opening pretty reliably every day lately, and that’s pretty small dipole to put up — even for folks who are having to deal with HOA restrictions.
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
March 6 – Gator Ride
http://www.ymcahouston.org/gatorride/
B-geO Magnolia Miles Bike Ride:
Saturday, March 19th in Magnolia TX. The ride begins at 8 a.m. at Magnolia Junior High School in Magnolia. Please visit www.magnoliamiles.org for more information. You would have to be at the Junior High by 6:30 a.m. for set up, etc.
March 27 – Bluebonnet Express
http://www.northwestcyclingclub.com/club/rides/bbx%202011/bbx.html
Contests
Not much in the way of contests, except for the Russian PSK contest. With the bands opening up, it’s much easier to reach Russia these days. More info here: http://www.epc-ru.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=192
Hamfests
I’ve heard several reports that the Orange hamfest is a good ‘un.
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
Hold on to your hats, folks! With the sun starting to show some serious activity, DX is going to be MUCH easier for all of us. PSK and JT65A are both modes that can really increase your range, even with just a few watts and a simple antenna. I’ve got the big whip back on the car, so I’m going to be spending more time on HF on the commute than before. I was able to work the Falkland islands from my driveway a few days ago…when you can do that with a compromise mobile setup, things are looking up!
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
