Katy Amateur Radio Society

Tape Measure Yagi Antenna

KD5FX — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:08:37 +0000

On Saturday May 12, 2012, 7 members of the Katy Amateur Radio Society (KARS) gathered at the West I10 Fire Station #4 for a 2 meter tape measure yagi build session. The antennas built are a slightly modified version of Joe Leggio’s/WB2HOL original design. Rather than using the schedule 40 PVC crosses and hose clamps of the original design, this design uses thin wall class 200 PVC for cross-members and #6 hardware to hold the elements in place. The result is a slightly cleaner look and a less massive antenna. Unlike the original design which allows for a simple build, this design does require drilling PVC and the tape measure elements. The session was organized by Tom Maxwell/AE5QB. Dell Partridge/W5QQ provided technical assistance and mentoring, Ron McDonald/K5CE took photographs, and Dave Land KT5FX stopped in to assure our needs were met. At the end of the day, 6 of the 7 antennas built passed antenna analyzer muster and the 7th was finished the following day. All in all it was a great session during which everyone present learned a little and had a good time. Future sessions may include the construction of an offset attenuator to be used in conjunction with the tape measure yagi for ARDF or fox-hunting, and an actual fox hunt. Tom extends a big thank-you to everyone who came out to build antennas and to those who dropped in to lend a hand or just to say hello. A big thank you goes out to the captain and crews of West I10 Fire Station #4 for allowing us to use their facility for this activity.

Tom/AE5QB

KARS Weekly Tuesday Net

W5IDF — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:45:40 +0000

DATE: May 15, 2012 (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 Litt (K5HM)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): Museum ships weekend – June 2-3 Are you participating?

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

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

May KARS Meeting, May 14, 7:30 PM

KD5FX — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:13:48 +0000

Just a reminder that our monthly club meeting is coming up on Monday night at 7:30.
Fire Station No. 4 on Franz road as usual.
Here’s the agenda:
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge to the Flag
III. Old Business
A. Minutes of last meeting (Peter) -motion/vote
B. Treasurers report – (Ron) -motion/vote (Quarterly itemized statement on the projector)
C. BOD Meeting Notes from the last BOD Meeting – (Peter) – motion/vote
D. Other Old Business?
KARS Repeater improvement project presentation – Dave
Field Day plans, June 30th this year. – Owen
Tom AE5QB Fox Hunt and tape antenna project report
IV. New Business
A. New Members (if any) – election
B. Visitors identified
C. Comments/statements from BOD members (if any)
D. Scott or Peter- Public Service Events
E. Other New Business?
KARS QSL Card approve purchase?
KARS PIO (Public Information Officer) do we need one?
KARS Interference Committee: Section V of the KARS By-Laws (5 members appointed by the Club President)
Who is willing to serve on this?
– Refreshments follow (Remind everyone that refreshments aren’t free)
V. Presentations.
Owen KF5CZO, Intro to HSMM
VI. Adjourn.

Saturday, May 19th: Alvin Swapmeet & Flea Market

KD5OCR — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:32:27 +0000

The Alvin Swap Meet & Flea Market occur Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 08:30 AM. Michael and Carol Payne will host the event at 307 West Dumble, Alvin, TX. This event is sponsored by the Houston Vintage Radio Association (HVRA) and will include ham radios, tubes, knobs, parts, test equipment, books, etc.

KARS Weekly Tuesday Net

W5IDF — Sun, 06 May 2012 22:23:36 +0000

DATE: May 8, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Richard Hind (KF5IIU)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): Anyone has made any plans for Museum
Ships Weekend?

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

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

Test post 2

N5TGL — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:31:54 +0000

This is another test. Sorry for the interruption.

Bastrop County Annual Swapmeet

KD5OCR — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:21:39 +0000

Jim, WB5HVH brought up this event this Saturday:
Bastrop County Annual Swapmeet
Smithville Swapfest, 2012
URL: http://bcarc-hams.org/

The Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club Presents
The Johnny Pittman Memorial Swapfest
May 5, 2012
Dr. George M. Jones, VFW Post 1309,
On Loop 230 / HW 95 @ the West end of Smithville
Just North of the river

Will Be Open for Friday Afternoon and Evening Setup
Dinner 6-7pm $7.00, Tailgaters Welcome
Tables Inside $10, Outside Tailgate $10
Talkin 145.35 & 443.75, Tone 114.8 Cell 512.965.5653

KARS BOD Meeting this Thursday

KD5FX — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:33:50 +0000

The KARS BOD will meet this Thursday at 6:30 PM and discuss plans for our next meeting which is coming up soon! May 14th actually. All members are welcome to join us!
We need to talk about Field Day plans and the following:
Owen ready to present HMSS? at next club meeting
Review every position’s responsibilities
Do we need checklist for each position?
Repeater work, new antenna and/or relocation.

I would like to change the location to this new restaurant:

http://www.9ersgrill.com/

It’s very much like Skeeters but with a much larger menu, prices are about the same, plus it’s not far from Skeeters. It is just East of 99 on Kingsland.
73, Dave KD5FX

KARS Weekly Tuesday Net

W5IDF — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:12:10 +0000

DATE: May 1, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Jerry Cammack (KT5US)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD – but, be ready for Jerry!

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

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

Tape Measure 2 Meter Yagi Build Day

KD5FX — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:25:10 +0000

Those of you who attended our April KARS meeting got to hear Tom, AE5QB, talk about the very nice 3 element, 2 Meter YAGI beam he built out of metal tape measures to do Fox Hunting.
Now we plan to have a ‘build day’ open to anyone who wants to attend and build one of these antennas. That will be on Saturday, May 12th starting at 9AM right after our usual breakfast at Skeeters. Cost will be $10 per antenna and you’ll need to signup to do this so we can buy all the materials needed.
If you are planning to attend, please send an email to: maxwelltl@aol.com (copy and paste that into your email program).
Deadline for signing up is May 5th.
This build day will be at our normal club meeting location, Fire Station No. 4 on Franz Road, just east of Grand Parkway (99).

Here’s a list of things you can bring IF you have them. If not Tom will have some and you can share. It will go quicker if you bring your own!

Tools and equipment list:
$10 to pay for materials
Phillips head screwdrivers – small size for #6 pan-head screws and #6 machine screws.
Needle nose pliers to place washers and nuts inside of the PVC and to hold nuts inside the PVC while tightening the screws.
Wire cutters to cut some #12 house wiring for the hairpin match
A pair of old scissors to cut the tape measure. It is easy to cut but don’t bring momma’s good sewing scissors for this task.
Tape measure or steel rule to measure with (Tom will bring the ones to cut up) – calibrated in tenths of inches would be great but not a requirement.
Soldering equipment to put terminal lugs on the coax and the hairpin match – iron & solder
Battery operated power drills for small bits #6 or less – 1/4″ drill is fine
5/64 inch drill bits to drill pilot holes in PVC
#6 drill bit to drill screw hole in PVC – 9/64 inch bits are really really close and work fine
Contact Tom at the email above if you have any questions on this…