Friday, December 3

Posted on December 2, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Corona Virus Resource Center from Johns Hopkins University
  • San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard
  • HAM RADIO LICENSE TESTING
    • Amateur License Testing, every 2nd Tuesdays of the month 8:00 am, – $15 Exam fee. American Legion Post 426, Yucaipa, 12167 California St. TO REGISTER send Email to WD6H@aol.com. This is sponsored by the Calimesa Amateur Radio Club, email WD6H for more details.
  • TODAY starting at ≈ 9:30 am PST – Alcatraz Island National Historic Site, K-7888, with Parks on the Air (POTA).
    • This will be an SSB ONLY activation starting on 40 meters and moving to 20 meters!
    • Kevin Mowrey, K6YD and his wife, Liz, N6LY, have procured the necessary permits from the NPS and will be looking for contacts from ‘the rock’.
    • Their antenna equipment are ham sticks. It is a difficult place to operate from, give them a listen if you have the chance!
    • There has been only ONE other activation with the resultant 5 contacts on SSB. Remember, for POTA, 10 QSOs are required, so technically, it has never been activated.
  • SKYWARN Recognition Day – TODAY, click for more details.
  • Winter Field Day – January 29-30, 2022. 100 watt limit this year! Rules are here too.
  • (K6GAS, George) ARRL 160 meter CW contest – STARTS TODAY at 2:00 pm PST! December 3-5, (ends at 8:00 am Sunday), get those LONG WIRES UP!
  • TUESDAY, December 7 – “Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Crossband Operation From Battleship IOWA’s NEPM”
    • “With operating authorization from the Navy’s 3rd Fleet Spectrum Manager, Battleship IOWA Amateur Radio Association, Inc. and the IOWA’s Innovation and Engineering Team will activate the ship’s legacy Navy call sign, NEPM, on December 7, 2021 in memory of Pearl Harbor Day. Operation will be from 1600 to 2359 UTC. (8am-4pm PST)
    • NEPM will TRANSMIT on 14781.5 KHz using J3E USB and listen on 14343.0 KHz J3E USB. Amateurs are reminded that they may NOT transmit on 14781.5 KHz. If there is traffic on 14343.0 KHz, the NEPM operator will advise of an alternate frequency where he is listening.”
  • PAPA System virtual ZOOM monthly meeting – TOMORROW Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 am PST
    • TIMELY TOPIC: Choosing a transceiver, presented by Rob Sherwood NC0B of Sherwood Engineering!
    • Click here, IF you are a member to sign up.
  • (KK6CTT, Rick) SPECIAL TOPIC – Sunday at 8:00 pm on the Keller Peak repeater EMCOMM hub net
      • Go-Bag emergency preparedness – little things that might be important, let’s share resources – great for Christmas stocking stuffers
  • (N6NTJ, Jo) TOMORROW – Vintage Baseball playoffs, 10:00 am, Heritage Field in Twin Peaks

DISCUSSION TOPICS

(AE6CO, Chet) TWO MRI testings completed!

  • (Gilbert) MRI coming up too
  • (W6BMHN, Joe) MRI a few months back, broken rib
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) Shoulder MRI, torn rotator cuff, what to do? Recommendations?
  • (KN6PXC, Judy) Contrasting die can help diagnose issues

(W7DTH, Steve) Who has checked in the most to the TechNet?

  • (KK6BXJ, Bob) Maybe move into the 21st century and use a spreadsheet!
  • (KN6PRO, Trey) 
  • (K6WDE, Dave) We could use Netlogger too
  • (KC6JGZ, Russ) Likes the personal touch
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) Checks in portable on his walks
  • (KE6MAE, Larry) Larry too portable!

(AC6TK, Jim) Be ‘minimal footprint’ in the bigger parks for WWFF/POTA/SOTA. Keep your head down and have FUN!

(KK6BXJ, Bob) In the past, MVARA club participated in the Lake Perris “Boats on Parade”.They were able to talk with Santa as well!

  • LEO visit,  a non-issue

 

 

Thursday, December 2

Posted on December 2, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Corona Virus Resource Center from Johns Hopkins University
  • San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard
  • HAM RADIO LICENSE TESTING
    • Amateur License Testing, every 2nd Tuesdays of the month 8:00 am, – $15 Exam fee. American Legion Post 426, Yucaipa, 12167 California St. TO REGISTER send Email to WD6H@aol.com. This is sponsored by the Calimesa Amateur Radio Club, email WD6H for more details.
  • Winter Field Day – January 29-30, 2022. 100 watt limit this year! Rules are here too.
  • (K6GAS, George) ARRL 160 meter CW contest – December 3-5, get those LONG WIRES UP!
  • TUESDAY, December 7 – “Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Crossband Operation From Battleship IOWA’s NEPM”
    • “With operating authorization from the Navy’s 3rd Fleet Spectrum Manager, Battleship IOWA Amateur Radio Association, Inc. and the IOWA’s Innovation and Engineering Team will activate the ship’s legacy Navy call sign, NEPM, on December 7, 2021 in memory of Pearl Harbor Day. Operation will be from 1600 to 2359 UTC. (8am-4pm PST)
    • NEPM will TRANSMIT on 14781.5 KHz using J3E USB and listen on 14343.0 KHz J3E USB. Amateurs are reminded that they may NOT transmit on 14781.5 KHz. If there is traffic on 14343.0 KHz, the NEPM operator will advise of an alternate frequency where he is listening.”
  • PAPA System virtual ZOOM monthly meeting – Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 am PST
    • TIMELY TOPIC: Choosing a transceiver, presented by Rob Sherwood NC0B of Sherwood Engineering!
    • Click here, IF you are a member to sign up.
  • (KK6CTT, Rick) SPECIAL TOPIC – Sunday at 8:00 pm on the Keller Peak repeater EMCOMM hub net
      • Go-Bag emergency preparedness – little things that might be important, let’s share resources – great for Christmas stocking stuffers

DISCUSSION TOPICS

(WB6RCK, Dennis) – HF Nets, let’s add to them!

(KE6MAE, Larry) How do I do the split on a Yaesu FT891 for the Battleship IOWA SE this weekend?

(N6NTJ, Jo) ICOM IC-7300 proud owner!

(KM6UWI, Ed) HF Hamily-Hamster net last night with a good turnout, bands were in pretty good shape

  • KJ6FQP, Assunta and KE6MAE, Larry came in as well.
    • Assunta had a fun, first time on HF!
  • 40 meters was great! Tried 80, 20, 15, 12, 10 and 6 meters too.
  • (WB6MHN, Joe) Joe in Chino Hills had a great signal too!
  • (KC6JGZ, Russ) 10 and 6 meters not so good, usually they are. Every session is different, propagation-wise.

(AE6ML, Mike) Atlas radio that he procured for FREE is ON THE AIR!

  • Tried hearing himself on a local SDR.
  • Wired up a microphone
  • He was about 30Hz off frequency, old-style!
  • New appreciation for the new, modern technologies we take for granted.

(KN6PRO) HF Hamily-Hamster imposters at http://www.144200.net!

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 1

Posted on November 30, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Corona Virus Resource Center from Johns Hopkins University
  • San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard
  • HAM RADIO LICENSE TESTING
    • Amateur License Testing, every 2nd Tuesdays of the month 8:00 am, – $15 Exam fee. American Legion Post 426, Yucaipa, 12167 California St. TO REGISTER send Email to WD6H@aol.com. This is sponsored by the Calimesa Amateur Radio Club, email WD6H for more details.
  • Winter Field Day – January 29-30, 2022. 100 watt limit this year! Rules are here too.
  • (K6GAS, George) ARRL 160 meter CW contest – December 3-5, get those LONG WIRES UP!
  • Hamily Hamster HF net TONIGHT, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. starting on 7.223 Mhz! KM6UWI sent out invites yesterday for the parallel ZOOM session.
  • December 7 – “Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Crossband Operation From Battleship IOWA’s NEPM”
    • “With operating authorization from the Navy’s 3rd Fleet Spectrum Manager, Battleship IOWA Amateur Radio Association, Inc. and the IOWA’s Innovation and Engineering Team will activate the ship’s legacy Navy call sign, NEPM, on December 7, 2021 in memory of Pearl Harbor Day. Operation will be from 1600 to 2359 UTC. (8am-4pm PST)
    • NEPM will TRANSMIT on 14781.5 KHz using J3E USB and listen on 14343.0 KHz J3E USB. Amateurs are reminded that they may NOT transmit on 14781.5 KHz. If there is traffic on 14343.0 KHz, the NEPM operator will advise of an alternate frequency where he is listening.”
  • Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) Monthly Straight Key Night and Slow Speed Saunter – TODAY!
  • PAPA System virtual ZOOM monthly meeting – Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 am PST
    • TIMELY TOPIC: Choosing a transceiver, presented by Rob Sherwood NC0B of Sherwood Engineering!
    • Click here, IF you are a member to sign up.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

(WB6RCK, Dennis) – HF Nets, let’s add to them!

(AE6CO, Chet) Battery backup question via email

  • SuperPowerGate in the system, everything worked great during a power outage
  • Make sure that your power demand is being met, size the battery correctly

(K6WDE, Dave) How do I keep a salt-water fish tank pump alive in a power outage?

  • (K6GAS, George) Use a ham radio solution, running the pump through a 120 volt inverter ALL THE TIME.
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) Use a simple relay, keeping the pump active on AC and then the relay will flip off when power is lost. Finish with George’s solution above.
  • (KN6DLZ, Paul) APC UPS battery backup, small to large sizes. Size your backup need accordingly.
  • (AE6ML, Mike) Check out the SAMLEX “SAM-1500C-12“, a cool solution!

(KK6WKI, Vic) Portable generator automatic transfer switch – does one exist?

  • They do exist with NEMA plug, Home Depot-type

(KK6BXJ, Bob) Generator carburetor overflowed with first fill of gas. Why?

  • Reason – Float got stuck
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) – Use “True Fuel“, no ethanol component
    • Run generator dry when storing it
  • (AE6ML, Mike) Convert your generator to propane/natural gas
  • (KG4SXQ, Alvie) Which fuel would be readily accessible in an actual emergency?
    • Hard to tell, dependent on “event”

 

 

Tuesday, November 30

Posted on November 30, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Corona Virus Resource Center from Johns Hopkins University
  • San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard
  • HAM RADIO LICENSE TESTING
    • Amateur License Testing, every 2nd Tuesdays of the month 8:00 am, – $15 Exam fee. American Legion Post 426, Yucaipa, 12167 California St. TO REGISTER send Email to WD6H@aol.com. This is sponsored by the Calimesa Amateur Radio Club, email WD6H for more details.
  • Winter Field Day – January 29-30, 2022. 100 watt limit this year! Rules are here too.
  • (K6GAS, George) ARRL 160 meter CW contest – December 3-5, get those LONG WIRES UP!
  • Hamily Hamster HF net TOMORROW, Wednesday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. starting on 7.223 Mhz! KM6UWI sent out invites yesterday for the parallel ZOOM session.
  • (Becky) Tonight at 7pm “Foodie Friends” on Keller Peak repeater – Christmas cookies on the agenda!

DISCUSSION TOPICS

(K6WDE, Dave) New SoCal repeater listings and coverage maps. AI6OZ, Chuck Bunn has done a great job. These files are posted on the Red-Eye Keller Peak Facebook page.

(KE6MAE, Larry) Yaesu FT891 firmware upgrade – FIXED!

  • Called Yaesu, talked to Roger! Roger was listening on the TechNet and expecting Larry’s call! N6GMT is Roger’s callsign.
  • Stepped through the procedure one more time, slowly, and everything WORKED!
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) Roger helped him too!
  • (N6UTD, Bill) Great story!
  • (K6RMS, Bob) Alinco techs also monitor, another great manufacturer support.
  • Yaesu repair is located 6125 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA. 714 827-7600
    • “El Torito” lunch on Valley View and Katella while you wait!
  • (KK6WKI, Vic) Do I need to update my 891? Check your firmware info in the menuing system
    • (AJ6FN, Greg) Look at menus 18.01, 18.02, 18.03 = Main version, DSP and LCD firmwares
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) There is a link to do the MARS mod, search YouTube

(WD6USA, Jeff) HF bands – upper and lower bands, how do you define upper and lower?

  • 160 meter = top band = lowest frequency, longest wavelength
  • 6 meter = highest frequency
  • (AC6TK, Jim) Historically …
    • High band = 2 meter, low band = 6 meters
    • Wavelength definition, below 6 meters is LOW band
  • (WD6USA) Are there consistent definitions?
    • (AJ6FN, Greg) Upper HF bands – 20 meters and up (defined by frequency)
    • Lower bands – 40, 80 and 160 meters
    • (K6GAS, George) Agrees with Greg
    • (KN6PXC, Judy) Nomenclature can be confusing!

 

 

 

 

 

CYBER Monday, November 29

Posted on November 29, 2021 by

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Thanks to Bob, KK6BXJ, for note-handling last week!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Corona Virus Resource Center from Johns Hopkins University
  • San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard
  • HAM RADIO LICENSE TESTING
    • Amateur License Testing, every 2nd Tuesdays of the month 8:00 am, – $15 Exam fee. American Legion Post 426, Yucaipa, 12167 California St. TO REGISTER send Email to WD6H@aol.com. This is sponsored by the Calimesa Amateur Radio Club, email WD6H for more details.
  • Winter Field Day – January 29-30, 2022. 100 watt limit this year! Rules are here too.
  • (K6GAS, George) ARRL 160 meter CW contest – December 3-5, get those LONG WIRES UP!
  • Hamily Hamster HF net this Wednesday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. starting on 7.223 Mhz! KM6UWI will be sending out the ZOOM invites as well.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

  • Glad to hear Alvie, KG6SXQ, on the air!
  • (KE6MAE, Larry) Updated his Yaesu FT891 radio, did he brick it?
    • (KK6BXJ, Bob) Yaesu phone support is pretty good, repair depot located in the Buena Park/Anaheim area
  • (KN6DLZ) Earlier Kester 186 solder flux tip was great, able to solder to chrome

(Trey) ICOM IC-7300 is on its way from Anaheim, looking for a CW iambic key recommendations, first time CW beginner. $995 with rebate!

  • (KN6JGZ, Russ) CW Morse key, very happy with it!
  • (KK6BXJ, Bob) CW Morse key, inexpensive and well worth it!
  • (K6WDE, Dave) CW Morse key, vote #3
  • (AJ6FN, Greg) CW Morse, get the metal base!
  • (KJ6FQP, Assunta) Long Island CW club – what are their recommendations? Paddle or straight key!
  • (KK7KC, Moe) Some keys may require an electronic keyer in the radio
    • Straight key contests for a challenge
  • (KE6MAE, Larry) Why the ICOM?
    • Dave Kassler recommendations
    • Large screen!
  • (K6JBT, Jay) CYBER MONDAY today!
  • (KD6JBL) Yaesu 991a – everything in ONE BOX!
  • Try to be brand agnostic!
  • (KK6WKI, Vic) So many stations on the ICOM IC-7300, extremely happy with his
  • (Judy) Interested in the large screen capability of the ICOM IC-7300 radio
    • (AJ6FN, Greg) Yaesu FTDX10 can be plugged into an HDMI monitor for those visually impaired, another option to consider.

(K6GAS, George) 160 meter antenna being built – UPDATE

    • 160 meter dipole, concrete poured
    • 20′ off ground, fed with ladder line, with MFJ948 tuner (kinda lightweight)
    • With more than 20 watts, SWR went CRAZY on 160
      • MFJ986 tuner instead – the BIG BOY tuner works fine!

(KG4SXQ, Alvie) Give us a status update, Alvie!

(AE6ML, Mike) Can Jim talk about microwave ham radio stuff sometimes in the future?

(AJ6FN, Greg) Hang onto some of your $$, after Christmas SALES coming!

41 Check-ins today!

 

Friday, Nov 26

Posted on November 28, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Freeky Friday Notes Pending – Sorry for the delay.

Thursday, Nov 25

Posted on November 28, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCUSSION TOPICS

THANKSGIVING – WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?

Wednesday, Nov 24

Posted on November 28, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCUSSION TOPICS

  • KC6JGZ, Russ: Youtube video on the 1989 San Bernardino Train wreck
  • KK6WKI, Vic: HF Repeaters – How do you use them with HF?
    • AE6CO: 10 M Repeaters – Good beacon band conditions indicators
      • Check out the ARRL Repeater Book for list of Repeaters
    • KB6MIP.ORG Six Meter Repeaters

TUESDAY NOV 23

Posted on November 28, 2021 by

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCUSSION TOPICS

  • KE6MAE, Larry: Where I could find 10,20,40 Meter Nets?
    • KK6BXJ Bob: ARRL Nets Directory
      • Calif Rescue Net @ 7.248 @ 1100 M-F
      • NetLogger to monitor and participate in active nets
    • AE6ML, Mike: 7.250 Gordo Emcomm Net M-F at 0830
    • WB6RCK, Dennis: Noontime Net @ 0900 PT 7.283.5
    • KN6PXC, Judy: Sunday Columbia Basin @ 3.960 80M @ 1800
    • K6GAS, George: The Do Nothing Net DNN; 80M @ 3815 @ 430 PM
      • Checkout WEBSDR’s websites for list of Nets
  • AE6CO, Chet:
    • Anyone been in contact with Alvie, KG4SXQ? Is he ok?
    • What are you hoping for on Christmas?
      • AG6FN, Greg: Already got his tiny radio CW-3B CW QRP 20,30,40 M
      • N6LKA, Larry: Hoping/Looking for a tower; Got the BuddiPole Delux Antenna, Great Antenna!
      • AG6FN, Greg: K2PTL, Bill is selling his Tower & Hex Beam Antenna (May already be sold)

Monday, November 22

Posted on November 22, 2021 by

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Thanks to Vic for today’s technet notes …

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCUSSION TOPICS

(AE6CO, Chet) Asked who listened to last night’s Emcom Hub on Keller

  • Guest speaker, Jim, AG6IF,  gave a presentation on the mesh network, and an overview of using Arden software to create a ham radio IP network.
  • (KK6CTT, Rick) Invites anyone on the net to come out and give a presentation on the Emcom Hub on Keller, see hub.rivecg.net. The web search will get you to the outline page. Rick is good on QRZ.
  • Next week’s net will be a presentation by Tony, AJ6GN, on converting over from lead acid batteries to a Renogy LifePO4 lithium phosphate battery at 170 Ah.

(AE6ML, Mike) Got a free radio (Atlas 215X) at the Claremont swap meet on Saturday. The radio works fine listening but no mic. Mike is ready to check in to the Vintage Radio Net.

(AE6CO, Chet)  We will have a tech net net on Thanksgiving.

(AJ6FN, Greg) When calling a station, give the station you’re calling time to respond!

  • Vic, KK6WKI, I always call twice, this gives the station you’re calling a chance to confirm the call sign.
  • Russ, KC6JGZ, commented on difficult call signs (tongue twisters). State your call sign slowly, clearly and say it phonetically
  • Chet, AE6CO, when operating on two bands/frequencies, announce the channel you are using when calling other stations, so the receiving station knows which one you are on.

(AE6ML, Mike) Pet peeve! Stations that ask for a radio check just to snag someone to rag-chew with.

2022 Route 66 on-the-air!
CountdownSeptember 10, 2022
9 months to go.
Remember …
Be RADIO-ACTIVE!
Thanks for visiting, hear you next time!

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