Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club
Key-Klix™ Newsletter

Vol: 46, No: 11 - November 1999

Amateur Radio Interest

ARES: ELT Monitoring System Alerts to Plane Crash

ARES: Search for Lost Hikers

OP's Review: MS Bike Tour and Fest for 1999

The Santa Barbara County Antenna Ordinance

Amateur Radio Interest
by Bernie Wright

This is just laying in some thoughts on what may be needed to get others interested in Amateur Radio. The way I started is probably the same way people get interested in cars. They can hardly wait for the "next" newer and bigger unit and they want to "own" it.

Somehow, in about 9th or 10th grade, I found a magazine that had Electronics in it. It may have been a Gernsback magazine, or something similar. My memory isn't that wonderful that I can page back that far (about 1942 vintage.) I remember then that I would often have to go to our Drug Store in West Allis, Wisconsin and they had a magazine rack. Among those I discovered a QST one day and paging through it, saw a portable backpack transmitter/receiver strapped to the back of a military person. I was really impressed that one could "carry" a communications pack back then. The photo was on the cover. I dwelled over how neat this was and was interested in the circuitry. Day after day, often in our English class, I would be reading the QST with the English book open, and under it (just in case.)

Before I knew it, the next issue of QST had a "hand held" transmitter/receiver (the word transceiver hadn't become universal yet.) Consequently that deflated the previous issue and I devoured the article over and over. Also thinking of "what would the next issue of QST have".

Well, after several additional issues of QST, there was an article on building a "portable" unit. Oh boy, that started me on deciphering what resistors and other components were and what did they cost, and where could I get them, and all the other problems of attempting to build one of these. I really wanted to do something like that. In other words, my interest was sparked, period.

OK, lets take another episode. Direct Relief International (DRI) had another good idea. They obtain medical supplies and equipment from various hospitals and other sources. The equipment is a minimum of five years old and has to be refurbished to fully operational status. Once the equipment is certified, it becomes available (for a small cost) to underdeveloped countries. Most of these countries have hospitals with the barest of necessities. When they do obtain this equipment they generally get a operational manual with it. But that is not the same as personal instruction on the usage of that equipment. So DRI has sometimes visited several countries on a single trip abroad. The thought was to train students in Basic Electronics, from high schools into a Bio-Electronic Technician, over a 6 year period. Beginning with Basic Electronics through SBCC Bio Medical courses. After completing this course, they could travel abroad and become instructors themselves, on the instruments they had already become well acquainted with at DRI during part time employment there. Good idea and it was off to a great start with about 6 enrollees. Problem was that as immigrants, they can't travel abroad because once out of the USA, they can't return. DRI also provided assistance in the cost of Course fees and books. Result was that we did put three of my students through most of SBCC and they completed the courses with Scholarships. I often wonder why our Native Americans didn't answer the call.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that to get students enthused, one has to have something to "promote interest". Just giving a talk is about as interesting to students as having to have to go to another class at school. You can see how "interesting" that is. It works better with a talk to individuals rather than trying to talk to a class. So perhaps after a general talk a follow up with individuals would spark more interest. An overview of the individual aspects of Amateur Radio might make the difference.

In High School, we had a home room teacher, who was the Science teacher. I didn't know it at the time, but he would have a special class, after hours, once a week where we would "make a telescope". We had to grind the lenses from scratch. Probably had about 8 of us in the group and it lasted from 6 to 8 PM. (usually longer because we were interested in getting results.)

We had a Giant Tesla Coil. Don't know where it came from but it was about 18 inches in diameter and about 3 foot in length. We had Three High Schools in the area and we would put on a "show" at each school, once each year. We'd perform the "electronic kiss" as the finale. Now we had kids attention. Let me tell you. Questions galore. Some of these things you cannot do today. I'm sure you know the reasons.

So what do we have to do? I don't think we can just employ Amateur Radio by itself, but if we can get some of those intrigued by Electronics, then you can divert to Amateur Radio. The Tesla program of two months ago would have been an interesting display of an extension of our group to a audience of youth.

If you ask some kids today "How did they change channels on a TV before the TV remote control", you'd get some interesting answers.

What was one of the first and most interesting computer programs for kids? Remember PacMan?

OK, so as I see it, something has to be interesting, and a challenge at the same time. Small, also makes things interesting, (or extremely large)

Unfortunately, in my view, almost everything in electronics is "packaged". Things that are "designed", are usually used in advanced electronics and use integrated devices. When was the last time you could buy a 100 ohm I watt resistor as a discrete component? But today, there still are some amateurs that have a "good stock" of discrete components in the ole "junk box".

There also has to be something of a "show" to spark the interest. Communication with a Satellite "was" something new, but now is quite common. Communication with MIR or the Shuttle, still has some significance, especially when the position and distance of die contact is known during the contact. That is intriguing. Remember, TV was very exciting when it arrived. (even in B/W) Where can you buy a B/W new now?

During the time I taught electronics to these kids at DRI, I created about 25 movies. These consist of the creation of many Bitmaps, and each one is similar to the preceding one, with minor changes. Afterwards, these are processed into a moving sequence, then it's called Animation. The program I use is a fairly basic program but has a number of special effects. The speed of the motion can be controlled to some extent during the creation of the file. After this file is created, I use the Lotus ScreenCam to allow the movie to be run on a Personal Computer under Win95/98. ScreenCam has a "Control Panel" where the viewer can Fast Forward, Pause, or Return to the beginning. It also has a green bar graph so that the viewer can see how close, or far, they are from the beginning or the end of the movie.

Perhaps we can develop some ideas from this, to enhance whatever might come out of this group discussion. For what it's worth, this might give birth to some novel ideas.

Top of Issue

ARES: ELT Monitoring System Alerts to Plane Crash
by Lou Dartanner, N6ZKJ

The Santa Barbara Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Alerting System (in which SBARC is an important partner) alerted search and rescue forces to the airplane crash near the Ventura-Santa Barbara County Line on Friday night, October 15th, 1999.

For some reason, the plane’s ELT was not heard by the Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT), so if our monitors had not activated, it might have taken much longer to alert SAR forces and locate the crash site. Two 18 year old men were killed instantly in the accident. They had come to Santa Barbara Friday to visit friends and departed Santa Barbara a little after 10 p.m. to return to the Orange County area.

At about 10:45 p.m., the K6TZ La Vigia Hill ELT monitor activated and set off page tones. Bill Talanian (W1UUQ) heard the page and brought up the receiver audio at TZed. It was a very strong ELT signal. He then listened to the receiver at the 224.16 UCSB site and it, too, was hearing a strong ELT. Bill then had the sheriff dispatch page the Los Padres Search And Rescue Team (LPSAR). The team sent members to the airport. When the ELT was determined to definitely not be there, they went to the harbor to look for the marine equivalent of the ELT: the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Both emergency transmitters emit the same swept tone on 121.5 MHz, so it is impossible to determine which type of beacon is transmitting until it is located. The LPSAR team concluded that the signal was not at the harbor either and its direction appeared to be out to sea. They notified the US Coast Guard, who has responsibility for marine search.

Meanwhile, Bill stayed up, listening to the search progress as he worked on his computer. The signal continued to be very strong. By about 5 a.m., Bill decided to get in his car and drive along Highway 101 to see if he could develop any information that might be helpful to SAR forces. As he got near the county line the signal got very strong and could even be heard on the adjacent frequency of 121.6 MHz, indicating the source was very near. As Bill rounded the bend in the Highway near Emma Wood State Park the signal disappeared. This is usually an indication that something (like a mountainside) is between the transmitter and the receiver. Bill turned around and stopped at the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s station in Carpinteria, where he called the dispatch center and reported his information, which was relayed to Ventura County Sheriff. From the information given, it was suspected the most likely place to check for the ELT was on the west facing slope of the hill by Emma Wood Park. The Sheriff launched a helicopter and ground SAR teams a little after 7 a.m. They quickly located the Cessna 152, crashed just below the top of the hill.

The Santa Barbara ELT Monitoring System has been in place since 1989 and has alerted to over 350 alarms, ten of which have been actual aviation and marine emergencies. The monitors are located at the SBARC repeater sites on La Vigia Hill and USCB, as well as at the homes of Bruce Gordon (N6OLT) and Lou Dartanner (N6ZKJ). They monitor for signals on the 121.5 emergency frequency and once a transmission is heard for longer than 10 minutes, the receivers activate to alert listeners. Since its installation, fewer than a half dozen signals in the Santa Barbara South Coast area have gone undetected by our monitors but were picked up by the satellites, thus requiring an activation of SAR forces by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. This 24-hour monitoring and quick activation of search and rescue has resulted in prompt deactivation of "false" alarms as well as rapid response to real emergencies.

Top of Issue

ARES: Search for Lost Hikers
by Bruce Gordon, N6OLT

Last Sunday, Oct 24, 1999, two hikers were reported overdue in the Figuroa mountain area. The Sheriff located the hikers' car at Nira campground. Fortunately, they had the foresight to leave a map marked with their intended route along Manzana creek, across Hurricane Deck and back to Nira. The map also showed that they had badly underestimated the time it would take and may have had wrong directions besides.

About 10 PM Sunday, Lompoc Search and Rescue Team under Dave Lank was called out to search for the missing men. Because of the wide area to be covered and the well known difficulties of communications in the rugged terrain, assistance was also requested from Los Padres Search and Rescue Team and ARES from central and south county.

Dave Lamb, WA6BRW and Buzz Davis, KE6BQC responded first and went to the top of Figuroa mountain which overlooks the western end of the search area. Communication on the MRA frequency was awkward at first because the borrowed radio had nearly dead batteries. Receiving was done on a scanner with very brief transmissions on the MRA handy talkie to stretch the remaining power until Bob Tangel, WD6ESU, brought up a cigarette lighter adapter.

Claude Gago, KE6JSA and I came in from south county, jarred fully awake when we almost hit a deer on 154 on the way. We were assigned to go out Mt Mckinley road to cover the eastern end of the search area. Neither of us had been there before and our topo charts were neat and safe in the file at home. Fortunately, the moon was full, the night was pleasant and the road was good. Between the two relay stations, we were able to maintain contact with all four search teams most of the time despite interference from a simplex repeater that could not be shut off. Almost everybody was forced to wait each time until the repeat was finished before answering. This was hard for the field teams who could only guess at the timing.

About 4 in the morning, Al Hess, KD6DYZ and Roy Ellis, W6QJ arrived at Figuroa to relieve Buzz and Dave. Bill Talanian, W1UUQ, and Mack Stanton, KD6NBZ, were on the way up San Marcos pass after 7 to relieve Claude and me when all the planning and effort paid off. The missing hikers were found in good condition by a ground team. As an added benefit, the large Ventura County helicopter which had joined the search at daybreak gave the hikers and the three teams furthest out a quick ride back to base and that was really appreciated. It was very satisfying to play a bit part in this smooth, successful operation.

Top of Issue

OP's Review: MS Bike Tour and Fest for 1999
by "Jug" Jogoleff, WA6MBZ

On October 9th SBARC helped the National MS Society with its 7th Annual Bike Tour and Fest in Santa Barbara, and I had a very fine crew helping me, once again.

We did well or at least the MS thinks so. We are starting to have problem with a little too much chatter on the channel and some people had a hard time getting in to report minor injuries etc. A good kick in the HT will fix that !!!

I think the MS realizes that they could of use more of us at critical corners and not just at rest stops. We will have to see about that for next year's event as time goes by.

The start-finish was at Leadbetter Beach. All but Kevin had just been at Carrows in Santa Barbara for breakfast and it was just 6:30 AM and we were getting ready to go out on patrol, as it were. The rest of the operators for the day were to show up somewhat later and they may not have been included in any pictures taken at the start-finish. From left to right you see: Dennis Schwendtner (WB6OBB, SAG2), George Richardson (K6HOZ, SAG4), Ted Spencer (KB6OAK, SAG3), Michael P. Jogoleff (WA6MBZ, SAG4/Operations), Kathi D. Backus (KF6WB, SAG1), and kneeling Kevin Schmidt (KD6NCA, Jeff's shadow)

Those helping out this time were the following: N6OLT, WB6OAK, WB6OBB, KF6WB, K6HOZ, WB9KMO, N6XGO, WA6IDZ, KO6TP, WD6ESU, KC6NAH, KD6NCA, K6HGB, KE6JSA, WA6DQK, WA6MBZ, & KF6UCF. (I hope I have my list correct this time !!! You see, Jim Henry, KE6WGO sent me an email saying it must have been Parkie Parker, N6XGO, who helped out during the Concours D'elegance in September, for Jim says he did not !!!)

Moreover, we may have had a couple of Amateur Radio participants biking along in the 100 KM event, one of which was KD6BXL.

This year's event spawned a series of flat tires and broken radios, etc. We noticed that one guy on the 100k had at least three flats, WOW !!! That must be a real record !!! We had other problems yet somehow we managed to handle them, as well. KF6WB and her SAG driver, Kathleen Blake, actually transported someone to Cottage ER and WB said she felt useful for the first time while at one of these events.

Dennis, OBB, brought along a mobile rig that started acting funny, either jumping channels or frequencies in 5 KC steps. Rod Fritz, WB9KMO, and Bob Tangel WD6ESU lost the finals in their HTs, and both had to get via their car radios. George HOZ had a rig that went bad two weeks before the event and it was still at the repair shop. It also turned out the Parkie, N6XGO, had a fairly weak final in his HT, for he could get into the repeater from a good spot on occasion. I had noticed Parkie being weak during a previous event, and so his problem must have befallen him some time ago. We confirmed the fact a week later in trying to check out his 35 watt external amplifier. With his HT we found we could not key up or drive the AMP, but when we tried my HT, we saw the AMP worked fine at full power. We then saw that his HT was not causing meter deflection even in my powermeter's low power setting but yet he could bring up the Club repeater with his rig in the low power setting from my house with an external antenna. We gathered that his driver must still be working !!!

Jeff Hobart, my contact at the MS Society, had County Health officials come down upon him 'big time' in the aftermath the scare at this year's Avocado Festival, and so he spent the last 48 hours before the event trying to make sure the food preparation facilities would meet current standards.

Moreover we were supposed to get Saturn cars as our official SAG wagons but with the problem with County Health, Jeff did not have time to arrange for the cars and meet all the requirements that, previously, the dealer in Santa Maria had demanded. SAG drivers ended up donating their own cars and things actually came off better without the Saturns, because they are small and not suitable for carrying, at the same time, big guys, a raft of cups and other supplies, bicycles, and radios with cables out the windows!!! Tall guys, yes, two of the SAG drivers, Dave and Phil Dykehouse, brothers, are way taller than I am !!!

I am told next year's standards for food preparation and serving are going to be a lot tougher and that the County Health Department has a large budget to help them enforce the new rules. The new rules go into effect on January 1st, 2000.

If you are planning an event, BE WARE!

Jeff Hobart, the guy in charge of the event at the local MS Society Chapter Headquarters, contacted officials at AT&T about the possibility of them lending the MS Society some cell phones to help with the event. Not being totally stupid, he decided to find out if they worked so he called from each one of them to one of the office phones and each one in turn worked fine. Next, just to be sure, he called from the office phone to each of the cell phones and all the phones answered and worked equally as well. Now during the event, users went to try them and guess what??? They worked when someone called the GTE time number or someplace else but they would not, could not connect to each other and so they were totally useless all during the event!!! I guess Ham Radio is not finished yet HI HI HI.

Top of Issue

The Santa Barbara County Antenna Ordinance
It's Time for a Change
by Allen Sochel, WA6IDZ

Background of the Current Ordinance

The County of Santa Barbara has an ordinance restricting amateur (and others') antenna heights and requiring minor conditional use permits (CUP's) for their construction. As far back as August, 1984, minor CUP's were required for ham radio "towers or antennas." In November 1994, the planning Commission initiated an ordinance amendment package to provide "regulatory consistency" between the Coastal, Inland and Montecito Zoning areas. These amendments were particularly drawn in respect of the commercial wireless communications facilities, cell phone transceivers and the like but they carried with them some changes to amateur antenna heights. While amateur radio operations are allowed in all Zones, the ordinance unfortunately continued the requirement in all Zones of a minor CUP for "[a]mateur ‘ham' radio operations used solely by the occupant of the property or where the facility is located or is used solely by the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary" This paragraph seems to cover ham radio operations where "development" includes the erection of an antenna, permitting such development in all Zones, but ham radio operations by club stations or where the station is remotely operated such as a repeater. One burdensome part is the current cost of obtaining a minor CUP, about $1,600.00. In June 1997, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Planning Commission's recommendations. In general, the ordinance limits antenna heights as follows:

• In the Coastal Zone: Antennas and the support structures up to 50 feet to a maximum of 75 feet "where technical requirements dictate, unless prohibited by the F Airport Approach Area Overlay District."
• In the Inland Zone: Antennas and the support structures up to 100 feet, unless prohibited by the F Airport Approach Overlay District.
• In the Montecito Zone: Antennas and the support structures up to 50 feet to a maximum of 75 feet where technical requirements dictate. (I note that the draft amendments presented to the Supervisors struck out the reference to ham radio in this restriction, unintentionally I believe, but I also believe that the intent of the section is to cover ham radio).

The Ordinance Committee and SBARC Work Group

SBARC, having participated in the writing of the Santa Barbara city ordinance, began in March 1985 to follow the progress of the county ordinance. In October 1996, the county planning department developed a draft of regulations specific to amateur radio stations. That draft proposed antenna heights of 65 feet or less to require a Land Use Permit (LUP, similar to a building permit) and an LUP and minor CUP for antenna heights of 65 feet to 100 feet. Antennas exceeding 100 feet would require a major CUP. In no case would an antenna be permitted in excess of FCC guidelines (200 feet maximum). Unfortunately the draft added a number of specific requirements affecting roof-top installations which were not technically feasible and would also require expensive, retractable antennas in underground utility areas. A "poison pill" requirement of minimum height of 35 feet for any antenna support structure was also included. Because of his concern about the impending changes in the ordinance, Thomas Geiger W2KVA wrote the county in December 1996 expressing opposition to the proposed minimum height requirement and other things. Ray Lischka, then Emergency Coordinator for Santa Barbara West County, began formation of a committee in January 1997 whose purpose was to develop a revised draft ordinance.

The county planning staff, anxious to proceed with amendments affecting commercia wireless development proliferating throughout the county, pressed ahead with those amendments, generally preserving the existing restrictions on amateur radio antennas.

In May, 1997, at a second meeting of the committee formed by Lischka, which included north and south county members, Al Soenke WA6VNN was appointed chairperson. In telephone conversations with the county planner, Soenke and Lischka learned it was the county's intention to present the draft ordinance to the Supervisors on June 3, 1997 and thereafter to take up the amateur radio amendments in July or August. The committee began preliminary work to implement a plan which would present the county with proposals emphasizing the public benefit of ham radio in local or national emergencies and the need to encourage ham's active participation. The proposals would recognize the safety and aesthetic issues involving antennas but mitigate the burden of CUP fees to hams.

A period of inactivity on this matter ensued between June 1997 and January 1998. In early 1998, following a letter exchange between Marvin Johnston KE6HTS, president of SBARC and Noel Langle, Deputy Director of Zoning Administration, meetings were held with the county planners by a new work group formed by SBARC.

Work Group Proposals

The first meeting between the work group and county planners took place on April 13, 1999. The work group, consisted of A. J. Soenke WA6VNN, Bill Talanian W1UUQ, Bob Tangel WD6ESU, George Richardson K6HOZ, Al Sochel WA6IDZ and Dave Lamb WA6BRW. They reviewed with June Pujo and Loraida Abresch of the planning staff the ordinance requirements, the FCC's PRB-1 (federal, limited preemption of state and local regulations pertaining to amateur radio), FCC Bulletin 65 (compliance with new guidelines for exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields), and various ARRL documents on the subject. The planning staff agreed to follow up on budgets for the ordinance changes. The work group was tasked to provide a mailing list of county ham organizations, prepare sketches and photos of different types of antennas, formulate ways to allay public fears of radiation exposure, inform ARRL counsel of our activity and write letters to County Supervisors and the Planning department head requesting budget action.

All of the action items were accomplished and the work group met again with the planners July 16, 1999 to develop an outline of amendments. The planners presented a comparison of development standards from Noel Langle's 1996 draft and the work groups proposals.

The work group's proposals were generally these:

1. No CUP for amateur radio operations;
2. Antenna support structures would be restricted as follows: Forty-five feet or less which are part of approved building or a natural object, exempt from any permits; 45-65 feet requires an LUP (would generally involve building and safety issues but might involve mitigation of visual problems where technically feasible); 65-100 feet requires a minor CUP; 100 feet or more requires a major CUP; repair and maintenance exempt from permits provided there is little or no change in the visual appearance of existing permitted facilities;
3. No requirements relative to operations solely by an applicant and no requirement for roof-edge setbacks for antennas or supports.

John Hennessee, ARRL Legal Counsel, (860) 594-0200 (Newington, CN) and alternate Chris Imlay (202) 686-9600 (Washington, DC) were made aware of the project and their names given to the planners. Bob Tangel WD6ESU prepared the sketches and photos of antennas.

The work group presented SBARC's position that the current ordinance unreasonably restricts amateur operation contravening FCC Memorandum and Order PRB-1 (9/19/85) by requiring at least a minor CUP (costing $1,600) for any amateur operations. The FCC stated in that order that:

1. "State and local regulations that operate to preclude amateur communications in their communities are in direct conflict with federal objectives and must be preempted."
2. "Local regulations which involve placement, screening, or height of antennas based on health, safety, or aesthetic considerations must be crafted to accommodate reasonably amateur communications."
3. "Local regulations must represent the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose."

There are federal, state and local objectives sought to be protected by PRB-1. Most important is the necessity for effective emergency communications. Continued success of existing national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications plans involving amateur stations would be seriously diminished if state and local ordinances were allowed to prohibit construction and use of effective amateur transmission facilities. Such facilities are directly dependent on antenna location and height. Support for this has been expressed by DOD and Red Cross because of disaster relief efforts.

SBARC agrees that reasonable safety precautions can be taken without impairing effective communications.

SBARC and the amateur community have made preparations and contributions to local emergencies; flood, fire, earthquake, etc. (Communications van, club station at Red Cross, MARS, CAP, RACES, ARES and individual preparation plus past experience).

SBARC and other non-profit clubs are required to and do offer an education program.

Imposition of a minor conditional use permit (minor CUP), places ham radio beyond the reach of many amateurs and is a burdensome condition for all amateurs. Even the requirement for a land use permit (LUP) is a burden which seems to SBARC to have no significant health or safety benefits for certain types and sizes of antennas.

Reasons for not including minimum antenna heights, extraordinary setbacks from lot lines (not including regulations relating to structural soundness of the installation) or other requirements for the purpose of reducing exposure to ionizing radiation include: The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65 and Supplement A, released on 8/25/97 and RF safety Supplement B, effective 1/1/98, contain the guidelines which every radio amateur must observe with respect to RF exposure. While hams have always been required to meet limits for maximum permissible exposure (MPE), these regulations set new MPE limitations and require amateurs to conduct a “routine station evaluation” of their station's operation. Thus, any local regulations which are based on this health and safety issue represent an unwarranted burden in an area already adequately covered by federal regulation.

Current Status

The planning staff (Abresch) was diverted to other issues over the summer months, however, they now appear ready to proceed with the ordinance amendments. SBARC has offered cooperation in any way possible to advance this matter to the Board of Supervisors for action. The planner's current estimate is that it could reach the Board in first quarter 2000. Surely it is time for these changes to be effected so that amateurs who have waited to build their stations can proceed.

Top of Issue