Merry Christmas from SBARC

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unknownAs we bring this year to a close, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This past year has seen a lot of progress for SBARC and we intend to keep it up in 2017. New licensees and current hams upgrading their licenses almost doubled this year over the two previous years. Amateur Radio is alive and well and growing!

Our new board of directors is ready to hit the ground running and pick up where this past year’s board left off. Expect to see continued improvements in our infrastructure, mesh network, club station, event opportunities and programs.

The club station WILL be open Saturday morning December 24th, so take a break from your last minute holiday shopping and stop by and say hello!

Merry Christmas and 73

Brian – K6BPM – President

Post expires at 1:00am on Monday December 26th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.

Repeater Updates: AllStar, EchoLink and Wide-Area Coverage

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IMG_3557

The SBARC Telecommunications Services Committee continues testing the link between the K6TZ 146.790 and W6YJO 145.180 repeaters.  The 146.790 machine is located on the Mesa in Santa Barbara and serves the Santa Barbara South Coast and portions of Ventura County.  From atop Santa Ynez Peak, 145.180 has wide-area coverage including Santa Barbara North County. Signal reports and link quality reports between the two repeaters are appreciated.

Additionally, the following VoIP nodes are now online for incoming connections to the system only: AllStar Node: 43763; EchoLink Node: 4376. Amateurs wishing to connect via smart phone are encouraged to download and install the EchoLink app for iOS or Android.

For Sale – Kenwood HF Radio, 1:1 Current Balun

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The first item is a Kenwood TS-590S. Comes with the standard mic, power cable
(terminated with Anderson Power Poles), unused accessories plug, and
original shipping boxes.

Documentation includes full color brochure and in depth manual, Black and white full schematic and
instruction manual, and can also include the manuals (and a service manual)
on CD.

Flashed with the latest firmware. You can check it out at the
SBARC club station for sale rack. Maybe an hour total key down $900.

The second item is a Radio Works B1-2K Plus 1:1 current balun, rated for 2KW on 80m thru 6m.
Has a standard SO-239 connector.Brand new, still in original packaging with manual. $35.

Contact – Michael K6RQV – mst1956@cox.net

Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net – December 1, 2016

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The audio archive can best followed by downloading the .mp3 file for the appropriate date here and listening with the media player of your choice. You can move the progress slider forward or backward to the subject of interest to you.

We had another good net tonight with 12 check-ins including net control, Brian, K6BPM and some chat room visitors! Tonight’s subjects included:

  • When traveling and you see a license plate or sticker with a ham call, is there a frequency you can call them on.
  • Mag mount antenna will increase your HT reception and transmission quality while mobile. Diamond and Comet are well-known and reputable brands.
  • How important is it to have your mobile antenna centered on the vehicle and how important is it for the antenna to be vertical.
  • Engine noise and mobile operating.
  • Wiring and power concepts for mobile operating.

Tune in to the SBARC TM&E Net every Thursday at 8:00 PM local (2000 Hrs) and see what interesting questions will arise or ask some of your own! All club members and visitors are encouraged to check in to the net each week and join in with questions and /or answers to and contribute the knowledge of new and seasoned amateur radio operators alike.

General Membership Meeting – November 18, 2016 Minutes

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The meeting was called to order at 1937 hours by President Brian Milburn, K6BPM

Attendance: A quorum of 38 was present.

1. Pledge of Allegiance led by President Brian Milburn.
2. All those present introduced themselves and their call signs.
3. President Brian Milburn asked those who brought a home brew item to talk a few minutes about it. Five presenters came forward to describe their items.
4. President Brian Milburn, K6BPM, introduced the slate of candidates to serve as officers and directors for 2017 and called for nominations from the floor. There being none, Jay Hennigan, WB6RDV, moved nominations be closed, Dennis Schwentner, WB6OBB, 2nd. Motion passed.
5. Members picked up ballots for the election.

Break for distributing ballots, counting ballots, reviewing and voting for home brew.
Program presented by Michael Ditmore and Jim Knight of Novim.

President Brian Milburn announced the winners of the election of 2017 Board of Directors:

President: Brian Milburn, K6BPM
Secretary: Dorothy Oksner, K6DSO
Treasurer: Tom Saunders, N6YX
Directors: Theo Howe, KK6YYZ; Levi Maaia, K6LCM; Bob Muller K6CTX; and Michael Taylor, K6RQV.

Home Brew Winner was Hayden Brooke, KK6OYV, with the Loop Antenna he made.

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 2145 hours.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dorothy Oksner, K6DSO, Secretary

Post expires at 6:35pm on Monday December 12th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.

Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net – November 17, 2016

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The audio archive can best followed by downloading the .mp3 file for the appropriate date here and listening with the media player of your choice. You can move the progress slider forward or backward to the subject of interest to you.

We had another good net tonight with 8 check-ins including net control, Levi, K6LCM and some chat room visitors! Tonight’s subjects included:

  • Discussion about birdies – what are they and is that what I’m hearing on HF?
  • Question for Ryan, AI6NE regarding the sensors used in his underwater sound detection occupation.
  • Question from Eric, KG6WXC regarding temporarily grounding your station while camping in a mobile vehicle as a shack.

Tune in to the SBARC TM&E Net every Thursday at 8:00 PM local (2000 Hrs) and see what interesting questions will arise or ask some of your own! All club members and visitors are encouraged to check in to the net each week and join in with questions and /or answers to and contribute the knowledge of new and seasoned amateur radio operators alike.

Amateur Radio Parity H.R. 1301 Act in Jeopardy

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HR 1301 and S 1685 Parity Act LogoThe Amateur Radio Parity Act H.R. 1301 is in jeopardy of not passing into law unless the U.S. Senate acts to pass it before the holiday recess. This may or may  not directly affect you now but ensuring access to reasonable antennas for amateurs across the nation supports the health of our hobby and ensures that all amateurs will have on-air capabilities, especially in an emergency.

CLICK HERE to send emails to Sen. Boxer and Sen. Feinstein. Let them know that you want them to pass the Act NOW:

H.R. 1301 has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and has the endorsement of the ARRL and the American Red Cross. It is now up to the U.S. Senate to send the Act to the White House.

Here’s what ARRL has to say about the matter:
ARRL once again is calling on its members to urge their US Senators to support the Amateur Radio Parity Act (H.R. 1301) when it comes up in the Senate during the “lame duck” session of Congress that adjourns in mid-December. The House of Representatives approved the bill in September, but if the Senate does not follow suit, the bill will die, and the entire process will have to be repeated. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who chairs the ARRL Board’s Legislative Advocacy Committee and has been heavily involved in efforts to move H.R. 1301 forward, said today, “The clock is ticking!”