New Club Net Topic

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As an experiment, we will be trying a new topic for the fourth Wednesday of the month Club Net with the first one coming up on August 26, 2915. We will be having a mini club meeting type net where people will talk or be interviewed for 15 minutes, then we’ll have questions and discussion afterwards. Topics can be anything of general interest or of interest to ham radio operators. To start things off, Jerel will be interviewing Shackmaster Dave K6HWN about his past experiences as a jailor. This will undoubtedly be an interesting evening!

Post expires at 8:31pm on Wednesday August 26th, 2015 but will still be available in the archives.

Day Trip to Santa Cruz Island

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There will be a day trip to Santa Cruz Island on Saturday August 22 accompanying Bill W1UUQ who will be conducting a radio site survey. You can help him, see the sights, or just hang out on the island all day. The cost for the trip is $74.

Contact Bill W1UUQ at 964-7432

Post expires at 8:20pm on Saturday August 22nd, 2015 but will still be available in the archives.

Annual Hamfest Coming Up on August 16, 2015

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stowgroveOur next big club event of the busy summer will be the SBARC Annual Hamfest on Sunday August 16, 2015. This year’s event will be held at Stow Grove Park – Area 1, and begin around 10am until 3pm or so.

There will be plenty for everyone including games, raffle prizes, and of course, a great BBQ by Tom N6YX! Visit with old friends, and meet new ones! Be sure to bring your spouse and family and stay awhile. This is the one event we have every year that you don’t want to miss. There is no admission charge, but please BYOB. Cold sodas and water will be available for purchase.

If you can help with the  setup or cleanup please contact: Rick Whitaker at rickwhtr@cox.net or (805) 964-5440.

Post expires at 11:00pm on Sunday August 16th, 2015 but will still be available in the archives.

Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net – Thursday July 23rd 2015

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Tonight’s net was informative as usual with 13 check-ins plus “Shackmaster” Dave (K6HWN) as net control and 6 chat room participants. Questions included:

Casey (KK6VIF) had a little difficulty being heard and Dennis (WB6OBB) mentioned that he may have pressed his WIRES button, the one that looks like an atomic symbol. Indeed he had and said he didn’t remember doing it and doesn’t even know what it is or does and wondered of Dennis could shed some light. Dennis not being familiar with Casey’s rig handed off to Brian (K6BPM). Brian explained that the atomic button connects the radio to the WIRES (Wide-coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System). If your radio has WIRES capability you can connect to a WIRES Digital Node Station which connects your communications to the internet enabling you worldwide communications with other Hams. You can read more about it here https://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/wires-x/index.php.

Garrett (AG6RQ) asked about the new ham bands opening on 136 kHz and 400 kHz. Steve (KI6HGH) answered partially and Tom (KA6FOX?) took it further explaining the allocations, specifications and capabilities. You can listen to the topic here.

Shackmaster Dave (K6HWN) talked a little about antennas and grounds.

Casey (KK6VIF) asked what shack radio he could use on all bands. It was explained that some radio cover HF, 6 meters , 2 meters and 70 cm but rarely cover ALL ham bands. Dennis (WB6OBB) also brought up the point that if you had all bands on one radio and it went down everything would be down. It’s a practical idea to have some back up radios, maybe handy talkies in case of something like that.

Tune in to the SBARC Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net next Thursday at 8:00 PM or 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 Technical Mentoring and Elmering net each week and join in with questions and /or answers to and contribute the knowledge of new and seasoned amateur radio operators alike.

Keeping the Rover Ready for Use

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Bob KB6CTX checking the voltage level

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Ken KA6KEN and Tom N6YX checking out the Rover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Saturday was pizza day at the shack, but the rover got a little attention too. The backup batteries were getting old and would not hold much of a charge so they were replaced by Tom N6YX, Bob KB6CTX and Ken KA6KEN.

By the way, Bob is our “Rovermaster” and Makes sure everything is kept in good repair. The Rover is fully equipped to handle emergency communications any time it might be needed. It carries an onboard repeater, antenna mast, an HF radio, VHF and UHF radios, and plenty of gear to rig up whatever might be needed. Come on down for pizza on the second Saturday of the month and take a tour of the Rover. It’s impressive capabilities rival anyone’s home shack. And it’s totally mobile and self sufficient.

 

SBARC Assists With Fiesta Parade Communications

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KG6VLB Riding in the Marshall-mobile

A yearly tradition for SBARC, we are providing communications for Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta Parade! Left, is special events operations coordinator Rick KG6VLB (facing backwards?) riding along with Parade Marshall 1.

This year marks the 91st anniversary of the Fiesta Historical Parade. It is unique to Santa Barbara and features floats depicting episodes from the history of the state and city. Descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish Pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations all reenact historical scenes. It is one of the nation’s largest equestrian parades, featuring over 600 horses, as well as many antique carriages, coaches and wagons. SBARC members and other amateur radio volunteers monitor the parade route from the beginning to end from the west end of Cabrillo Boulevard, up to State and Sola Streets.

Photo by SBARC member Dorothy K6DSO.

Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net – Thursday July 16, 2015

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The timestamps below are best followed by downloading the Mp3 file here and listening with Windows Media Player.

Tonight’s net was as informative and interesting as usual with 12 check-ins plus “Shackmaster” Dave (K6HWN) as net control and 5 chat room participants. Questions included:

13:07 Garrett (AG6RQ) asked about how RFI from his ham rig was getting into some of his audio equipment and how to arrest it. The equipment affected are an audio mixer and some speakers. RF chokes are discussed as well as other devices and methods.

1:04:21 I (K6FLD) gave an update about my continuing issue with hum within the walls of my house when transmitting on certain HF frequencies on my end-fed antenna.

Tune in to the SBARC Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net next Thursday at 8:00 PM or 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 Technical Mentoring and Elmering net each week and join in with questions and /or answers to and contribute the knowledge of new and seasoned amateur radio operators alike.