Last Thursday’s Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net proved to be as enlightening as ever. Eric (K6HMD) is looking to add a VHF antenna to his BMW and after checking with the manufacturer and their warranty conditions he’s decided to do so as discretely as possible. Suggestions by Levi (K6LCM ) and Dave (K9KBX) included a lip mount bracket with tape added as a buffer to scratches and a window mount bracket. Magnetic mounts were also discussed but the window mount seemed to win over the conversation as it can be removed when not in use and offers the least invasive way to route the coax.
The discussion shifted to circular polarization as Garrett (AG6RQ) posed the question as to how it works. According to Shackmaster Dave (K6HWN) circular polarization is where the electric and magnetic wave continually rotate 360 degrees every cycle. The AARL Extra Class License Manual (Tenth Edition page 7-11) describes circular polarization as “to generate electromagnetic waves in which the orientation of successive wavefronts rotates around the direction of travel”. It goes on to say that as the twisted, circularly polarized wave passes the receiving antenna, the polarization of its fields will appear to rotate. The rate at which the polarization changes and the direction of the rotation, right-handed or left-handed, is determined by the construction of the antenna. To best receive a circularly polarized wave, the structure of the receiving antenna should match that of the transmitting antenna. Lastly the manual states that it is particularly helpful to use circular polarization in satellite communication, where polarization tends to shift with the orientation of the satellite and the path of its signal through the atmosphere.
Tune in to the SBARC Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net this Thursday February 26th and see what interesting questions will arise or ask some of your own! The net is broadcast each week on 146.79 and 224.08 both with minus (-) offsets and PL 131.8. 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.
Bill Talanian discusses the vast communications infrastructure available to SBARC.
If you missed the February 2015 General Meeting, you really missed out on a good presentation. Bill Talanian W1UUQ gave us a great presentation on the various repeaters we use in the Santa Barbara area. Most of us probably have no idea how sophisticated how Club communications backbones are, but in an hourlong presentation that went by way too fast, Bill gave us plenty of detail illustrated with pictures about the unbelievably sophisticated infrastructure we all take for granted when we press the transmit button on our radios.
Starting with the main repeater site on the Mesa, Bill took us on a guided tour through it’s humble beginnings with a couple of leaky shacks and equipment covered with blue tarps, to the sophisticated communications center it is today. His tour continued give us a behind the scenes look at La Cumbre Peak, Santa Ynez Peak, Broadcast Peak, UCSB, and Santa Cruz Island.
Most of us think our repeaters are only for 2m, 220 and 440 voice communications. Not so fast. Bill showed us many of the other things he and a handful of volunteers maintain on a constant basis. These include weather stations, APRS digipeaters, AIS reporting for maritime purposes, aviation, and many other things.
One of the more interesting aspects of the presentation was how Bill and others have bartered and wheeled-and-dealed over the years to get the club access to literally hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of top quality equipment, towers, and whatever else it has required to make us a first class club. He is a master at horse trading and scavenging and fruits of his many years of work are largely unknown. If you missed this meeting, you missed one of the best presentations we have had. The amazing number of resources available to the club made possible through Bills hard work truly deserve our appreciation.
You can listen to audio recording of the the meeting below. The presentation is 1 hour 37 minutes and you will need to stay on this page to ensure you do not interrupt playback.
There is a whole bunch of new stuff put on sale at the Club Station swap table! There are two full tables overflowing to the floor by the front door. There are a lot of consumer electronic items at “swap table pricing”! Make an offer that is fair to you and the Club Station. All proceeds will go to benefit the station.
Hy-Gain HF Antenna. This is an antenna that was used by a now silent key ham. It was disassembled a few years ago and stored by another ham friend. From the part numbers on the antenna it appears to be a Hy-Gain TH-3JRS or TH-3MK4 10/15/20 meter tri-bander. One element is slightly bent and may need to be repaired.
This kind of antenna is $400 to $500 new but the person who is storing it is willing to give it away free of charge to someone who can put it to use.
Please contact webmaster@sbarc.org if you are interested, and we’ll put you in touch.
The Electronics Parts Store has reopened in Santa Maria under new management. The specialize in vintage electronic parts and have parts for antennas as well as other items.
They are located at 1403 South Broadway next to Penny’s.
K6TZ Repeater – 146.79 (-) PL 131.8, linked to 224.08 (-) PL 131.8 – Open net where we discuss all kinds of projects visitors may be working on from radio and computer to auto repair and home improvement. Hosted by Brian – K6BPM.
K6TZ Repeater – 146.79 (-) PL 131.8, linked to 224.08 (-) PL 131.8 – Discussion of the technical aspects of amateur radio. Special attention is given to newcomers. Hosted by a weekly rotating crew of net controls.
