Category Archives: Shack

March 2015 Ham Radio Club Meeting

Ham Radio Club Meeting 3-26-15, held in A3/2226

MP3 File of the meeting:

Audio Player

Kirk did a slideshow presentation covering various topics, including the new D1 shack, the trailer, and planning for Field Day.

D1 shack:  the D1 shack is now operational, located in D1/640.  It’s on a bench in Teresa’s lab, so see her for access.  The antenna does not have as much range as the one on D8 as Kirk (who checks in on his way to work) cannot check in from as far away as he used to be able to.  We can try raising it a bit to see if that helps.

Trailer progress:  The HF radio is now back after being sent out for repairs.  The plan is to check it out using the HF whip on the trailer.  The security and maintenance radio will be installed in the trailer soon.  We do need to spend some time in the trailer before Field Day so we can space the radios out as they are too close together for comfortable operation of both at once.  A redeployed monitor has been put in the trailer for the packet system.

Field Day planning:  Field Day is June 27-28 this year.  We will be in parking lot of V1 again this year as that worked out well last year.  We need to start thinking about what equipment we want to use.  It would be good to have a portable tower and antenna for each band being worked (2m, 220, 440, HF, packet).  People bringing personal radios should bring lots of coax.  Single sideband would be better than FM for VHF bands if we can find the equipment.  We need to find out what equipment we have available (Teresa will ask Joe about the HF antenna we bought last year) and start gathering and testing it.  One thing we need to be sure to bring is a portable SWR meter.  ACTION ITEM:  make sure we get wheels put on the generator.

Portable repeater project:  Don will look into a radio that has cross-band capability for the trailer.

Safety and Security day:  we need to keep this on our radar as we want to have a club presence this year.  We’re not sure of the date yet.

Ordering New Components of D1 Shack

The club is now ordering new components to make up a D1 Shack.  Here is what we are getting:

  • Kenwood TMV71A
    Kenwood TV71A
    Kenwood TV71A

     

  • Astron RS 20M Power Supply 
  • Comet GP-6 Antenna 


This should be installed soon and then Teresa in D1 can help conduct the morning net.