Tag Archives: antenna

Meeting

September Club Meeting

Radio club meeting 9-29-16

Members present:  Ryan, Teresa, Tom, Kirk, Ching

A6 shack:  The D8 shack will eventually go away if Aerospace gets rid of D8, the A2 shack is in need of some work, the A3 shack is owned by Security, and the D1 shack is VHF/UHF only and is on a private lab bench.  A new shack in A6 could provide additional capability as well as a roof-mounted antenna that could be used by the trailer (in the event that the building is still standing but not accessible to personnel.)  So far, all of the proposed rooms (the electrical room and the stairwell) have been rejected by management.  The new proposals include the old networking room and a Tuff Shed on the roof.  Electrical rooms in general may be problematic, which may spell trouble for the D8 and A2 shacks.

For A3, we need a replacement HF antenna as the old one is missing.  The two proposed choices are the Cushcraft R9 or the GAP Eagle DX.  Contact Kirk with your preference.

AEA Octoberfest:  Wed Oct 19 from 11-1.  We’ll have a table, 2 chairs, a canopy, and electricity.  Bob and Tom will be there and others are welcome to join them.  They will have the Buddipole, radio, and computer hooked up and will do a JT65 demo.

CERT Event:  Oct 26 9-11 am.  The whole company will do an evacuation, then hams will report to the trailer.  There will be two remote sites.  If possible, 2 hams will be assigned per site, one will be at the trailer (running off generator power), and one will be a runner.  We’ll use one frequency for the hams to communicate with the trailer and one for the trailer to communicate with the RV.

Kirk’s satellite contact:  Arrow antenna.  50-50 Saudisat 1-C.  Heavens above app.

San Diego Hamfest was Saturday, Ham Con is coming to Torrance next year.

Christmas party:  Don will coordinate again.

Raffle:  Tom won first prize and chose the headlamp; Kirk won second and chose the screw driver set, and Teresa won third and got the tape measure.

 

Shack

A3 Antenna Report

On Tuesday August 30, 11:30 AM, Kirk Crawford (KK6KC), Thomas Essenpreis (KB9ENS), and Bob Lanahan (KK6YWY) investigated the antenna situation for the A3 Shack.  We disconnected All the antenna cables in the room and then Bob and I (KK6KC) went to the roof while Tom stayed in the shack to test.  We found that the HF Antenna is broken.  It had been obviously cut off.  This most likely happened when the roof was recoated.  The other antennas all seem to be present.  They are all monoband-verticals. See the picture below for a diagram:

A3 Roof Antennas
A3 Roof Antennas

We used a shorted SO239 connector to figure out which antenna is which and analyzed the antennas that we could.

The Antenna Cables that go to the shack are:

  1.  #38 70cm (440MHz)
  2. ATV
  3. #45 23cm (1.2 GHz)
  4. #43 2m (144 MHz) SWR=1.25 @ 144 MHz
  5. #39 1.25m (220 MHz) SWR  = 1.04 @ 219 MHz
  6. #41 HF (Antenna is broken)
  7. 23cm (1.2 GHz)
  8. #42 2m (144 MHz) SWR = 1.04 @ 145 Mhz

We connected antenna 8 to the 2m radio used for the morning nets, and the other 2m to the packet setup.

Conclusions:

We need a new HF antenna on A3 to replace the missing one. I recommend a multi-band vertical type due to the limited space on the penthouse.   Your recommendations are welcome.

The club should also invest in a multi frequency antenna tester that can cover all the antennas we have. The AA-1400 Antenna Analyzer by RigExpert was recommended by Tom. It is capable of measuring from .1-1400 MHz and costs about $1079 (on Amazon).

73,

Kirk Crawford

EDIT:

Some Pictures of the HF Antenna Mounting point:

HF Mount Viewed from below
HF Mount Viewed from below

HF Antenna Mount
HF Antenna Mount

 

Field Day, Meeting

June 2016 Meeting Minutes

AEA Radio Club Meeting 6/30/16

Audio of the meeting:

Audio Player

Slides from the meeting

 

6 people in attendance

  • Kirk Crawford KK6KC
  • Don Hall KK6DCX
  • Phil Martzen KK6PSA
  • Teresa Moore AG6OD
  • Tom Essenpreis KB9ENS
  • Ching Kong KJ6QBI


 

Field Day Report:

Kirk, Don, Phil, Teresa, Emily Conroy, and Korede Oladimeji participated in our club Field Day event, which was held on the top two floors of the parking structure.  We made 25 HF contacts on the 20m and 40 m bands.  No VHF/UHF contacts were made.  We started around 12-1 pm and started shutting down around 4-5 pm.  We made HF contacts in 13 sections, from California to Canada to Oklahoma.

 

Lessons Learned:

  • The fiberglass masts are too floppy for the heavy VHF antennas. Next year replace them with 10’ aluminum masts
  • The 440 VHF antenna should be vertical rather than horizontal
  • Next year replace the three VHF/UHF setups with one multiband setup
  • Next year try 20m, 40m, and 80m dipole antennas as inverted Vs, one over each light pole
  • Need to be able to use the headset microphones and push-to-talk button (did not work)
  • Buy what we need for digital modes and try having a digital setup next year
  • Need to replace the mike stand for the Kenwood
  • Next year have a Field Day “practice” where we set up and try out our systems, especially the VHF/UHF setup, coordinating communications with someone in a shack or on a handheld.
  • Make a list of VHF/UHF simplex frequencies for next year

 

Trailer Cleanup:

A meeting was scheduled for July 6 at 11:30 to work on putting the radios back in the trailer and organize our equipment in the trailer. [OOPS I forgot about this! – KK6KC]

 

Budget:

The budget is due July 15.  Some ideas for budget items were:

  • Labeled plastic bins to organize supplies in the trailer
  • Field day equipment mentioned above
  • Better power strips
  • Line filters/power conditioners
  • Equipment for the A6 shack
  • D8 shack SDR
  • VHF/UHF antenna analyzer
  • Pan adapter for KX3
  • HRD software
  • Whatever we need for the APRS emergency communication plan (Ryan is supposed to spec this out; we can use a Buddipole antenna set for 30 m)

 

The library has radio club books that belong to us that they need us to store during the library remodel.  Kirk will let us know what we’ve got when he finds out and may need additional storage space depending on how many books there are. [EDIT It was only a single book, General Class learning guide from 2007.  Out of date so I had it recycled.]

 

Meeting Ideas

We discussed ideas for future meetings.  These ideas included:

  • Antennas for condominiums
  • DXpedition videos
  • Field Day videos (what do other clubs do?)
  • Digital modes (Teresa’s husband Dustin has been doing a lot of digital stuff lately and could give a presentation.)

If you have other ideas or would be willing to present something to the club, please comment below or email Kirk

Field Day, Meeting, Shack

May 26, 2016 Meeting Notes

Audio of the meeting:

Audio Player

Members in attendance:

  • Ryan Noguchi AI6DO
  • Kirk Crawford KK6KC
  • Don Hall KK6DCX
  • Teresa Moore AG6OD
  • Joe Barger N6KK


We had some discussion about the upcoming Field Day. We considered what we could do for a 20 or 40 meter wire beam antenna on top of the parking structure and how we would keep the driven element and the reflector parallel to each other. However, given that we expect very few people to be available to do Field Day with the club, we decided to just stick with the antennas we already have: the CrankIR and Buddipole for HF and the verticals attached to the fiberglass masts for UHF/VHF. We will probably run a 20 m station and either 40 or 15, depending on conditions that day.

On the Wednesday before Field Day, we will put up signs advising people to not park in the travel parking on the 4th floor and the North-East section of the 3rd floor. Cones and tape will be put out Thursday afternoon to block off parking spaces, and tables and chairs will be delivered to the 3rd floor Friday afternoon. All equipment will be moved Saturday morning. Kirk will bring 5 gallons of gas for the generator. We won’t invite any external visitors (like city council, press, etc.)

For general emergency use, we discussed having a 30 m APRS system that can send an email out in case of emergency. Ryan will spec out a system and report back. We will also want to be able to communicate with COS/Chantilly on voice, which can be set up over email via APRS.

Kirk brought up the point that during the A6 evacuation a couple months back, the security radios caused a lot of interference on our standard go-to 2 meter simplex frequency (147.51 MHz). He suggested trying a 440 simplex frequency. We would have to test to see how far we can get with 440 simplex. If there is someone with access to a real antenna, we might be able to relay messages.

It was recommended that we purchase the Yamaha CM500 headsets for the rigs in the trailer and for Field Day use.

Kirk reported that he had asked about putting an A6 shack in an electrical room on the second floor of A6. Maintenance people got upset about us using the electrical rooms in general. We will be cleaning to be sure that we are not blocking any electrical panels in any of our shacks in electrical rooms, especially in A2. Kirk is waiting for approval on the A6 shack but will put together a preliminary list including costs for budgeting purposes.

Joe wants to buy a good Software Defined Radio for the D8 shack.

Budgets are due in July so we should allocate/spend money now.

Field Day

Possible Field Day Location: Top of Parking Structure

(Copied from emails)

Kirk Crawford:

Parking Structure at AGO
Parking Structure at AGO

After our last meeting I had an idea that we might think of as an alternative field day location.  We could set up on the Parking Structure.  I would propose that we install the antennas on the roof/top level of the structure, and then have our tables/radios on the level below that.  We wouldn’t be able to use the EOC trailer, but we would get a significant height advantage for the antennas.  It would not be as easy for retirees and others to get to since it is significantly past the security gates.  What do you guys think?  I got the idea from the South Bay Amateur Radio club that does their field day in the Torrance Memorial parking structure.

Archie Buchanan:

You are right, there would be a great spot for radios and antennas. It would be great.

Teresa Moore

Interesting idea.  We’d get better signal, but it’s harder logistically.  I’ll likely have my kids with me, and the nearest bathroom is in A6, and I can’t just send them there without going with them to badge them in.  It would also be harder for a city council person (or whatever public figure we solicit) to show up.  On the other hand, we don’t have to rely on Security to move the trailer.

Who is planning to come to the Aerospace Field Day?  I was planning to be there for at least a few hours (my husband will be doing a Field Day exercise with his unit so he won’t be there and I’ll have all three kids, at least one of which is old enough to work a station for a while under a licensed station control operator).  

Field Day

Field Day 2015 Photos

Image
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Meeting

October Meeting

The October meeting was held in A1/1026 at 11:30 AM on 10/29/15.

Atendees:

  • Kirk Crawford KG6MTE
  • Archie Buchanan KD6OLH
  • Ryan Noguchi AI6DO

Audio of the meeting:

Audio Player

First we discussed the Fan Dipole antenna system Ryan installed in his attic.  Then we talked about the Sky Loop antenna I am thinking of installing.  We looked up the homes on google maps to see the feasibility of these things.

I suggested that in an effort to attract new members and make more hams, the club should purchase some training courses from HamTestOnline.  This is the company I used recently to study for my Extra license.  They have a program called Ham It Forward.  Where you can purchase the Technician course for $15 each (minimum 5) and we give that away to prospective new hams.  We should also assign a club member to be a mentor and help encourage them or answer questions.  It also comes with a free General course that we could give to some other technician in the club that may need it.  Read more about it at their site.  Since we didn’t have a quorum, we didn’t vote to purchase it.

Archie suggested we might want to make the deal even better.  If the prospective Ham passes the test, we could provide them with a free Baofeng 2m/440 radio.  This would give them the ability to get on the net for emergency communications, and would only cost the club $34.

I used the Buddipole system that the club owns on my last business trip and made several successful contacts during the CQ Worldwide DX SSB contest last weekend.  From this experience and from reading the Buddipole in the Field document, I propose purchasing the following Buddipole accessories to enhance the system and make it able to be used in more configurations:

(* added after the meeting)

We also talked about the morning net.  We aren’t having a net anymore because we don’t have a net control person that can be on at 8 am.  One proposal was to try it at another time.  I will send out an email survey to see if it would work better at a different time of day.

Our next meeting is on November 19.  Note this is a different Thursday of the month due to Thanksgiving.

Our Christmas Party will be held at the Proud Bird on December 10.  It is reserved.  We will do the same thing for raffle prizes this year like we did last year with the winner designating their Ham Radio supplier of choice.

After the meeting, Archie donated three 33 foot fiberglass masts (MFJ-1910)  to the club for future field day use.  They are new in box.  They look like they will be perfect for setting up some dipoles or a Sky Loop on Field day.

 

73,

 

Kirk Crawford KG6MTE

 

Meeting

August 2015 HAM Radio Club Meeting

11:30 AM 8/20/15 A1-1029

Members in attendance:

  • Don Hall 
  • Kirk Crawford


We viewed the images from Field Day, and then we discussed ideas for club meetings.

  • Shack Demonstration: Meet in D8 contact CO.
  • Satellite Communications Video  Presentation
  • ARRL Videos
  • Free Ham Radio Class
  • Antenna Theory
  • You Tube HAM Radio DXpedition Video
  • SDR
  • APRS Demo Repeat

We agreed that we need to plan ahead so we can advertise and get new members.

September Meeting: SDR Presentation – Don Hall

We need topics for the October and November meetings.

December: Party- Don has made a reservation at The Proud Bird. We will be there on December 10.

No Audio this meeting.

73,

Kirk Crawford

President AEA Amateur Radio Club

 

Field Day, Meeting

June 25, 2015 Meeting Minutes

See attached audio file for a recording of the meeting.

In attendance were:

  • Archie Buchanan KD6OLH
  • Ryan Noguchi AI6DO
  • Don Hall KK6DCX
  • Kirk Crawford KG6MTE


We discussed many aspects of the field day preparations.  It is this Saturday!  Come join us.  We are setting up at 8:00 AM at Visitor Center 1 (on El Segundo Blvd)

Listen to the audio for more information about the meeting.  We are planning to make do with what we have for field day.  Pull stuff from the A3 shack on Saturday morning.   Ill bring some fuel for the generator and Ill check with Jason on the movement of the trailer.

 

73,

 

Kirk Crawford

Audio Player

Meeting

Minutes from April 30 Meeting

1 Comment
Radio club meeting 4-30-15

5 members in attendance:  Kirk Crawford, Don Hall, Ryan Noguchi, Jason Bayonne, and Teresa Moore

Antenna Test report:  Last week we set up the Crank IR and Buddipole antennas and got some experience with tuning them.  The Crank IR is pretty easy; the Buddipole has to be adjusted manually.  It took a while to figure out how to use the SWR meter in the trailer as it is not a design anyone was familiar with.  We heard a couple people on 20 and 15 meters, but the bands were not very active.  We did not make any contacts.  We plan to do another test on Wednesday, May 6.  Ryan volunteered to go to the D8 shack to see if he could hear us.

On May 19, the club will be manning a booth at the Aerospace Career Development Day.  Our plan is to set up the KX3 and the Buddipole and just see what we can hear, and talk to people about the club.  We have to be there between 11:30 and 1:30, and will probably have to be there early to set up.  We need volunteers to help with the booth.  You don’t have to stay the whole time.

June 27-28 is Field Day.  We discussed some plans.  We will use the trailer rig, the KX3 + amp, and Teresa’s personal HF rig for three HF stations.  We can use the Buddipole, CrankIR, and a club dipole on Teresa’s portable mast for these stations.  We will need to either guy the antennas or use weight sacks to put on the tripod legs of the two club portable antennas.  Don volunteered to look into weight sacks.  For the VHF stations, Kirk found some better whips than the current little tiny ones on top of the trailer.  Jason and Kirk will move the trailer out of the tent so we can test these VHF whips.  We can move extension cables, the awning, and anything else we may need from the shacks and into the trailer before Field Day.  We will plan several lunchtime trailer events over the next couple months to get the trailer ready.  We need to space the VHF radios farther apart so there is room for multiple people to work them.  We can get extra points for advertising (put a notice in the newspaper, invite representatives to see our site, etc.).  If you are interested in volunteering to help with the advertising campaign, please contact Kirk.  

Don gave a report on the cross-band repeater project.  He has identified the Kenwood TMV71A 144/440 dual band radio as the best candidate.  The plan would be to mount it on a cart so it is portable and not necessarily tied to the trailer.  He will be doing more research on an antenna, portable mast, cart, and battery that can last at least 8 hours.  Next month he will have a list of parts/prices for us to consider.

Our ultimate goal is to be able to contact Colorado Springs and Chantilly from the trailer.  However, we’re not there yet.  As an interim measure, after Field Day we would like to set up a regular sched with the radio clubs at COS and Chantilly from the D8 shack.  If anyone wants to volunteer to lead that project, please contact Kirk.

Teresa