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The Chawed Rag-08-2013
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1. the Tenna Dipper versus Doug s accurate miniVNA The Tenna Dipper proved to have a satisfactory accuracy and consistency for most antenna tuning requirements across several test bands Although the theory is somewhat complex the accuracy and low cost of a Tenna Dipper make it an attractive alternative to more expensive units both for analyzing antennas determining VSWR resonant frequency and gain patterns tuning for maximum radiated signal The original Tenna Dipper introduced by Steve Weber KD1JV fit into an Altoids tin together with a 9 Volt battery Later hybrid versions added more features 39 members and guests attended ll i m ee W MA A Mac discusses his Tenna Dipper diagram a Carl Solomon left receives the Spark Award for Field Day From a recent ARRL survey Do you prefer to send paper QSLs to DX contacts directly or via the QSL Bureau system Direct 49 QSL Bureau 34 I don t send paper QSLs 17 2013 Officers amp Board Members President Frank Reisch KG5LA 214 575 7866 V P amp Program Coordinator Doug Knabe KNSDK 214 503 9357 Treasurer Doug Kilgore KD50OUG 972 231 8539 Secretary Corey Minyard AE5KM 972 414 7855 Director Don Bowen KSLHO 972 235 3063 Director Dave Russell W2DMR Director Historian Hal Wolff N5BT 972 233 0345 Past President Public Information Dick Morgan K6RAH 972 931 7993 Director Emeritus Forest Cummings W5LQU 972 231 0793 R
2. with call sign K5P sanctioned by ARRL at the 2013 Plano Balloon Festival The station will be set up adjacent to the Balloon launch site in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church 3160 E Spring Creek Parkway in Plano The K5P event will run from 4 00 P M on Friday Sept 20 until 4 00 P M on Sunday Sept 22 The purpose of the Special Event Station is to showcase Amateur Radio to the public It gives the public an opportunity to see how we operate on HF and VHF UHF using voice CW and digital as well as demonstrating our support of the local community during emergencies We invite all area clubs to join us at the event and help us in this worthy cause It is an opportunity to meet members of other clubs and promote your club Join us in making contacts across the country and around the world The link for signing up for operating shifts is available at www k5prk net Dallas NBEMS Learning Net Members of RWK sponsor the Dallas area Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System Learning Net each Thursday evening starting at 7 30 P M The net operates on the RWK 2 meter repeater at 147 12 MHz no tone required If you are interested in using narrow band mode for emergency communications check into the net and learn by doing For more information about NBEMS and the learning net please contact Paul Newman KA5TYW at 972 437 5526 or Doug Kilgore KD50UG at 972 231 8539 K5RWK VE Ham Exam sessions Monthly Progress Report The R
3. Esai wae yon gee Te AAI a Nl i WAN iil _ o x o K5RWK UPCOMING EVENTS Meeting on the Air Monday August 5 7 30 P M RWK Repeater 2 Meters 147 120 no PL Tone HHH Monthly Meeting Monday August 12 6 30 P M St Barnabas Presbyterian Church 1220 W Beltline Rd Richardson DX A CLOSER LOOK with Dick Morgan K6RAH Hal Wolff N5BT Jim Heye KSWLQ HHH Monthly Breakfast Saturday August 17 8 00 A M Southern Recipe 1381 W Campbell Rd Richardson HHH RACES Nets amp Siren Test Monday August 5 9 00 P M Net Wednesday August 7 Noon SirenTest Monday August 19 9 00 P M Net HEE Dallas NBEMS Learning Net Every Thursday 7 30 P M 147 12 no PL Tone Affiliated Club Since 1952 Ham radio license exams 3 Thursday of each month 7 00 P M St Barnabas Presbyterian Church THE CHAWED RAG Volume 43 Issue 8 August 2013 DX A CLOSER LOOK Harare Anabu Africa Chasing DX combines the thrill of the hunt with unique operating techniques and a keen knowledge of radio propagation Working other hams halfway around the globe is so much fun it becomes addicting Three members will share their personal DX experience along with equipment ideas helpful items you will want and actual audio of some DX pile ups Hal Wolff encountered while working foreign DX stations on the HF bands at the end of July Exchanging QSL cards with DX stations have dif
4. For many uses these days the answer must be No Computers in the shack are now as much a part of the ham shack as the radio coax or power supply We use them for everything from plotting a satellite s location to computerized logging of QSO s Later we want to transfer the file to someone else and when that time comes it is easier to transfer that file by some form of digital communication It is much better than using sneaker net where you put the file on disk then put on your sneakers and run it over to another machine To quote an instructor of mine I had the choice of whether or not to get involved with computers my children will not nor will yours Even the conservative ARRL is on the Internet Packet radio is keeping the ham spirit alive by giving us true WIRELESS digital communications Chances are that you already have the computer and a radio all the equipment needed to get started in Packet radio The only additional equipment needed is the device that breaks up the data and converts this into audio This device is a TNC or Terminal Node Controller Prices range from about 100 00 for a simple packet mode only TNC to 500 00 plus for a multimode TNC Other than that the only additional software you might need is a terminal communications package such as ProComm or Crosstalk for DOS Windows or Microphone or White Knight for the Macintosh One important thing to remember about digital communications as the bit rate goes up s
5. cking into the net on 147 12 MHz watching and listening to the performance of the siren then reporting on the net Most sirens have an assigned ham but there are a few unassigned sirens Please contact Don Bowen K5LHO 972 235 3063 if you can assist with siren tests near your QTH Why The Chawed Rag Ham radio operators love to talk In addition to the many emergency communications services provided to their communities hams enjoy chatting with fellow hams on the air Hams exchange information about their locations radio equipment they use antennas and tuners etc Additionally hams often discuss the weather and exchange personal and family information With regular communications they develop on the air friendships Such discussions are characterized as chewing the rag with a friend or several friends over a network That is the origin of this newsletter s strange name Frankly rag chewing with fellow hams is something that you must experience to appreciate Ham radio is fun lt you want to explore amateur radio contact one of our board members and join us at our monthly meetings You are always welcome Future RWK Events Aug 05 Monday Meeting on the Air 7 30 P M Aug 05 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Aug 07 Wednesday City of Richardson Siren Test 12 00 noon http www cor net EM Aug 12 Monday Monthly Meeting 6 30 P M DX a Closer Look Aug 15 VE ham rad
6. e are handbooks on various facets of ham radio operations Look on the third floor in reference category 621 384 RWK now has several loaner HF and VHF transceivers available for short term use by newly licensed RWK members For more information contact Dick Morgan k6rah arrl net or 972 931 7993 Elmer is the term used to identify a mentor for amateur radio Here is a good online site with lots of references self study guides and video http www hamelmer com RWK members also act as local Elmers to new hams or members exploring new modes or interests If you could use some help just let us know We will put you together with one of our old hands to help get you going There are interactive practice exams available online at the following websites http grz com ht http www eham net exams or check out http www grz com ht When you can consistently get a 90 or better on these practice exams you are ready to take the real exam from one of our local club s Volunteer Examiner teams You can check for exam locations dates and times at http www arrl org exam_ sessions search P S RWK offers exam sessions on the third Thursday of each month at 7 00 P M For more info call Dave Russell at 972 690 9894 QUA I HAVE NEWS OF Plano Balloon Festival Special Event Station K5P For the third year the Plano Amateur Radio Klub PARK and McKinney ARC will jointly operate an Amateur Radio Special Event Station
7. epeater Chairman Doug Kilgore KD50OUG 972 231 8539 Repeater Trustee Carl Solomon W5SU Newsletter Editor Dick Morgan K6RAH 972 690 9894 972 233 1233 972 931 7993 The Chawed Rag is the official publication of The Richardson Wireless Klub Inc You may reproduce any material contained herein unless otherwise noted with attribution to The Chawed Rag original author s and The Richardson Wireless Klub Inc Please send us a complimentary copy for our files Klub membership is open to all persons interested in amateur radio Join at any meeting by mail or on line Annual dues are 15 individual 20 family or 5 student rate Archives of The Chawed Rag are available online at http k5rwk org index php option com docman amp ltemid 55 RWK Web Page amp E mail Reflector Information RWK Website http www k5rwk org RWK E mail The Klub has a Yahoo group mailing list Go to http groups yahoo com group rwk ntx All Klub members are encouraged to subscribe The E mail list is a forum for announcements comments and ideas of interest to members Any Klub member on the list may post a message to the group at rwk ntx yahoogroups com RWK Siren Testing Services The City of Richardson will test all emergency sirens on first Wednesdays at noon weather permitting The test is not conducted if the weather looks threatening to avoid confusing residents Hams assist each month by going to a designated siren che
8. er This is because of the wide variety of mike and speaker connections found on transceivers Some manufactures such as MFJ make interface cables that you can buy to interface their TNC to the more popular radios The literature that comes with the TNC usually will have a collection of drawings that show how to interconnect the TNC to a wide variety of radios For this reason if you are purchasing a previously owned TNC be sure you are getting the user s manual as well as the hardware Packet radio used to be a real insiders game Tweaking the software parameters on the TNC was something you had to know how to do or you needed to be in contact with a BBS Bulletin Board System operator who would talk you through the set up Bulletin board systems were in many ways a precursor to the modern form of the World Wide Web social network services and other aspects of the Internet Today Internet forums occupy much of the same social and technological space as BBS s did and the term BBS often is used to refer to any online forum or message board Wikipedia Now that the packet standards have firmed up and the manufactures are making the TNCs with a complete standard set of commands the packet radio is pretty much a Plug and Play affair other than a calibration setup to set the Transmit and Receive levels If you are even remotely involved with computers enjoy the world of WIRELESS digital communications 73 s and GL Gerry WD4BIS Copyrig
9. ferent requirements so you will hear some QSL tips that will help ensure that you receive that anxiously awaited confirmation from a rare DX entity directly or through the QSL bureau LOTW or a DX QSL manager You will learn more about DXpeditions how they are funded You will learn what to expect when you finally get the chance to work a popular DXpedition There also will be some time for questions at the end of the presentation Come early and mingle FREE coffee amp cookies Hey bring a guest Ham it up In this issue 1 KORWK Upcoming Events 2 Prior meeting summary 3 RWK website amp E mail reflector information 3 Monthly Richardson sirens test 4 Future RWK events KSRWK Repeater 147 120 147 720 No tone needed start talking HF Antenna Tuning With Mac Cody AE5PH amp Doug Knabe KN5DK Some hams just hang a length of wire out of the shack window Others may try to load up their aluminum gutters or clamp a multi band vertical to a convenient eave Still other hams erect impressive towers and mount one or more rotatable Yagi beams All need proper tuning to be effective Experienced hams usually say to focus on improving your antenna system first before considering a high power amplifier The antenna helps in two ways You will hear more stations with an enhanced antenna and you get more punch when you are transmitting Mac Cody MSEE demonstrated the theory and use of his poor man s antenna analyzer
10. he best way to describe retirement A never ending coffee break gt What is the advantage of going back to school If you cut class nobody calls your parents gt What do retirees do all week Monday through Friday nothing then on Saturday and Sunday they rest HAM TRIVIA QUIZ From the Extra Class question pool According to CQ Magazine which state has the most counties one must work in order to qualify for their USA CA What device is typically used as a stable Award for working all counties reference voltage in a linear voltage regulator Pennsylvania A A varactor diode California B A Zener diode 1 2 3 Texas cC An SCR 4 Georgia D A tunnel diode New Ham Article 6 Digital Communications What s all this Digital communications stuff anyway What equipment will I need for digital communications modes such as packet Will I need additional cables and antennas or radios If you have flipped through the 2 meter and 70 cm bands you may have heard short burst of what sound like noise or modem tones That is the sound of digital communications over the radio Digital communications allow our computers to talk to each other in a binary language The messages are broken up into short binary blocks or packets A small amount of overhead information such as your call sign is added to the packets and then it is transmitted over the air as audio tones Why use digital communications at all Isn t voice good enough
11. ht 2005 Gerald Crenshaw WD4BIS All rights are reserved Permission in advance is granted to those who use this for non profit Amateur Radio club newsletters as long as it is used unmodified including this copyright notice and that notice is given to the author via email wd4bis arrl net In addition please forward a copy of any newsletter this appears in to Gerry Crenshaw WD4BIS c o GARC 1027B W Austin St Garland TX 75040
12. ichardson Wireless Klub holds license exam sessions on the third Thursday evening each month We examined six candidates in July Three passed Technician exams One tested for General and passed One passed Extra Class and one barely missed passing Extra Class Thanks to the VEs who assisted with testing Interested in becoming a VE An open book orientation exam for Volunteer Examiners is all it takes to receive ARRL accreditation If you are a General Advanced or Extra Class why not get your accreditation You don t even have to be accredited to be of help with greeting and other tasks Attend an exam session soon and see for yourself how satisfying it can be to help conduct license exams Dave is looking for more volunteers to help with sessions For more information contact Dave Russell W2DMR at 972 690 9894 or email warthog4 tx rr com Just for fun since you ve read this far Retiree questions gt When is a retiree s bedtime Two hours after he falls asleep in his chair gt How many days in a retiree s week Six Saturdays one Sunday gt How many retirees to change a light bulb Only one but it takes all day gt Among retirees what is considered formal attire Tied shoelaces gt What is the retiree s biggest gripe Not enough time to get everything done gt What is the term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire He s nuts gt What do retirees call a long lunch Normal of course gt What is t
13. io license exams 7 00 P M St Barnabas Presbyterian Church Call 972 690 9894 Aug 17 Saturday Breakfast at Southern Recipe 1381 W Campbell Rd Richardson 8 00 A M Aug 19 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Sep 02 Monday Meeting on the Air 7 30 P M Sep 02 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Sep 04 Wednesday City of Richardson Siren Test 12 00 noon http www cor net EM Sep 09 Monday Monthly Meeting 6 30 P M Sep 14 Saturday Breakfast at Southern Recipe 1381 W Campbell Rd Richardson 8 00 A M Sep 16 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Sep 19 VE ham radio license exams 7 00 P M St Barnabas Presbyterian Church Call 972 690 9894 Oct 02 Wednesday City of Richardson Siren Test 12 00 noon http www cor net EM Oct 07 Monday Meeting on the Air 7 30 P M Oct 07 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Oct 14 Monday Monthly Meeting 6 30 P M Show amp Tell Night Oct 17 VE ham radio license exams 7 00 P M St Barnabas Presbyterian Church Call 972 690 9894 Oct 19 Saturday Breakfast at Southern Recipe 1381 W Campbell Rd Richardson 8 00 A M Oct 21 Monday Richardson RACES Net 9 00 P M Need help getting someone a ham license Getting on the air The Richardson Wireless Klub RWK donated to the Richardson Public Library a set of books to study for the Technician License In addition ther
14. o does the occupied Bandwidth For this reason packet on HF is limited to 300 BPS Packet on VHF and UHF where we have a larger spectrum of bandwidth can be 1200 BPS to 9600 BPS Most TNCs have the ability to run both 300 and 1200 BPS but depending on the manufacturer running 300 BPS HF Packet may not be recommended TNCs specifically meant to run HF Packet will have a tuning indicator on the front of the chassis to tune in the signal for optimum transmission Because of the large bandwidth used at 9600 BPS packet the radio must be have a larger receive and transmit IF bandpass for 9600 BPS If you will look in any amateur radio magazine you will probably see ads for radios listed as 9600 BPS Ready meaning that these radios will work at 9600 BPS packet Otherwise you must modify the radio for the larger bandwidth required for 9600 One important thing to remember is that in packet radio there are two sides of the TNC The Radio side the part connected to the radio and the Terminal side the part connected to the computer The radio side will be limited to 300bps 1200bps or 9600bps depending on the TNC you purchase The terminal side will be limited to the highest speed your communications software can handle 300 to 19 2 kbps Do not assume that because the radio side is running at 1200bps you have to run 1200bps on the terminal side Interface cables between the radio and TNC usually have to be custom manufactured by the TNC maker or the us
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