the chawed rag - k5rwk.org chawed rag-09-2018.pdf · – see qsl page 4 – ` ... psk 31, etc.),...

11
` ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952 The Chawed Rag K5RWK EVENTS Meeting-on-the-Air First Monday of every month, 7:30 PM RWK Repeater, 2 Meter 147.120 (PL 110.9 Hz) Monthly Meeting Second Monday each month, 6:30 PM St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church 1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson Next Meeting Program: Mobile Radio Installation with: AC5BC Monthly Breakfast Third Saturday each month, 8:00 AM Southern Recipes Grill 621 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 229, Plano, TX RACES Nets & Siren Test See website for this month’s program information and calendar for latest updates. www.k5rwk.org VHF repeater: 147.120 (PL 110.9 Hz) UHF repeater: 444.725 (PL 110.9 Hz) Wires X active 100% 443.375 (PL 110.9 Hz) Ham radio license exams Monthly every 3 rd Thursday - 7:00 P.M. St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church In this Issue: Presidents Corner …………………………………2 QSL - "I acknowledge receipt"……4 VE Results ……………………………………………………6 Shack of the Month ………………………………8 Field Guide to HF Dipoles………………9 Irving Micro Grant………………………………10 Other Matters …………………………………………11 QSL - "I acknowledge receipt" By Dick Morgan K6RAH QSL simply means, "I hereby acknowledge receipt." Unless you are a brand new ham, you’ve surely heard that, a QSL card is the final courtesy for a completed QSO. For most operators, that long- accepted adage is still true. While a few hams on the HF bands refuse to keep a contact log or reply to requests for a QSL, they tend to be the exception. Most of these individuals spend their on-air time rag chewing with their local pals or relatives. However, I sincerely hope that even these individuals would have a few cards in their drawer with which to oblige an operator who may need their QSL for an award or for some other reason, like confirming a satellite contact. Replying to a direct QSL request is the courteous thing to do even if it means sending a hand-written postcard confirming the details of the QSO. Confirming an amateur radio contact used to be accomplished solely with paper cards via mail, either directly between hams on both sides of the contact, or through foreign QSL bureaus. The ARRL incoming and outgoing DX bureaus still handle thousands of QSL card exchanges each month. Bureaus usually mean long delays between a DX QSO with a rare entity and your receipt of a confirming QSL, but at a cost far lower than sending an individual card. Hams in Japan, Germany, and some other European countries seem to prefer using the bureaus. Numerous DX countries or entities have no bureau service, however, so some direct QSLing is still necessary. Postal mailing expense is no longer a matter of an airmail stamp and self-addressed envelope. A single DX QSL request can run $3.60 or more, when including the cost of a QSL card, mailing envelope, self- addressed return envelope, outgoing U.S. first class postage @ $1.15, and normally two U.S. dollars (nicknamed green stamps) to cover the DX operator's domestic postage cost. The cost for a direct QSL within SEE QSL PAGE 4

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Page 1: The Chawed Rag - k5rwk.org Chawed Rag-09-2018.pdf · – SEE QSL PAGE 4 – ` ... PSK 31, etc.), you really should get set up for LoTW. The system works by examining logs submitted

`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

1

The Chawed Rag

K5RWK EVENTS

Meeting-on-the-Air

First Monday of every month, 7:30 PM

RWK Repeater, 2 Meter

147.120 (PL 110.9 Hz)

Monthly Meeting

Second Monday each month, 6:30 PM

St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church

1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson

Next Meeting Program:

Mobile Radio Installation

with: AC5BC

Monthly Breakfast Third Saturday each month, 8:00 AM

Southern Recipes Grill

621 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 229, Plano, TX

RACES Nets & Siren Test

See website for this month’s program information and calendar for latest

updates.

www.k5rwk.org

VHF repeater: 147.120 (PL 110.9 Hz)

UHF repeater: 444.725 (PL 110.9 Hz)

Wires X active 100%

443.375 (PL 110.9 Hz)

Ham radio license exams

Monthly every 3rd Thursday - 7:00 P.M.

St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church

In this Issue:

• Presidents Corner …………………………………2

• QSL - "I acknowledge receipt"……4

• VE Results ……………………………………………………6

• Shack of the Month ………………………………8

• Field Guide to HF Dipoles………………9

• Irving Micro Grant………………………………10

• Other Matters …………………………………………11

QSL - "I acknowledge receipt" By Dick Morgan K6RAH

QSL simply means, "I hereby acknowledge receipt." Unless you are

a brand new ham, you’ve surely heard that, “a QSL card is the final

courtesy for a completed QSO”. For most operators, that long-

accepted adage is still true. While a few hams on the HF bands refuse

to keep a contact log or reply to requests for a QSL, they tend to be

the exception. Most of these individuals spend their on-air time rag

chewing with their local pals or relatives. However, I sincerely hope

that even these individuals would have a few cards in their drawer with

which to oblige an operator who may need their QSL for an award or

for some other reason, like confirming a satellite contact. Replying to

a direct QSL request is the courteous thing to do – even if it means

sending a hand-written postcard confirming the details of the QSO.

Confirming an amateur radio contact used to be accomplished

solely with paper cards via mail, either directly between hams on both

sides of the contact, or through foreign QSL bureaus. The ARRL

incoming and outgoing DX bureaus still handle thousands of QSL

card exchanges each month. Bureaus usually mean long delays

between a DX QSO with a rare entity and your receipt of a confirming

QSL, but at a cost far lower than sending an individual card. Hams in

Japan, Germany, and some other European countries seem to prefer

using the bureaus. Numerous DX countries or entities have no bureau

service, however, so some direct QSLing is still necessary.

Postal mailing expense is no longer a matter of an airmail stamp and

self-addressed envelope. A single DX QSL request can run $3.60 or

more, when including the cost of a QSL card, mailing envelope, self-

addressed return envelope, outgoing U.S. first class postage @ $1.15,

and normally two U.S. dollars (nicknamed green stamps) to cover the

DX operator's domestic postage cost. The cost for a direct QSL within

– SEE QSL PAGE 4 –

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

2

2018 Officers & Executive

Committee Members

OFFICERS & APPOINTEES

President: John Di Filippo, AF5MN,

[email protected]

Vice President/Programs: Mark Beebe,

W5YF, [email protected]

Treasurer: Danny Siminiuk, K5CG,

[email protected]

Secretary: Scott Greeson, KG5MKC,

[email protected]

Appointee #1: Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB

Appointee #2: Jon Suehiro, NN5T,

[email protected]

Past President: Grant Laughlin, W5XJ

DIRECTORS

Website: Bill Reed, NX5R,

[email protected]

Repeater Trustee: Bob Coelln, KG5JL,

EMAIL phone 214-244-9506

Storm Siren: Don Bowen, K5LHO,

EMAIL phone 214-738-4088

VE Testing: Bill Owens, AD5EW,

EMAIL phone 972-380-2859

Mentoring: Beau Williamson,

N5PY, EMAIL

Newsletter Editor: Joey White-Swift,

KG5MKQ, [email protected]

Doug Kilgore, KD5OUG, EMAIL

Hal Wolff, N5BT

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 original author(s), and The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. Please send us a complimentary copy.

Club membership is open to all persons interested in amateur radio. Join at any meeting, by mail or on-line via www.hamclubonline.com - Annual dues are $15 individual, $20 family, or $5 student rate.

Archives of The Chawed Rag are available online at: http://k5rwk.org/rwk01/index.php/rwk-

documents/rwk-newsletters.

Man has it been hot lately!

For North Texas amateur

radio operators, July and

August are good months to

take our hobby indoors to

avoid the mosquitoes and

heat. I did exactly that, and

finally finished my battery

back-up power supply last

month. The Project was

inspired by the back-up

power supply that Sam Wash, N9ZMK showed us at last

year’s “show & tell” club meeting. Mine isn’t as fancy as

Sam’s, consisting of three 12V/7Ah SLA batteries in

parallel for a total capacity of 21Ah. It also has a lighted

ON/OFF switch, built in voltmeter, accessory port, and

binding post terminals. I built it into a $4 Harbor Freight

plastic ammo box, with the remaining parts coming mostly

from Tanner Electronics in Carrollton. I also have an

external 4A multi-chemistry battery charger, an 800W

inverter, a USB charger that plugs into the accessory port,

and a light that plugs into the USB port. I’ve already used

it to jump my neighbor’s car, so I know it has enough

oomph to run my TS-440 for a few hours. As soon as it gets

a little cooler Hal Wolff, N5BT and I plan to use it to

operate from a nearby park. Stay tuned for an update on

this adventure.

We can soon start looking forward to cooler fall weather,

bringing with it a number of hamfests and activities. Of

course, there is the bi-annual favorite HamExpo in Belton,

TX on October 5-6. Another area gathering that attracts

many DFW area hams is the Texoma Hamarama in

Ardmore, OK on October 26-27.

Finally, I just checked www.hamclubonline.com and was

excited to see that RWK hit a new membership record

President’s Corner

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

3

near the end of August, with a total of 227

active members! That number by itself is

impressive, but what also struck me was to see

how geographically diverse the club has

become. In addition to members from nearly

every city in the Metroplex, we also have

members as far away as Rhode Island, Illinois,

Colorado, and California. That’s diversity!

According to Google, diversity is “the state of

being diverse; variety”, and “a range of

different things.” While this description fits

RWK in all the usual ways (gender, age,

experience, etc.) we're also diverse in terms of

what we want to get out of our hobby. Some

of us prefer HF, others VHF/UHF, or satellite

communications, or digital, or phone, or CW,

or boat-anchors. You get the idea. A big part

of what makes ham radio, and our club, so

special is that it means different things to

different members.

It’s the job of your elected club officers to

deliver the value you expect in exchange for

your annual club dues. One obvious result of

our efforts should be evident in the programs

at the general meetings. To adulterate a quote

by John Lydgate - “you can please some of the

hams all of the time, you can please all of the

hams some of the time, but you can’t please all

of the hams all of the time.” But hey, that

won’t stop us from trying! Mark Beebe, W5YF

is our VP responsible for programs this year,

and he’s made a fantastic effort to ensure that

the presentations reflect the diversity of

interests of our membership. Topics over the

past 18 months have touched on EmComms,

boat-anchors, HF, VHF/UHF, homebrew and

DIY, digital modes, and even satellites. Feel

free to suggest other potential presentation

topics, or better yet, give the club the benefit

of your experience by volunteering to present

on a topic that interests you.

Another interest some of our members have

is license upgrades. Toward that end, Beau

Williamson, N5PY continues to put together

his mentoring and education plans for the

back half of 2018. In addition to his now

famous CW training class, Beau is planning

license upgrade training sessions based on

David Casler’s, KE0OG series of Youtube

videos. According to Beau, the videos

dovetail nicely with the ARRL study guides.

Look for some emails/surveys coming your

way soon as Beau finalizes details of this

training.

It is easy to see that diversity is integral to our

club's continued success. Embracing diversity

within the club exposes us to new

experiences, breaks down barriers, and leads

to exciting, fresh ideas and perceptions. RWK

embraces diversity because it gives us the

opportunity to adapt and develop new skills

by learning from each other. That makes us

all better amateur radio operators and

individuals in the long-run.

73 de,

John Di Filippo / AF5MN

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

4

the U.S. will often total about $1.35 (based on

you supplying a self-addressed postage paid

return envelope.

I still have my novice postcard QSLs from

1956, each one carrying just a two-cent stamp!

I recall fondly hurrying home from junior high,

toting books and my clarinet, to see if the

mailman had delivered any new cards.

The internet has opened up many attractive

QSL options. The most popular alternative to

paper cards is ARRL's Logbook of the World

(LoTW). If you make regular DX contacts or

operate digital modes (FT8, JT65, PSK 31, etc.),

you really should get set up for LoTW. The

system works by examining logs submitted by

each operator, and confirming QSOs

automatically when there is a match! No paper

QSL is necessary, eliminating mailing costs,

and even the expense of a physical QSL cards.

Neato! The best part is that the LoTW system is

a FREE service to all hams worldwide. The only

charge is for any earned awards you may want

to receive. More than 960 million QSOs have

been entered into the LoTW system to date.

Other electronic options include www.eqsl.cc

(the electronic QSL card centre), www.qrz.com,

a popular logbook and QSO matching program,

and clublog.org, a log matching system

frequently used by large DXpeditions who

handle thousands of QSOs and QSLs. Since

DXpeditions aren’t generally interested in

receiving tons of paper QSL cards from all of

their contacts, clublog.org makes it possible to

send outbound QSLs in a timely and cost

effective manner.

Here is an example to show how ClubLog

works. I recently worked CY1R, a Canadian

special event station in Newfoundland with a

Register on-line now!

Smile.Amazon.com is the website to use when making purchases on Amazon! Once you subscribe to smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases to The Richardson Wireless Klub! Sweet!

Amazon has paid RWK $40 so far in 2018! Keep up the good work!

Click this quick link to register on smile.amazon.com

RWK Siren Testing Services

The City of Richardson tests emergency

sirens on first Wednesdays, at noon

(weather permitting). We do not conduct

the test if the weather looks threatening,

to avoid confusing residents. Hams

assist each month by going to a

designated siren, checking into the net

on 147.120 MHz, watching and listening

to the performance of the siren, then

reporting on the net. Most sirens have

an assigned ham, but there often are

unassigned sirens. New hams are

welcome to participate and learn!

Please contact Don Bowen K5LHO,

972-235-3063,

if you can help with siren tests.

0 MHz, watching and listening to the

performance of the siren, then reporting

on the net. Most sirens have an

assigned ham, but there often are

unassigned sirens. New hams are

welcome to participate and learn!

Please contact Don Bowen K5LHO,

972.235.3063,

if you can help with siren tests near

your QTH.

QSL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

5

How should you decide which QSL methods

to use? Well, I love QSL cards, so my personal

decision is to accept and use all of the QSL

methods outlined here. Except for direct

mailings, the other systems mentioned here are

free or nearly free. I enjoy being able to

accommodate whatever method a contact

prefers. After an operating session, I find it

quick and easy to upload my computer log to

each of the internet systems, starting with

LoTW.

When I really want a paper card from a juicy

DX entity, I still spring for the expensive direct

mail approach and hope my request (along with

colorful commemorative QSL. I loaded my log

to ClubLog, and was able to request their QSL

without the expense of sending my own card. I

then used PayPal to send a $2.00 handling fee

and optional $3.00 donation to the special event

station. In no time at all, I had confirmation of

the QSO and should receive their QSL card for

my special event collection in a week or two

without any hassle.

Each Internet system has different features,

benefits, and limitations. For instance, eQSL

lets you design your own online QSL card with

colorful pictures. It’s worth noting though that

the ARRL does not recognize eQSLs (outside

of LoTW) for any of its awards. Additionally,

if you gain a confirmation in QRZ.com's

logbook, that confirmation does not carry over

directly into any other electronic or direct

system.

RWK Wednesday

"Hungry Hams" Lunch

The RWK lunch bunch meets each Wednesday at

noon at Sonny Bryan's BBQ on West Campbell

Rd. two blocks East of Coit Rd. All are invited to

enjoy the benefit of a lot of "eyeball QSOs."

NOTE: On the first Wednesday of the month,

RWK helps the City of Richardson conduct siren

tests, so lunch is delayed until around 12:30 P.M.

If you go often, you should get your "frequent

customer" card. If you don't yet have one, get one,

for a free sandwich and cobbler after 10

purchases of any kind. Of course, members of

other ham clubs and guests are very welcome to

join in the fun and fellowship.

The Richardson Wireless Klub holds license exam

sessions on the third Thursday evening each month,

starting at 7:00 P.M. We have an excellent group and

the numbers that sit for tests is growing each month.

Know someone who might like to become a ham?

Please tell him/her about the RWK VE program. Our

VE testing project also has produced quite a few new

RWK members. We're anxious to help new hams

learn and enjoy!

Interested in helping with VE testing?

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?

For more information, contact Bill Owens at

972.380.2859 or email [email protected].

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

6

recognize that working DX and collecting QSL

cards isn't for everyone. Still, I feel every ham

who is active on the bands should have a supply

of inexpensive QSL cards. It is just common

ham courtesy to reply with a QSL when you

receive a request for confirmation.

There are many great resources for learning

more about QSLing. The ARRL’s website

(www.arrl.org) provides information about the

ARRL outgoing and incoming QSL services,

plus all necessary information needed to

register your call sign with Logbook of the

World. While you don't have to be a member of

ARRL to use LoTW, there are a host of benefits

that come with membership. Another great

guide to QSLs is the ARRL Operating Manual.

Another great reference is Rod Dinkins,

AC6V’s DX101x, HF + Six Meters DXing

Reference Guide. Check out ac6v.com for links

to Rod's book plus many other links to specific

operating topics, including a twenty-two page

chapter about QSLs.

QRZ.com provides an extensive, easy to use

operator lookup capability. You can use the site

to check out details about a new contact by

entering the station's call sign. This makes it

possible to review information about the other

operator, including their QSL preferences, and

a detailed biography in many cases. You may

also find that the DX station you just worked

uses a U.S. amateur as a QSL manager.

I am making my own ham radio

history...with each fascinating new QSO! I

still enjoy that additional thrill from a QSO

when I open a return envelope to find a new

QSL card for my collection. QSLs are a fun

part of ham operating, so consider your own

operating interests and you may find yourself

pursuing some QSL 'paper' too!

green stamps) isn’t stolen. This is unfortunately

a relatively common occurrence in some parts

of the world. In countries like Bolivia and

Venezuela, operators often set up a QSL

manager located in the U.S and/or Europe to

handle all direct QSL requests to avoid postal

theft. Postal theft is another good reason to use

LoTW and other Internet based QSL programs.

Rather than purchase a large supply of

printed cards, I prefer to produce my own cards

as needed using my computer and printer.

Using DIY cards allows me to keep my QSLs

up-to-date as I add or change equipment,

antennas, etc. Extensive use of LoTW and the

other Internet options also reduces my need for

a large stack of paper cards. To explore ways to

design and print your own QSLs, just Google

"do it yourself QSL cards" and check out the

various methods others have used to make their

QSL cards stand out.

How deeply you get involved in QSLs

depends on your operating interests. I'm what’s

commonly known as a "DX Hound," but

Here are the results of the

August 16, 2018 VE Session:

Candidates served: 6 Total Exam Elements: 6 New License Class Earned: 6 Brand New Licensees: 2

License Class Breakdown:

Technician: 2

General: 3

Extra: 1

73,

Bill Owens

AD5EW

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

7

Sample QSLs from 6 continents, including

my own self-produced ink jet card.

© Copyright 2018. Dick Morgan K6RAH

Non-commercial use approved with author attribution

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

8

From: Bill Owens, AD5EW My QTH has two shacks. I refer to them as

Studio A and B. Studio A is my main shack

where I operate HF and VHF/UHF radios.

Studio A – Main Shack

The HF system consists of a Flex Radio 6600,

an Elecraft KPA500 solid state 500 watt

amplifier, and a LDG AT-1000PROII auto

coupler (tuner). Measurement of SWR and

power is done via an Ameritron AMS-30B. The

Flex Maestro also permits remote operation

when traveling – or drinking gin and tonics on

the patio.

This system is connected to the Array Solutions

“Six Pak” remote switch, which allows me to

select up to six antennas, shared between my

main and secondary shacks. The switching

system uses relays to protect the primary and

secondary shack radios from selecting the same

antenna at the same time.

My antenna selection will likely remain modest

due to both HOA restrictions and spousal

preferences. The two antennas I have are: a

dipole for 40 and 80, and a ground mounted

vertical multiband Hustler 6BTV for 10, 15, 20,

30, 40, and 75. In the near future, I hope to add

two or three more antennas.

The VHF/UHF equipment in studio A consists

of a Yaesu FTM-100D for FM and

Fusion/WIRESX with a Diamond SX-600

SWR and power meter, feeding a Cushcraft

AR-270B dual band mast mounted vertical.

Studio B – Secondary Shack

My secondary shack, or Studio B, is located in

the master bedroom. In my younger days I

jokingly referred to it as “birth control” (I was

the only one laughing). Today it is used mostly

for insomnia while monitoring with earphones

only. Its proximity to the master bathroom also

makes the chore of shaving more pleasant in the

morning while listening to the bands.

The rig in studio B is an Icom IC-7300, feeding

an Ameritron AL-811H 800 watt tube amplifier

when needed. Here I also use an Ameritron

AWM-30 SWR/power meter and an LDG AT-

1000 ProII auto coupler. This gear shares the

same antennas as the primary shack via the

Array Solutions “Six Pak.” The Icom IC-7300

also is connected to a homebrew, 6 meter

“squalo” given to me by Don Bowen, K5LHO.

Studio B also duplicates the Yaesu FTM-100D

and feeds an AR-270B VHF/UHF Cushcraft

antenna, identical to the one used in the main

shack.

Amateur radio needs

younger hams to get on.

Help promote radio to scouts in your area. To

learn more check out these radio scouting sites:

www.k2bsa.net – National Site

http://circleten.org/circle-ten-radio - local BSA site

for radio scouting in Richardson

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

9

A Field Guide to Simple HF Dipoles

by Dan Romanchik, KB6NU

A Field Guide to Simple HF Dipoles was posted

to Reddit recently, and I liked this document so

much that I thought I would share it. It was

originally written for the military, but is now

available for free from the Defense Technical

Information Center.

The preface to this document reads:

“Under project Agile, Stanford Research

Institute has supplied several teams to assist

operating personnel in improving the

performance of field radio networks. In this

work, it has been observed that U.S. military

and civilian antenna manuals often contain

misleading information regarding the operation

of field antennas and tend to be overly complex.

Consequently, this guide has been prepared to

assist in training personnel concerned with the

construction of simple HF antennas in the

field.”

I must say that A Field Guide to Simple HF

Dipoles does this very well. It not only explains

how dipole antennas work, it also does a very

good job of describing the basics of radio waves

and propagation. And it does this without

getting overly technical.

For example, below is Figure 10. It’s used to

describe current flow in a dipole antenna.

The Field Guide reads:

“Electric current in a conductor consists of the

flow of small particles called electrons. Figure

10(a) represents a dipole with electrons in it.

When the transmitter is turned off, the electrons

distribute themselves evenly throughout the

dipole, as shown. All electrons repel each other

and try to get as far from each other as possible;

that is how they achieve the uniform

distribution show in Figure 10(a). When the

Welcome New Members!

Sachin Kundalchand Thakur KI5AZU

BRIAN G MCELROY KI5BAP

Eric F Soldevilla K5EFS

RONALD E TABB KC5HPO

Jerrold Raskin

ROBERT J KIRBY K3NT

LARRY G MOYER K5IMO

Carolina G Soldevilla KI5BIX

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`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

10

Irving Micro Grant

John Di Filippo, AF5MN

For those who attended the August meeting, you will

recall that Ron Tabb, KC5HPO and Doyle Taylor,

AD5KE from the Irving Amateur Radio Club (IARC)

presented us with a $1,000 check. This was the

culmination of a grant offer made last spring by IARC

President, Ken Hansen, N2VIP. There were relatively

few constraints on the grant, as long as we used the

money for the benefit of all North Texas hams.

The RWK Board of Directors discussed several

different projects over a couple of board meetings, and

finally zeroed in on upgrades to both the UHF repeater

on our primary site, and the back-up repeater at our

secondary site. Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, who is our

repeater and station trustee, as well as a director on the

board, volunteered to put the proposal together.

For the 444.725MHz repeater we will replace the

existing Decibel Products DB-404 antenna (3.8dBd

gain) with a Hustler HD9-43050 antenna (9dBd gain).

This will greatly improve the coverage pattern of our

UHF repeater. We also plan to replace all existing coax

and connectors at the primary repeater site. At our

secondary site, we plan to install a 190Ah backup

battery and a West Mountain Radio EPIC PWRgate

charger. This will allow us to charge the 190aH battery

from the current DC power supply, and allow for

potential future expansion with solar panels.

Purchase and assembly of the UHF antenna project at

our primary site, as well as the backup power upgrades

at our secondary site, should be complete in the next

30 to 45 days. The installation of the UHF antenna is

dependent on the City of Richardson’s equipment

maintenance schedule, but we are hopeful that this

work will be completed by early winter.

transmitter is turned on, the electrons flow back

and forth from end to end as shown in Figures

10(b) and 10(c). First the electrons flow to the

left and crowded at one end as shown in Figure

10(b). Second, since the electrons repel each

other, the push off to the right and get crowded

together at the other end, as in Figure 10(c).”

It then uses this description to talk about

voltage and current distribution along a dipole

antenna:

“The difference between voltage (volts) and

current (amperes) in a dipole is also illustrated

by Figs. 10(b) and 10(c). You can see that the

maximum flow of current is going to be in the

middle of the dipole. An observer at the center

of the dipole would see the electrons rush past,

first one way and then the other. The center is

the maximum current point. Very little current

flows near the end of the dipole; in fact, at the

extreme ends there is no current at all for there

is no place for it to go. However, at the ends of

the dipole, there is a great change of voltage;

when the electrons are densely packed, this

represents a negative voltages, and when there

is a scarcity of electrons, it represents a positive

voltage. Thus you can see that the voltage at

each end swings alternately positive and

negative. An end of the dipole is a maximum

voltage point.”

A Field Guide to Simple HF Dipoles is packed

with all kinds of goodies like this. Download it

(http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/684938

.pdf ) right now.

-------------------------------------------------------- When he's not building dipoles or teaching ham radio

classes, Dan blogs about amateur radio, writes exam study

guides (www.kb6nu.com/study-guides), and operates CW

on the HF bands. Look for him on 30m, 40m, and 80m. You

can email him about your experiences with simple HF

dipoles at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 11: The Chawed Rag - k5rwk.org Chawed Rag-09-2018.pdf · – SEE QSL PAGE 4 – ` ... PSK 31, etc.), you really should get set up for LoTW. The system works by examining logs submitted

`

ARRL Affiliated Club Since 1952

11

Other Matters ARRL "The Doctor is in" podcasts

available on-line so check it out!!!!

"The Doctor is in" podcasts with ARRL's

Joel Hallas W1ZR are now available on

InetRadio. They are located under "Talk" in

the "Amateur Radio" category. Selecting the

Blue Info button in the menu listing will let

you set it to AutoPlay, so new episodes

automatically play when they are posted.

InetRadio is a free app for iOS and Android,

giving the user complete control of what they

listen to...music, news, podcasts and more. A

player is available for desktops and laptops.

Other ham-related podcasts are also available

on the same InetRadio site. To try a podcast,

click on: http://www.inetradio.com.

Letters to the Editor

Want to make your voice heard? Write a

letter to the editor. It is a simple and

democratic method. Please be sure to follow

these criteria:

• Be courteous

• Stick to the facts

• Be concise (50 – 150 words)

• All letters must be signed

The editor reserves the right to select which

letters are published. The editor may also

require revisions or removal of parts that do

not meet the above criteria or for content

deemed inappropriate by the editor. This is

the same rigor that the rest of the newsletter

is subjected to.

A lending library like no other! Here is a

sampling of the things your club has to lend

to members. Simply contact a board member

to arrange it.

• Kenwood TS-590SG (kit includes a

RadioSPort headset and power supply) • Kenwood TS-440S/AT (kit includes a

Heil ProSet Headset and power supply) • LDG 1000ProII Antenna Tuner • Balun Designs 4:1 OCF Balun • Daiwa CN-108HP Dual needle SWR

meter • Bird 43 Wattmeter • PowerWerx PowerPole 12VDC

Analyzer • Baofeng UV-82HP Handy Talkie

(currently out on loan) • Rig Expert AA-30 Antenna Analyzer

(currently out on loan) • LDG 100ProII Antenna Tuner (currently

out on loan)

Write an article for the Chawed Rag

We're always on the lookout for ham radio-

related articles by our members. You choose

the topic and simply draft your article. You

don’t need to be a writer as I will help you

with the process from start to great article!

You might describe your most memorable

QSO, or put together a technical description

of an antenna design that you have used

successfully. Tell other members the ham

activities that most interest you and tell why

you find those aspects so compelling. Your

article can be as short as three or four

paragraphs, or as long as a page...or two.

Remember that pictures are a plus!

Send ideas and feedback to Joey, KG5MKQ

at [email protected]