Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club Bulletin

FM simplex bandwidth has been moved from top of 2M simplex assignment to bottom by TASMA affecting Southern California. 147.540, 147.555, 147.570 are no longer assigned to FM simplex in the band plan.

New Plan, Non Channelized 122.310-144.375, 144.404-144.490

New Plan, Channelized 145.510, 145.525, 145.540, 145.555, 145.570, 145.585, 145.600, 145.675, 146.430(ATV voice), 146.455, 146.460(Remote Bases), 146.520(Calling Freq.), 146.535, 146.550, 146.565(T-hunts), 146.580, 146.595, 147.480, 147.510, 147.525

See www.tasma.org/bandplan.pdf

Bob Gonsett, Consulting Radio Engineer and Editor of The CGC Communicator newsletter, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Broadcast Engineers and was deeply honored by the occasion:

http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Images/award.jpg

From: ARRL Headquarters Newington CT December 16, 2009
To: all radio amateurs

On Monday, December 14, S 1755 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- passed the Senate by unanimous consent; the bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Sponsored by Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), S 1755, if passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency communications.

S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee considered S 1755 on December 10. After it passed through Committee, it was placed on the Senate's calendar to be voted on. "We are grateful to Committee Chairman Lieberman and Ranking Member Collins for sponsoring the bill and arranging for its swift consideration and passage by the Senate," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ.

Similar in language to HR 2160 (also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 that was introduced this past April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX-18]), S 1755 calls on DHS to undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster  relief and then to submit a report to Congress no more than 180 days after the bill becomes law. The study shall:

Include a review of the importance of Amateur Radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts and improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.

Identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other federal departments, agencies and Congress.

In conducting the study, S 1755 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to "utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the Amateur Radio, emergency response and disaster communications communities."

S 1755 makes note of the fact that Section 1 of the Joint Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to Recognize the Achievements of Radio Amateurs, and To Establish Support for Such Amateurs as National Policy -- approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408) -- included a finding that stated: "Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of Amateur Radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit."

The bill also pointed out that Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and Amateur Radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations, such as ambulance services, law enforcement and others.

By Dan Romanchik, KB6NU

On the HamRadioHelpGroup mailing list, there was recently a discussion about using modulated CW on 2m. One fellow pointed out that MFJ sold a unit that would do this. When I pointed out that this box cost $100 and that they could do exactly the same thing with the $18 PicoKeyer from HamGadgets.Com, I got some flack that the PicoKeyer was a kit, and that some people might not be able to build it.

I pointed out that a couple of years ago our club held a construction night, and that several people who had never soldered before successfully completed the kit. I also pointed out that even if the ham didn’t have the proper tools, he or she could purchase a soldering iron, needle-nose pliers, and diagonal cutters, in addition to the kit, for less than $100.

I don't know if that convinced him, but it got me thinking about what a ham should be able to do. This is the list I’ve come up with so far:

1. Solder. Every ham should know how to solder a connection, and by extension, build small kits and cables. Over the course of one’s ham career, this skill will save you a ton of time and money.

2. Build a dipole antenna. The dipole is the simplest and most versatile antenna. Knowing how to build one and use one is an essential skill.

3. Check into a net. Net operation is one of the most basic operating skills.

4. Use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, and resistance and know what those measurements mean. This is the most basic skill used in troubleshooting, and at some point or another, you’re going to have to troubleshoot something.

This list does, of course, imply that a ham is physically capable of doing them. I would not expect hams that are physically disabled to be able to do everything on this list.

After I posted this to my blog (www.kb6nu.com), I got several good responses. Jeff said, "I believe hams should know how to install RF connectors, particularly the three most used in our hobby, the PL-259, the BNC, and the N connector." Blair, WB3AWI, replied, "Another thing that hams should know how to do is to measure the SWR of an antenna."

So, now I ask you, What do you think every ham should know how to do? Feel free to post a comment to my blog or e-mail me at cwgeek@kb6nu.com.

When not analyzing the abilities of amateurs, KB6NU pounds brass on nearly all the HF bands and teaches various ham radio classes in Ann Arbor, MI. You can read his other musings on our fine hobby at www.kb6nu.com.

www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2009-12-16

The meeting will be held on January 6, 2010 (the first Wednesday of each month). Arrive at 7:00pm for set-up and chat; the meeting starts at 7:30pm. Talk-in on 146.730 MHz repeater.
Directions to the Safety Center.

Come early and enjoy an "eyeball" QSO with our members.

The January meeting will feature Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon and the city's Safety Educator.

Carlsbad Safety Center
2560 Orion Way
Carlsbad

There was no formal meeting of the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club in December.
This financial report is provided for member information.

 
 Checking Balance October 31, 2009 $3,323.85
 Petty Cash Balance October 31, 2009 $34.03
 Total $ 3,357.88
 OCTOBER INCOME
 ARRL Dues 156.00
 FARC Membership Dues 160.00 
 Total $316.00
 
 OCTOBER EXPENSES
 ARRL Dues $148.00
 ARRL Liability Insurance (Annual Fee) $320.00
 Total $468.00

 
 Checking Balance November 30, 2009 $3171.85
 Petty Cash Balance November 30, 2009 $34.03
 Total $ 3205.88


Ken Dickson, W6MF
Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club
Secretary/Treasurer

Dewey ECC Committee
Bigs-KG6GIU, Ron-KG6HSQ,  Ken-W6MF, Randy-KD6UAK, Bob-W6VR,  Hayden-KG6YVD

Technical Committee
Bob-W6VR, AA4CD-Chris, Bob-WB6DIJ, Paul-W6SJL, Daryl-WA5QMV, Ron-KG6HSQ