SBARC-list April 2014

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4 participants
7 discussions

DRTE 100 Race 2014
by Rick Whitaker 28 Apr '14

28 Apr '14

"It's just around the Bend." Famous words for any packer or runner. Well in this case I am talking about the 2014 DRTE 100 (Dirt Road Trail Endurance) Ultra Race. This is the 4th annual Race. This year it is a 100 mile and 100k Race. http://drte100.com/ The event is coming up again at the end of May. This time it is a weekend only event- starting at 0500 on Saturday, May 31st and ending at 1700 on Sunday, June 1st. They will also be a 10k, 25k and 50k on Saturday. We are not required to be there on Friday, but you can come out and set up or camp out if you wish. The course is different this year as it is using much more off road trails and aid stations. Most of the aid stations can be driven up to except Camuesa Connector, Doulton Tunnel, and El Manatial. This is an event that is made for us HAM operators to shine. There is little to no cell phone access and because of that, the race relies on us so much that they advertise our importance on the front page of their web site. Below is the second paragraph under "ABOUT", which I have highlighted and pasted: The DRTE 100 starts and finishes at <https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=utf-8&gl=us&hq=upper+oso+campsite&hnear=0x8 0e914c76f2d83d5:0xc8d13a64d7ba7648,Santa+Barbara,+CA&daddr=3505+Paradise+Roa d,+Santa+Barbara,+CA+93105&panel=1&f=d&fb=1&geocode=FdNLDwIdCW_c-CkpxB11xmnp gDE2NGunFEE2rA&cid=12409177380229952566/> Upper Oso Campgrounds located in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Hosted on a well-marked and simple to navigate out and back route comprised of dirt roads, trails and intermittent sections of paved road, the route is comprised of 9 sections that vary between 3.81 and 8.26 miles in length. The each of the 9 sections is staged with a well provisioned and staffed aid stations replete with HAM communications to support entrants, pacers and staff. For crew and guests there is an easy to use route comprised of 3 paved forest roads that can be utilized to see and cheer your runner at as many 10 locations. The DRTE 100 is hosted entirely within the Santa Barbara Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest. No other event depends on us as much as this one does. Under General Amenities we are the first amenity listed: (I underlined it): GENERAL AMENITIES INCLUDE (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): . HAM Operators . Crew of 4 - 6 . Electrical generator (limited locations) . Tables . Chairs . Shade Canopies . Ice and ice coolers . Expanded First Aid Kit . Expanded Foot Care Kit . Sleeping cots and blankets . Porta Pottie (limited locations) This event has always been fun for those operators who have participated. This year I would like to be able to say we can cover all aid stations without overtaxing any one individual. We will be using the Rover and its repeater at the top of East Camino Cielo as we did last year. That had good reach from the far end of the course to the start. I need anyone who has time available Saturday and/or Sunday so we can start to set up schedules. Please get back to me if you can participate for any or all of this fun event. You can name your hours. Let me know if you have a preference in locations as well. Here is a list of the aid stations: 73's Rick Whitaker Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club. KG6VLB rickwhtr(a)cox.net Cell: (805) 451-3436 please leave a message- I have no reception at work.

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Collaborative transmitter found - being moved
by Jay Hennigan 19 Apr '14

19 Apr '14

I have retrieved the transmitter from its second hiding spot. There were eight callsigns in the log, double last time. Well done! In alpha suffix order: W6CGE - Les N6CPN - Chuck HE6HTS - Marvin K9KBX - Dave AG6LJ - John WB6OBB - Dennis K6WWO - Bill K6YVJ - Jordan And one noted "AS" found with no equipment, probably a local hiker out for a walk. The transmitter was hidden in the open space east of the "Bridge to Nowhere" over Highway 154. http://www.west.net/~jay/images/T2.png Look (and listen) for it to be relocated soon. -- -- Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Engineering - jay(a)impulse.net Impulse Internet Service - http://www.impulse.net/ Your local telephone and internet company - 805 884-6323 - WB6RDV

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Site maintenance
by Bill Talanian 19 Apr '14

19 Apr '14

Folks: The recent email outreach for grounds maintenance assistance at the Mesa site did not mature. Regrettably only one candidate offered assistance but felt he did not wish to head up a team for on-going maintenance. Lacking a volunteer initiative we have a couple of other alternatives. Either pay someone within the amateur group to head up the grounds maintenance or use outside contract services. This past year the Club paid $200 to an outside gardener with truck & crew for a one time yard clean up. Typically the yard requires 3-4 clean up periods a year depending on rain etc.. Without volunteers the Board may have to consider funding the yard maintenance. Meanwhile the hunt for a volunteer team will continue. Background: Presently the major portion of the hill top grounds maintenance is covered by an outside contractor who is paid by the City Water Department. This service is not contracted to cover the fenced in portion used by the Public Works Department which surrounds the City radio building, AT&T, and SBARC. The Club is hosted at the Mesa site by the City at no cost. Prime power is paid for by AT&T who also fuel and maintain the standby diesel generator at no cost to SBARC.

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Very cool archive of a lot of historical documents
by Jay Hennigan 19 Apr '14

19 Apr '14

Fun reading, some broadcast stuff, hobby publications, manufacturers' data, etc. from the VERY early days on. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/ -- -- Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Engineering - jay(a)impulse.net Impulse Internet Service - http://www.impulse.net/ Your local telephone and internet company - 805 884-6323 - WB6RDV

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Grounds for mainetenance
by Bill Talanian 15 Apr '14

15 Apr '14

AN APPEAL TO THE USERS OF SBARC SYSTEMS By: Bill Talanian, <w1uuq(a)sbarc.org> SBARC Telecommunications Services maintains five major locations consisting of various repeaters, digital and remote systems. The most popular system is the 146.79 repeater at our Mesa site. It is also the only location requiring routine grounds maintenance to keep the vegetation from totally taking over. Over the years we have managed to get by with the technical support people keeping the grass cut back. It is time to rethink and formalize a more organized plan to maintain the 1500 sq ft zone at the site. A three to four person team would be ideal on a quarterly basis in performing the yard maintenance. Ensuring the vegetation is cut back will minimize the fire danger to the public safety systems and is our responsibility. Ideally a small team organized independently to oversee the site would be best as opposed to chasing around looking for people to help. If you would like to head up the a team then get in touch so we can put you and your team on the restricted access list. A walk-thru can be arranged. ****************

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K6MEP The Keyer
by Bill Talanian 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

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Next ARDF April 19 at Schabarum Park
by Marvin Johnston 08 Apr '14

08 Apr '14

Schabarum Regional Park will be the site of the next southern California on-foot transmitter hunting session on Saturday, April 19, 2014. If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters set by Joe Moell K0OV. For more experienced radio-orienteers, there will be a 5-fox two-meter international-rules course of moderate difficulty, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more optional 80-meter fox transmitters may also be on the air. If you have them, bring a handi-talkie, receiver, or scanner covering the two-meter band for each person who will be going ARDFing. If you have directional antennas, attenuators, or other on-foot RDF equipment, be sure to bring that too. Make sure that all batteries are fresh. For those with no radio gear, some extra ARDF receiver/antenna sets will be available. Note: be sure you can program frequencies into your radio! If there is sufficient interest, Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will conduct a clinic for building kits for measuring-tape yagis and for 90 dB offset-type attenuators. An assembled/tested attenuator in a special housing that goes inside the boom of the yagi is also available. If you wish to build kits at this workshop, you must register in advance by sending e-mail to marvin(a)west.net, so he will have the kits reserved in your name waiting for you. It takes about an hour to put the kits together with tools and soldering irons that will be provided. If you're not an electronic technician, don't worry because there will be experts to help you. All transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. The starting point for the advanced course will be a different part of the park, so if you plan to take on that course, please arrive at the gathering area before 10 AM so we can transport that group to the starting point and do starts at five-minute intervals. Beginners will start from the gathering area and will not need to be transported. If there is an antenna/attenuator clinic, it will start at 11 AM and there will still be time to hunt the beginner transmitters after that. Courses will close at 3 PM. For the advanced 2-meter course, orienteering flags and electronic scoring will be used at each transmitter. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it. A few sticks will be available for loan. Be sure to bring anything you'll need while going after those radio foxes, such as munchies, bottled water and sunscreen. For map plotting, bring your own compass, protractor and pencil. Trails are primitive in some areas of the park, so wear sturdy shoes. All ages are welcome, but young children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Schabarum Regional Park is on the south side of Colima Road, just east of Azusa Avenue in Hacienda Heights. (Thomas Guide 678-G4) A map for navigation is at www.homingin.com. There is a vehicular entry fee for the park, so carpooling would be a good idea. Upon passing through the entry gate, drive south (straight ahead, don't turn right) and continue to the end of the road (about 0.7 mile). Park in the last parking lot near the restrooms. Look for the orange and white orienteering flags and signs. Call K0OV on 146.52 simplex if you have trouble finding the gathering area within the park. 73, Joe Moell K0OV

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SBARC-list April 2014