This month, The Spectrum Monitor (TSM) magazine is reporting on changes to the County of Santa Barbara’s radio system which include a migration to $50 million P25 digital in the near future. From the article (attached):
"Most county agencies are expected to move from the old UHF analog systems to the new digital P25 network, including law enforcement, public works crews and parks departments. However, the County Fire Department would prefer upgraded VHF radios so that firefighters can communicate directly with mutual aid partners like Cal Fire, which have not upgraded their radios. The Santa Barbara Fire Department also operates an analog radio system that is not compliant with P25.”
I really enjoy my subscription to TSM. It is a monthly PDF magazine delivered without DRM or any other encryption so I can read it on any device. They have great articles about not only scanning and monitoring but also amateur radio and electronics. It rivals QST and CQ for interesting ham content.
Consider subscribing: https://www.thespectrummonitor.com/
LCM
Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM
www.levimaaia.com
+1.805.604.5384
I have heard similar things about the two-section, dual-band Diamond antenna as well. I think people are not assembling them correctly. There is a gasket that must be properly seated before tightening the metal connector. If it is not done properly, it will leak. That said, I have used both the Diamond and the Tram and had no issues with either in rainstorms.
Levi, K6LCM
On August 18, 2021 at 17:34:06, Ken Alker via SBARC-list (sbarc-list(a)lists.netlojix.com) wrote:
You should speak with Dick, KN6AA, if you are interested in the Tram. I
recall that he has told a story whereby he was recommending a 2M (/440?)
Tram for many years and a bunch of people bought them per his
recommendation and they all had problems with them over time - water
mitigation, as I recall. I don't want to spread rumors, so check with him
- maybe a different model - maybe they have mitigated this - maybe a weep
hole is all you need to add, but just the same, I'd speak with Dick before
buying one of those and find out what his experience was.
He runs a net on 147.000 (WB6OBB) Monday's at 6:55PM and he wanders into
Santa Barbara Electronics from time to time.
Ken
KA6KEN
--On Wednesday, August 18, 2021 4:37 PM -0700 stephen--- via SBARC-list
<sbarc-list(a)lists.netlojix.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks to all those who offered the Elmering.
>
> Interestingly, some of the ham blogs trash the Tram antennae, so I was
> happy to get recommendations for the cheapest option.
>
> [w6]stp
>
>
> --
>
> Stephen Travis Pope Ojai, California, USA
> http://HeavenEverywhere.com <http://heaveneverywhere.com/>
> http://FASTLabInc.com <http://fastlabinc.com/>
> https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos
> <https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos>
> http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections
>
> --
>
>
>
>
>> On Aug 17, 2021, at 11:31 PM, Levi C. Maaia - K6LCM <k6lcm(a)maaia.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I second the Tram. I bought mine from HomeDepot.com for a fraction of
>> the price of the 14-year-old Diamond it replaced. It seems to be
>> functionally identical. I have talked to stations in San Diego, on San
>> Clemente Island and other FM simplex DX locations around SoCal and it
>> has worked great from my location on the Mesa.
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 17, 2021, 22:04 Dave Schmidt via SBARC-list
>> <sbarc-list(a)lists.netlojix.com <mailto:sbarc-list@lists.netlojix.com>>
>> wrote: Stephen,
>> I own the Tram 1480 dual band and have been happy with it. It's
>> weathered well and I have no problems getting into the VCARC, CVARC and
>> PVARC repeaters. My QTH is on 126 and Wells Rd so I'm unable to hit any
>> of the SBARC repeaters though. At least with Diablo Peak linked, I can
>> key it up now, but my signal is too weak. Hopefully your QTH in Ojai
>> isn't going to be a problem regardless of what antenna you get.
>>
>> Dave
>> ai6vx
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 9:28 PM stephen--- via SBARC-list
>> <sbarc-list(a)lists.netlojix.com <mailto:sbarc-list@lists.netlojix.com>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I forgot to mention the MFJ MFJ-1524 antenna, which is in the same class.
>>
>> stp
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Stephen Travis Pope Ojai, California, USA
>> <pastedGraphic.tiff> http://HeavenEverywhere.com
>> <http://heaveneverywhere.com/> http://FASTLabInc.com
>> <http://fastlabinc.com/> https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos
>> <https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos>
>> http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections
>> <http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections>
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Aug 17, 2021, at 9:16 PM, stephen(a)heaveneverywhere.com
>>> <mailto:stephen@heaveneverywhere.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Hello Hams!
>>>
>>> In my new place in Ojai, I'll be putting up a 2m base station antenna
>>> (the better to hear you with). Dual-band would be nice, but is not a
>>> requirement. Due to HOA height restrictions, I think I'm limited to
>>> 10 ft above the roof-line.
>>>
>>> It looks like there are comparable models from all the big names
>>> (Diamond F22a, Comet GP-6, Tram 1490).
>>>
>>> Do any of you have recommendations in this area or preferences among
>>> the main suppliers?
>>>
>>> …any reply appreciated…
>>>
>>> Stephen (W6STP)
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Stephen Travis Pope Ojai, California, USA
>>> <pastedGraphic.tiff> http://HeavenEverywhere.com
>>> <http://heaveneverywhere.com/> http://FASTLabInc.com
>>> <http://fastlabinc.com/> https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos
>>> <https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos>
>>> http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections
>>> <http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
_______________________________________________
SBARC-list mailing list
SBARC-list(a)lists.netlojix.com
http://lists.netlojix.com/mailman/listinfo/sbarc-list
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/august/fcc-application-fees-unlikely-…
Looks like the new $35 application fee won't be coming any time soon. The
latest word is that the FCC won't implement the charge until 2022. Once
it's effective, it will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential
call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications.
Administrative updates (change a licensee's name, mailing, or email
address) will be exempt from fees.
For new licensees and upgrades, billing will be done by the FCC by email
after it receives the score from the VE team and before the upgrade is
issued.
I know many hams and organizations have bemoaned this fee but one potential
upshot is the reduction of call sign squatters who change their call signs
on a weekly or monthly basis in order to tie up call signs for years.
LCM
I noticed last evening and it’s still the case that FlightAware is blank over Afghanistan. Sorry, I meant to add FlightRadar24 also to the list of apps that are blank with reference to flights over Afghanistan.
For Sale: 2 meter (144 MHz) Ham Radio Rig
Includes
Alinco 50 Watt 2-meter-band radio transceiver
Samlex 10 Amp 12 volt power supply
Just add an antenna...
1) The Radio -- Alinco DR-150T
2M 50W transceiver w/extended receive 108-173.995/440-449MHz
Features
- UNIQUE "Channel Scope" shows activity on adjacent freq's or channels
+/- 20kHz - 60kHz OR +/- 3 memory channels (each side of center freq)
- Transmit range: 144.0 MHz - 147.995 MHz
- Power Output: 10w, 25w, 50w
- Receive range: 108.0 MHz - 173.995 MHz, 440.0 MHz - 449.995 MHz
- AM receive/aircraft
- Memory channels: 100, includes 1 call channel
- Memory contents: receive freq, TX offset, tone setting, tone encoder
frequency, tone decoder frequency, DSQ squelch
- Dual VFO's A + B
- Standard +/- 600kHz and custom splits
- Programmable upper/lower scan limits, memory lock-outs
- Programmable DTMF "speed dial"
- CTCSS encode/decode
- DSQ (Digital Coded Squelch), Group and private pager modes
- 1200/9600 baud packet (includes dedicated 9600 baud port)
- Control radio remotely using DTMF keypad
- Multiple radios can be cloned over-the-air! NO WIRES NEEDED
- Input Voltage: 13.8vDC nominal
The Alinco DR-150TQ is loaded! Full 50 watts out on 2 Meters plus receive 440 MHz and receive aircraft band. The channel scope display functions in both VFO and memory mode.
Two VFOs and 100 memories are featured. The DR-150TQ comes standard with 50 CTCSS tone encoder, 9600 bps/phone patch interface jack.
The EMS-12 DTMF mic also permits direct frequency entry. The EJ-20U CTCSS Tone Squlech Decoder is standard in this "Q" version. This radio even supports air cloning and three power output levels (50/25/10 watts). This radio is 5.5 x 1.6 x 5.1 inches 1.8 lbs.
Rave reviews at https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=258
The radio is super clean (see photos) and includes all accessories: mic, mounting bracket, manual...
It comes pre-programmed with the standard Santa Barbara region repeaters and simplex frequencies.
2) The Power Supply — Samlex RPS1207
Regulated DC Power Supply 13.8 VDC 7-10 amp Output
Input: 120VAC
Output: 13.8 VDC 7-10 Amps (i.e., up to 138 Watts)
Almost new
For sale only because I'm moving to the hills and need to get a more powerful system with a big antenna...
Contact Stephen (W6STP) @ T: (805) 895-6252
--
Stephen Travis Pope Ojai, California, USA
http://HeavenEverywhere.com <http://heaveneverywhere.com/> http://FASTLabInc.com <http://fastlabinc.com/>
https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos <https://vimeo.com/user19434036/videos> http://heaveneverywhere.com/Reflections
--
FYI ...
Clear frequencies requested for Haiti earthquake relief. See below.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: ARRL Web site <memberlist(a)www.arrl.org>
Date: Sat, Aug 14, 2021, 11:23
Subject: Following Earthquake in Haiti, Radio Amateurs Asked to Keep
Frequencies Clear
To: <k6lcm(a)maaia.com>
*Following Earthquake in Haiti, Radio Amateurs Asked to Keep Frequencies
Clear *August 14, 2021 | ARRL
In a *statement*
<https://www.iaru-r2.org/iaru-r2-pendiente-a-sismo-ocurrido-hoy-en-haiti/>
received by ARRL on August 14, 2021, *Region 2* <https://www.iaru-r2.org/>
of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU-R2) has requested that radio
amateurs in the Americas keep the following frequencies clear to support
emergency communications in Haiti following an earthquake this morning:
3750 kHz, 7150 kHz and 14330 kHz. The statement came from IARU-R2 Emergency
Coordinator (EMCOR) Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC.
According to preliminary information from the *United States Geological
Survey* <https://earthquake.usgs.gov> (USGS), a 7.2 magnitude earthquake
struck Haiti on August 14, 2021 at 1229 UTC, about 12 kilometers northeast
of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and 33 kilometers to the east-northeast of Les Cayes,
Haiti; 18.352 degrees north and 73.4801 degrees west at a depth of 10 km.
Mr. Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, President of the Radio Club of Haiti,
reported significant structural damage.
International news reports fear high casualties.
------------------------------
*ARRL The National Association For Amateur Radio**®*
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA
www.arrl.org
To unsubscribe from messages, go to:
http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/2ab7f4e3825b0f34f03f87022fd93eff
https://www.fema.gov/event/ipaws-national-test
Be advised that there is a nationwide emergency alert test plan for this
morning. Devices will include radio, television and mobile devices.
LCM
[Please forward to Santa Barbara and LA area lists and/or any other ham
groups you have access to]
We still have several available assignments, most are for PM shifts on both
Sat and Sun
Note that only the currently AVAILABLE assignments are shown by the system,
if you do not see a desired assignment, it means that it has been taken
However, please contact me if you would like to volunteer, but cannot make
any of the open assignments and I'll attempt to arrange a swap.
*Click here to sign up for Ham Radio Operations at Wings Over Camarillo*
<https://woc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=55545&job_password=ham73>
https://woc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=55545&&job_password=ham73
If you somehow end up at the top-level public sign up page and do not see
any ham radio positions, you have to enter *ham73* into the password field
*NOTE: instructions at the top of the signup page are generic for ALL
volunteers, most do not apply to us. Please read the shift descriptions*
To those who have already signed up, I have an outgoing blast with full
details, but I am waiting for a few more days, till after the next
organizer meeting, in case there are last-minute changes, to send it.
Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks,
-avi
--
avi(a)carmi.us
805-616-2636 K6AVI
https://avicarmi.com