SBARC Wednesday Nets
--------------------
Beginning at 7:00 pm on the following linked repeaters:
146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill)
224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak)
Minus offset, PL 131.8
----------------------------------
7:00pm - 7:30pm -- Amateur Radio Newsline (www.ARNewsLine.org)
7:30pm - 8:00pm -- Weekly Club Net
8:00pm - 8:30pm -- Swap Net, hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN
----------------------------------
Then, at 8:30pm, on 144.210 MHz, is the VHF Single Side Band Roundtable, typically hosted by Ken Owen, N6KTH. This popular roundtable is now in its fourth year. Some People start checking in early between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. For details, visit www.n6kth.com/vhf.
---Michael, NO6O
<http://www.noozhawk.com/>
Noozhawk.com Santa Barbara & Goleta Local News
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Andrew Seybold: Speak Up for Cell Sites, Smart Meters
http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/010212_andrew_seybold_cell_sites_a…
By Andrew Seybold
[]
During the past few months, I have received many
emails and phone calls from people who are
concerned about the lack of cell phone coverage
in Montecito since the shared
<http://www.att.com/>AT&T and
<http://www.verizonwireless.com/>Verizon cell
site at <http://www.qad.com>QAD was shut down.
Both AT&T and Verizon are trying to replace this
key cell site with others that will provide cell
phone coverage to the Montecito area, Summerland
and Carpinteria. I have also received many
questions about smart meters, how they work, the
type of wireless connections they provide and any
possible dangers they present.
So let me start with cell sites. If you want cell
phone services, you have to accept cell sites. No
sites means no cell phone coverage.
Reading the local papers, including
<http://www.noozhawk.com>Noozhawk, it is evident
that a minority of people who dont understand
are making it difficult for the rest of us to
have the level of cell phone coverage we want and need.
As of this month, 35 percent of all U.S.
households no longer have wired phones and rely
completely on cell phones; the percentage of
homes for those under 25 is much higher. This
sector grew up with cell phones and doesnt
understand why anyone would want a wired phone in
a fixed location rather than a cell phone that is
always with them. They assume they will have cell
phone coverage wherever they are.
Those who show up at hearings for new cell sites
and write most of the letters are part of a small
minority who are afraid of what they have heard
about health hazards or who dont like the way
they look. The vast majority of us understand
that we need cell sites for cell phone service,
and over time we will need more sites to handle
the increasing demand for wireless voice, data,
video and Internet services. Unless the silent
majority starts showing up at these hearings, the
few will put pressure on city and county
officials, and cell phone companies will continue
to have to battle to provide the service we want and demand.
If you dont like the service you are getting
from your cell phone operator, get involved. If
you dont, the few will win the day and we will
continue to be deprived of the cell phone services we want.
Cell sites are safe. They are only dangerous if
you are within 4 feet of one of the antennas and
directly in line with its output. The federal
government has set standards that require cell
companies to provide information about cell site
radiation, and prohibit health issues from being
used as grounds for counties or cities to reject
an application for a cell site.
If you have a problem with that, you will have to
take it up with your U.S. senator or
<http://www.house.gov>U.S. House representative
since they oversee the
<http://www.fcc.gov/>Federal Communications
Commission, which makes the laws cell phone
operators, counties and cities must follow.
Cell sites are safe, and they are necessary for
the cell phone coverage we need. In fact, in the
coming years we will need three times the number
of sites we currently have to support the demand for wireless services.
Bottom line: By letting the few who are opposed
be the only ones to show up at the hearings, we
are empowering them to hold up wireless progress.
Those who want and need wireless coverage need to
stand up and be counted as well.
Smart Meters
I have a smart meter. I also have a lot of very
expensive equipment to measure radio frequency
(RF) signals. Once the new meter was in, I set
about measuring the RF output from the meter.
I found two things: The meter sends out radio
signals on two different portions of the radio
spectrum. One signal is designed to be read by a
meter reader driving down the street so he or she
does not have to enter my backyard. The second is
for our use. I can monitor the usage myself, and
in my case, compare it with what my solar panels are generating.
I measured both signals, and I measured the RF
put out by my Wi-Fi access point. The results are
that my Wi-Fi access point puts out five times
more RF energy in my home than either of the
smart meter radio signals. The one designed to be
read by the meter reader on the street was at a
level, in my home, less than my microwave oven,
and the one designed for my own use was 50
percent lower than what I was exposed to by my home Wi-Fi access point.
Some of those opposed to smart meters are
concerned about the power company being able to
monitor their exact usage at any time. I wont
get into that issue, but those who oppose the fee
to opt out of the meter need to realize that the
power company has determined what it costs to
have someone walk into your backyard to read your
meter. If you are the only one of the block who
opts out of a smart meter, the meter reader still
must enter your yard and read your meter
manually. If you have a smart meter, it can be
read from the street and no one must enter your
premises. The difference is what it costs the power company.
Conclusions
Wireless services are all around us. We use them
for our cell phones, tablets and notebook
computers. Others use them to provide us with
services we need, such as the smart meter. But no
matter the use, wireless communications is about
making our lives easier and extending
communications to the person rather than to the
house or office. Soon we will be using our phones
instead of our ATM cards to buy groceries, do our
banking, and even to adjust the seats and the
temperature in our cars. Those who have a heart
condition or diabetes will be monitored in real
time via wireless. Our children are already growing up in a wireless world.
Wireless is about freedom. With that come some
issues regarding privacy, costs and other
factors, but health is not an issue with which we
need to be concerned. Even so, until those who
want and demand wireless services everywhere
start showing up at hearings for cell sites and
smart meters, the few who oppose them and wont
listen to logic will continue to have the power
to slow down progress. All it takes is an email
in support of a permit, attending a smart meter
hearing and speaking out, and being as vocal as the few opponents.
It is time for the majority of us to be heard.
Santa Barbara resident Andrew Seybold heads
<http://www.andrewseybold.com>Andrew Seybold
Inc., which provides consulting, educational and
publishing services.
<http://www.andrewseybold.com>Click here for more information.
http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/010212_andrew_seybold_cell_sites_a…
Lake Los Carneros Park in Goleta, CA will be the site of southern
California's next international-style on-foot foxhunt on Saturday,
January 12, 2013. A ham radio license and knowledge of radio equipment
are not required. Experts will be on hand to teach the basic techniques
of on-foot radio direction-finding (RDF).
There is no charge for participation. If you have receivers, scanners,
directional antennas, attenuators, or other equipment suitable for
on-foot RDF, be sure to bring it. Make sure all batteries are fresh. A
limited amount of RDF gear will be available for loan.
For those who want to build RDF gear for use with their own two-meter
hand-held radios or scanners, Marvin will have kits for measuring-tape
yagis and active attenuators. Also available is an assembled and tested
assembly that includes the power switch, BNC connector, housing and
battery, ready to install as the tape measure beam is built. Send
e-mail to Marvin (marvin(a)west.net) to pre-register and get more
information about equipment. The building session will only take place
if there are sufficient advance registrations. If you already have
equipment and just want to hunt transmitters, you don't need to
pre-register.
If it takes place, the building session will start at 9:30 AM. Please
be prompt. Beginner transmitters will be on the air at that time. The
main 5-fox hunt will start about 10:30 AM. Hunters may start the
courses at any time until 1 PM. Courses close at 3 PM.
Besides some easy fox transmitters just to help you learn and test your
equipment, there will be a beginner-level international-rules course.
The site area is slightly less than 140 acres. It is relatively flat,
making it a good site for foxtailers of all skill levels. If you need
some one-on-one help to get started at finding transmitters, just ask.
Full-color orienteering maps will be available.
Weather: In case of rainy or very wet conditions, the event might be
postponed. If you're in doubt, check www.homingin.com before you set
out to make sure that the event is a "go."
Directions to Lake Los Carneros: From US 101 about 8 miles west of
downtown Santa Barbara, take the Los Carneros Road exit, head north
about 1/4 mile and turn right into the Stow House parking lot. There
should be plenty of free parking. Look for the orange-and-white
orienteering flag. The building session and hunt start will be in the
picnic area, just east of the railroad depot.
Ham radio talk-in is on the WB6OBB repeater, 147.000(-) PL 131.8. For
your GPS navigation system: 300 North Los Carneros Road, Goleta, CA
34.44416N 119.85446W
73,
Joe Moell K0OV
SBARC Wednesday Nets
--------------------
Beginning at 7:00 pm on the following linked repeaters:
146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill)
224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak)
Minus offset, PL 131.8
----------------------------------
7:00pm - 7:30pm -- Amateur Radio Newsline (www.ARNewsLine.org)
7:30pm - 8:00pm -- Weekly Club Net
8:00pm - 8:30pm -- Swap Net, hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN
----------------------------------
Then, at 8:30pm, on 144.210 MHz, is the VHF Single Side Band Roundtable, typically hosted by Ken Owen, N6KTH. This popular roundtable is now in its fourth year. Some People start checking in early between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. For details, visit www.n6kth.com/vhf.
---Michael, NO6O
After significant delay we are finally ready to begin classes for the
Technician & General class licenses. Due to a significant number of
Technician class students who have interest in taking the General class, the
General class will begin after the completion of the Tech. class. Time &
day preferences have been expressed by students, but there was no
overwhelming consensus. Resultantly, I have set the class schedule similar
to what has been done in the past.
The Tech. classes will begin on Thursday, January 3, 2013 and run for ~3
weeks every Tuesday & Thursday evening. To clarify, there will be classes
held January 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 & 22. classes will begin @ 6:30PM and finish
@ 9:30PM. These hours (and possibly days) are flexible as driven by session
content, student availability & instructor availability. We will discuss
schedule hardships @ the 1st class meeting on January 3. If you can't
attend the 1st class, please contact me. January 24 will be a make-up class
if required and formal exams will be given on Saturday morning, January 26 @
8:30AM @ the S.B. County Health Services Building (San Marcos Rd. off Calle
Real). All classes will be held at the Santa Barbara Red Cross (State St. &
Alamar) in one of the upstairs classrooms.
The General class is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 5 and follow a
similar schedule to the Tech. classes, every Tuesday & Thursday for 3 weeks,
ending on February 21. Tentatively, the scheduled class hours are
6:30-9:30.
Classes will include some homework and students are strongly encouraged to
read the applicable License Manual sections prior to the associated class.
The 1st class, in addition to introductions, etc., will cover chapters 1 &
2.
Both classes require that students have a copy of the associated ARRL "HAM
Radio License Manual". These are available from the ARRL (
<http://www.arrl.org/> www.ARRL.org) for $30.00. Note: There are 5
Technician class manuals available from the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club
(SBARC) for $25 each. There are no General manuals. Please let me know
ASAP if you need a manual as the 5 available manuals will be sold on a
first-come basis. I will be placing a bulk order on Thursday, Dec. 20 to
replenish the Club's supply of both Tech. & General Manuals. These will be
available at the same discounted price of $25 as soon as received.
The only other cost is a $15 license fee as established by the FCC.
Additional class materials needed:
1. Note paper & pen/pencil
2. Laptops, I-Pads, etc. are fine (but can't be used for the exam)
3. Hand-held calculator w/ sq. & sq. root + log (desirable)
If you have any questions, issues or comments, please contact me via phone
or e-mail
Mike Wapner K6QD(a)cox.net (805) 680-2382
SBARC Wednesday Nets -- TRIVIA NIGHT!
-------------------------------------
Beginning at 7:00 pm on the following linked repeaters:
146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill)
224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak)
Minus offset, PL 131.8
----------------------------------
7:00pm - 7:30pm -- Amateur Radio Newsline (www.ARNewsLine.org)
7:30pm - 8:00pm -- !! TRIVIA NIGHT !! Hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN
8:00pm - 8:30pm -- Swap Net, hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN
----------------------------------
Then, at 8:30pm, on 144.210 MHz, is the VHF Single Side Band Roundtable, typically hosted by Ken Owen, N6KTH. This popular roundtable is now in its fourth year. Some People start checking in early between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. For details, visit www.n6kth.com/vhf.
---Michael, NO6O
14 December 2012
To: All 223.92 users
From: Bill Talanian
Subject: System failure 223.92
A non-related power issue has caused the 223.92 repeater to go key
down. The repeater has been commanded off. There is no scheduled site
visit planned at the moment. The 121.5 ELT remote receiver will
continue to alarm out as normal upon activation.
I have about the last 10 years of QST magazines, perhaps more, but
certainly a lot of them, about 3 or 4 cubic feet.
Free to a good home.
The blue bin is my second choice should no one want them.
--
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
SBARC Wednesday Nets
--------------------
Beginning at 7:00 pm on the following linked repeaters:
146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill)
224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak)
Minus offset, PL 131.8
----------------------------------
7:00pm - 7:30pm -- Amateur Radio Newsline (www.ARNewsLine.org)
7:30pm - 8:00pm -- Weekly Club Net
8:00pm - 8:30pm -- Swap Net, hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN
----------------------------------
Then, at 8:30pm, on 144.210 MHz, is the VHF Single Side Band Roundtable, typically hosted by Ken Owen, N6KTH. This popular roundtable is now in its fourth year. Some People start checking in early between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. For details, visit www.n6kth.com/vhf.
---Michael, NO6O