SBARC-list

sbarc-list@lists.netlojix.com

3 participants
2727 discussions

BPL
by Bill Talanian 25 Feb '09

25 Feb '09

Utilities turn to IBM for BPL solution Feb 25, 2009 12:48 PM, By Lynnette Luna Just when it appeared broadband-over-powerline (BPL) technology was going to die off, IBM and rural Internet service provider (ISP) International Broadband Electric Communicationswith help from a $9.6-million cash infusion from IBM and $70 million in government loansare deploying BPL networks for almost 200,000 rural customers served by seven electrical cooperatives in Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia. The move comes months after two of BPLs highest profile deployments died out and as many BPL vendors have begun focusing on smart electrical networks rather than consumer broadband delivery. The technology, which modifies radio signals to transmit voice and Internet data over electric utility power lines, was extremely hyped early this decade, when it was billed as a way for power companies to become the third alternative in the broadband market, competing against cable and DSL operators in urban areas. But the technology has been slow to take off, as technical limitations and interference problems with ham radios and local emergency radios kept it from being adopted widespread. Moreover, power companies realized they just couldnt compete with cable and high-speed telco offerings in urban areas. BPL now has improved from a technical standpoint and, according to Ray Blair, advanced networking executive with IBMs Global Technology Services. BPL has found its niche in the rural market, where access customers have no wireline broadband alternatives. Another important niche has to do with the need for utilities to incorporate intelligent-grid capabilities, such as smart metering and energy-outage monitoring. The intelligent grid, by nature, is filled by a lot of devices that need to communicate with each other back to a centralized location, and that drives a lot of bandwidtha lot more than what utilities can handle today, Blair said. I, for one, will be waiting to see how IBEC and IBM can make BPL a profitable technology. Last May, DirecTV and Current Communications sold a flagship BPL deployment in Dallas to the local utility after they couldnt make a go of it. The utility is using the network for smart-grid monitoring only. In this case, the combination of using the technology as a broadband offering and for the electric cooperatives smart grids increases the chances of success. Still, Blair concedes that the cost of such networks vary from situation to situation. BPL deployments typically cost half of wireless network deployments, but the ongoing costs might not be advantageous. Its more than just the cost of the network. Operational expenditure is the key piece to understand. In some cases, BPL looks good paper, but on the opex side, it might not be so good, and wireless might look better. So, the business case for BPL isnt straightforward, and it appears companies looking to utilize the technology must do some significant vetting and perhaps look outside the box to find more ways to recoup their investments. According to Blair, that might include striking a deal with the local municipality to backhaul surveillance cameras or read water meters.

1 0

Short Notice - El Camino Science Night 2009 this Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM...
by Rod Fritz 24 Feb '09

24 Feb '09

Greetings, It's Science Night time again, this time at El Camino School, 5020 San Simeon Drive. Review the attached files for more information. Cyril AF6GW's wife teaches at El Camino so if Cyril is around, he will probably be able to get us to the right people if we need something. If you want to participate, just be there between 5:15 and 6:00pm ready to go. Because of my work, I won't arrive until about 6:00. If you get there early, try to secure two tables for us and ask where we can exhibit the Rover nearby. Call me on the phone (637-0985) if there are any issues. The event primarily takes place indoors, but we can probably set up the Rover nearby outside. This is our first time at this school so we need to play it by ear a little. I'll bring my portable ATV setup, my laptop with slow-scan programs and images, and one or two robots. We would like someone to bring the Rover and set up an operating radio on 2-meters or HF (or both) so we can show off ham radio. All hams are welcome to explain ham radio to the kids and peak their interest in our exciting hobby. Handouts are a good idea if you have something appropriate. I have my ATV flyer and a couple dozen flyers announcing the Tech Class on April 4. Please participate by helping in the demonstration or just attend to give us moral support. The more, the merrier. Contact me on my cell at 637-0985 if you have any questions. See you there, Rod Fritz, WB9KMO

1 0

QRP Dinner this Friday before the SBARC meeting
by auditron 17 Feb '09

17 Feb '09

QRP Dinner this Friday before the SBARC meeting Guess what! The QRP Special Interest Group (SIG) will be going to dinner together this Friday night before the February SBARC club meeting. Come and join us. We always have a very nice time, talk QRP, and down some of the best Italian food in Goleta. We go to Presto Pasta, which is at 5764 Calle Real. We start showing up there at 5:30 PM. We hams wait until all have arrived before starting to eat, just like one pig waits for another! After dinner, we will drive over to Fairview Ave., turn right and go less than 0.25 mile to the Goleta Union School District facility, which is right across the street from the Goleta Library. That is where we hold our monthly club meetings. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Rob Griffin, K6YR. Rob is the Manager of the ARRL Santa Barbara Section. He hails from San Luis Obispo. Rob is also the Manager of the Pacific Area Net (PAN) of the National Traffic System (NTS). If you have ever wanted to know what handling traffic is all about, you sure don't want to miss this very interesting presentation by a fellow who lives and breathes traffic. Don't forget to bring your quality junque to deposit on the "free-to-good-home" table as well as take home your share of what others have deposited thereon. Please bring your dues for the year with you if you haven't already taken care of that. You can go to our club's website and print out a membership application. Then you can fill it out before you come to the club meeting and turn it in. Be sure to get your share of raffle tickets for the drawing and, if you get a chance, please bring along some refreshments to put alongside the coffee pot. See you Friday. Darryl Widman, KF6DI ____________________________________________________________ Click now for professionally poured concrete solutions! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2976i02kfMvTl9PEoQZP4aVLS…

1 0

Cessation of DF by NOAA
by Bill Talanian 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Cessation of detection and direction finding of 121.5/243.0 MHz distress beacons by NOAA.

1 0

Bill Lake, WB6RIJ, SK
by auditron 27 Jan '09

27 Jan '09

An old SBARC member from years ago, Bill Lake, WB6JRI, just became a Silent Key. This from Jiri Polivka who gave us an inspiring talk on the science of Radio Telescopes at our January club meeting. Dear Dave (K6VML): With a great sorrow I have just learned that our dear colleague and friend at Spacek Labs, Mr.Bill Lake, has passed away this morning. Please inform the SBARC that his key will remain silent since today. Before my talk in January, several SBARC members knew him. At this moment I do not remember his W6 call but they know. Best regards, Jiri Polivka ____________________________________________________________ Click to get a free auto insurance quotes from top companies. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2PNPlrdBwdpeACi329YvNbK8V…

1 0

Garage Sale Tomorrow
by Marvin Johnston 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

Just a reminder that I'll be having a garage sale tomorrow (Saturday) rain or shine from 8:00Am to noonish. The types of stuff will be similar to what we have at the SBARC Bazaar. I put up a listing of *some* of the stuff on Craigslist at: https://accounts.craigslist.org/post/shwpst?pii=1004817703&db=lv Thanks! Marvin, KE6HTS

1 1

digital TV antennas
by ke6dcj 22 Jan '09

22 Jan '09

Hey guys & gals, I received this DTV antenna question from a friend who's having problems with her setup. My only thinking is that the amplifier has raised the "noise floor" all around, and now that's she's higher, she's more directional. I'm recommending removing the amplifier. What do you think ? 73's, Neil / KE6DCJ ================== I am having a problem with my antenna and TV setups here. As mentioned before, I have been running off an antenna hanging inside the garage just over the roof of the Mercedes. I live not quite in a direct line between Chicago and Milwaukee. Heading of 172 degrees and 57 miles to Chicago, and 358 degrees and about 30 miles to Milwaukee. The antenna was pointing (roughly) at Chicago, I got most of the Chicago stations very well, most of the time. (CBS is always bad). And most of the time, I also got Milwaukee just fine. Once in a while, with bad weather, one city's stations or the other would not come in as well. But some of these are duplicate's (like 2 ABC stations etc.), so on the whole it worked well. Well about a month ago, I decided to "improve the situation". I moved the antenna up to the roof, so it has an increased height of about 20 or more. I also installed a rotator and an amplifier. The cable run is no longer, but because of the amplifier, there are two more carefully checked connections. I wanted to do this before the permanent winter accumulation of snow had deposited itself on the roof. It is now snowed over. Now when I point the antenna at Chicago, I get the Chicago stations very well, even better than before. BUT, I cannot receive the Milwaukee stations at all. And the same for the other directions. Point it at Milwaukee, cannot see the Chicago stations. So you ask, what's the problem? In order to watch ANY station on either of the TVs, you have to do a channel scan. You CANNOT add a station that is not found by the TV in its automatic scan. You can subtract a channel, but not add one. You cannot even punch the the numbers (like 04.1) for a channel that was not found and loaded into the menu by the automatic scan. SO, if I point the antenna at Chicago and do the scan, I can only watch those stations until I rotate the antenna and rerun the automatic scan (a process that can take 10-15 minutes) if I want to watch a Milwaukee station. And the stations are not all duplicates, and I really want the ability to receive both. It is so frustrating !!!! And I don't get why the "bi-directional" reception has degraded so much, when the individual channels (in the specific direction) seem to have improved ??? I know that there are many experts on everything on this list ......... any ideas.

2 1

digital TV antennas
by neils 21 Jan '09

21 Jan '09

Hey guys, I received this from a friend who's having problems with her digital TV setup. My only thinking is that the amplifier has raised the "noise floor" all around, and now that's she's higher, she's more directional. I'm recommending removing the amplifier. What do you think ? 73's, Neil / KE6DCJ ================== I am having a problem with my antenna and TV setups here. As mentioned before, I have been running off an antenna hanging inside the garage just over the roof of the Mercedes. I live not quite in a direct line between Chicago and Milwaukee. Heading of 172 degrees and 57 miles to Chicago, and 358 degrees and about 30 miles to Milwaukee. The antenna was pointing (roughly) at Chicago, I got most of the Chicago stations very well, most of the time. (CBS is always bad). And most of the time, I also got Milwaukee just fine. Once in a while, with bad weather, one city's stations or the other would not come in as well. But some of these are duplicate's (like 2 ABC stations etc.), so on the whole it worked well. Well about a month ago, I decided to "improve the situation". I moved the antenna up to the roof, so it has an increased height of about 20 or more. I also installed a rotator and an amplifier. The cable run is no longer, but because of the amplifier, there are two more carefully checked connections. I wanted to do this before the permanent winter accumulation of snow had deposited itself on the roof. It is now snowed over. Now when I point the antenna at Chicago, I get the Chicago stations very well, even better than before. BUT, I cannot receive the Milwaukee stations at all. And the same for the other directions. Point it at Milwaukee, cannot see the Chicago stations. So you ask, what's the problem? In order to watch ANY station on either of the TVs, you have to do a channel scan. You CANNOT add a station that is not found by the TV in its automatic scan. You can subtract a channel, but not add one. You cannot even punch the the numbers (like 04.1) for a channel that was not found and loaded into the menu by the automatic scan. SO, if I point the antenna at Chicago and do the scan, I can only watch those stations until I rotate the antenna and rerun the automatic scan (a process that can take 10-15 minutes) if I want to watch a Milwaukee station. And the stations are not all duplicates, and I really want the ability to receive both. It is so frustrating !!!! And I don't get why the "bi-directional" reception has degraded so much, when the individual channels (in the specific direction) seem to have improved ??? I know that there are many experts on everything on this list ......... any ideas.

1 0

Electronic "Stuff" Garage Sale on Saturday
by Marvin Johnston 20 Jan '09

20 Jan '09

Hi everyone, Continuing with the moving of "stuff", I'm having a garage sale this Saturday, January 24th, in the front yard. There will be a lot of industrial control type stuff, electronic parts, shrink tubing, probably non-working test equipment, inexpensive crystal controlled HTs, and lots more. Anything that I consider to be junk, i.e. stuff for parts, will be either gone to that electronic scrapyard in the sky or put in a free pile that will end up at the dump. Since I have friends that are in the same boat as I am, we might be able to match the amount of "stuff" we try to have at the SBARC bazaar depending on how much "stuff" they want to get rid of. The sale starts about 8:00AM and will continue on to noon or thereabouts at my house located at: 408 Grove Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Thanks! Marvin, KE6HTS

1 0

Narda Model 369bnm High Power Termination
by Marvin Johnston 19 Jan '09

19 Jan '09

Hi everyone, I have a number of Narda Model 369BNM high power terminations (currently 8 or so.) These are rated at 175 watts for the range of .7 to 18 GHz. The fact that they start at .7 GHz implies they are not suitable for HF or VHF work. You can get more information on the Narda website at: http://www.nardamicrowave.com/east/index.php?m=Products&e=details&id=1227 A bit of Google research shows the asking price to be $175.00 - $275.00, but these are available for $20.00 each (the person I'm selling them for wants to see them gone.) Give me an email *soon* if you are interested as I'll be contact some surplus dealers about these tomorrow. This $20.00 price is for SBARC members only.

1 0

Jump to page:

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

SBARC-list