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SBARC Field Day
by Tom Saunders 11 Jun '06

11 Jun '06

SBARC Members Field Day is Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25. The location is in Goleta, near the Stow House and Goleta Depot. To get there, take 101 and exit Los Carneros North. The Field Day site is just ½ mile north of 101 (Los Carneros and Covington Way). We will setup Friday afternoon beginning at 1 PM. Operation will start Saturday morning at 11 and end Sunday morning at 11. The club will run a 2A club station using the communications van and the rover vehicles. Field Day setup will be very easy this year. We will use the antenna masts on each of these vehicles. We still need a few more operators for this event. This location is very visible to the public. We also need members to greet visitors. Please reply to this email if you are available for either of these positions. We are planning a BBQ picnic for Sunday, June 25 at 4 PM. All club members and guests are invited to this picnic and to visit our Field Day operation. A no-host dinner meeting will be held Tuesday, June 20, 6:30 PM, at the Turnpike IHOP to discuss this event. Tom Saunders, N6YX

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Responding to your message
by Darryl A. Widman 08 Jun '06

08 Jun '06

This from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer on June 8, 2006 Darryl Widman, KF6DI Santa Barbara, CA Dear Mr. Widman: Thank you for contacting me regarding broadband over power lines (BPL), which is the transmittal of broadband signals over electric power lines. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue. President Bush has expressed his support for BPL as a viable method for increasing broadband access throughout the United States . However, there is concern that BPL interferes with the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupts radio communication, including emergency communications. As you may know, Congress is currently considering broad telecommunications reform legislation. In the House of Representatives, one major bill (H.R.5252) contains a provision that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a study of the potential effects of BPL on radio communications. The major bill before the Senate (S.2686) contains no such provision. However, the Senate Commerce Committee, of which I am a member, will hold a hearing on S.2686 on June 13, 2006; it is possible that BPL issues will be considered at this time. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as legislation on this issue progresses. Again, thank you for writing to me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about this or any other issue of concern to you. Barbara Boxer United States Senator Please visit my website at http://boxer.senate.gov

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Santa Maria Swapfest
by Marvin Johnston 08 Jun '06

08 Jun '06

Hi everyone, The Santa Maria Swapfest is coming up in about a week and a half on Saturday, June 17th, starting at 8:00 AM. The location will again be at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge parking lot at 1309 North Bradley Road. Admission and parking is free for buyers and $15.00 for sellers. You can see or download the flyer at http://www.satellitearc.com/2006swapfest.htm. See you there!

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WB9KMO Video on the Internet
by Rod Fritz 03 Jun '06

03 Jun '06

Take a peek into WB9KMO Video on the Internet... In case you haven't tried the following "webcam" websites lately, you may want to take a peek. They are more reliable and more active now. Each webcam has a chat room attached for real-time interactive communication. I'm not always in the chat room in spite of being listed there - my connection is required by camstreams.com to keep the webcam active. Right now, only three users can see video at a time (I'm trying to allow more), but all can use the chat room. If you don't get video when you connect, click the refresh button on your browser or try again later. Send questions and comments to HYPERLINK "mailto:wb9kmo@sbarc.org"wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org. WB9KMO ATV Repeater - HYPERLINK "http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com"http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com - This is the output of the WB9KMO ATV Repeater in Santa Barbara, CA. Amateur Television Network (ATN) video is shown live from several ATV repeaters in Nevada and Southern California. Audio is mixed in from other local ham repeaters on 145.75 (simplex SSTV), 146.79 and 224.86 MHz. The stream is active 24x7 with live audio and video and a slideshow during idle times. You're most likely to see live activity on weekends and evenings, especially Sunday morning and Tuesday evening (USA, Pacific Time). WB9KMO Ham Radio Video Library - HYPERLINK "http://kmovideo.camstreams.com"http://kmovideo.camstreams.com - This is a continuous loop of several ham radio-related video recordings. Please contribute your ham radio video so it can be included in the loop (HYPERLINK "mailto:wb9kmo@sbarc.org"wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org). The current clips are Monroe School ISS Contact (15 minutes), DARPA Grand Challenge - Ghostrider (5 minutes), DARPA Grand Challenge - Stanley Wins! (5 minutes), JOTA - Jamboree On The Air (15 minutes) and SBARC Tesla Presentation (50 minutes) - times are approximate. WB9KMO Webcam - HYPERLINK "http://kmocam.camstreams.com"http://kmocam.camstreams.com - This is a live webcam in my ham shack. If I'm there, say hi to me in the chat room. If I notice you're there, I'll be happy to chat with you. You're most likely to see me on Tuesday nights. Most of the time there's not much going on, but check it out anyway - Rodney the Robot is in the lower left corner waving hello. WB9KMO Mobile Webcam - HYPERLINK "http://kmomobile.camstreams.com"http://kmomobile.camstreams.com - This is still in development and it isn't on very much of the time yet. It's a webcam I take with me when I'm away from home. I'll try to make it active as much as I can, as long as I have Internet access so I can send the video stream. Sending a stream from hotels is sometimes possible (firewalls - yuck!), but I hope to also send from my van to cover local events. Eventually, I'll probably show clips of prior travels when I'm not transmitting live. Take a look from time to time, but be patient with this one. I hope you enjoy a peek into WB9KMO Video on the Internet. If you're inclined, I encourage you to put your own webcam on the Internet. The website I use, HYPERLINK "http://www..camstreams.com"http://www..camstreams.com, makes it pretty easy and it's free! 73, Rod WB9KMO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.1/354 - Release Date: 6/1/2006

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"Old Timers Night" this Friday night
by Darryl A. Widman 15 May '06

15 May '06

Dear fellow ham, This Friday night is "Old Timers Night" at our SBARC May meeting. This is the one meeting of the year that you don't want to miss! This will be your opportunity to stand up and let us all know what it was like back when you were first licensed. How many years ago was that? You're kidding! Funny, you sure don't look that old. Also, this May meeting will commemorate the 86th year of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club. Vas you dere, Charlie? A few of our oldest will hopefully be in attendance and tell us about the good old days. Another treat is the assortment of vintage gear, Amateur Radio or otherwise, that some of our members have collected and want to bring to the meeting and show it off. If you would like to bring some of your ancient relics, please consider labeling them with your name, call, what it is the folks are looking at and how you used it, if you did. This promises to be a delightful gathering of hams and stuff and stories! Do try to be there. And, if you are able, consider bringing a few goodies for the refreshment table. The meeting is at our regular spot -- the Goleta Union School District board room, 401 N. Fairview Ave., right across the street from the Goleta Lobrary. This is about 0.25 mile north (mountain side) of the 101 freeway. The meeting gets under way at 7:30 P.M., but get there early so you can look around, have some eyeball QSOs and shake some hands. There is a Free to Good Home table where you can bring ham related stuff you don't want any more and take home someone else's stuff, too. If your stuff is not taken by anyone, please take it back home with you. We have no way to dispose of it for you. Let's pack the room and have a great time together. See you there! 73, Darryl Widman, KF6DI SBARC Director at Large

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The Best Kept Secret Today...
by Rod Fritz 12 May '06

12 May '06

Not only is there live Amateur Television on Internet, but there are also replays of videos that might look familiar to you. In fact, you may be in them! There's a new web page: HYPERLINK "http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com"http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com that you might want to check out. Right now, there is a replay of the SBARC Tesla Presentation made by Bill Wysock N6UXW. Watch for other presentations, as well as live ATV video. If you have a video that you would like placed in the loop, email me at HYPERLINK "mailto:wb9kmo@sbarc.org"wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org. Enjoy, Rod WB9KMO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.6/336 - Release Date: 5/10/2006

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My video streams are finally on the air!
by Rod Fritz 09 May '06

09 May '06

Hello Don and all, Check out the following URLs: HYPERLINK "http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com"http://wb9kmo.camstreams.com - My Amateur Television Repeater, watch Tuesday nights after 7:30pm Pacific Time HYPERLINK "http://kmocam.camstreams.com"http://kmocam.camstreams.com - My Office/Ham Shack, the camera is dark unless I'm active there Cheers! Rod -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006

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FRS and Amateur Radio
by Bill Talanian 05 May '06

05 May '06

5/5/2006 To: Distribution From: Bill Talanian, Trustee K6TZ It is a fact that in recent years our SBARC repeaters have gone fallow. The reasons vary and are not limited to SBARC as this has become a nationwide reality. Many believe the advent of cellular phones and the Internet has taken away the clientele from the once active repeater systems. Perhaps it is time to rethink how we may better use this asset for the general good in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The below article suggests that Amateurs could monitor the Family Radio Service (FRS) channels during emergencies and assist the general public. But it also points out the limitations of the FRS HT's. Looking at this in a different light we know that repeaters are generally located on high places and oversee large urban areas. Rather than have Amateurs monitor FRS channels and repeat the traffic there is a case for repeating these distress signals over repeater systems during emergencies. The infrastructure to monitor the FRS channels is relatively in place. Integration of the FRS channels is similar to what we now do with the 2 and 6 meter remote base systems. Total reciprocity using an FRS HT may not always be there but it is far better to use an existing repeater system than to have Amateurs listening from their home locations. If a National SOS system ever becomes a reality we need to have this process vetted through the ARES and Club leadership. All I am suggestion is the machinery to accomplish this task is pretty much in place. Mobile Radio Technology Wavelengths [] National SOS initiative sounds good -- at least in theory By Glenn Bischoff May 5, 2006 A grassroots initiative -- dubbed the National SOS Radio Network -- that announced new support this week (see story below) proposes leveraging FRS radios to create a de facto emergency communications network that the public could use when traditional wireline and wireless communications networks have been rendered inoperable. On the surface, the idea has some merit. According to National SOS, about 100 million FRS-compatible radios already are in the hands of the public nationwide, a figure that's expected to grow by about 12 million radios each year. The idea is that users could transmit mayday messages that would be received by ham operators and GMRS users monitoring FRS Channel 1. Given that there are about 700,000 licensed hams in the U.S. -- who already provide invaluable lifeline communications during crises -- and another 70,000 licensed GMRS users, it seems the infrastructure is in place to make the proposal a reality. However, there are a few problems that need to be addressed before the National SOS Radio Network comes to fruition -- chief among them is that the national organization that represents amateur radio operators seemingly is unaware of the initiative. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner told me that my call to him seeking comment was the first he'd heard of it. "ARRL is a big organization -- we have 148,000 members -- so I can't swear the conversation hasn't occurred somewhere, but it's not anything I'm aware of," Sumner said. That struck me as odd, given that the entire success of the initiative depends on the involvement of the hams. Sumner agreed. "In principle, in a particular area where there was a concerted effort to organize amateurs to do this, something might come of it," he said. "But just saying there's a program doesn't make it so." There are other pressing challenges. Eric Knight, founder of National SOS, claims that amateur radio operators will be able to receive FRS signals from as far as 17 miles away. But an ARRL spokesman told me that range depends on nearly perfect line-of-sight conditions and that a more typical range is about 4 miles -- a lot depends on terrain and the sensitivity of the receiving equipment. Also, to optimize performance, a ham would use an outdoor antenna designed for the FRS frequencies. Unfortunately, such antennas don't exist, according to Sumner. "FRS radios were deliberately designed so that you can't hook an outdoor antenna to them [because] they're not intended for longer-distance communications," he said. "[Hams] using what they have lying around isn't going to provide an optimum result." Another challenge that will have to be overcome, according to Sumner, is that a ham typically wouldn't monitor FRS Channel 1 unless he or she was coached to do so. "There would need to be an organized effort to encourage hams to dedicate equipment to that purpose," he said. "There hasn't been such an effort to this point." Without that effort, National SOS is pointless. Nevertheless, Sumner believes the National SOS initiative represents an idea worth discussing. "There have been some outstanding examples of FRS radios being used to call for help," he said. "There was an incident -- I think it was on Mount Hood (in Oregon) -- a couple of years ago where a pair of FRS radios were able to communicate over probably 40 to 50 miles. ... It might be fertile ground for discussion, but up to this point, I haven't heard the discussion." I agree with Sumner that National SOS deserves a thorough examination. Frankly, I'm surprised Knight hasn't already placed a call to ARRL headquarters. Promoting an initiative -- which was announced last fall -- that relies so heavily on amateur radio operators without first talking with Sumner seems the epitome of placing the proverbial cart before the horse.

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SBARC at Hope Ranch School Science Night
by Tom Saunders 09 Apr '06

09 Apr '06

SBARC Members, SBARC has been invited to participate in Science Night at Hope Ranch School this Thursday evening, April 13. We will bring the Rover and have ham radio demonstrations. This is a great opportunity to show ham radio to the public. We need members to staff this event that would like to demonstrate ham radio and answer questions. We will have HF radio and VHF repeater capability. Also, Rod Fritz will be demonstrating Amateur Television. Hope Ranch School is located at 3970 La Colina in rear parking lot. Setup will begin at 5:00 PM and demonstrations will run from 5:30 to 8 PM. Please call me at 967-7351 if you can participate in this event. Thanks, Tom N6YX

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Amateur Radio magazines
by Darryl A. Widman 08 Apr '06

08 Apr '06

Dear fellow ham, In an effort to make more space in my shack, it appears I will need to find another home for all the Amateur Radio magazines I have been saving up over the years. The ones I need to find a new home for are as follows: Ham Radio box 1 1969 - 1975 box 2 1976 - 1983 QST box 1 1966 - 1971 box 2 1972 - 1975 box 3 1976 - 1979 73 box 1 1976 - 1979 Please take them all. Find a nice place in your shack or in the house somewhere so you may refer to them when you need them. They offer a very nice selection of articles on the older equipment (some of which you may own) and the advertisements are quite entertaining considering some go back over 40 years! The price is right! Give me a call at 805-969-2326 or reply to this e-mail. 73 and hope to hear from you soon. Darryl Widman, KF6DI Santa Barbara

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