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2720 discussions

Remote VE sessions
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

Hi Everyone, While the pandemic has made in-person amateur radio testing nearly impossible, it is actually easier than ever to obtain or upgrade your amateur radio license! Several VE groups doing large-scale, remotely administered exams every day, completely online. Typically one only needs a computer with a camera, microphone and a reliable, broadband internet connection as well as a quiet space in which to take the exam. We have posted information about this on the SBARC site. If you or someone you know might be interested in a remote exam, please see this page: https://www.sbarc.org/home/ve-sessions/ Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM Director at Large | K6TZ Trustee Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation www.levi.maaia.com | www.k6lcm.com +1.805.604.5384

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FM Simplex Nodes
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 23 Oct '20

23 Oct '20

Hi Everyone! Over the past few months there has been a lot of new interest in FM simplex nodes for AllStarLink and EchoLink. These low power devices allow users to connect to remote VoIP nodes and repeater systems using an internet connection and an HT. Most opt to buy or build a device on 70cm. A couple years ago SBARC expert consultant Matt W6XC identified a few frequencies around 431 MHz that were useful for digital hotspots like the OpenSpot and ZumSpot. But these frequencies are NOT appropriate for analog FM nodes. Matt suggests the following options for low power FM usage: 440.000/445.000; 446.860/441.860; 446.880/441.880 may be used as pairs for a low-power duplex node or as separate simplex node frequencies. Please listen to these frequencies with low squelch settings and no CTCSS for a few days before permanently parking your node here to see if and how these frequencies are used. FM simplex nodes are best PL/CTCSS protected, especially if they are left connected to a system like K6TZ or WIN System. Definitely avoid 446.000 altogether. This is the National Calling Frequency for 70cm. 446.500 and 446.520 are "General Simplex” frequencies. Others many want to use these for simplex QSOs or other itinerant purposes so please don’t park your node on any of these three frequencies. 440 is tough given the lack of simplex allocations. It's a truly stuffed band! If you are interested in these FM VoIP nodes, consider the ClearNode and SHARI projects. Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM Director at Large Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation www.levi.maaia.com | www.k6lcm.com +1.805.604.5384

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New hams need help: Local frequency wiki
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 15 Oct '20

15 Oct '20

Hello, On the Thursday evening SBARC Technical Mentoring Net (8-9pm 146.79) we have a number of new hams who are looking to fill their memory banks with local frequencies of interest. Obviously there are repeater databases online like repeaterbook.com with great, up-to-date information about frequencies and PL tones and other details. But repeater books and sites often lack local knowledge and a human touch including information such as: when routine nets take place, what the locals call the repeater (e.g. "Dennis’ repeater," "Calli’s repeater," "the Bozo machine”) and if it is linked to a wider area network. Even more of interest today is that many seldom used FM repeaters are being converted to DMR and SystemFusion machines, which hams may wish to selectively avoid or include in their scans, depending on their needs and equipment. I’m hoping we can crowdsource a local frequency resource using a publicly editable Google Sheet. Please take a look and contribute what you can. PLEASE NOTE: there are tabs at the bottom of the sheet for Public Safety, Amateur Radio in SB and Amateur Radio in Ventura. Please be sure to mind the category you are in as you make contributions. Direct link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lgq4dXbCoYjWa7PG34BjF8crM5wEdTe382x… Can also be found on the SBARC site at: https://www.sbarc.org/local-frequency-list/ Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM Director at Large Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation www.levi.maaia.com +1.805.604.5384

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Wouxen Programming Cable
by Nick Shearer 15 Oct '20

15 Oct '20

Good Evening everyone, I am a new member of the club, and also just received my Technician class license! I am studying to take my general in the next month or two here. I was checking to see if anyone has a programming cord I could possibly borrow to program my base radio that’s in my truck. I have the RL software but I seemed to have misplaced my cable and it’s a few weeks out it looks like even through Amazon. It looks like this. Thank you so much and I look forward to getting more involved and hoping to learn quite a bit from the group as I know there is so much to learn. - KN6LIS, Nick (downtown SB area)

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FCC Proposal for Amateur Application Fees
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 25 Sep '20

25 Sep '20

Fellow SBARC Members: Some of you may have seen information about an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes to impose a $50 application fee for all transactions with the FCC Universal Licensing System. This would mean implementing a $50 fee to apply for and renew an amateur radio license. This will have a very serious chilling effect on our hobby and service if implemented. While $5/year may not seem like much for a 10-year license term, having to pay $50 (+ $15 for ARRL VE testing), could mean far fewer interest from new hams, especially younger prospects, and an inability for existing hams with fixed and low incomes to afford renewals. I hope you will take a few moments to leave public comments on the FCC. Click the link below and then click the + Express link in the left sidebar to pre-fill the form with the correct docket number. https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=20-270&sort=date_d… The FCC does listen to public comments. Taking a few moments now could mean the difference between preserving amateur radio well into the future or seeing its elimination in the near term. Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM k6lcm(a)maaia.com www.levi.maaia.com +1 805.604.5384 voice/text

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Sigurd R. Wathne of Santa Barbara, 1926-2020 | Obituaries - Noozhawk.com
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 23 Sep '20

23 Sep '20

Noozhawk had a nice obituary for Sig: https://www.noozhawk.com/article/sigurd_r._wathne_of_santa_barbara_1926-2020 LCM Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM k6lcm(a)maaia.com www.levi.maaia.com +1 805.604.5384 voice/text

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Free
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 17 Sep '20

17 Sep '20

SBARC Members, An SBARC member and aspiring ham has a tower and antennas available for free if anyone is willing to haul it away. See below and photos attached. Contact Johnnie Espinoza je93109(a)yahoo.com if you want more details. LCM Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM k6lcm(a)maaia.com www.levi.maaia.com +1 805.604.5384 voice/text From: Johnnie Espinoza <je93109(a)yahoo.com> Reply: Johnnie Espinoza <je93109(a)yahoo.com> Date: September 17, 2020 at 16:32:41 To: k6lcm(a)maaia.com <k6lcm(a)maaia.com> Subject: Antenna Donation Hello Levi, I am wondering if the club would be interested in a antenna that I will be moving next month. Please take a look at the attached photos and let me know if the club has any interest. There would be NO COST to the club. I am a club member still working on my license. Thanks, John Espinoza Sent from my iPhone

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QST Magazines
by Marvin Johnston 15 Sep '20

15 Sep '20

I have about the last three years of QST that are heading to recycle. If anyone wants them, let me know. This could happen by Wednesday when trash gets picked up here. Thanks! Marvin, KE6HTS

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Sig Wathne, W6LGK, passed Monday evening. We will celebrate his life after Covid19 @ the Elks Lodge
by Marvin Johnston 14 Sep '20

14 Sep '20

I've known Sig since the time he was working for Brown Medical back circa 1980 where I was also making some of their circuit boards. I also made some of the circuit boards used in his reflow machines when he moved out to the airport. He has always been one of my favorite people since he embodied (to me) how a gentleman always acted. His stories about his time in Norway in WWII times were always fun to listen to (they are also related in his book.) My favorite was when the Germans were coming house to house searching for radios. He took the radio and "stored" it in the latrine. For some reason, the Germans never checked that thus saving his and his families lives. Sig gave a most entertaining talk at a SBARC meeting some years ago where he told about his ham radio times (among other things.) I was happy to hear that Kale (his son) took over running Sakama when Sig retired a few years ago. Sig, you will be missed!!! Marvin, KE6HTS

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Re: [Sbarc-list] Dear Sweet Sig Wathne, W6LGK, passed Monday evening. We will celebrate his life after Covid19 @ the Elks Lodge
by Bill Talanian 14 Sep '20

14 Sep '20

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