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TNC FCC licensing
by Bill Talanian 05 May '18

05 May '18

To: All Islanders The TNC recently received notice from the FCC relative to the 10 year renewal of their business band license WQIY244. Wow, its been ten years already. The TNC supports two repeaters on Santa Cruz Island. One at Diablo Peak and the other at Valley Peak. Same frequency, different PL's. In addition their system consists of two fixed based stations plus several mobiles and many HT's. Their entire system was designed and built during the wide-band era which evolved into narrow-band. Rebanding required a total replacement of their repeaters. This repeater system has outlasted all other forms of radio communications systems on the Island including a heavy investment of cellular equipment which eventually was abandoned by two cellular providers. The radio repeater system (mobile relay) was designed built and maintained all during this period by radio amateur personnel. FCC licensing is quite challenging especially when dealing with license modification and station relocation. To the uninitiated this is very time consuming and technical language that is not always understood. The opportunity was again taken over by our personnel and a new license was acquired through the frequency coordinator. Today I received some kind words from Scott Meyler the new Island Program Coordinator for TNC. He is very appreciative of our service to TNC by taking off the pressure in handling the licensing. My personal thanks to all of you out there that have played a part over the years in helping TNC with communications and personnel safety. There is a lot of good-will here that will help maintain our presence on SCI well into the future. Bill Talanian K6TZ Trustee

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Digital Hotspot Frequencies
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Hotspot Users: I posed some guidance on hotspot frequency usage on our SBARC DMR page: https://www.sbarc.org/dmr-digital-mobile-radio/ This is guidance from SCRRBA, the 70cm band frequency coordinators in SoCal, and we should play nice on the band so that DMR users are known as good citizen hams. I know from maintaining the La Vigia K6TZ DMR repeater that digital can cause heck on the bands when configured improperly. With summer inversion ducting just around the corner, now is a good time to address this important issue. SCRRBA suggests that folks with digital hotspots waste no time in relocating to one of the digital sub-band channels specifically set aside for this use: 431.0125 MHz, 431.025 MHz or 431.0375 MHz. If you have neighbors close by who use DMR or are up on a promontory, you might consider using higher frequencies between 431.0375 and 431.600 MHz in 0.0125 MHz (12.5 KHz) increments. Remember, it isn’t the hotspot with its puny output that is the issue but the 5W+ HT or mobile that you are talking on that WILL cause interference if use on the wrong frequencies. Analog and weak signal users will become frustrated with us digital folk who are not following the band plan. Since we are lucky enough to have a fairly large band segment dedicated to digital hotspot use, we should use it (or lose it)! LCM 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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Boy Scout Camporee Events - Tomorrow, Saturday 4/21/2018
by Bill Talanian 20 Apr '18

20 Apr '18

-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [vc-acs] Boy Scout Camporee Events - Tomorrow, Saturday 4/21/2018 Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:04:36 +0000 From: Robert Hanson W6RH <w6rh(a)hotmail.com> To: main(a)vc-acs.groups.io <main(a)vc-acs.groups.io> Hello all! There are *two* Boy Scout Camporee events tomorrow, Saturday 4/21/2018 -- and we'd love to have you talk to our scouts on the air (or even drop by and help, if you like!)! If you'd like to talk to our scouts, please monitor the WD6EBY/PVARC repeater network on Saturday, where both groups will be out talking to amateurs (and each other). There's a (large) number of repeaters you can get into WD6EBY's network, however, most likely you'll either be able to get in on Sulphur Mountain (145.200 -127.3, 445.56 -141.3) or Chatsworth Peak (145.240 -127.3, 445.84 -141.3). Full list here: https://www.pvarc.club/repeater-systems/ In addition, we'll be simplex on the ACS Moorpark frequency of 146.535. We'll also be on some combination of 40m, 20m, and 15m, depending on bands, how busy things are, etc. *The two sites are:* Conejo District Camporee – * lower property of Elegant Gardens Nursery (2046 Tierra Rejada Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021) - parking is *very* limited. - operating hours approx 9am until 4pm * Corriganville Park (7001 Smith Rd,Simi Valley CA 93063) - main operating hours 12 to 5pm Between the two sites, we're expecting to show off amateur radio to between 1500 to 2500 people (scouts and adults). I appreciate all the help from MANY amateurs on these events. (particularly the Corriganville Park site, where AG6AG is heading the charge -- last minute request by that BSA group just a few days ago!!!). Ben AI6YR ps. For additional challenge, if you want to find the site the *hard* way, follow the RDF beacon that Doug, WA6RJN, will be operating for a special transmitter hunt competition we are running for scouts at the Conejo District Camporee site in Moorpark ;-) 146.565 _,_.___

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ARDF Practice at Lake Carnaros on Saturday, April 7
by Marvin Johnston 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

The weather forecasters keep reducing the chance of rain on Saturday. It's now below 20% and any rain is expected to be very light. So we're moving forward with our ARDF session at Lake Los Carneros in Goleta on April 7. There will be easy transmitters for beginners plus a five-fox ARDF course around the lake, starting at 10 AM. A limited amount of RDF gear will be available for loan to beginners. If you want to build a kit for a two-meter measuring-tape antenna and/or attenuator, you need to register with Marvin Johnston (marvin(a)west.net) right away and be there at 9 AM. The complete Tape Measure Beam kit is $65.00 and includes everything except a short cable to connect the antenna to your HT... male BNC on one end, and whatever your HT antenna connector is on the other end. 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. You may start out on the ARDF course at any time until 12 noon. Courses close at 2 PM. For those interested, we will meet at a local restaurant after all the transmitters have been picked up for further discussion of ARDF. 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 hunt start will probably be in the parking lot. If that is too crowded, we will move to a nearby picnic area. Ham radio talk-in is on the WB6OBB repeater, 147.000(+) PL 131.8. 73, Joe Moell K0OV

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Royce Stauffer, KO6PM, SK
by Darryl Widman 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

Royce Stauffer, KO6PM, was a friend of mine! I remember when he and Millie, the love of his life, first came around and became active members of SBARC. When he would obtain a new radio, it wouldn't be too long before I would get a call from him for a little hands-on instruction on how to work it. It was always a fun drive over to Royce and Millie's concrete block house at the foot of Toro Canyon (which he personally built) to spend some quality time with the two of them. Royce may have been a chemist, but he was not an electronics person. Operating many of the newer radios did not come easy to him. In fact, on several occasions, Royce would bring a couple of radios to our SBARC Club meetings and I spotted him making a bee-line to me after he came in the door. "Here, I can't get anywhere with these. Take them." I asked him if he wanted them back once I got them working. He told me to find a good home for them, which I was happy to do. There are are few lucky hams around who, unbeknownst to them, have Royce's radios! When Millie went to Ham Heaven, Royce's life completely changed. He was never the same again. A few times, Royce came to our gatherings after losing his most favorite person in the world. Anyone could tell that he was not the same person anymore. It was as if his heart had been ripped out from him. Royce was such a sweet person and all his friends felt his loss deeply. Earlier last month, I felt that I should give a call to Royce as we had not seen him around for quite a while. I don't know how that idea popped into my head. Now I find out that, most likely, no one would have answered his phone as he was already in Heaven. Have you been thinking about calling anyone? My suggestion would be to do it now! 73, my good friend, Royce. didididadidah Darryl Widman, KF6DI

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Reminder: Los Carnaros ARDF Practice April 5
by Marvin Johnston 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Just a reminder, next Saturday morning will be our So. Cal. ARDF practice. The course itself will be around 1 - 2 miles and rated easy. More information on the homingin website at: http://www.homingin.com Thanks! Marvin, KE6HTS P.S. Saying of the day, some people collect things for a hobby. Geeks collect hobbies.

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145.18 PL change
by Bill Talanian 24 Mar '18

24 Mar '18

To: SBARC ListServer Change of PL The 145.18 repeater at Santa Ynez Peak was formerly using 131.8 PL in and out. It was found when 145.18 and 145.16 were both in transmit that interference was caused to a government supported repeater also operating on 131.8. To alleviate the problem the output PL of 145.18 was changed to 146.2. The input PL remains as 131.8. No change was made to the 145.16 repeater PL. This is a temporary move until we can make system changes to eliminate or reduce the intermod products.

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FRAUD ALERT: "ground stability testing”
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM 22 Mar '18

22 Mar '18

The County of Santa Barbara is warning of the below attempt to defraud area residents. FRAUD ALERT: Postings like the one in this photo have been put up throughout #Montecito & #SantaBarbara. These are NOT OFFICIAL flyers & there is NO "ground stability testing" being conducted on personal property. If anyone attempts to enter your property call 9-1-1 immediately. LCM 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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Best batteries
by Levi C. Maaia - K6LCM 17 Mar '18

17 Mar '18

In light of the meeting topic last night here's something for your less intense battery needs... I thought this study might interest our ham community. It confirms what many of us already suspected, that Kirkland batteries from Costco are the best value and nearly identical to the leading Duracell cells. Make sure you look at the attached graphic I found on Reddit which visualizes the data from the study. http://m.nbc12.com/story/18276282/which-batteries-last-longest

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Next ARDF at Los Carneros on April 7
by Marvin Johnston 16 Mar '18

16 Mar '18

The next southern California on-foot transmitter hunting session will be Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Lake Los Carneros Park in Goleta. A ham radio license and knowledge of radio equipment are not required. A limited amount of RDF gear will be available for loan to beginners. Besides some easy two-meter fox transmitters just to help you learn and test your equipment, there will be a beginner-level international-rules course on the two-meter band, designed by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more optional 80-meter fox transmitters may also be on the air. 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. For those who want to build RD F 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. There will be tools and soldering stations for building. If you're not an electronic technician, don't worry because there will be experts to help you. We want you to succeed! If you want to build an antenna/attenuator kit, you must register in advance. Send e-mail to Marvin (marvin(a)west.net) to pre-register and get more information about equipment. 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 9:00 AM. Please be prompt. Transmitter hunting will begin about 10:00 AM. You may start out on the course s at any time until 12 noon. Courses close at 2 PM. For those interested, we will meet at a local restaurant after all the transmitters have been picked up for further discussion of ARDF. 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 hunt start will probably be in the parking lot. If that is too crowded, we will move to a nearby picnic area. Ham radio talk-in is on the WB6OBB repeater, 147.000(+) PL 131.8. If heavy rain is forecasted, check www.homingin.com on April 6 for possible cancellation. 73, Joe Moell K0OV www.homingin.com

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