Hello SBARC ATVSIG Members and Friends,
I’m very grateful that Cyril AF6GW drove to KTYD yesterday to help me with the projects. Thank you.
We had some success and some disappointment. My brain has been churning today and I have some ideas (underlined) that might help us get where we want to go…
SBARC ATVSIG ROADMAP - These are the projects, priorities, status and plans…
1. 5.8 GHz Link from Oxnard (Won’t it be great to get solid video from L.A.?) – Oxnard is receiving Oat Mtn P5, but no signal is detected in Santa Barbara yet
· Installed new 28dbi antennas, leaving old ones in place; aligned using lasers to spot locations
· Used my Spectrum Analyzer to look for a signal; none was seen
· Cyril is fabricating a calibrated laser mount to attach to the antenna
· Mike WA6SVT is assembling a 5.8 GHz preamp
· Bob W6KGE is investigating how to build a 5.8 GHz driver amp to give us 1-watt at the antenna
· Rod is investigating how to use 5.8 GHz WiFi units (EnGenius EOC-5610) to help align the antennas
· We may try again this evening - or - as soon as we feel we have what we need to succeed
2. 2.4 GHz Audio Level (This will allow you to hear me and the new Club Station TX) – 2.4 GHz is done; others need tweaking
· Determined that the RX only outputs out -10 db audio at 10k ohms, not adjustable
· Increased audio modulation so -10 db at the receivers (controller inputs) and at the controller output produces 100% modulation
· The 2.4 GHz RX audio level is good now; 434 MHz and other RX audio levels (not TX levels) need to be lowered to the -10 db standard (from the original 0 db standard); I plan to make adjustments sometime today
3. Club Station 2.4 GHz Signal Optimization (Ensure a high-quality video signal into the repeater)
· Mount adapter bracket and align 2.4 GHz antenna – K6QD (sometime after Tuesday)
· Identify the source of WiFi interference at KTYD and correct the problem – Need a volunteer or two (Is this the function of the SBARC RFI Committee?)
4. 2.4 GHz Link To Santiago Peak (Won’t it be great to send solid video to L.A.?) – Need to package, test and install equipment
· Draw up a block diagram of modules to be mounted – WB9KMO
· Connect subsystems, test them and ensure that they work properly – Need a couple of volunteers
· Plan the physical layout of modules and connectors in the box – Need a volunteer
· Mount the modules and connectors in the box – Need a volunteer
· Verify that everything works properly – WB9KMO
· Mount the box on the antenna pole at KTYD and connect antennas and feed line – Need a couple of volunteers
· Test the feedline from the bias-T in the equipment rack, apply power and verify proper operation – WB9KMO
· Optimize operation of all systems – WA6SVT
5. SBARC ATVSIG Committee (Increase ATV activity and use ATV regularly in SBARC operations)
· Help plan ATVSIG activities, projects, proposals and purchases – Need a few members to meet regularly, identify action items, assign them and coordinate completion
6. 2.4/5.6 GHz WiFi (This offers incredible flexibility; you may want to try hitting this from your house…) – Starting proof of concept
· I’m looking for someone to take the lead on this project
· I have two EnGenius EOC-5610 units and two EnGenius EOC-2610 units for this project
· The units have built-in antennas that will be used if they are adequate; optionally, we’ll use external antennas
· I’m prototyping this at home today to prove the concepts
· Today, if time allows, I’ll do a site survey to see what’s active around KTYD (aka identify interference)
· The first objective is to bridge KTYD to an Access Point at my house on 2.4 or 5.x GHz
· Using Part 15 is preferable, otherwise I’ll use Part 97 (Amateur Radio)
· The second objective is to set up a “Public to Radio Amateurs” 2.4 or 5.x GHz Access Point at KTYD
· Integrate WiFi into the Rover and interface it with the Internet and WinLink
· Consider creation of an Amateur Radio Mesh network in the Santa Barbara area
7. Computer Installation (This will allow all sorts of exciting new features, including WiFi high-definition pix and video) – Laptop installed
· I’m looking for someone(s) to take the lead on this project (or parts of it)
· Installed Sony VAIO laptop (Windows XP)
· Need to complete assembly of rack-mount desktop PC (currently Windows XP, considering OS change)
· Need to install router, probably Linksys BEFSX41 (at least initially)
· Need to connect to bridge, AP, etc.
· Need to assess, plan and implement numerous interfaces and applications
8. Camera installation (SB, Goleta and ocean views from the mountain whenever you want) – No progress
· I’m looking for someone to take the lead on this project
· Extend cables or relocate two outdoor cameras; use ferrite beads to prevent interference
· Relocate one indoor camera
· Install in indoor pan and tilt webcam
· Install an outdoor pan, tilt and zoom camera
9. Move out rack, mower and weed-whacker (tidying up a bit to be good citizens) – All items are staged for pick-up
· For the rack, pay $50 to the Club Station Rent Fund (or swap something with me), first come, first served
· For the lawn mower, pay $30 to Rod Fritz
· For the weed-whacker, pay $30 to Rod Fritz
10. Other SBARC ATVSIG projects…
· Determine where to permanently locate the 32” LCD TV – Club Station Committee (need volunteers)
· Permanently install the 32” LCD TV – AF6GW
· Build and install hard line from Club Station tower to ham shack – W1UUQ and K6QD
· Plan and install ATV and WiFi equipment in Rover – Rover Committee (need volunteers)
· Run video cables from ham shack to TV in outer room – Need a volunteer
· Copy numerous videos (mostly high-definition) to DVD for SBARC Video Library – Need a volunteer
· Edit selected videos in high-definition for output to Blu-Ray for the SBARC Video Library – Need a volunteer
· Organize and manage the SBARC Video Library – Need a volunteer
· Make copies of SBARC Video Library discs for presenters and club members, as needed – Need a couple of volunteers
· Manage backups and video storage on the Club Station Windows PC – Need a volunteer
· Set up video streams for SBARC events and meetings, as needed – Need a volunteer
· Act as Net Control for the SBARC ATV Net on Tuesday nights at 8:30pm – Need a couple of volunteers
· Assess ATVSIG inventory to use or liquidate equipment and accessories – Need a volunteer
· Help videotape Construction Night (starting March 3rd at the Club Station) and other SBARC activities, as needed – Need a couple of volunteers
· Help create and maintain an ATVSIG Members List – Need a volunteer
11. Other ATV Repeater projects…
· Install 1.2 GHz Remote Base (Voice and control communication to Santiago Peak and the rest of ATN) – WB9KMO
· Install 146 MHz Remote Base (Voice and Slow-Scan TV Simplex Repeater communications to the Santa Barbara area); possibly frequency-agile
· Interface 220 MHz Repeater to AllStarNet or EchoLink (Allow world-wide access to audio on the ATV Repeater)
· Implement the best way to connect the ATV Repeater to the Internet for two-way audio and video access
· Consider linking ATV to other sites, locally, in Ventura County, in northern Santa Barbara County, in SLO County and beyond…
What do you want to help with? Let me know and let’s make this happen.
If you have email addresses for the following people, please pass them on to me and route this email to them: KJ6MID, KI6SXA, KJ6FAF, KJ6KEK, K6LCM, WT6JS, KI6PWE, AF6VM, KJ6GDS, KE6YMW, KG6NRW, W9ELG, KJ6AAL, KD7DMQ, AF6YB, KO6OJ and AC6W.
Thank you all for your interest and participation in SBARC ATVSIG,
Rod WB9KMO
SBARC ATVSIG Chair
P.S. I installed a 2.4 GHz ATV transmitter at the Club Station. The signal is P4 and may improve when the antenna direction is optimized. WiFi is interfering significantly. I’m tracking down the source to determine how we can remove the interference.