Digital Hotspot Frequencies
by Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM
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
4 years, 11 months
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Boy Scout Camporee Events - Tomorrow, Saturday 4/21/2018
by Bill Talanian
-------- 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
_,_.___
4 years, 11 months
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ARDF Practice at Lake Carnaros on Saturday, April 7
by Marvin Johnston
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
4 years, 11 months
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Royce Stauffer, KO6PM, SK
by Darryl Widman
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
4 years, 11 months
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