Posted by af6aq on 16th March 2010
Pleasanton Hunt 6:00 pm March 20th Talk-in 147.12 + PL 100
Tony AB6BR will be the fox.
Fremont Hunt 6:00 pm April 3rd Talk-in WA6PWW 147.015+ PL 103.5
Bernhard AE6YN will be the fox.
For directions or more info please call Rich KN6FW at 925-462-1467
73 KN6FW
Posted in Contesting, Club News, Section News | Comments Off
Posted by af6aq on 3rd March 2010
Posted in Press Release, Club News | Comments Off
Posted by af6aq on 3rd March 2010
To MDARC AND our colleagues in the Amateur Radio Community;
On March 19, 2010 MDARC will be visited by Lt. Coln. Keppler and Captain Leineger from Seventh Space Warning Squadron at BEALE Air Force Base.
These two US Air Force officers will present a program at the MDARC meeting on the upgraded radar system that we share the 440 band with.
You and your ARRL affliated organization are cordially invited to join us.
It is important that we all attend so we may understand the mission of the Beale Air Force Space Warning radar system. We share the 70 cm band with the Beal radar system for which the FCC has assigned the primary use for the band.
Our Amateur radio operations on 440 MHz crucially affect the Air Force radar noise threshold and the ability of the Beale radar to detect and resolve space objects.
We have been asked to lower transmitter power of a number of 440 band repeaters in Northern CA to reduce the noise threshold at the Beal AFB radar.
The missions of the Seventh Space Warning Squadron at BEALE AFB are:
(1.) Detect and track hostile missiles from the moment of launch.
(2.) Guide US defensive interceptor missiles, to destroy these hostile missiles in flight.
(3.) To track thousands of space debris objects.
Even miniscule space debris poses a threat of serious damage to the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, the GPS satilites and communications satellites.
Our meeting will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, CA at 7:30PM.
Due to another major event at the church that night we are upstairs in the sanctuary that seats 330 people.
Our normal parking lot will probably be full with the other event so we will use the upper parking lot and street parking. Please do not park directly on the street in front of the church because that is an enforced no parking zone.
We ask that if possible, you car pool to this meeting and monitor 147.06 W6CX repeater for parking instructions. If you should have questions, please contact us at jtronan@aol. com or 510 649 9045.
My most cordial 73,
JohN K3ZJJ
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Posted by af6aq on 24th February 2010
o Band Plans: How the 2 Meter Band is Organized
o Quick overview of some common makes and models
o Familiarity with basic controls on your HT
o Etiquette, Protocol and Voice Projection
§ What to say and how and when to say it
o A Simplex QSO
o External antennas to increase range
o Spare Battery and/or Power Supply
§ Battery care
§ External power supplies
o Scanning
o Dual Watch
o Fixed frequency for Tx / Rx
o Offsets and Reverse
o CTCSS “PL” Tones
o Organizing your radio memory usage
o Using a PC to store settings
o Repeater etiquette and protocol
o Participation in our own special net
o IRLP / Echolink, APRS, SSTV, PSK31
Posted in Club News, Training, Section News | Comments Off
Posted by af6aq on 22nd February 2010
The Livermore Amateur Radio “Klub” (LARK) is providing a free class for those interested in obtaining an amateur radio Technician Class license. Immediately following the class, an examination will be available. There is no cost for the class and classroom materials, but the ARRL VEC test fee is $15.
The class will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 8 AM to approximately 4 PM. The testing will follow immediately afterward. The instructor will be Rich Harrington, KN6FW. It will be held at the Livermore City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Ave, Livermore, California. (GPS Location: N37° 40.565′ W121° 45.254′)
Rich teaches a fast paced, informative class and averages about a 90% success rate. Rich has taught students from all walks of life. He starts with the basics, and quickly expands into the complexities of ham radio knowledge students need. While the information is fresh, the LARK Volunteer Examiners show up to administer the Technician class 35-question multiple choice exam. No Morse code test is required. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications.
If you would like to register for the class, or have questions, please send an email to Mike Haas at AD6TA@ARRL.net. Or call the instructor, Rich, at 925.462.1467.
What do you need to bring to the exam session? You should bring a picture ID (drivers license, passport) OR, when no photo ID is available, two forms of identification must be presented (birth certificate, report card, library card, Social Security card, utility bill, bank statement, etc.). Students may bring a school ID, and/or a written note from a legal guardian. To be prepared you should also bring two number two pencils with erasers and a pen. A calculator with the memory erased is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
Psst! Do you want a head start in the class?
Be able to answer these questions:
What is Ohm’s Law?
What is a picoFarad?
What is a microAmp?
What is a milliHenry?
What is a kiloWatt?
What is a megaOhm?
What is gigaHertz?