TARA News Letter for February 2002
issue date: February 5, 2002
from the pres:
Hello my Amateur Radio Friends!
With our survey in mind, I'd like to get your input for some guest speakers. So send me an
email (wa6ewv@oakweb.com) or join us at the meeting so we can schedule some interesting speakers!
Dick Young has been in touch and a scholarship plan is forming fast. Check the web for
info and we'll discuss the final details at this months general meeting.
Another issue I was concerned with was an audit, and I'm pleased
that Kirby and Mauro have completed an "informal" review and confirmed that the books do balance. However, some
changes need to be made to insure we stay current and have an accurate reporting of TARA's assets.
to be continued...
Happenings:
Al, KD7MXR has stepped up to help with the memberships, and will become the membership chairman at the next general meeting. Thanks Al for answering the call!!!
And speaking of Al's , W1LVN is home from the Hospital. AL needed a Hernia operation and is recovering at
home. His current radio status keeps him off the air, so give him a call if you want to say hello...
(He doesn't mind a personal visit either!)
The SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP renewal was a resounding success (check out the membership status page). Thanks for getting
your renewals in by the January 31 deadline.
A few more surveys have trickeled in, but they confirm the overall response we discussed at the last general meeting.
A posting of the results will show up in the future.
Also showing up in the future, a page for submitting newsletter info, articles, etc...
Alert! Field Day is only 16 weeks away!!!
Repeater Systems
Some strange repeater HOWLINGS were heard on 24 during this cold spell (Jan29-31). I put the machine in PL
until it warmed up!! Not sure what or why, but would guess something didn't like the cold weather and de-tuned
to the point of spuring. The East Peak shack is not directly heated, and temps were in the 30's
in the room.
Speaking of PL, the 24 repeater is in PL mode from 11:30pm until 5:30am. The actual repeater receiver at
the east peak site requires that PL to open the squelch. However, there are two satellite receivers that
DO work on an open carrier. So you can work 24 during the PL period without the PL tone activated in your
radio. The satellite receivers are at a lower level then the east peak site, so you may or may not be able
to activate them. So, if you want to test during the PL window time, try using 24 with and without your PL
activated. You'll notice a different courtesy tone when comming in through one of the satellite receivers.
It is a single note beep, and in many situations you may here both tones because you are activiating both
the main repeater receiver and the satellite receiver.
Here's the current schedule:
5:30am to 11:30pm ---- No Pl required, satellite receivers are off
11:30pm to 5:30am ---- PL required for the High level Receiver, satellite receivers on for radios not transmitting a PL.
As reportedlast month, the UHF repeater is still "LINKLESS" (yea, it's
not in the dictionary, but describes the condition well....hi). I hope to provide a link
to the Mt Vaca repeater (which is linked to the Berkely repeater) soon. Also, the Berkeley
repeater has some receiver problems, so the link from here to the Bay area is still
"under repair and reconstruction" More info on the TARA system page.
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