TARA's ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
January 6, 2003
USPS Mail Date: January 21, 2003
from the pres:
Hello my fellow Amateur Radio Friends!
First, an apology from the guy who said he'd get the newsletter out ( ME!). I have now
admitted I can't find the time, so, I've asked a few individuals and may have found
a new editor! Indeed, this printed version did not make the copiers before the January Meeting.
So, look for an improvement in TARA's printed communication in the coming year!
John & Sheila Sloane have agreed to take on the NewsLetter!! Thanks Guys!
Speaking of improvements, I'm also looking into expanding TARA's local commitments and further development of the scholarship program. Included in this plan would be education using the TARA van as the teaching platform for local schools and organizations. Your help and support will be needed. So, please plan on attending a meeting and think about volunteering!
Otherwise, I hope all are enjoying the winter now that the storms have slowed down. Whew -- for a while I was digging out antennas on my roof !!
Hope to see you at our gatherings in 2003 and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Paul , wa6ewv
Happenings:
Fair Well Chuck, NX6W!
NX6W has moved to a new QTH! He's a "7" in Washington State.. living near his son. A
send off at the October Meeting was arranged with a plaque honoring Chuck for his dedication to TARA and Amateur Radio. A few stories were passed around, but the best was Peggy's ladder story!! Chucks list of services would fill a book, to say the least. We will miss him and hope to use Amateur Radio to keep in touch. You might check 7.175+/- at 14:30 local time on weekdays to catch up with Chuck. Also, wa6ewv is looking for a link to get down here on 2 meters.
California State Hospital Drill:
TARA participated in the annual California State Emergency Hospital Drill with Barton Memorial Hospital. Thanks to volunteers John and Sheila, (KC7AGI/KB7YFU), Todd and Zetta (AC6CN/AC6CO) , and Dick Young, (KD7JMR). Also a special thanks to Dick for the submission of the newspaper article (check the web page)
This year the event included communication with the Marshal Hospital in Placerville via 2-meters to coordinate available facilities. (thanks to Frank Yost's, KA6GWY linked repeater system)
A new twist this year was the use of FRS radios to communicate from the Barton command center to the TARA Comm. Van. The FRS radios are used in the hospital on a daily basis, so there were no problems with possible RFI due to the higher power Amateur HT's in use inside the hospital.
TARA WEB PAGE:
Some new features to the TARA web page include the Sacramento Section Report from our section manager Jetti Hill, W6RFF, and a TARA Calendar with Amateur Radio related events posted. Also, the TARA Monday night net controller is listed. Additional information can be posted, so contact wa6ewv with the info you would like to see on the calendar.
Coming features include a section on packet radio (featuring the TARA BBS) and internet access to Amateur Radio systems around the world. (don't have packet? The TARA bbs can be accessed with your Computer running a communication program (like the windows HyperTerminal program) at 530-544-1138)
Repeater Systems
Winter started out with a few tough storms, but our sites all fared very well.
Our biggest problem is the interference on 147.240. I've installed some filters and additional devices designed to reduce or eliminate the problems from the nearby transmitters on 152Mhz. (special thanks to Chris Huber, N6ICW, for the loan and advice on some of these devices).
Our problem persists and will vary depending on a number of variables out there in the radio world.
Actual solutions will have to wait until next spring and possibly the installation of the new communication building in the summer. Until then, there will be interference issues and communication dropouts.
An interesting test occurred this last December with all the power outages. Our side of the radio vault has
separate AC circuit breakers, and sure enough, the storms knocked the breakers off on our side only. So, it
took me a few hours to figure that out, and a day and a half for the heavenly electricians to get to the building to switch them back on. The good news is how you handled the situation by limiting the use of 147.24. The battery was still going strong after approximately 40 hours of operation. The east peak systems draw over 2 amps in standby (that's 3 repeater controllers and radios, a packet radio system, and support radios for links !) . The 24 system will let you know when it's on battery power by either announcing "battery power" instead of a courtesy tone, or a long single (somewhat annoying) courtesy beep.
The 146.85 system will change courtesy tones from a dual tone beep, to a single tone beep.
The UHF link to the Gorilla Radio system is in place but still has some problems to be worked out. The 442.475 repeater is listening to the Mt Vaca repeater but not transmitting. So go ahead and use the UHF repeater and talk over any traffic you might hear from the link. Mt Vaca is not hearing our end of the system so I have the link transmitter turned off for now. The courtesy tones will tell you if the UHF repeater is transmitting a local signal or a repeated signal from the Gorilla link. The two tone down scale "beep" is from a local key up. The more melodic 3 tone up scale "beep" occurs from a signal coming in on the link.
Packet is still going strong and as of late we've had guest users checking in while they're visiting Tahoe. Portable packet seems to be alive and well in the Amateur radio world. You can access the TARA BBS on 144.930, or 7.101usb, or via landline at 530-544-1138.
Finally, I'm looking into tying one of TARA's repeaters into the IRLP that's growing across the world. What's IRLP ? Well, come to a club meeting
or check into the web site and look up the TARA Systems Page. (that info page should be on line in late January)
Have a great new year !
Paul, wa6ewv
Membership Renewal:
It's 2003 and that means TIME to RENEW your MEMBERSHIP !!
Your dues are important to TARA's everyday operation. Like everyone else, TARA has expenses that include insurance fees for the club and equipment, operational costs including meeting expenses, repeater site Maintenance , equipment repairs, and our communication van maintenance.
It all adds up so I ask for your continued support by sending in your application today or renew in person at a general meeting. And this year we are going back to a printed newsletter (frequency to be determined, but probably bimonthly).
NewsLetter with membership application for 2003 is in the mail January 21, 2003
Thanks for your support!
Paul, wa6ewv
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