Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club Bulletin, September 2007

Simulated Emergency Test Drill, from August 18, 2007.

Fallbrook normally runs a subnet for Red Flag Patrols for Cal Fire on the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club's N6FQ repeater located on Red Mt., because of very poor radio coverage of routes from primary repeaters. For the SET we did a local exercise of activating the Dewey Communication Center, at North County Fire District's EOC. For this exercise we dispatched local hams to safety zones and fire stations called out in Fallbrook's area evacuation map plan, (See Maps at http://fallbrookarc.org/emergency.html) to evaluate communications at locations and exercise local emergency communications with radio checks and weather reports from the field.
We were also monitoring and passing status to the North ARES Net as "Fallbrook Control - 20".

Assigned to field locations N6VXM, KF6GOY, KG6GIU, KI6FXS, AA6V0, KI6FKA, KI6FKC, W6VR, K6RPM, KI6KVF, KG6ZOZ, KI6FXO, KC6MIE with two paired teams.
In Dewey Communication Center KD6UAK, W6MF, KE6GXP, KG6HSQ.
Observers and stand by KG6YWB, KI6KVD, KI6KVH.

Total hams participated 20, with 15 of total also CERT, 8 of them became new hams after taking CERT training.

Were able to start up net at 9:30 and take check ins, and then dispatch most to locations close to home.
Were able to establish communications to all checked locations with a minimum equipment of HTs tested, some locations benefited from after market antennas.
Were able to get weather reports from field locations.
Were able to relocate some operators to different locations for additional tests.
We did not get to one of the secondary adjectives of doing simplex tests.

Over all good drill, thanks to San Diego ARES Section, for the opportunity to check new communications equipment configuration, in interfacing to a county wide simulation.

Randy Jones, KD6UAK
ARES EC Fallbrook

Ron Patten, KG6HSQ
ARES AEC Fallbrook

From: Stasia Place
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 4:18 PM
To: James Beebe
Subject: California Emergency Services Association

Hi James,

A couple of months ago, a nomination was submitted to the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) for the work you have accomplished with the North County CERT Program.

It is my pleasure to inform you that the you have been selected to receive an award at the upcoming CESA-Southern Chapter Annual Meeting on September 5th from 8:30am - 1:30pm. The Annual Meeting will be held at the LA Zoo.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Stasia Place
Emergency Services Coordinator
County of San Diego, Office of Emergency Services
5555 Overland Ave. Building 19
San Diego, CA 92123
Direct Line: (858) 715-2207
Main Line: (858) 565-3490
Fax: (858) 565-3499

Here's your update on major items of interest to us in the ARRL Southwestern Division...

Santa Barbara Hamfest Was a Great Success

The Santa Barbara Hamfest, held this past weekend, attracted a record attendance, with even the barbecue selling out. These events offer a chance to say hello to old friends, meet new ones, see demonstrations, discuss Amateur Radio issues, and even acquire radios.

Next Up - ARRL Southwestern Division Convention in Torrance

September 7, 8, and 9 are fast approaching, and that weekend will host the big Southwestern Division Convention at the Torrance Marriott Hotel. All the major Ham Radio manufacturers will be there together with the the local major retailers. Whether you come for the weekend or make a day trip, this promises to be a enjoyable event.

A full program of talks and open discussions encompassing many of the aspects of Amateur Radio is planned.

Attracting young people to Amateur Radio is a topic of considerable interest these days. Promoting use of electronic-equipment construction projects to inspire interest in students has been a big part of the ARRL's Teacher's Institute program. At the Saturday noon luncheon, ARRL's Mark Spencer, WA8SME, will discuss his efforts which have reached hundreds of teachers. Mark will also cover his use of the Optascope (come find out what it is!) in a talk on Saturday afternoon. He will also be available at the ARRL booth at other times. Other talks on motivating young people are shown on the convention web-site at http://www.hamcon.org on the "schedules" under "Convention Activities."

"Emergency Communications from the Desert to the Sea" is this year's convention theme. Overall disaster preparation is included in both Mark Benthien's Saturday banquet talk on earthquakes, and veterinarian Patty Boge's talk on pet considerations. There are additional talks on emergency communication topics that are shown on the schedules.

The ARRL Forum, on Saturday afternoon will contain an update on current ARRL happenings as well as an opportunity for you to initiate feedback on youth in amateur radio, emergency communications, or any of the other myriad topics of current interest.

QSL checking for ARRL's DXCC and WAS awards will be available near the ARRL booth on Saturday afternoon, starting at 1 PM.

The deadline for the special half-price hotel rooms at the Marriott has just been extended to August 21st. Call (800) 228-9290, and mention HAMCON for reservations.

See www.hamcon.org for more convention details. Pre-registration forms are available on the web-site that may speed your entry into the event.

County Fairs

There are 25 counties in the Southwestern Division, and many of them have county fairs which present an opportunity to show Amateur Radio to the public. At least three groups have displays at their local county fairs.

Two Southern California counties have already held 2007 fairs with Amateur Radio representation.

The Orange County Fair has had a ham radio exhibit for many years.
Headed up by Gordon West, WB6NOA, and staffed by members of many Orange County radio clubs organized under the OCCARO banner, the Amateur Radio display again took home awards in 2007 as it has done in the past.

In San Diego County, the Del Mar Fair has also been supported by Amateur Radio for years. Skip Kline, KD6RFQ, and Mike Maston, N6OPH,head up a team of SD County clubs organized through SANDARC, the San Diego Amateur Radio Council.

Coming in September is the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona. A fairly extensive display of Amateur Radio is planned under the name Amateur Radio Expo 2007. Joy Matlack, KD6FJV, and Rich Whited, KG6JKJ, are Co-Chairs, and welcome assistance with this ambitious effort. For more information see http://amateurradioexpo.org/

Please Support Amateur Radio Activities

Volunteers work hard to put together events such as conventions and hamfests for us to improve our knowledge, skills, and stations. In addition, the events are enjoyable social gatherings. I hope you will support them and hope to see you at the Torrance Division Convention and elsewhere.

ARRL Southwestern Division
Director: Richard Norton, N6AA
n6aa@arrl.org

Ron

I tried to call you on Echolink before your last meeting. I may try again on 1 Sep.

At any rate, you can give me an early checkin for Tuesday and greet the folks for me.

I'm having a great time working all over Europe with 100 watts and a dipole from VO1AA on Signal Hill.

We'll be back about 20 October.

Thanks for all you do.

Take care and 73

Paul W6SJL

Christmas Parade

1st parade meeting was Wednesday, August 22, 2007, Bigs-KG6GIU and Ron-KG6HSQ attended.
Parade is Dec. 1st, 2007

California QSO Party for 2007 is Oct 6-7.

This is a great contest to introduce Hams with new HF privledges to the thrill of contesting.

Call CQ and the world will respond to you (well mostly the USA and Canada). All entrants with 100 or more QSOs receive a free certificate of acheivement and are eligible to purchase a T-shirt ($12),

This will be the 42nd running. Full details can be found at http://www.cqp.org/

Your club members can "get on the air" and have some casual fun or you can rally your club members into "contest mode" and make a run for the "Top Club, California" award plaque (real lumber to hang on the wall).

For more information check out Rules & Results & Strategy:
2007 Rules - http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html
2006 Results - http://www.cqp.org/results/2006/06complete.pdf
Strategy - http://www.cqp.org/pdf/cqp_strategy_k6rb.pdf

"The California QSO Party (CQP) is perhaps the most fun that a new HF ham in California can have on the radio..." W6ZZZ

73,
-KR- K6TD
CU in the California QSO Party, Oct 6-7, 2007
www.cqp.org

Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club
Roy Noon Hall, Fallbrook, California
August 4, 2007

President Parker, KG6GIU, opened the meeting at 1500 and the pledge was recited.

Two new club members were introduced. Lee Wagner, KI6KVI and Peter Leduc KI6KVE. Lee was present for the introduction but Peter was absent.

Ken, W6MF, gave the following financial report.

Checking Balance June 30, 2007	$ 1485.82
Petty Cash Balance June 30, 2007	$ 25.48
Total	$ 1511.30

JULY INCOME
ARRL VE Exam Fees	$ 252.00
ARRL Dues	$ 75.00
FARC Membership Dues	$ 200.00
Cash Donation (Club Meeting)	$ 4.00
Total	$ 531.00

JULY EXPENSES
ARRL VE Exam Fees	$ 198.00
ARRL Dues	$ 58.00
Total	$ 256.00

Checking Balance July 31, 2007	$ 1756.82
Petty Cash Balance July 31, 2007	$ 29.48
Total	$ 1786.30

Ken, W6MF, gave a brief report on a VE Exam session that was conducted on July 31st. Bigs Parker, KG6GIU, was the only candidate at the test session and he successfully upgraded to Extra Class. Examiners for the session were Stephen, KC6MIE, Ron, KG6HSQ and Ken, W6MF.

Ken, W6MF, reported on a transmitter site test that was conducted at The Rancho Monserate Living Community located on Old Highway 395 just South of State Highway 76. This community has a very well structured internal emergency plan that includes communications via FRS radios. Two Amateurs that reside in the community have recently been licensed, Harold Stanley, KI6KVH and Bill Parkinson, KI6KVD. With the licensing of these two Amateurs they now want to establish a communication link from their community to the Fallbrook EOC in case of an emergency. Ken, Harold and Bill did test from various locations from within the community to locate usable sites for communications into the FARC repeaters. Assisting on the other end of the communications in Fallbrook were Randy, KD6UAK and Ron, KG6HSQ. With the information obtained from the test good operating sites can now be located within the Rancho Monserate Community.

Randy, KD6UAK, announced that there would be a CERT radio drill conducted on August 8th. CERT has asked FARC to assist with the drill. Scripts are being written for the drill and each communicator will be a part of a scenario that is being developed. Randy said that a “test run” had been conducted and that it went very well. Personnel involved in the scenario are to arrive at 1700 and the drill will commence at 1800. Millie, KI6FXS, handed out scripts to those present that will be participating in the drill.

Ron, KG6HSQ, presented the program, “Voltmeter 101”. Ron had a large collection of various “Voltmeters” that he has collected over the years. He demonstrated the VOM, VTVM, several Digital meters and various specialized meters. He told the story of the progression and improvements in the various meters over the years. Some of the shortcomings and positive points of the various meters were discussed and demonstrated. The voltmeter, regardless of model or type, is one of the most useful and frequently used tools in electronics. They can be used to check for simple short or open circuits, battery voltage, resistance, continuity of circuits and highly sophisticated diagnostics of complex circuitry.

Ken, W6MF, announced that he would now keep VE Test material available and can hold testing sessions as the need arises. Generally all three license exams will be available at testing sessions.

Ron, KG6HSQ, announced that the Golden Triangle Radio Club of Temecula invites all FARC members to their annual picnic next weekend in Temecula.

With no further business the meeting adjourned at 1555.

Ken Dickson, W6MF
Secretary/Treasurer

COMMITTEES

Dewey ECC Committee
Bigs-KG6GIU, Ron-KG6HSQ, Ken-W6MF, Randy-KD6UAK, Bob-W6VR, Hayden-KG6YVD

Technical Committee
Bob-W6VR, AA4CD-Chris, Bob-WB6DIJ, Paul-W6SJL, Daryl-WA5QMV, Ron-KG6HSQ

News Items from CGC Communicator Newsletter
Robert Gonsett - W6VR Editor

FCC EXTENDS NEXTEL WAVE-4/STAGE-2 800 MHZ NEGOTIATION PERIOD

The FCC has announced an extension of the negotiation period between Sprint Nextel and Border Area NPSPAC licensees in Wave 4, Stage 2 of the 800 MHz band reconfiguration. The Border Area is the area within 110 km (68.4 statute miles) of the U.S./Mexican border and within 140 km of the U.S./Canada border. From the Mexican border, 68.4 statute miles reaches up into parts of San Clemente and Temecula.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-3468A1.doc

USE A TOYOTA PRIUS AS AN EMERGENCY POWER GENERATOR

"...I use my Toyota Prius as an emergency generator that can power my house! It can deliver 3 kilowatts cleanly, efficiently, and continuously, and many more kilowatts on peaks as needed for starting motors in appliances, the well, and the furnace. As hybrids become more popular and prevalent, getting emergency power from your car will be a lot easier and safer than using the ubiquitous portables."

Richard Factor, Kinnelon, N.J., commenting in the June 16, 2007 Science News.

http://www.sciencenews.org (Subscribers only)

SOME LASER PRINTERS MAY POSE HEALTH HAZARD

Office workers now have reason to think twice before printing out that report the boss is waiting for. In a recent office study, researchers in Australia found that nearly one-third of laser printers emitted high levels of nanoparticles into the air, and on average, particle counts during working hours were five times higher than during non-work hours. Inhaling these ultrafine particles may pose a health hazard, experts caution.

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/85/i32/8532news4.html

Free Amateur Radio repeater locator. The original idea was to make it easier to search for repeaters in a given area for planning a trip.

http://k5ehx.net/repeaters/

Comments and items of interest for publishing should be directed to: N6FQ@fallbrookarc.org
Ron Patten - KG6HSQ

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