The Indianapolis Radio Club Newsletter Founded 1914 “The oldest continuously operating Amateur Radio Club in the United States” March 2010 Newsletter Upcoming Meetings: April 9: Homebrew night, with kit building. (This meeting will start at the ITC for a short meeting, and then everyone will walk over to Ivy Tech for project building. NOTE: PLEASE BRING A NEW PL-259 CONNECTOR FOR THE PROJECT BUILDING) May 7 (Note different date due to Dayton): Antenna meeting June 12: Annual Auction Highlights from the March Meeting: The evening's meeting was called to order at 7:21 by club president Ron Cooper, WB9DKL. Ron started self introductions. There were 64 present at the meeting. Ron next tried to give away a ticket to the Starved Rock Hamfest in northern Illinois in June. Ron mentioned that tickets for the bus trip to Dayton are still available for $30 each. Tom, K9XV, talked about the Field Day arrangements. The club's Field Day operation will be at the Marion County Fair Grounds again on June 26 and 27. Chuck, W9IH, talked about the O Dark thirty swap meet on April 17. Bob, N9FIM, announced that on Saturday, March 27 at 9:00 there will be a severe weather spotter training session at the Training Center. Charlie, N9MEW, mentioned the new repeater directory is up to date on the web site at http://ircinc.org. Next Ron asked that those present observe a moment of silence for Damon Lawrence, W9YHY, SK. Dave, K9RTT, said that next month's meeting is the home brew meeting. Bob, W9PSE, will be showing his PL-259 assembly jig. The meeting will start at the ITC with a short meeting, then we will go over to Ivy Tech for the project building portion of the evening. Dave suggested that if anyone has any home brew projects, to bring them in. The May meeting will be on the first Friday of the month, May 7, with Tom, K9XV, presenting a program on antennas. June will be the annual auction. Dave said the September meeting could be on “Smartgrid” technology. Dave then introduced Hank Wolfla, K9LZJ, for the evening's presentation on SDR radio. Hank said this was his third time to present a talk at the IRC about SDR. Hank said the future is unbelievable for SDR, it's growing very fast. It's not really new, the technology has been around for quite some time, especially in the commercial radio world. Hank said the performance was as good or better than most analog radios available. Hank said the basis for SDR are the A/D and D/A converters. Hank says SDR radios are addictive. SDR is a spectrum analyzer, it is also a transmitted signal monitor. It is tuned by looking at the spectrum. SDR is good for looking for band openings because you can see the signals appear. They are great for contests. Disadvantages include pricing, the requirement of a fast computer, and the fact that it is not a mature technology. Hank explained the basic block diagrams of the receiver and transmitter of an SDR. Hank said the SoftRock is a good starter receiver. There is also a SoftRock transmitter now. Last year, there were more SoftRock radios sold (6000) than all other amateur radios. Hank showed a picture of Phil Harman, VK6APH, who has worked a lot in SDR. Hank showed what will be the next step of SDR, a $550 3 watt transceiver on a board that is capable of receiving 8 discrete signals while transmitting. Hank next showed the different varieties of SDRs available. Hank then played some samples of received signals, demonstrating how the SDR actually works. Hank passed out a list of SDR kits that are available. Hank also showed a slide show on the remote station that he and Gary Stouder, K9SG, have put together. They call the station “The Barn”. Next Bob, W9PSE, took a count of how many were planning on being at the next meeting to put together the PL-259 assembly tool. Finally, door prizes were awarded. Ham Radio News: GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE IRC BUS TO DAYTON Once again, the Indianapolis Radio Club has reserved a bus for the Dayton Hamvention. The trip will be on Saturday, May 15. The bus will pick up at two locations: on the south side at Southern Plaza, picking up at 6:30 am; and on the east side at the Peddler’s Mall, picking up at approximately 7:00 am. The cost for the round trip bus ride is $30 per person. This cost does not cover admission to the Hamvention, go to http://www.hamvention.org/tickets.php#internet to order your tickets on line for a $5 per ticket savings over getting them at the door. We will stop for a fast food breakfast in Richmond on the way over, and stop for a more relaxed dinner in Richmond on the way back. Our coach will drop us off at the main entrance of the exhibit hall and park in close proximity of the show so we will be able to visit it to drop things off or to relax. The bus normally leaves the Hamvention around 4:00 pm, and arrives home by around 7:00 pm. Send a note to club treasurer Jay Willever, K9LJW, if you are interested in tickets. His email address is k9ljw@arrl.net. ARRL VE TESTING SCHEDULE FOR MARION COUNTY Sponsor: Indianapolis Radio Club (W9JP) Where: All testing is at The Indianapolis Training Center, 2820 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46208. Liaison: Gale Wuollet (317-849-8449) email: indy33windy@comcast.net When: April 3, 2010 June 5, 2010 Time: All testing starts at 9:00 AM; Walk-ins allowed TESTING SESSION COMING UP AT W9IMS >From Brian, W9IND: Want to take a shot at upgrading your license? Know anybody else who would ... or any unlicensed folks who want to get in the game? It'll be more convenient than ever at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20, when our club hosts its first-ever ARRL exam session at the Comm Center. Thanks to Jim Rinehart, K9RU, for putting this all together. Here are the pertinent details: 1. The cost is $15, and we would prefer a check made out to ARRL VEC, but we can accept cash. 2. You will need to bring your license (the original), plus a copy. We will need a picture ID; a valid driver license will do. 3. Walk-ins are allowed, but we would prefer advance notice if possible. 4. You do not have to be a member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club (or any of our other clubs) to attend the session, nor do you have to be a member of the ARRL. All amateurs and would-be amateurs are welcome. Click here for details on what to bring to the session (and what you can't bring), plus other important info: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml Here's what our listing looks like on the ARRL Web site: 20-Mar-2010 Sponsor: IMS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Time: 2:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: JAMES K RINEHART (317)218-7304 Email: K9RU@ARRL.NET VEC: ARRL/VEC Location: 3321 N GALE ST INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46218 NEW LOCAL SWAPMEET COMING IN APRIL! April 17th 2010...O'Dark-Thirty Swap meet is FREE Admission, donuts & coffee (while they last) and Rain or Shine event. (bring your own rain cover).. 0600-noon...location is Northwest corner of Southport road & Madison Ave. PITCH-IN Lunch! W1AW NEW SCHEDULE FOR DIGITAL BULLETINS Beginning Monday, March 15, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, started alternating the digital modes used for its digital bulletin transmissions. While Baudot, PSK31 and MFSK16 still make up the digital mode complement, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, says that the schedule will be altered to give more exposure to PSK31 and MFSK16. "Because of time constraints and the varying lengths of digital bulletins, there were many instances where only Baudot was used," he said. "With the new schedule, amateurs preferring either PSK31 or MFSK16 will find these modes no longer secondary." The regular callup will be made using the mode that is transmitted first. The digital bulletin times remain at 6 PM and 9 PM (Eastern Time) daily. The Tuesday and Friday Keplerian data bulletins will continue to be sent using just Baudot and PSK31. The new digital schedule is as follows: Monday: Baudot, PSK31, MFSK16 Tuesday: PSK31, MFSK16, Baudot Wednesday: MFSK16, Baudot, PSK31 Thursday: Baudot, PSK31, MFSK16 Friday: PSK31, Baudot, MFSK16 "Given time constraints and bulletin lengths, all three modes may not always be transmitted," Carcia explained. The complete W1AW schedule can be found on page 100 of the January issue of QST, or on the ARRL Web site. W1AW 2010 SPRING/SUMMER OPERATING SCHEDULE Morning Schedule: Time Mode Days ------------------- ---- --------- 1300 UTC (9 AM ET) CWs Wed, Fri 1300 UTC (9 AM ET) CWf Tue, Thu Daily Visitor Operating Hours: 1400 UTC to 1600 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM ET) 1700 UTC to 1945 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM ET) (Station closed 1600 to 1700 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM ET)) Afternoon/Evening Schedule: 2000 UTC (4 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri 2000 " " CWs Tue, Thu 2100 " (5 PM ET) CWb Daily 2200 " (6 PM ET) DIGITAL Daily 2300 " (7 PM ET) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri 2300 " " CWf Tue, Thu 0000 " (8 PM ET) CWb Daily 0100 " (9 PM ET) DIGITAL Daily 0145 " (9:45 PM ET) VOICE Daily 0200 " (10 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri 0200 " " CWs Tue, Thu 0300 " (11 PM ET) CWb Daily Frequencies (MHz) ----------------- CW: 1.8025 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555 DIGITAL: - 3.5975 7.095 14.095 18.1025 21.095 28.095 147.555 VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160 21.390 28.590 147.555 Notes: CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 WPM CW frequencies include code practices, Qualifying Runs and CW bulletins. DIGITAL = BAUDOT (45.45 baud), BPSK31 and MFSK16 in a revolving schedule. In a communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as follows: Voice on the hour, Digital at 15 minutes past the hour, and CW on the half hour. FCC licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1400 UTC to 1600 UTC (10 AM to 12 PM ET), and then from 1700 UTC to 1945 UTC (1 PM to 3:45 PM ET) Monday through Friday. Be sure to bring your current FCC amateur license or a photocopy. The complete W1AW Operating Schedule may be found on page 102 in the March 2010 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html#w1awsked . WELCOME NEW MEMBERS New members for March were: Russell Best John Connor Wayne Bates, Jr., KC9OUI Eric Sample, K9ETN SILENT KEYS The following hams of the Indianapolis area became Silent Keys in the past month: Damon P. Lawrence, W9YHY, February 25 Mike Pruitt, W9HRI, February 28 Jack McNutt, K9OTB FEEL FREE TO SHARE OUR NEWSLETTER If you belong to any other radio groups, please feel free to share our newsletter with them. They can also sign up to be on our mailing list by filling out the form available at http://www.indyradioclub.org/rqstnewsletter.htm. SEND ME YOUR HAM RADIO NEWS If anyone has any items for the newsletter, please send them to Ken Bandy at kj9b@arrl.net Signals from the Past: >From the March/April, 1952 Amachewer: Ron Williams, W9JVF, is now starting an antenna farm on two and a half acres south of Beech Grove. He started with a 270 foot long wire that went up last week. Upcoming Area Radio Events: * March 27: Severe Weather Spotter Training, starting at 9:00 am at the Indianapolis Training Center. * April 17: Indianapolis Radio Club “O-Dark Thirty” Swap Meet starting at 6:00 am at the northwest corner of Southport Road and Madison Avenue. * May 15: Annual IRC Bus trip to Dayton Hamvention. $30 per person. 2010 Officers: · President: Ron Cooper, WB9DKL - ..EMAIL wb9dkl@sbcglobal.net · Vice Pres.: Dave Miller, K9RTT - ..EMAIL dmiller@ivytech.edu · Secretary: Ken Bandy, KJ9B - ..EMAIL kj9b@arrl.net · Treasurer: Jay Willever, K9LJW - ..EMAIL k9ljw@arrl.net · Chief Operator: Tom Chance, K9XV - ..EMAIL k9xv@arrl.net · Dir. at large: Jim Rinehart, K9RU – EMAIL k9ru@arrl.net · Dir. at large: Bob Osterhous, W9PSE - ..EMAIL rosterhous@iquest.net · Dir. at large: Bob Begeman, W9KVK - ..EMAIL w9kvk@juno.com · W9JP Trustee: Don Hemenover, N9DOO – EMAIL don9doo@lightbound.com ?? ?? ?? ??