The PROPAGATOR March, 2000

The Monthly Newsletter of South Orange Amateur Radio Association

Club Programs Introduce New and Exciting Aspects of Hobby!

PSK31Program Generates T-Hunting — It's Not Just For "SOARA Participates in Interest Digital Modes. Speedy Drivers Any More" Club 2000 Achievement

One of the most interesting presentations at a Nowadays, a transmitter hunt is much more Awards SOARA meeting was presented on March 7, than just a ride in an RDF-equipped car. It BY Mike Mullard, KF6HVO by Malcolm Levy, KO6SY. Malcolm, can also be an exciting outdoor activity for SOARA’s Director of Education, not only everyone in the family. At the March general SOARA will actively participate in the explained the details of PSK-31, but made an meeting find out about the wide variety of competition for the ARRL-sponsored Club on-the-air contact during his presentation. ways that you, your family and your club can 2000 Achievement Award. This new award is have fun with RDF, aimed at recognizing clubs that are growing, PSK31 is a digital mode which uses Phase including radio- thriving, and developing positive community Shift Keying at 31.5 baud. It is a very narrow orienteering, ARDF relations through such activities as emergency band mode and provides fairly reliable and ROCAs. You and public service participation and communications with weak signals. In this may already have all membership building. The award is given to respect it is similar to CW. The technique the equipment you the club that has earned the most points does relay on powerful Digital Signal need to get started. during the year 2000 by participating in the Processing techniques. The good news, You'll also hear about following activities: however, it that most hams already have the local hams who won hardware for the required DSP on hand. The medals in an ⇒ ARRL Recruitment nights equipment required is a computer with a international ⇒ Monthly Meetings sound card. Software is available over the championship foxhunt last summer. ⇒ Instructional workshops internet. Only the interconnection between ⇒ ARES activity the computer (sound card) and the SSB rig SOARA’s Presentation for the ⇒ Local school club support must be implemented to get on the air. ⇒ Community service activities March 20 meting will feature ⇒ ARRL VE testing sessions Malcolm demonstrated his equipment using Joe Moell, K0OV. ⇒ Field Day Stations only two home-made cables (no attenuator ⇒ Contesting/Other Operating Events circuit.) to carry audio in both directions A registered professional electronic engineer and More. between the rig and computer. To allow the and an active ham since age 11, Joe Moell computer to control the transmitter (i.e. PTT K0OV has written for almost every ham radio The winning club will receive a check from switch) Malcolm puts the rig in the VOX publication and designed many new devices the American Radio Relay League Foundation (voice controlled transmit) mode. Software for radio direction finding. He collaborated for $1,000.00. The award may be used for and further information are available at: with Tom Curlee WB6UZZ to write equipment purchase or improvements to a http://www.kender.es/~edu/psk31.html "TRANSMITTER HUNTING---Radio club’s station. or http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/psk31.html. Direction Finding Simplified ," a comprehensive text on RDF, and has written With everyone’s help, our great club can over 135 magazine articles on the subject. In become even better and get the recognition it addition to being a Technical Advisor on RDF deserves. Please help our club continue to New Members to ARRL Headquarters, he serves as ARRL's grow by your active participation. A hearty welcome to SOARA’s newest ARDF Coordinator and was recently members: appointed to be IARU's ARDF Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere. SOARA elections are coming up soon. Bill Carter KK6BP If you would like to get more involved in the Steve Perluss KR6CE For more information on transmitter hunting, club by serving as a club officer, director, or Tom Kormanik W5LOM visit Joe's "Homing In" site on the World volunteer, please mention your willingness to Don Schleuse KF6NSU Wide Web: http://www.homingin.com Paul Levey, NZ1M. 2 The Propagator

Field Day California Antenna Bill SoCal ARDF session on A bill has been introduced in the California 2000 Is State Senate which will require the Coming Saturday March 25 reasonable accommodation of amateur By Mike Mullard, antennas. This bill goes beyond PRB-1 in KF6HVO Here is an opportunity for you and your restricting local governments ability to limit family to try on-foot foxhunting. Mark your calendars for June 24-25, 2000. amateur heights . The legislative Counsel's It’s Field Day, North America’s premier Digest of the bill is printed below. The Date: Saturday, March 25 Amateur Radio operating event. The annual complete text of the bill is available on the Time: 24-hour event will again be held at Gilleran 12:30 to 3:30 PM internet. Park in Mission Viejo at the end of La Paz Place: Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley Road. Over the past several years SOARA Talk-in (optional): 146.97(-) PL136.5 In order for this bill to be enacted it must has placed high in the U.S. rankings. But this have vigorous support by the amateur year will be the best yet! We will be This two-meter direction-finding community. “Vigorous support” means attempting to reclaim our ranking as the practice/demonstration is sponsored by the letters and telephone calls to your State highest scoring club in our division west of Fullerton Radio Club. All ages are welcome. Senator and Assembly Member asking them the Rocky Mountains. There is no charge for participation. A ham to support the bill and explaining why you radio license and/or knowledge of radio feel that way. State Senator Rainey was, With luck and commitment we will have the equipment is not required. Several models of Sheriff of Contra Costa County and should usual complement of CW and phone stations domestic and imported hand-held RDF sets be familiar with the Sheriff's Amateur Radio on HF as well as VHF and UHF stations. as well as commercial and home-built Group. On the one hand it ought to be easy New this year will be the addition of a antennas will be available to view and try to persuade him of the value of Amateur dedicated RTTY/PSK31 station. Hopefully, out. Basic equipment, such as hand-held Radio in emergency response. On the other we will again have our satellite operation receivers and "scanners," can also be hand the League of California Cities is going back in gear as well as Amateur Television successfully used. Maps will be provided. to be up in arms about the Bill. (worth 100 bonus points this year) and 10 GHz contacts. ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding), The various Assembly members in this area also called foxhunting, foxtailing and radio- are unlikely to know much about Amateur There will be something fun for everybody. orienteering, is the most popular kind of Radio. They need to learn two things: how The food will be wonderful, and most transmitter hunting in Europe and Asia. It is many of us (who vote) there are, and what we importantly, there will be the same spirit of quite similar to orienteering in that it takes do for the community. cooperation and camaraderie that sets our place in the woods with orienteering cards, club apart from the rest of the pack. punches, controls, and maps. It's easy to You may follow the progress of this bill by learn and fun for all ages. going to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov and Stop by for as little or as long as you want. following the links to "subscribe" to the bill YOU ARE WELCOME! Don’t let another Vehicular entrance and parking within Mile by number (SB1714). You will then receive Field Day go by without participating. Square costs $4, but you can park along the e-mail notice whenever any action takes streets just outside for free. The starting area place. Letters to committees as well as to will be near Euclid street, midway between your own representatives are in order. Edinger and Warner Avenues. Look for the orange and white orienteering signs. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S For more information about ARDF, plus DIGEST of SB 1714, detailed directions to this event, go to introduced, by Senator Brulte http://www.homingin.com Existing law authorizes the You can also get more information about this legislative body of any county or city hunt at the March 20 SOARA meeting. to adopt zoning ordinances for Here is an opportunity to put some of various purposes. This bill would Joe Moell K0OV those communicating skills to work. The provide that any ordinance enacted Association of Hand-crafted Automobiles USA ARDF Coordinator by the legislative body of any city or will hold a show at Knott’s Berry Farm on E-mail: [email protected] county regulating the placement, the weekend of April 29 & 30, and they screening, or height of antennas shall need communicators. If you would like to Come to the meeting to hear Joe and plan on reasonably accommodate amateur participate in this event, please call Heiko, taking advantage of this opportunity to radio antennas and permit radio KR6EA at (949) 859-3868 or contact him participate in this event. We may want to antenna height to less than 200 feet or via e-mail at: hold a similar event in South County during 75 feet, depending on the population [email protected]. the coming year. density of the city or county. 3 The Propagator

Year 2000 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

General Meeting 24 28 20 17 15 19 17 21 18 16 20 No 7:00 PM PSK31 T-hunt Auctio Hosp. Gordo Auctio meetin n n g

VEC Testing 24 28 20 17 15 26 17 21 18 18 20 5:30 PM

Propagator 8 12 4 1 4/29 3 1 5 2 9/30 4 2 Deadline

Board Meeting 31 3/6 27 24 22 26 24 28 25 23 27

Spring Auction 15

ARRL 26 - 27 Field Day

SOARA picnic 7

Fall Auction 20

SOARA Holiday 3 Party

Speakers Scheduled Upgrade Class Continues A Note From the Editor Two popular speakers have been Last month’s Propagator carried the last of scheduled for later this year. Our speaker SOARA’s General Class upgrade course the series “ 500 kHz — The Passing of an at the September meeting will be April is scheduled to be competed by the end of Era ”. I hope you enjoyed it. We appreciate Moell, WA6OPS. It has been some time this month. Several club members Jeff Herman, KH6O, giving his permission since her last visit to SOARA. April participated in teaching the classes. Each to run it. And a very sincere “thank you” to coordinates the Hospital Disaster Support covering an area where they had Jim Kelley, AC6XG, for finding it, Communications System and has considerable experience and expertise. arranging for permission to carry it and extensive experience with disaster sending the material to the editor. I believe communications. The last three class dates will be devoted it conveyed some of the thrill of operating to review and questions, with the last date CW, and some sense of the history of radio. October will see the return of the ever being reserved for testing. On Thursday, popular Gordon West. In addition to his March 23 and March 30 the classes will past presentations Gordon has supported be open to anyone preparing for a test. SOARA in our negotiations with Mission The classes will be informal and will Viejo over the antenna ordinance, and cover any topics the participants desire. has visited the club's Field Day site. The classes are held at the Norman P. Gordon should have some insights to Murray Civic Center. They run from share about the future of amateur radio. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Testing Opportunity VHF/UHF Contesting When back seat driving interferes- In addition to the regular test sessions VHF/UHF contesting is radically start the Crosley ROAMIO before the monthly club meetings a different from HF contesting. The goal, “Look out!” “Be careful” “Ooh! We’re coming to a special session will be held on Thursday, besides working the most other stations on hill!” No longer need you grit your teeth and suffer April 6 at 7:00 PM. This is the last club the the various bands, 6 Meter, 2 Meter, such well-meant but irritating exclamations. Instead — just turn on your CROSLEY ROAMIO sponsored test session before the April 15 220 Mhz, 440 Mhz, and above, is to work Automobile Radio Receiving Set. All fear and change in FCC rules. Testing is open to as many different Maidenhead grid irritability are forgotten as you spin along the smooth all. squares as possible. Each grid square is a road enjoying concerts, symphonies, the latest dance multiplier that will boost your score hits, or the wit of world-famous humorists. As with all test sessions it is necessary to substantially. YOU’RE T HERE WITH A CROSLEY pre-register. Call Lou Parker, KA6BJO, CROSLEY RADIO at least four days before the test. Call Watch for details on upcoming contests in In 1930, during the golden age of gender (949) 951-0336. Call before 9:00 PM. the next Propagator and give it a try. relations, one car-radio manufacturer advertised an oft-overlooked benefit of its product. PRESORTED STANDARD The PROPAGATOR U.S. POSTAGE PAID MISSION VEIJO, CA South Orange Amateur Radio Association PERMIT #825 P.O. Box 2545 Mission Viejo, CA 92690

Address Service Requested

Meeting: Monday 3/20/00 at 7:00 PM SOARA OFFICERS President: Paul Levey, NZ1M ...... 949-380-0399 “Joe Moell,K0OV: T-hunting Fun” [email protected] V.P. : Heiko Peschel, KD6SBI ...... 949-859-3868


SOARA meets at the Mission Viejo Community Center, 26932 [email protected] Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, the third Monday of every month at Secretary: Richard Coyne, WW7D ...... 949-855-4689 7:00 PM. Changes to the meeting time or place are announced in [email protected] this newsletter and on the two-meter repeater. Treasurer: Jerry Di Schino, KN6QK ...... 949-859-8149


License Exams : Amateur License Exams are given prior to most [email protected] SOARA meetings. Exams are from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. You must SOARA DIRECTORS make an appointment at least a week in advance. Call Lou Parker, Repeater : Jim Kelley, AC6XG ...... 714-649-3438 KA6BJO, at 951-0336. (No calls after 9:00 PM please.) [email protected]


Contacting SOARA: Questions about SOARA? Send e-mail Publications: Dale Griffith, W8RRV ...... 949-830-3767 to: i [email protected] , or leave a message at 949-249-1373: a [email protected] Membership: Chris Reed, KB6FYG ...... 949-361-1438 SOARA board member will respond as soon as possible. [email protected]


Web Site: SOARA maintains a web site with current club Education: Malcolm Levy, KO6SY ...... 949-951-1882 information. The URL is: http://www.soara.org . [email protected]


Repeaters: The SOARA 2-meter repeater is open to all licensed Technical: Doug Northern N6GNS ...... 949-582-2872 hams. The SOARA 440 repeater is for club members only. [email protected] SOARA 2m — 147.645 - (110.9) Communications: Ray Hutchinson, AE6H ...... 949-496-8020 SOARA 440 — 447.050 - (110.9) [email protected] The SOARA 220 and HROC 440 repeaters are shared by members SOARA COMMITTEES of both clubs. Each machine is subject to the operating rules of its Activities: Mike Mullard, KF6HVO ...... 949-249-2846 respective club. Call AC6XG for details. [email protected] SOARA 220 — 224.100 - (110.9) Testing: Lou Parker, KA6BJO ...... 949-951-0336 SOARA 220 — 224.640 - (123.0) [email protected] HROC 440 — 447.180 - (131.8) Website : Earl Reed, KF6EUO ......


Nets: SOARA 2 m repeater open net is held on Tuesdays at [email protected] Repeater Prog: Mark Nagelstad, KE6LEF ...... 949-582-8789 8:00 PM following the Laguna and M.V. emergency nets. [email protected] 40 meter HF net (7.235 MHz +/- for QRM), Sunday 7:30 AM