Spring is a good time to check your antenna systems for corrosion, particularly your mobile antennas.  Corrosion is generally not a problem with soldered connections.  However, corrosion is a problem for those parts of your antennas in which a mechanical joint is used to form an electrical connection.  A typical example is an antenna mount on a vehicle.  Exposed coax connectors and power connectors are also problem areas. 

The winter rains cause moisture to seep into mechanical joints. Once the moisture is present, an electro-chemical process begins between water and the two metal parts forming the mechanical joint.  The result is the formation of  thin film of non-conductive material (corrosion) in the joint between the two mechanical parts.  The mechanical electrical connection that once existed between these parts is now broken by the thin film of corrosion material.  The result, your antenna no longer works, or worse yet, the antenna works but not quite right. 

The first time that I encountered this problem I was trying to tune up a mobile HF antenna while on vacation in Sequoia. I had not used the antenna for a while and it seemed to need a little tuning,  that is, the SWR seemed a little high.  From the SWR reading, it looked like the antenna was a little long.  So I cut a little of the mobile whip off.  However, the SWR remained the same, so I cut a little more.  By the time I got done cutting, my whip was nothing more than a stub, and the SWR was still the same.  When I got home I took the antenna system apart.  Sure enough, the mounting bracket that connected the antenna to my vehicle was all corroded on the inside.  From the outside the bracket looked fine.  But inside, where the bracket actually made contact with my vehicle, corrosion had developed.  Once I cleaned off the corrosion and reassembled my antenna, after buying a new whip, everything worked fine.  Changing the antenna length just a little did in fact cause a definite and immediate change in the SR. 

I have encountered the corrosion problem several times since.  The way that I have to mount the antennas on my vehicle, there is no way to avoid the problem.  So now once a year, each Spring, I take apart my mobile antennas and inspect them for corrosion.  If there is any corrosion, I use sanding paper and a wire brush to clean it off.  By following this annual procedure the problem is avoided and I am ready to go for Cruzzin Conejo, Sea To Summit, Field Day, and our other Spring time activities.
 
73 Ken Larson

For many hams, much of their radio activity is by way of the local repeater. Perched high atop tall buildings, mountains, or whatever can be found, repeaters greatly expand and enhance our communications range, giving us companionship while traveling or staying up after the late night shows, and providing extended and more reliable communications in times of emergency and public service.  And, they're just plain fun.  But, what does it take to put one up and maintain it?

Emmett Dunlap, WA6COT, long time resident of Thosand Oaks, has been there, done that many times, currently maintaining a number of repeaters in So. Cal.  Come join us and hear Emmett's most interesting and informative presentation on repeaters and repeater systems and linking, how to set them up, what it costs (you don't really want to know), frequency coordination, how it's done in other parts of the country, and everything else you wanted know about repeaters but were...well, you know.  Bring your friends and get them interested, too.  (Hey, it's not a one ham job...someday, when you really do it, you'll need their help.)

I have two months left to bug each of you for FD sign-ups.  Get active and join in on the fun at the top of the hill like last year.  Boy can I taste that BBQ beef and chicken.  Mouth watering!

First I want to congratulate Leon, N6VCL, for being accepted by the Board to the appointment of Comm Van Chairman this year.  He is off to a good start and each of our members can let him know how they can help.  Thanks to Don, K6CAB, for picking up the new batteries for both the Comm Van and the Trailer.

Now, for our next Big Event to prepare for is  Cruz'n Conejo, May 12^th. Starts at Amgen and the time is about 6am to 6:45 am for placement coordination.  I believe the event starts at 7am.  Please check the web site or with N7WLC for any update information.  Since we will have a club meeting on the 10^th, any details not provided will be updated at this meeting.  Last year Amgen was kind to provide BBQ lunch and a T-shirt.  More on that later!

I would like to have someone else do Net control in the Comm Van this year other than myself. This position usually takes two people.  One to do the APRS mapping functions and the other to run the VHF/UHF radios.  We could use three operators here if we have extra help as the Amgen repeater was successfully used last year.

I feel any member can perform Net control operations and it would be a good training session.  I have the following signed up to be placed at various positions.  (If you have a ? next to your call sign, it is because I need more information.)

Leon, N6VCL
Don, K6CAB
Roger, N6WNE
Roy, KE6UMW
Jenifer?, KE6HOI?
Jonathan, KC6QQQ
Rick, N8JJL
John, KF6CHT
Bill, N6IAW
Larry, AD6QJ
Szilard, KF6RYV?
Greg, K7SDW

We will use Bozo for a talk-in.  I will contact each of you for positions ahead of schedule so your travel to the sites will be as short as possible.  The more the merrier!!  If you cannot help at this event, then sign up for Sea to Summit event on the Saturday May 19^th.

I really appreciate each of you volunteering your time for this event.
73 de Greg, Operations Chairman, FD 2001