Posts

Posted on

New C4FM Digital Info Net

A new net has been started focusing on C4FM Digital. This is the digital mode of Yaesu’s line of System Fusion radios and is increasing in popularity. The net explores the features of these radios and what you can do in this digital mode including Wires-X which allows you to talk around the world.

The net is held Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. on the Oat Mountain repeater. Located above the San Fernando Valley, this is the closest compatible repeater to Ventura County. (K6PUW-Open Repeater, 447.200 -5.000. Set DG-ID Tx 00 and Rx 00 Wires-X Room 21042.) This repeater is linked to many other repeaters in Southern California through the SoCal Link Network. You can check it out at http://www.socalham.com.

This digital mode is growing in popularity and Yaesu is producing new C4FM radios to handle the demand. If you have a C4FM capable radio, check into the net and see what it’s all about. Check-ins have come from all over including Michigan, Florida, and New Zealand!

There are also plans for occasional C4FM digital simplex nets on 145.5625. If you are mobile make sure you are in the “GM” mode so that others can see you are in the area. Gary Bostrup-KM6DMM and Todd Kleopfer- KD6RCM share net control duties on the net and look forward to hearing those that can reach the Oat Mountain repeater or through a hotspot/Wires-X on the LA repeater.

Posted on

Technician License Classes Set For March 2023

The Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) will be offering a course for the FCC Amateur Radio License, Technician level, during the month of March. The classes will be held from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th in the Community Room at the East County Sheriff Station, 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. The Technician license grants full operating privileges in the VHF and UHF bands (as well as some others), which covers nearly all emergency communication programs as well as use of local repeaters, plus a portion of the HF or shortwave band used for long distances.

Instructor Zak Cohen-N6PK

The course will prepare people to pass the exam for the entry level Amateur Radio license. The test is being offered by CVARC on April 16th at 8:30 am at the same location. (Contact Andy Ludlum, K6AGL@CVARC.org for information on taking the test.) In addition to preparation for the exam, we will be introducing students to the many aspects of amateur radio, from emergency communications to social networks and digital operations, plus talking about local clubs and activities.

We use the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition as our text, which is available directly from the ARRL as well as most online retailers. To sign up for the class, email Keith Elliott W6KME at W6KME@CVARC.org.

Link to text book:
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2003373064

Posted on

Operate As W1AW/6

As a part of the Year of the Volunteer celebration, you could have the opportunity to operate under the ARRL’s legendary W1AW call sign from your own shack!

Between February 15 and February 21, 2023, authorized hams will operate as W1AW/6. If you want to be selected as one of the authorized operators, review the information here.

Posted on

February Club Meeting

The next regular club meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7:30 P.M. at the East County Sheriff’s Station.

Paul Ewing-N6PSE

Topic: DXpedition: Paul Ewing-N6PSE is the founder of the Intrepid DX Group and has organized and participated in eight DXpeditions to very rare DX and exotic locations around the world, including Northern Iraq, South Sudan, and Yemen. Paul will discuss his visit to North Korea and how he got and lost permission for a DXpedition.

Special note: if you can’t attend the meeting at the Sheriff’s station you can still participate via ZOOM, details below.

Continue reading “February Club Meeting”
Posted on

President’s Message

Happy New Year CVARC members, families, and guests!

Ed Zimmermann-N6XEW

WOW! January 2023.  Seems like only yesterday I was elected as 2022 CVARC President. It has been an amazing year. And I am looking forward to a year of new club activities. We held our first antenna build project in three years last October. Thank you, Nathan Eng-W6EN for putting that together. I think a few more builds will need to be added to the calendar for 2023.

Continue reading “President’s Message”
Posted on

ARRL 10m Contest Results

Several CVARC members participated in the ARRL 10m contest held Dec 10-11, 2022. Band conditions were favorable with lots of activity on both CW and voice portions of the band.

  • Nick Blackwell-KC0MQE made 6 QSOs into the upper Midwest.  He noted a great window into MN, IL and WI and could easily be heard running 100 watts.
  • Craig Grimm-KD6NFD made 115 QSOs with 41 states and countries. He noted a brief opening to the upper east coast including NY, MD, RI, and ME that lasted less than 30 minutes.
  • James Smith-KK6YAM used the contest as an opportunity to test out his setup and made a QSO with another station in California.
  • Pete Heins-N6ZE made 28 QSOs with 15 states and countries including CA, IL, KY, MN, LA, WI, TN, FL, GA, SC, NC, Japan, Australia, and Brazil. He ran an Icom IC-756 running 90 watts into a Cushcraft R5 vertical antenna.

Mark your calendars for the CVARC Winter Field Day on January 28.  There will be lots of activity on all the bands and a great chance to make contacts, practice your skills and learn from others. See you at the park!