It’s like biathlon, but for geeks
Source: Outside Online
Bored in Quarantine
By Keith Elliott-W6KME
Last March, Ventura County went into lock down due to the COVID-19 crisis. Like everywhere else, this was quite a shock to us. One thing sets hams apart from the general public is we know how to stay in touch with each other. So, Starting March 21st, Zak Cohen-N6PK started a check in net on our local 2M repeater. Not once per week, not once per day-but four times per day, at 0900, 1200, 1800, and 2100. People checked in in droves-obviously, we all felt the need to have some sort of contact while facing the prospect of what we thought would be a few weeks confined to our homes.
Continue reading “Bored in Quarantine”Saturday Morning Radio School: Winlink
This week’s Saturday Morning Radio School begins at 10 A.M. on Zoom.
March 20th: Winlink with Andy Moorwood-K3CAQ and Keith Elliott-W6KME. Winlink is a program and system that connects amateur radio to the worldwide email system. We will talk about how it’s used by ARES and ACS as well as USGS (for earthquake research) and the Red Cross. It can be a great tool for ALL hams during major emergencies as well as things like local blackouts.
Here are the Zoom meeting details:
Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/91055491273?pwd=M3dzYS85RlU4TndGc2d0UjA1dFNvUT09
Meeting Number: 910 5549 1273
Password: jaCC2H
Contact: Keith Elliott at W6KME@CVARC.org
Saturday Morning Radio School: Summits on the Air (SOTA)
This week’s Saturday Morning Radio School begins at 10 A.M. on Zoom.
March 13th: Summits on the Air (SOTA) with Paul Van Zuyle-K6PVZ. SOTA involves taking radios to various peaks, locally and around the world, and “activating” them by making radio contacts. It also involves people down below finding and talking to the people on the peaks…there is something for everyone.
Here are the Zoom meeting details:
Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/91055491273?pwd=M3dzYS85RlU4TndGc2d0UjA1dFNvUT09
Meeting Number: 910 5549 1273
Password: jaCC2H
Contact: Keith Elliott at W6KME@CVARC.org
Saturday Morning Radio School: Emergency Communications
This week’s Saturday Morning Radio School begins at 10 A.M. on Zoom.
March 6th: Emergency Communications with Zak Cohen-N6PK. A look at emcomm activities in Ventura County, especially in our Area 2, and a discussion of the other ways our radios can help us in emergencies.
Here are the Zoom meeting details:
Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/91055491273?pwd=M3dzYS85RlU4TndGc2d0UjA1dFNvUT09
Meeting Number: 910 5549 1273
Password: jaCC2H
Contact: Keith Elliott at W6KME@CVARC.org
My First POTA Activation
by Craig Grimm-KD6NFD
Like many others I have spent the last year hunkered down amid the pandemic with little opportunity to travel or be outside. As the world has begun to re-open, I have looked for ways to spend more time outdoors. I stumbled upon a way to combine being outside with my love of amateur radio with Parks on the Air (POTA).
Continue reading “My First POTA Activation”March Club Meeting
The next regular club meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing software as we continue meeting remotely to combat the spread of COVID-19. Details on how to access the meeting are below.
Topic – New Battery Technology: Kevin Zanjani of Bioenno Power of Santa Ana will tell us about state-of-the-art LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate-LiFePO4) batteries which are safer, longer lasting and more efficient than the batteries we have been used in the past. These batteries work well with small solar panels and are popular with hams for remote and Field Day use.
Continue reading “March Club Meeting”Project Closeup: KC7UQD’s Go Box
By Brian Ginn-KC7UQD
I’ve had a mobile/portable “go box” in mind for quite a while, as my radios are currently mounted in a wooden shelf that’s bolted to the desk and wall. The current mounting scenario makes it inconvenient to take a radio somewhere else (maybe camping).
I’ve watched several YouTube videos, and they all make it look easy. I liked the looks of the Gator case style more than the “ammo box” style or the Pelican case style. Some of the hams with the Gator case, have commented on how heavy a “6U” box can get.
Continue reading “Project Closeup: KC7UQD’s Go Box”A Cost-Effective Way to Add Another Band to Your Bag of Tricks
By Pete Heins-N6ZE
A cost-effective way to increase the number of bands a ham can access is to use a transverter. Imagine adding the capability of using FM, SSB, Packet, and FT-8, at a power level of 10 watts, on a frequency band which you have never had before – for just $70!
Continue reading “A Cost-Effective Way to Add Another Band to Your Bag of Tricks”Saturday Morning Radio School to Begin
By Keith Elliott-W6KME
During the pandemic, CVARC members and the Ventura County amateur radio community have found a lot of ways to keep ourselves busy, with Zoom meetings, nets and contests, but it seemed like there was still more we could do. We have been able to schedule all three license courses on Zoom for 2021, but why not more? In fact, why not have school EVERY WEEK?
Starting in March, every Saturday morning (when there is not a License class in session) we will be holding the Saturday Morning Radio School. This will start at 10:00 A.M. on Zoom. Each week will feature a different topic for an hour or so, usually led by one of our own members.
Continue reading “Saturday Morning Radio School to Begin”