NETNEWS

by WB6IXN

5/03/2006 10m Phone Net - W6ZE/AF6C checked in IXN, KB3KTR(Steve), HHC, FMX, GW, and UC.  After ZE greeted IXN, we had a DX contact from 3-land…Steve, KTR, checked in frm Dallas Town, abt 35 mi. S. of Harrisburg, PA!   Steve gave OPs a new 10-10 number: 74187!  Using an ICOM-746 and a 4-element quagi, Steve heard AF6C, HHC, and IXN 5/9!…And we all heard KTR FB! HHC said that e-mails frm PEQ informed Ken that the HF bands were open last weekend, and HHC, at a COAR meeting last nite, heard a wrap-up on the Baker-to-Vegas Run…Then HHC reminded all OPs abt the Club Bfast at Jaegerhaus come Sat.   FMX joined the Net after the KTR contact, and hving just finished din-din, told OPs that Wayne Overbeck was the designer of the Quagi ant.  FMX & IXN copied GW & UC 5/9, wid HHC copying S3 sigs…IXN copied GW/m S3 at Harbor & the 405.  AF6C put out a call fer articles fer ‘RF’, and Bob said that CCE is working on a Tech article fer a future ‘RF’.

 

5/03/2006 2m Phone Net - W6ZE/IXN checked in WP, HHC, AUL, KTT, VDP, AF6C, KTS, CCE, KE4QFZ(Ray), KI6DHT(Mike), KQ6EH(Paul), and KFW…Nice checkin, OPs!  El Presidente WP, wid all school work done, and other work done, found sum time to check in…Willie & XYL Sheryl, KTT, told OPs that they had a gud time in Visalia!…Willie picked up a mast frm W6ZQ, and WP may miss next Club meeting.  HHC spend most of Net giving RST reports at NCS’ request, and Ken gave Willie Ron Cade’s call.  AUL if off on a 3-week business trip to Houston, TX, and VDP had e-mail contact wid and old friend, K6JT, Steve, who is busy wid ARES & message handling on 40 & 80m.  AF6C, wid an IPOD ARRL Audio News file to air, is expecting Christin to be bk by Friday, and, maybe, wid an article fer ‘RF’ on the PEQ’s trip to Visalia!  KTS picked up another Kenwood D-700 2m/440 rig fer the QTH, and David expects to be at next Club meeting fer sum eyeballs.  CCE ‘flew in and flew out’, and OPs welcomed KE4QFZ to the Net…Ray, using a TS-700A, is an Internet Manager.  Then we welcomed Mike, KI6DHT, formerly G8LLJ in England, to the Net…Mike’s e-mail: mjtutt@sbcglobal.net …We hope to eyeball with both Ray & Mike at a future Club meeting!  Paul, EH, in Downey, has been busy getting a new repeater ready fer service, 160W, UHF    IXN announced to Paul & other OPs, not to forget the OCWN 40m CW Net at 7.086 MHz Sundays at 9:00 am, local time, to keep up your morse code skills!    KFW, just in frm din-din at the Elks Club, has been having problems wid the lawn mower this past week.  Then AF6C aired the ARRL Audio News file…We heard that the new Telecom Emergency Communications Bill has a clause ordering the FCC to study the interference potential of BPL, a lot of thanks going to Congressman Ross!…Tnx, Bob!

 

5/07/2006 OCWN 40m CW Net – NCS/UEB checked in HKT, GVG, OIO, IB, VDP, IXN, RND, and NT.  UEB said that IMW called just before Net frm the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and Ian did a FB job of sending CW wid the push-to-talk button!…And UEB is planning a trip later this year to Sequoia National Forest, and UEB might get a mobile HF rig fer the occasion!…Rick said nothing has been heard on the harmonic’s wait list status at Wellesley.  HKT, wid an unsteady MFJ analyzer, suspects incoming antenna sigs might be causing the problem…And Homer’s GPS antenna frm TRW, mounted on the truck shell, works FB!  GVG, in Bonsall, had 556 sigs on most OPs…Wid the log periodic skipping over orange County, Roy switched to the sloper.  OIO went to the Circle Bar B Ranch last weekend for a western BBQ and an afternoon wid Will Rogers…And Ann finally got the PSK-31 up and running yesterday.  IB, all sigs solid cpy wid sum QSB, worked NU6T yesterday, portable, in Elko, NV.  VDP reported weaker sigs on all OPs today, and Larry told UEB that there would be no TV tennis matches today.  IXN had 3 new check-ins on the 2m Net…One OP, wid CW interests, will be checking into the OCWN in the near future!  RND, wid June gloom in May, said that the XYL had a birthday yesterday.  NAT, wid an S6 noise level, had bad sigs on all OPs at the gloomy beach.  UEB and RND heard a Mexican OP on freq. just before Net’s end, and, Rick told John that he didn’t know whether or not, IMW would be on the air frm his desert campsite.  IB, using a Kenwood TS-2000, had a ’lil difficulty wid keying…The weighting is vy different!…Casey told OPs that the rig is complicated, but vy neat wid all kinds of whiz-bangs!…HI!

 

5/10/2006 10m Phone Net – W6ZE/AF6C checked in LDC, CCD, IXN, HHC, and KI6BLP(Vlad), in Tustin.   LDC’s check-in next Wed. will be his last until the 2nd week in July on his return frm Montana, not to mention that Larry fell off a ladder injuring his rib cage, had a doctor appointment today, wid he & the XYL ending up at the movies, and, LDC reminded all OPs that Sunday is mum-mum’s day!  And CCD discovered that antennas fer the Church sound system were located inside a metal cabinet, requiring Tom to make a few alterations!…Then CCD was off to din-din.  IXN announced that Winn’s Music will soon hve 3 OPs at the store…UC, GW, and ?, when Nick picks up his Tech license!  And AF6C told OPs to get their orders fer FD T-shirts into Beverly ASAP!…This will be Bev’s last order!  Vlad, KI6BLP, in Tustin, was a new check-in to the Net…Welcome, VLAD!  AF6C has an IPOD ARRL Audio File fer the 2m Net, and HHC is spending a nice quiet evening working on the COAR equipment list.

 

5/10/2006 2m Phone Net – W6ZE/IXN checked in KTS, VDP, HHC, W5KGM(Al), KFW, AF6C, DDE, and EH.   KTS, reminding OPs that the OC Fair is not far off, installed a new Diamond X50 antenna on the D-700.  VDP, telling OPs that World Radio mag. last month listed Armed Forces Day freqs, said that GW stopped by the QTH today   Larry asked OPs if we wud be 3A or 4A this year fer FD…HHC said probably 3A.  HHC, telling OPs that DDE might check in wid a new rig & antenna, is winding down frm Baker-to-Vegas.     KGM is enjoying a new Magellan GPS, using and old Sears VHF mag-mount wid the antenna.  El Presidente, WP, will arrange to pick up the Club generator frm KFW fer FD.  And KFW, hving forgotten where he had placed his camera during re-carpeting, found it hidden in the clothes in the closet, just before he went out to buy a new one!…What a relief!…HI!  DDE-Steve checked into Net as HHC had predicted!   Steve was using his new YAESU dual-band wid a new Diamond antenna, too, wid 5/9 sigs at NCS’ QTH!  Paul-EH, ‘flew in and flew out’, and AF6C alerted OPs to check out new rules fer the GOTO station on FD.  And IXN congratulated AF6C on the FB article on Podcasting in May QST Magazine!…Then AF6C aired the 5/5/06 ARRL Audio File Podcast…Complaints continue to be registered wid FCC on the Manassas BPL fiasco…W1CRO complained abt Manassas BPL interference on 7255 KHz on both Apr 25 and May 3, 2006!…Tnx, Bob!

 

5/14/2006 OCWN 40m CW Net – NCS/UEB checked in IMW, GVG, HKT, IB, VDP, IXN and NT.  UEB, announcing the ARRL code qualifying run this Wed., wished he was going to the Hamvention…Rick said his next trip may be in 2008.  IMW, told that he must QNX, said that he just finished building a triode audio amp that’s very trendy and sounds FB!  GVG, in foggy Bonsall, will miss next Sunday’s Net…He’ll be in Laramie, WY, probably stuck in the snow!…HI!  HKT, using a remote tuner, is awaiting antenna parts frm Hygain, but St. Thomas picked up Homer’s call on the 1st try, and, HKT will be working the Palos Verdes Marathon next Sat.  IB, wid sunny WX in the foothills, copied Net sigs wid sum QSB.  And VDP had fun yesterday working 5 Armed Forces Day stations!  IXN told the Net that Bob, AF6C, has updated the OCARC roster on www.w6ze.org , and NT, wid an S7 noise level in a foggy bay, wished all a Happy Mother’s Day!

 

5/17/2006 10m Phone Net – W6ZE/AF6C checked in IXN, UC, and GW (and GW/m).  IXN tells OPs abt a new capacitive battery that may supplant chemical batteries in the future, and AF6C is now giving his gel cells a routine charge.   GW, checking in at the music store and then mobile, was on her way to the Corona del Mar-Laguna Beach area to pick up glasses she left at a friend’s house.  Nick, an employee at Winn’s Music, takes his Tech exam tomorrow!…If Nick passes the test, Winn’s Music will have 3 hams on board!  AF6C has recorded both AR Newsline & ARRL Audio News, one to be aired on the 2m Net tonite, and AF6C lost a phase on the AC line to the QTH, necessitating an SCE visit to repair the problem at the pole…And, AF6C has put handy calculators for voltage, current, impedance, etc., on the website fer use when you have math problems wid projects at the shack!…For answers,just go to www.w6ze.org/calculators/calculators.html and plug in your data!

 

5/17/2006 2m Phone Net - W6ZE/IXN checked in JD, KTS, VDP, GW, AF6C, DDE, KFW, KI6CEM(Don), N1AB, UC, and WB9YCJ(Ken)…(a FB check-in, OPs!)  JD, bk frm a trip to the Northwest, enjoyed visiting wid cousins, and, the beautiful, green scenery.  And JD made KTS a wee bit homesick talking abt the Pacific Northwest…And David picked up a new power supply fer the new rig…KTS will eyeball wid us a Club meeting tomorrow eve.  VDP worked 5 stns on Armed Forces Day…4 on 20m and 1 on 40m.  Nick, employed wid UC & GW at Winn’s Music, will take his Tech license exam tomorrow…If he passes, we will have a new ham visiting us at a future Club meeting!  GW/m and UC, at the QTH,  were both loud & clear tonite, and GW gave a ’lil info on Nick’s European background in the Czech Republic. DDE raised his antenna, and Steve lit up 2 additonal bars on NCS’ rig!  KFW and XYL, preparing fer a 1 ½ + month trip bk East June 7, said gasoline is selling bk East at $2.87/gal!…And Chris is transferring the FT-100 to the car, where he will work FD W6KFW/3m in PA.   AF6C, reading UC and GW/m FB, will air ARNewsline further dwn the log.  AB ‘flew in and flew out’, and YCJ, Ken, will leave fer the Dayton Hamvention in 6 to 8 hours…Ken also asked if anyone knew how long it would take to go by train to Portland, OR.   AF6C then aired ARNewsline #1498 fer 4/28…We learned that elimination of CW frm ham testing programs is not supressing use of the A-1 mode among hams.  If anything, there has been an interest surge in CW use!…And, ARRL is asking the FCC to shut down COMTECH BPL operations in Manassas immediately for failing to supress interference to lawful communications!…Tnx, Bob!

 

5/21/2006 OCWN 40m CW Net – NCS/UEB checked in IMW, KFW, HKT, IB, IXN, and NT.  UEB, fighting the flu and off on a business trip tomorrow, got a ‘click it or ticket’ citation yesterday…45 dollars gone!  IMW, off to the Chino Hills Swapmeet yesterday, came home wid sum more treasures…HI!  KFW, preparing fer a cross-country trip to Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks, enjoyed W6FUB’s presentation on sundials at the OCARC meeting last Friday.  HKT, wid drizzle this morning, worked the Palos Verdes Marathon yesterday…Today Homer will work the Hunger Walk, and, HKT is still waiting fer antenna parts frm Hygain…Homer will be gone fer the next 2 or 3 Nets.  IB, wid weak sigs, calm WX, clouds, and expecting a thunderstorm, will be in the San Francisco Bay area next Sunday.  IXN said that AF6C has put a Ham Calculator up on the OCARC website…It can be accessed using www.w6ze.org/calculators/calculators.html.  Most OPs were experiencing high noise levels today, and NT had a S7 noise level at the QTH on a gloomy day by the bay!

 

5/24/2006 10m Phone Net - W6ZE/AF6C checked in LDC, IXN, and HHC.  AF6C went to the OC Library and picked up a book on HTML to learn new technology, and Bob said that Ida is doing well after surgery.  IXN wondered abt how many Club OPs have 80-10m gear operable in their shacks   AF6C commented that many Club OPs hold only Tech licenses!  AF6C and LDC then briefly discussed the cost of pouches & clips for Club badges.  LDC got the laptops working, and Larry is thinking abt getting rid of the desktop computer…And, do not send LDC any e-mails ’til he returns frm Montana after the 4th of July!   HHC had a great time wid the grandharmonics at the San Diego Wild Animal Park…Ask Ken abt the birds that perch on your arms while dining!…And HHC introduced 6.5 yr old Michael to the 2m Net.  IXN, AF6C, and HHC then made comparisons between old FCC testing contents & methods and the new test sessions.  HHC then told OPs that COAR is investing in new amateur gear.

 

5/24/2006 2m Phone Net - W6ZE/IXN checked in N8WP, VDP, DDE, AF6C, HHC, KFW, and KTS/m.  El Presidente was unable to pick up any G-77 Military Towers fer FD, and VDP will be discussing 80m FD operations & equipment wid WP in the near future…WP does have standard military masts fer FD, and, antennas fer FD were briefly discussed, including an inverted V ant wid balun fer 80m.  WP said that he has state-of-the-art receivers ready fer FD.  DDE will be up in Salem, OR, during FD wid an Airstream Club…Steve will be gone fer abt a month.  AF6C, still cleaning up in the garage, is abt ready to mount the 51J4 back in the newly painted rack…Bob also has an ARRL Audio News ready to roll.  HHC said that LDC is off to Montana come Sat., and Ken received an e-mail frm PEQ who had a gud, but hard working, time in the EICOM booth at the Dayton Hamvention…And HHC & Diane are keeping the grandharmonics while the parents are on vacation!  KFW, wid the FT-100 car-mounted, is off to PA in two weeks, and KTS/m just finished din-din wid his 17 yr old god son, Michael.  AF6C then aired the ARRL 5/19 Audio News…The FCC is still mum on the elimination of CW for ham licenses, and ARRL still advises future licensees to learn international morse code until a decision is rendered by the FCC!…The M2 Antenna Company will support this year’s VHF QSO Party in June…Tnx, Bob!

5/28/2006 OCWN 40m CW Net – NCS/UEB checked in IMW, OIO, GVG, KFW, VDP, NT, IB, KS6CW, and IXN.   UEB, enjoying a long weekend, is getting sum long overdue hedge trimming done.  And IMW is busy bringing a BC-348, frm Goat Hill, bk to life!  OIO tried the Net frm Barton Flats 2 weeks ago but cud only hear IB…Yesterday Ann toured the San Andreas Fault in Wrightwood and Palmdale.  GVG, wid weak sigs, poor skip and maximum QRO, said IB’s sigs were a FB 599! KFW, finishing preparations fer the trip bk East, plans to leave June 7.  VDP, wid a 20-over noise level, QNX’d to work a Special Event station on 20m.  NT, working a few DX stations in the WPX Contest, is looking forward to a visit frm UEB & IMW next Saturday.  IB, bk frm the Bay area last nite, was able to join us on the Net…Casey wished all OPs a gud Memorial Day weekend, and IB said that GVG had 599 sigs!  NCS cudn’t hear CW this morning, so GVG relayed fer Kathy…School is finally over and life is getting bk to normal…HI!  IXN reported that the San Andreas Fault goes dwn the mountains frm Wrightwood into the Lytle Creek Campgrounds, where campers go swimming in the sink holes along the Fault…The Fault is 30 miles wide in the Lytle Creek area!

 

5/31/2006 10m Phone Net - W6ZE/AF6C checked in IXN, CCD, WB9YCJ, HHC, and N8WP and also GW.  IXN told OPs that Winn Music employee, Nick, passed his Tech exam last Thursday…No license yet!  YCJ, bk frm a 3-week vacation to the Dayton Hamvention and the Chicago area, might come to FD…Ken said there were 20,000+ visitors to the Hamvention.  HHC has been busy fixing a couple of ‘Bill Gates’ problems, and Ken said that the Club generator has been delivered to el Presidente WP.  And HHC & YCJ briefly discussed the new YAESU FT-2000 rig.   WP copied most OPs Q5 wid a ’lil white noise.  CCD, back frm Visalia, travelled the dangerous road to & from the Mineral king Campgrounds, and OPs briefly discussed the two CLARA hams killed in an auto accident during a T-Hunt…And AF6C sent Tom info. fer FD publicity.  AF6C gave a list of upcoming meteor showers to OPs looking fer meteor skip.  GW tried to check in, but was never given an "opening"

 

5/31/06 2m Phone Net - W6ZE/IXN checked in JD, N8WP, KTT, AUL, VDP, DDE, GW, UC, AF6C, HHC, N1AB, WB9YCJ(Ken), and KFW…Great check-in, OPs!  JD will attend the the Cops Expo, involving COAR, OPD, OFD, County & nearby cities.   KTT provided moral support to El Presidente, WP, who had a bout in the hospital wid a bleeding ulcer over the weekend!…And Willie announced a FD meeting after the Club Bfast come Sat.  AUL just got bk frm a 3-week business trip to Houston, and VDP worked the Indianapolis 500 Special Events Station on 20m last Sunday eve…And Larry found 6m open on Monday where he garnered 2 new grid squares!  DDE, in Salem, OR, fer FD, will try to give FD OPs a few points, and DDE went wid JD to look over the ATV & COAR setup.  GW said, wid 3 hams at Winn’s Music, there is talk of antennas on the roof, etc.  And UC, catching up on his e-mail, gave Cori an S8 sig rpt, while Jim was thinking abt where he is going to put all the music instruments coming into the store fer repair!  AF6C has an ARNewsline fer the Net, and KFW told AF6C that all is FB wid the Club generator…AF6C said that the generator may need an oil change…And Bob told OPs that the Fall River, Mass., Axe Murder House is now a Bed & Breakfast!…And Bob might consider a Club program on the very versatile PIC-chip Microchips ( 512-8K bytes of memory, built-in RAM, analog input, built in timers, one-chip TNC, etc.)  HHC reminded OPs abt the Club Bfast Sat., wished DDE a gud vacation, got the generator to Willie, and beat YCJ’s check-in to become ‘Ken#1’ on the 2m Net!  AB, busy at work, wished WP well wid the healing ulcer.  YCJ, hving a problem wid running SCANDISK in Windows98, got sum help frm OPs who suggested using a program, ‘Process Viewer’, frm the Internet, or, start the computer up in the SAFE mode.  KFW will be leaving fer the trip Pittsburgh & environs next Wed…He will pick up the e-mail adr of KF3CQ, Ed Zipf, fer IXN…Both are interested in seismology.   AF6C then aired ARNewsline file #1502…Future communications will probably include a hybrid wireless/BPL network…Gordy, NOA, received the Ham Radio Amateur of the Year award at the Dayton Hamvention, wid 20,000+ OPs in attendance…Tnx Bob!

 

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