Vintage Phillips Radio

His is an interesting video. The making of a vintage radio Philips (Tesla) T535A Sirius. The video was made in Czechoslovakia (1936) and is not in English but still interesting. 

Merry Christmas !!

Merry Christmas everyone from the SEKARC. Hope you all have a fun, warm, happy holiday full of love and family!

Seth's Ham Radio

Late Night Seth tries to conquer a new social media platform: The old timey radio. Sure it's not accurate and pokes a little fun at us but I can play along....

WW1 Memorial Special Event Dec 27-28

Ham Radio Now is a great online show for hams! It's another great program much like Amateur Logic and Ham Nation!

World War 1 started in 1914, 100 years ago, and continued for the next five years. Hams in the Kansas City area are remembering with Special Event station WW1USA from the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. The hams have chosen several specific events to honor each year by setting up a Field Day style station and operating for the weekend around each event from the Museum grounds.

A Hamtastic Christmas from AL.TV

Funny show... well done guys !!

Peter talks about Propagation, Tommy shows us Arne’s IC-7100 with Remote Rig, George presents the CheapoDuino Finale. Plus our exciting holiday present to you, The AmateurLogic Christmas Album Collection with Mike Morneau, VE3MIC.

This is an excellent way to end the year. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it.

A Thank You To Xuron Tools

Full disclosure here... my wife and club member Loren KDØRTX's father started this company. Next time you see her, ask her about winding springs as a youth! Great people and a great company. Look for more in the future from Xuron and SEKARC. A special thanks to Xuron for the tools received by the club. Our members were thrilled and we had door prizes for everyone!

Based in Saco Maine and founded in 1971, Xuron Corp. is one of the world's leading manufacturers of ergonomic, electronics grade hand tools for the electronics, aerospace, plastic molding, wire processing, hobby, craft, jewelry and fishing industries.

Xuron Corp. is the original inventor, and patent holder, of the Micro-Shear® blade by-pass cutting technology used on all Xuron® brand cutters.

Xuron® tools are manufactured in Saco, Maine U.S.A., where quality, outstanding work ethic and flawless craftsmanship are a long-time tradition.

November Meeting and SDR

Screenshot From WEBSDR.org

What a great meeting we had last Saturday. That neeting was an example of some of the best things about SEKARC. New technology, learning and friendship. It was nice to see a good turnout on a holiday weekend and if you missed it, be sure and attend our next meeting in January. ( We will not have a Dec meeting, too close to Christmas ).

I showed a basic intro to SDR YouTube video (watch below), which displayed basic info and demonstrated 2 free software programs to listen with and modify the signals. Joe then gave a demo of the fantastic website websdr. Towards the bottom of this article I will embed the youtube video and will post links to the info that Joe presented.

The SDR market is exploding with inexpensive hardware to LISTEN to many bands of radio  frequencies. Many of us have since purchased some of the equipment and I am sure some of that will be on display in the January meeting. If you have any advice of info that would be helpful, please add it to the comments section below.

We also got to meet some new members that we initially met at the Joplin Hamfest! Thanks for coming Kristin KEØBPL and Seth KDØTEL and we hope to see you again soon! Anything you need just give us a post on the Google Groups site!

SDR rcvr  (world wide receiver list)       

http://websdr.org  Good starting place "Great Lakes Listening Post" 40,30,20 mtr

http://n5dux.2y.net  Softrock Lite 40 mtr rcvr     running on Raspberry Pi.

http://75.65.68.216   W5ZA  Shreveport, La.   10 meter Beacon receiver


SDR Software  

www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software.   (free downloads)

SDR Intro Video

Changing Email Group for SEKARC

Hello everyone, after a suggestion by one of our new members Kristen KEØBPL and a question by Jack WDØCFH, I finally started on something I had been thinking about for a while. SEKARC is changing over to Google Groups for our email and club communications. The group was getting too large to manage from one email account with  SEKARC. We will make the change slowly and over a week or two so everyone has time to get signed up.

Google Groups is much like Yahoo Groups that many of you are familiar with but Google just does it better and it ties nicely to the website which is on Blogger, another Google platform. This enables us to save email and topics for later review and creates a forum type of setting for questions to the group. Another plus it that it puts the entire group at your fingertips for times like Jack was talking about it can be used as a swap shop or looking to buy/sell service for just the club!

The SEKARC email adress will always be active and monitored. All emails sent out for reminders, new post updates and general FYI's will be sent using the Google Groups process. But don't forget I will slowly transition over so there may be some duplicates for a while. If you have issues or questions, please let us know!

There will be some bugs I am sure and here are a couple of hints that I used... I set mine to receive individual emails for  each post. You can get one summary email per day with ALL of the days posts but I tried that with Larry's List and I think I missed a lot of info by doing that. I can't imagine that our group would jam up your inbox with tons of emails, especially starting out.

On Monday I will be sending out a google group SEKARC email with the link to sign up to the SEKARC Google Group! It's pretty easy, just a click and your are done! Instructions and hints for set up are listed below.

One option I might suggest after you sign up... go and change your personal settings to include your call sign and in the same area you choose the email type (individual or daily summary). Screenshots below start on the groups web page where you can also post and read messages directly. But just replying and sending emails to the group will post them as well.

After signing up ( you do not need a Google ID to sign up by the way )... go to the group main page Google Groups SEKARC, and in the top right corner you will see this... click the box with the person and little gear...

Then click on the line that says Membership and email settings...

You will then see this box.... under display name you can put what you would but your name and call sign would be good. This would help others identify the sender! And then underneath that is a drop down for email settings where you choose individual or daily summary...

That's pretty mush it. From the Google Groups SEKARC site you can see all of the postings, read them and/or create a new topic! This will greatly enhance our clubs communication lever and after we get around the changing pains I think we will all be glad we did! Let me know if you have any questions or have any issues with the process! When sending a new email to the group via  sekarc @ googlegroups.com, the email subject become the TOPIC for that thread...

Keep in mind though..... everyone in the group will be able to read your postings so if you have private emails to send, please use their personal email address to do so.

..

Jammin' at Builders Group?

Well the Builders Group had a wild night last week... we've seen tubes glow, Jacob's ladder spark, and solder smoke filled the air but this night was a little different.... a little sound wave demo.

New Yaesu FT-991 Released

Holy cow this is crazy. This replaces the FT-897? I had read where it would be around the $1200 range, but this is NUTS ! This is today's listing on Associated Radio. The  nice FTDX-1200 was around $1500 but is now about $1399 with a $200 rebate from Yaesu. Guess I had put this new rig in the wrong category... So maybe that FT-991 will not be on my wish list anytime soon.

But that FTDX-1200 looks better and better....

Raytown Hamfest November 2014

Here is a nice video about the Raytown Amateur Radio Club Hamfest held recently.... these are really fun and follow the HAMFEST tab to the left for info on upcoming hamfest. Winter is a little slow but keep checking in !

I updated the HAMFEST link with 3 of them in early 2015! Should be a fun way to deal with winter. And cheaper than moving to Florida!

Raytown ARC Hamfest 1 Nov 2014 from Jacque Dupuy on Vimeo.

Russian Digital Radio Club Contest

Click Image For More Info

Dear Fellow Radio Amateurs,

The Russian Digital Radio Club has the honour to invite the radio amateurs all over the world to participate in the 1st Russian WW MultiMode Contest 2014. The objective of the contest is to establish as many contacts as possible between radio amateurs around the world and radio amateurs in Russia.

We invite all fans of all modes to take part in contest from 12.00 UTC on Saturday 15th November till 11:59 UTC on Sunday 16th November, 2014. Types of modulation: BPSK63, CW, RTTY, SSB. The repeated contacts are permitted on different bands and different modes providing that a contact will be made not earlier than in 3 minutes. The output power should not exceed 10 watts on 160 meters and 100 watts on other bands. The operator may change the bands no more than 10 times within calendar hour (with zero on 59-th minute of each hour). Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time. Bands: 160 m, 80 m, 40 m, 20 m, 15 m, 10 m.

Prizes and certificates in all categories:
SOAB - BPSK63-CW-RTTY-SSB
SOAB - BPSK63-CW-RTTY
SOAB - BPSK63-CW-SSB
SOAB - BPSK63-RTTY-SSB
SOAB - CW-RTTY-SSB
SOAB - BPSK63-CW
SOAB - BPSK63-RTTY
SOAB - BPSK63-SSB
SOAB - BPSK63-SSB
SOAB - RTTY-SSB
SOAB - CW-RTTY
SOAB - CW-SSB
MOAB - BPSK63-CW-RTTY-SSB

For more info please visit Russian WW MultiMode Contest 2014 Rules: http://www.rdrclub.ru/russian-ww-multimode-contest/159-rus-ww-multimode-contest

You should send your log upload via the Web interface http://ua9qcq.com/en/submit_log.php?lang=en

All logs must be sent no later than 14 days after the contest (23:59 UTC on 30th November 2014).

73! de Russian Digital Radio Club

Regards,
Yuri | rk3dsw@rambler.ru

Loaded Whips and Portable Trips

By David Keath – N0WKZ

Because of my very restricted location, I recently purchased the one of the few antenna's I have ever paid money for.  It is a coil loaded MFJ 1840T telescopic whip for 40 meters.  Granted, I knew it would be a compromise but it turned out to be quite a nice little device.  I have no complaints as it does exactly what it should for what it is.  Nevertheless, time and time again, I continue to find that there is only one true remedy for a bad location.  Portable Trips.  Despite the colder autumn temperatures, I decided to pack up and head out in order to try and get in at least one more trip before mother nature starts pooping all manner of nasty stuff upon us.  As well, I usually get at least one contact out of a trip which is often far more than I get at home.

Radio Operators Save The World

We had a great meeting Saturday. If you were not able to stop in, plan on being there November 29th for our next meeting!

FYI - Excellent video to share with your friends and family about Amateur Radio!

AM Radio History

Interesting find here... cannot locate the original source to reference but still a neat video!

The technology of amplitude modulation (AM) radio transmission was developed during the two decades from 1900 to 1920. Before this, the first radios transmitted information by wireless telegraphy, in which the radio signal didn't carry audio (sound) but was switched on and off to create pulses that carried text messages in Morse code. This was used for private person-to-person traffic, similar to telegrams.

Maury's Radios On The Air Once More...

A few months ago, I was contacted by the daughter-in-law of this Silent Key Maury Fee WB6RLP who at one time lived in Columbus, KS. His son Jeff was at the home cleaning some things out and they had some of his father's ham radio equipment that they would like to sell and move on. They sent me a list of the main items which included a Yaesu FT-840 and a Swan 500cx transceiver, Ameritron and Heathkit amps and various other accessories.

I passed the information on to the club members and ham radio operators that I knew and we just could not get any interest warmed up. Well as it got closer to the time for Jeff to head back home in California, they contacted me again and made me an offer that I could not refuse. If I would buy the Yaesu FT-840 for a great price, they would donate the rest of the equipment to the club in their families honor. Well I could tell they wanted to gear to be in good hands and I was excited to accept their offer and made an appointment to meet Jeff at the house and gather up the items.

ARRL Kansas Section News Summary

Our Section Convention was held at Salina and hosted by Central Kansas ARC at Webster Conference Center. Back to Basics theme continued this year with Johnson County RAC providing a program about their club and what they do. Vice President Arron Boots-AA0RN and Section
Technical Coordinator(and club Member) Bill Brinker-WA0CBW did a wonderful job explaining how JOCO RAC is able to consistently attract club members and newer licensees to their meetings and functions each month. A video of their 2014 Field Day was included as part of their
presentation.

Fire Station Meeting was GREAT !

Great meeting Saturday! I think those that attended saw that the new meeting place is top notch and will work out great for meetings going forward! Special thanks to Jim Tuggle from RACES which presented a program on RACES including what it is, what they do and how we can get involved! See the embedded slide show which he presented below!

"Last Man Standing" Stage Special Event

K6H -- Special Event Radio Station:

Website: PAPASYS.COM

The Southern California based PAPA Repeater System will be reprising its popular special radio event!

Under the call sign K6H, “Ham Radio Celebrates Hollywood” will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm PST and originate from Stage 9 of the CBS Studio Center facility in Studio City, California.

Historic Stage 9 is the home of ABC’s hit TV show, “Last Man Standing”, starring Tim Allen. “Seinfeld”, “Spin City”, “According To Jim”, “Cane”, “The Cleaner” and “The Defenders” are among the shows that have been shot on the stage.

“Last Man Standing” has just been renewed for its 4th season and a number of the shows licensed radio operators will be on hand to host the PAPA members.

SEKARC Coffee QSO - Always Interesting

If you have not made it to one of our coffee qso's at Starbucks, then try to make one soon. There is always something interesting to see and learn. From old radios, keyers, QRP homebrew products to fascinating screenshots of solar activity!

Most of the conversation has a radio topic, but occasionally it wonders to weather, current news and there is even an occasional tailgate swap. Always interesting... be there ! 9am Starbucks Wednesdays.

Radio Prepares for War Pt. One

By PAUL LITWINOVICH

Read entire story here ---- WSHU.ORG

1935 National HRO U.S. Navy Receiver.
Credit P. Litwinovich collection

As the roaring twenties came to a close, radio technology would continue to evolve with significant improvements to consumer sets, particularly in the area of shortwave reception. Read my past articles for more details as to how this transpired. The price of radios would continue to fall as availability continued to increase. Herbert Hoover could have added "a radio in every home" to his famous "a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" campaign slogan. This radio boom would continue right up until December of 1941, when the first bombs were dropped on Pearl Harbor. After that, new radios would be a scarcity as almost all production and materials were diverted to the war effort.

9/11 Never Forget

I recorded the N2Y Special Event commemorating the 13th anniversary of 9/11. Then took some photos that I have stored on my pc from 2001. Sound from today, photos from 13 years ago and the photographers are unknown but the content should never be forgotten.

14.265 MHz
N2Y Special Event Station
New York City, New York

Rotating Tower Raising

This is an interesting video about putting a very nice tower! Be sure and check it out and if you need help putting yours up let us know.... we might watch! ok ok.... we'll help you! (from the ground).

Milestone SEKARC Meeting Sept 27th

The September 27th meeting of the SEKARC will be held at the Pittsburg Fire Station #1 on West Fourth Street in Pittsburg at 9am! We are very excited about the news and this will be our first actual meeting room, and we will even have a program with a special guest presenter!

Jim Tuggle, the Kansas State RACES officer will be providing the program for us and will be giving a presentation on the RACES program. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the program here is a little rundown taken from the RACES website.

RACES stands for "Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service," a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Part 97, Section 407). Many government agencies across the country train their Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) volunteers using the RACES protocol. The volunteers serve their respective jurisdictions pursuant to guidelines and mandates established by local emergency management officials.

Click to go to RACES.org

We have met with the Fire Chief Mike Simons and our plan is to make this a regular location for our monthly meetings. At each monthly meeting we will reserve and confirm the room for the following month. The station has a great training room with lots of space as it holds 80, and it also has the latest media technology which the Chief offered for us to use. Large screen with projector, laptop and Internet access. I think this will be a great partnership going forward. 

With the large room, tables and technology all we will need to provide is the donuts and coffee! This had great possibilities for the club for bringing in guest speakers, demonstrations and we could even have kit or antenna building meetings so if you have an idea for a meeting topic then speak up and let us know! There is parking in the front on the left and in the rear of the building and on 3rd street if we need it! Just don't park on the approach and block the trucks!

One other option is to use the lot to the East of the station to setup radio gear right there on sight. Imagine having something like this for the community to see and we could even offer a Get On The Air station or GOTA for anyone interested to make some radio contacts! This opens up many possibilities for SEKARC so the club can make the next steps as we grow!

Thanks and mark your calendars for Sept 27th 9-11 am! See you there!

JARC Joplin Hamfest

Once again the  Joplin Amateur Radio Club put on a great Hamfest! The SEKARC table was a success and next year I think we will need to get TWO tables! The club made some money from the sale of some donated gear and many menbers that brought items to sell, did so! This years fest was even better than last years. Several of us got to meet Bob Heil as he stopped by our table and with our table being right next to Big Larry NØMST there was always entertainment going on!

Pony Express Special Event Sunday

http://www.arrlmidwest.org/ponyexpress.html

The Crown Amateur Radio Association will be operating a Pony Express Special Event Station this Sunday, August 31, 2014. From 9:30 a. m. to 4 p. m. CDT, we will be operating from the grounds of the Historic Hollenberg Pony Express Station 1 mile east of Hanover, KS.

KØASA will operate as an 1860s-style Telegraph Office during the annual Hollenberg Pony Express Station Festival. Frequencies: 7.045, 14.045, 14.245 & 18.085 MHz. We plan to be operating on 40m at 11 am and 2 pm CDT as well as at other unscheduled times. The 14.245 is for SSB contacts!


Certificate awarded and QSL available.

Portable Copper J-Pole ? Nick Says "Yep!"

Screenshot from YouTube

Nick KEØATH, son of Burke Jones NØHYD in Wichita wanted to make a portable copper j-pole that is portable. Now portable and copper j-pole are not often used together but this is a great idea and video that shows us how to make one! Keep them coming Nick and Burke!

Build An AM Radio In A Box

Here is a great little project... an AM radio receiver with amplified speaker, using a 9 volt battery! Schematic is included. If anyone decides to build one of these, take pictures and take notes. It would make a nice follow up article.

Also, does anyone have a cool box, or an idea for a box to use for this project?

Joplin HAMFEST Time !!

Make your plans to attend this weekend. This is a great event and last year Bob Heil was there and even had a table of things he was selling! This HAM NATION show has a short segment about his visit. The Joplin part starts at 30:00 in. Check it out and we will see you this weekend!

Be sure and stop by our table, to buy OR sell !!

3pm-8pm Friday

8am-2pm Saturday

( yes the mention is brief )

New Amateur Logic Episode

Published on Aug 12, 2014

In this episode Peter demonstrates a new microcontrolled component test. George talks all about Dummy Loads. Tommy shows us the new DV Mega Raspberry Pi D-Star Hotspot. And a visit to the K7LWH D-Star Repeater site in Bellevue Washington.

Be sure and watch the whole thing and notice the GREAT prize they are giving away! They also announce our 9th Anniversary Sweepstakes where some ham is going to win the Ultimate Mobile Station.

Amateur Logic Episode 69

Full Duplex: A Fundamental Radio Tech Breakthrough

Image From www.extremetech.com

Could double throughput, alleviate the spectrum crunch

It is generally accepted that we’re fast approaching the limits of what is possible with radio waves, due to numerous technical constraints that have plagued RF-based wireless networks since their inception over 100 years ago. But what if one of those constraints — perhaps the biggest — was blown away?

AM and FM Explained

AM and FM explained by an old Army training film! This is excellent and informative. It is in two parts so be sure and watch them both !

Part One

Cheap Digital Voltmeter from K7AGE

Here is a nice little cheap project for a digital voltmeter. I will be watching for some of these at the Joplin Hamfest!!

'Holy Grail' of battery design achieved: A stable lithium anode

Image From http://www.ecnmag.com/

Full Story Here -- 'Holy Grail' of battery design achieved: A stable lithium anode

Engineers use carbon nanospheres to protect lithium from the reactive and expansive problems that have restricted its use as an anode

Engineers across the globe have been racing to design smaller, cheaper and more efficient rechargeable batteries to meet the power storage needs of everything from handheld gadgets to electric cars.

July Meeting and Lincoln Park

The July meeting of SEKARC was held Saturday and it was a very good one. Bill WBØLXZ brought his project that he has been working on for a demonstration. A 555 keyer plus sidetone paddle. At the coffee on Wednesday he had his schematic and circuit board all printed and by Saturday it was complete! We had a great turnout at Hardee's and I can happily say that I think we are outgrowing Hardee's as the location for our meetings.

QRP - Discoveries and Experiences

By David Keath NØWKZ

As of late, I have been accumulating more experiences, not just with CW, but also with QRP operations. Indeed, a number of recent portable operations were quite instructive for me. What I hope is that by sharing these perhaps, minor details, I might be able to save some other operators the trouble of so much frustration.

Voices of Experience

First, and as always, I think the number one thing I am continuing to find is that the best source of advice and help is Elmer's. Operators with years of experience. This is a source of knowledge that can never be underestimated. Oh, and don't be like me. Don't selectively take advice from Elmer's while ignoring some things in favor of stubborn personal ideas. The object really is to operate. These guys usually know how to help you get up and going. If you need help; ask for it.

AmateurLogic.TV Goes to Dayton

Great show and a great topic! Dayton! This episode highlights the host's trip to Dayton. As many of you know, these shows are very good and I think that I prefer these guys to the big dollar Ham Nation production. Check out the lastest episode..

Check out and follow their sites !!

YouTube

AmateurLogic

Twitter

Facebook

Missing on the Roster ?

Hello, are you missing on the club roster? Please check the OFFICERS and MEMBERS tab and see if you are listed and if you are not but want to be, then send us an email sekarc.net @ gmail.com and I will get you added! I have tried to keep it up to date from the website form submissions but I want to make sure.

Also... if you have any ideas or thoughts that you would like to contribute to the website please let me know! I would love to get more regular authors so our website can be as informative and as interesting as possible. I bet you all are getting tired of hearing from me? You can write it up in a separate doc or I can get you signed up to draft it right here on the Blogger posting site.

Remember... our next monthly meeting will be Sat July 26th at Hardee's in Pittsburg at 9 am and after the meeting we will head to the park to set up our gear and get on the air! We probably will not have a shelter but just find an open spot. If any of you have ideas for a different location for setup then let us know!

From the KOAM/Fox14 Visit !

Field Day at WW1USA

Great video from the WWI Memorial in Kansas City !

WW1USA and ARRL Field Day 2014 at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial from Jacque Dupuy on Vimeo.

SEKARC in the NEWS !

For those that missed it or are not in the area, here is the video from the KOAM broadcast and some photos from the event will be posted later! Great coverage by the reporter Stacey Lindsay. Stacey was there over an hour and talked to most of us and she was very interested and fascinated the what we do and why. Hopefully we convinced her to get her amateur ticket!

FOX 14 TV Joplin and Pittsburg News Weather Sports |

KOAM TV VISITS SEKARC WEDNESDAY

Stacey Lindsay from Fox14 and KOAM stopped by Big Brutus on Field Day and was very interested and spoke with a lot of operators. They had a very nice mention with some video on both newscasts that night and also a write up on their websites! Linked HERE!

Thanks to Stacey and KOAM TV for this great story !!

Amateur radio enthusiasts gather in Southeast Kansas for a nationwide field day.: The Southeast Kansas Amateur... http://t.co/Jtzmo6m9TG

— Stacey Lindsay (@SLindsayFOX14) June 29, 2014

Field Day Results, Sights and Sounds

Field Day 2014 is in the books and behind us. I think that overall it was a success! Certainly an improvement on last year and our thanks go to the Hams that contributed! If I missed anyone below please let me know and I will get them added to the list!

KAØEGE - Jeff    KDØRTX - Loren    WØMQY - Joe  

WDØCFH - Jack    KBØPQP - Tyler    KCØSHN - Jordan

NØIGZ - Frank    N3LRH - Leon    N2UHC - Tom  

ADØHW - Gailen    KDØCUR - Justin    KDØDET - Mike

KEØAKP - Keith

Quick News and Reminders !!

Quick news... I spoke with Steve N5SD today and let me know that the 444.8 repeater is up and running! PL tone of 91.5, and it is 500 ft up on the cable tower South of Pittsburg! This is great news and should expand the areas reach by a great deal! Give it a try! He said it still needs some adjusting and some other work but he said spread the news and give it a call! Thanks to Steve and those that completed this work, what a great surprise!

Reminder... Today is the beginning of the 13 Colonies Special Event Station. I was able to work them all last year and get my Clean Sweep stamp! They have added an additional bonus station for 2014. Check out the details and the great looking certificate when you get all 13! Click the image below for more details!!

*** Field Day Logs are being compiled and I should have that completed tomorrow! Watch here for updates !!

Field Day Plans Come Together

Field Day is Saturday and Sunday. We will have at least 3 stations set up at all times and will be operating as a Class A site. This means no commercial power will be used to transmit signals. All stations will be using the SEKARC club call sign of KØSEK.

Saturday we will decide the numeric portion of the identifier based on how many stations we have set up and will be running most of the time. We most likely will use 3 or 4. Final call on that will be made at start time.

Please try to stop by, and you can just pop in and out or you can operate one of the radios we will have set up, or you can BYOS (bring your own station) and make some contacts for KØSEK.

Solar Freakin' Roadways !!

Now this is how you do solar. Finally a solar project that makes sense on a wide scale !! Imagine the options, the benefits and the jobs that this could create.... and you could have Google Maps Night Version? Imagine never shoveling a driveway or plowing a road? Driver warnings, changeable lane markers, no more power lines to fall or ugly poles to block the views?

Field Day Trial Run

Testing two things today. My field day portable set up and posting a piece from my Android phone.

On the radio side... set up is good! Figured out a way to improve my SWR on my fishing pole vertical by straightening out the ground radials instead of letting them just lay on the ground! The copper j - pole is in a tree hanging up about 20 feet and getting me to 4 area repeaters.

Flashback to Field Day 2013

Field Day 2014 will be even bigger and better !! Be sure and plan to come by and stay a while!

WWI Museum Field Day 2014

Here is a great post regarding the WWI Museum and the events this month including Field Day with Amateur Radio! One of our members, Gailen Gillespie ADØHW will be participating with the club in Kansas City operating from the museum on Field Day! I am hoping for photos from the event! Below is an excerpt from the article, and the YouTube video within the post. From the Museum website... Enjoy!

ARRL Affiliation APPROVED!

It's official... Southeast Kansas Amateur Radio Club is now affiliated with ARRL. You can check out our listing HERE. I need to tweak a few of the details but it looks good! Hopefully this will open up some new avenues for growth! Or at least will offer new and interested operators a method to find us!

Meeting Recap

SEKARC had a very succesful meeting Saturday. One of the best in attendance and news! We had 12 hams and one interested for a total of 13. There were 2 first time attendees, one came when Justin brought Michael KDØDET and the other was a VIP of sorts in the name of Phil Rankin KØPR.

Phil made the most news by offering to join forces with the currently mostly inactive PRO group, and offered the funds in their treasury for a potential new repeater for the area. Possibly a 440 repeater on the 500ft tower south of town. He has previously mentioned that he had internet access at that tower and that would allow us the options of linking to other repeaters and to add an Echolink access to the area! There will be much discussion going forward and we would appreciate your input in the possibilities that this offers the club. In the weeks to come, we will be getting together and developing a plan for moving forward. This is a HUGE step for amateur radio in the Southeast Kansas area. Thanks to Phil and the PRO group!

We had some giveaways provided by All Spectrum Electronics when they sent us some sample reference cards. Be sure and visit their website (link above) as they seem to have a wide variety of electronic supplies and equipment. I have a few left and will have them on Field Day if you would like one! Below is a sample.

Field Day was discussed and it looks like we will be having at least 4 overnight campers and hopefully lots of operators stopping by and making some QSO's with the KØSEK call sign! Please feel free to bring your own mobile rig setup if you would like or we will have radios setup for use also. Remember it is June 28th and 29th so mark your calendar! This will also double as our June meeting so it should be a great weekend.

One note... if our group contnues to grow like it has, we may need to look at a larger more robust meeting location. Everyone please keep an eye open for a possible location to hold our monthly meetings! It could be city buildings, churches, hotels or any place with a meeting room. ( A coffee pot would be kind a requirement or I guess we could bring our own? )

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for the club you all have helped build! Let's keep it rolling into bigger and better things!!

May Meeting - Saturday

 

The May meeting for SEKARC is this Saturday the 31st. Please stop by, and say hello and grab some coffee or a biscuit. Hopefully we will see lots of friends there, and maybe some new faces? We will be discussing our Field Day plans and much more. We have a listing on the ARRL Field Day Locator, check it out HERE!

ARRL Field Day Locator Map

One of the items that we need to discuss is the possibility of setting up a Special Event station during the Little Balkins Days in September. I have a screen tent and I am pretty sure we could find enough hams to man in it for a couple of days. It would be another great chance to use the club call sign... and we could even come up a some custom event QSL card?

Remember ALL are welcome, you do not need to be a licensed ham to attend. Perhaps you are studying for the exam or maybe an inactive ham that has not been on the air for a while please come by. Maybe you would like to get active again, than I think we are the group for you! 

Always something interesting to see !

Mapped out for you !