5 Things "Ruining" Ham Radio?

K6UDA strikes again. (By the way we had a QSO with him on Winter Field Day) He makes some very interesting videos and has a lot of different takes on our hobby. Please check this out and follow his K6UDA YouTube channel !!

Great YouTuber and What Is ARES?

First place to get info on ARES is of course with the ARRL ARES website. (Click Here). There is a lot of information of various levels out there. I was running through some videos on the Yaesu FTM-400 and I found this guy. I HIGHLY recommend that you check out his videos on his YouTube Channel linked here --> HAM RADIO CRASH COURSE.

This video is an interview he has with a couple of guests discussing ARES (after a beer to begin with). With our meeting this Saturday on the ARES topic, this might be a good introduction. It is kind of long and gets a little off topic at times but has good info from experienced ARES folks. There are probably a lot of ARES videos out there and there are additional links below the video. See you Saturday!

Here are some good ARES links as well

ARRL ARES MANUAL 

KANSAS ARES WEBSITE 

Secret Life of Machines - Radio

This a great old video about the science and discovery behind radio. Also it is pretty funny. Check it out!

SEKARC Exam Day Friday Feb 8th 2019

 

Here are the answers to last weeks questions...

 
G1A05 (A) [97.301(d)] Which of the following frequencies is in the General class portion of the 40-meter band in ITU Region 2?
A. 7.250 MHz
B. 7.500 MHz
C. 40.200 MHz
D. 40.500 MHz
-- On 40m, General Class operators may only operate SSB from 7.175 to 7.300 MHz. That means 7.250 MHz is a frequency in the General Class portion of the 40 meter band. (G1A05)

G3B03 (A) Which of the following applies when selecting a frequency for lowest attenuation when transmitting on HF?
A. Select a frequency just below the MUF
B. Select a frequency just above the LUF
C. Select a frequency just below the critical frequency
D. Select a frequency just above the critical frequency
-- When selecting a frequency for lowest attenuation when transmitting on HF, select a frequency just below the MUF

This weeks questions !!!

G3A09 (A) 
What benefit can high geomagnetic activity have on radio communications? 
A. Auroras that can reflect VHF signals 
B. Higher signal strength for HF signals passing through the polar regions 
C. Improved HF long path propagation 
D. Reduced long delayed echoes

G3B10 (B) 
What is the approximate maximum distance along the Earth’s surface that is normally covered in one hop using the E region? 
A. 180 miles 
B. 1,200 miles 
C. 2,500 miles 
D. 12,000 miles

First Four States Fusion Net - Awesome !!

The first run of the Four States Fusion Net was a complete success and just in time before the winter thunderstorm heated up. We had 10 total stations on the net, 2 states represented. There were 6 different Fusion models used to talk on the FSFN this time.

Most radios had their GPS turned on and we got good information from that and the mileage matched on both sides that were reported. The longest was WØHL Dennis who was 36.6 miles away in Nevada and he had a nice clean signal. The Closest to me was .6 miles N3LRH Leon and Matt KØVLL was mobile and started 1.8 miles and he reported when he stopped he was .4 miles from me. We did have KBØDXS from Racine MO but I don't think I received his GPS info.

I will track this information when possible and report it here. Let's keep it rolling and be sure and to invite those operators you know using Fusion to join us. It will be awesome when we get our first actual all FOUR STATE check ins!

Here is a rundown of the checkins, radios and distance

(NC) KAØEGE Jeff FT1D
WDØCFH Jack FT70d
KØVLL Matt FTM-100 1.8 to .4 miles
KEØCZR Milton FTM-100 25 miles SSE
KØSMK Willis FTM-100 19.8 miles S
N3LRH Leon FTM-100 .6 miles N
NØSLT Steve FT70d
WØHL Dennis FTM-400 36.6 miles NNE
KBØPQP Tyler FT-991
KBØDXS Brain FT-3200

Four States Fusion Net

We are having a Four States Fusion Net every Thursday at 7pm on the 442.675 repeater or in the KANSAS CITY WIDE network. Everyone with a Fusion radio is invited to participate when possible. We would like to get 3-4 volunteers to run net control once a month so let us know if you would like to help out!

A lot of us have a Yaesu radio that does Fusion and we just are not using it. Let's test and get more familiar with the C4FM side of our gear. We will use DN mode and it is recommended to NOT have your radio in "AMS" mode or Automatic Mode Select as you could have your radio change to FM during the net and could be confusing.

Here is a link to the Net Control Script !!

And here is the link to the LIVE ONLINE LOG !!

SEKARC Exam Day Friday

We are starting a regular new feature here on SEKARC every Friday. This could help everyone refresh their memory and to keep learning new things. We will post 2 questions each week from the GENERAL Class Exam and the answers will be posted with next Friday's posted questions.


Let's have fun and keep learning and even discuss these questions at the Coffee QSO. I am tracking the posted questions so there SHOULD not be any dups. Have fun!

 
G1A05 (A) [97.301(d)] Which of the following frequencies is in the General class portion of the 40-meter band in ITU Region 2?
A. 7.250 MHz
B. 7.500 MHz
C. 40.200 MHz
D. 40.500 MHz

G3B03 (A) Which of the following applies when selecting a frequency for lowest attenuation when transmitting on HF?
A. Select a frequency just below the MUF
B. Select a frequency just above the LUF
C. Select a frequency just below the critical frequency
D. Select a frequency just above the critical frequency