Tonight at 7 we have our on-the-air meeting: all are welcomed to listen and licensed hams (club members or not) are encouraged to participate.

 

We have a problem, that we can look at as an opportunity:

 

146.88- is hard to hit because of desense, but the output signal is good. This means if people can hear a weak signal "direct" (use the reverse button), you could relay their info if you are able to get into the repeater. When answering a question, please REPEAT THE QUESTION, because people may not have heard the first station. [This is also important in HF nets because often local hams can't hear each other but can hear distant stations.] 

 

We may want to have our strongest station do frequent relays. I'm assuming our esteemed leader, Robin KC0BSC, is net control op unless a change is required. If she's in a bad position, someone else could assume control. However, being a member of Boy Scours of Canada (only way I can remember her call), I'm sure she will Be Prepared. ;-)

 

Normally we could switch to 147.06 SCARS repeater, and they have agreed to that. Unfortunately, last news I have is that the east-side receiver (see attached map), + offset, is not operational and the west-side receiver (see attached map), - offset, is not working well. People on campus. though, may be able to hit the - offset as it is on the press box.

 

We'll just have to see which repeater works best. I see this as an opportunity because we can try to do as well as we can and look for ways to improve.

 

One suggestion I should have mentioned earlier: If you are portable, get somewhere high and ~in sight of a receiver. If you are mobile, likewise. If you are using an HT, you probably know a rubber ducky is slightly better than a dummy load. 19" of coat hanger wire might serve you better if you can get a connector arrangement. An excellent antenna for HTs is a TV twin-lead pole [you can roll up into your pocket and deploy by taping the top up high on your wall!]   Next meeting I could bring plans and show you all one. I might even have some twin-lead (needs to be non-foam-filled variety).

 

Remember, necessity is a mother...

73,

 

Jud W5JA
--
Dr. Judson L. Ahern
Professor Emeritus, Geophysics
School of Geology & Geophysics
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
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