SOARA Saturday Technet Log

Every Saturday tech net starting 9am, until we finish, 147.645, 224.640, and 447.180 repeaters

Check in with call sign phonetically and first name. Questions or answers. Try to keep your turn to 3 minutes or less.

12/30/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net control & logging
1. Not linked today. should have been auto linked. Dale said 440 site isnt linking for some reason. Under investigation.
AE6H, Ray
1. Calibrating radio, signal generator, WWV, look up YouTube videos for possible procedure
2. maybe 7 MHz
KO6AOL, Mike
1. Sunday 10M Tech Net moved!
2. We post 28.415 +/- the +/- means we may change station frequency due to other stations on frequency or QRM.
3. We don’t own the frequency. We try 28.415MHz then move if needed.
AI6WE, Mike
W6CAG, Claude
1. Audio levels / deviation, how to measure / change on UHF / VHF?
2. Some UHF/VHF radios deviate more than others
3. On HF rigs there are typically adjustments for mic gain and compression
4. How you hold and speak into the microphone may be important too. I talk perpendicular into the microphone. I never speak directly into the microphone. This helps protect the microphone from the higher frequency clicks and pops inherent to our speach.
K6NOV, Ray
KR6J, Kenan
W6EDT, Dale
AJ6EE, Kevin
KM6FOY, Bill

12/8/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

W6EDT, Dale, Net control
1. Solar panels on roof
2. LiFePo battery, mppt chargers, what to do when no load
3. MPPT Controller link
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. Good Satellite radios
AI6WE, Mike
K7KCE, Joe, net control
1. adjusting mike, equalization first then audio through transmitter, then compression
2. Look at audio out, mon button on flex and pipe to FFT
3. listen to yourself on a SDR, however Utah & Half Moon Bat SDRs have been noisy lately
W6CAG, Claude
KR6J, Kenan
K6NOV, Ray
1. Off Center fed dipole, 18 feet above ground, 12 feet on either end, 10 meters do hear anything
2. another station 2 miles away does much better.
3. S5 noise floor on 40 & 20
4. link to hamradiosecrets.com/off-center-fed-dipole article
K6RBS, Richard
1. Ray’s question: Try a verticle on 10 Meters

12/2/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, net control
1. Holiday party Friday 8th, buy tickets prior to party, like now
2. Corronal mass ejection, bands were wide open, predictions were bands closed
3. 3kHz band width, FCC says use minimum needed, <=3KHz is a good practice
WA6ED Ed, Log
W6EDT, Dale
1. weather station
2. shield nothing, add shielding / ferrite as needed
3. avoid primary lobe
4. thermal sensors above roof, 5 feet
5. rs-485
AE6H, Ray
1. Skywarn recognition day
AI6WE, Mike
KM6FOY, Bill
W6DS, David
K6RBS, Richard

11/18/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Log & net control
1. Q backup software, try free from Seagate or Western Digital with external drive purchase
2. 3 copies on 2 locations
3. Dropbox or carbonite
4. Aomei Backuper
5. Minitool Shadowmaker
W6EDT, Dale
1. Q mast material, try fence material, HRO has masts
AE6H, Ray
W6CAG, Claude
NH7WG, Bruce
AI6WE, Mike
KO6AOL, Mike

11/11/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Log & net control
AE6H, Ray
W6DS, David
1. Enjoying the Sigma Eurocom antenna, recommended a few weeks ago
AI6WE, Mike
W6EDT, Dale
1. GMRS radios, outdoor antenna, Firetone, maybe Radioditty
2. https://www.radioddity.com/collections/consumer-radios-frs-gmrs-radios
KM6FOY, Bill
AJ6VT, Phil
NH7WG, Bruce
1. VARAC rtty like digital mode
2. https://www.varac-hamradio.com/
W6CAG, Claude
KO6AOL, Mike
1. What is good antenna for portable like POTA?
2. Buddypole?
3. Ask WE4BY
4. Superantenna
K6NOV, Ray
1. How do you log?
2. LOTW, QRZ, eQSL, N3FJP
3. https://www.n3fjp.com/
4. https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/
KR6J, Kenan

11/4/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Log
1. Q: Sat software
AE6H Ray, Net control
1. Sigma euro com connected to top rail of chain link fence
2. performance improved with fence counterpoise
AI6WE, Mike
K7KCE, Joe
KN6BMR, David
1. End fed counterpoise, is counterpoise needed? A counterpoise should improve the antenna system
2. FT-300D, buzzing in speaker when transmitting
  1. keep radio away from antenna, especially at 25 watts
    1. try 5-8 watts
  2. MFJ power supply
    1. freq shift knob?
    2. add ferrites on power wiring
3. FT710
  1. Book that goes with 710, 3rd party book, recommended
  2. Radio-Today-guide-FT-710-guides
W6EDT, Dale
1. Q attach ground #4 wire to 3″wide thin copper
  1. solder
  2. Lug
  3. fender washer and bolt together
W6DS, David
1. Sigma euro com working well, arrived quickly
2. RG213 coax, don’t skimp
K6NOV, Ray
AJ6EE, Kevin
KM6FOY, Bill

10/14/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Net Control, & Log
1. Question: recomend first HT under $100
  1. FT-4XR (FT60 EOL)
  2. Radioddity
  3. Baofeng UV5r, make sure FCC ID, part 95 approved
    1. UV5R8W has a FCC ID 2AJGM-UV5R
      1. Link to a report
      2. Above report link fails FCC ID Search
      3. I did the same report search on my Icom ID-51a plus AFJ339000 and a report search finds two reports where UV5R didn’t
      4. So, I cannot recommend Baofeng anything
AE6H, Ray
KR6ISS, Kriss
AI6WE, Mike
K7KCE, Joe
KR6J, Kenan
KM6FOY, Bill
W6EDT, Dale
W6CAG, Claude

10/07/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Net Control & Log
AI6WE, Mike
AE6H, Ray
W6DS, David
KR6J, Kenan
W6CAG, Claude
KO6AOL, Mike
AJ6EE, Kevin

9/30/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Net Control
N6JY, Scott
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
KO6AOL, Mike
W6CAG, Claude
KR6J, Kenan

9/16/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED Ed, Logging
Announcements
1. K7KCE, Joe SOARA picnic tomorrow
2. KM6FOY, Bill, FT65 radio door prize on Monday
3. WA6ED, Ed SES next Saturday at Gilleran Park, MV, CA
Questions
1. KK6WXN, Ken
  1. portable antenna
    1. metal screen door screen for ground plane, roll out onto ground
  2. end fed antenna, how straight
    1. avoid loops
    2. try L shape
    3. wire in free air
2. KM6FOY, Bill
  1. Best piece of test equipment for shack
  2. W6EDT, Wattmeter / SWR meter
  3. WA6ED, Multimeter voltages, continuity, etc
  4. AJ6VT, Rigexpert antenna analyzer
  5. W6CAG, Service monitor
Checkins
1. AI6WE, Mike
2. KR6J, Kenan
3. KO6AOL, Mike
4. W6EDT, Dale
5. AJ6VT, Phil
6. KN6SIP, Ravi
7. W6CAG, Claude

9/9/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. Best station improvement: discone, switch between antennas
WA6ED Ed, Logging
1. K6TTL Tuner presentation, 9/18, SOARA Meeting
2. NextSOARA Elmer Saturday, 9/23, Gilleran Park, antenna analyzers
3. Best station improvement:cube balun 1:1 helps isolate noise
K7KCE, Joe
1. SOARA Picnic 9/17
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Door Prize 9/17 FT65
2. Handheld antennas other than rubber ducks
  1. Comet BNC-24 at HRO
    1. SMA connections rated at about 100 times, connect / disconnect cycles. So a BNC adapter protects the SMA life
  2. Don’t buy antennas on eBay or amazon. Many clones and fakes.
W6EDT, Dale
1. HI-Q screwdriver antenna
2. Best station improvement: dual antennas and receivers
KM6FOY, Bill
AI6WE, Mike
1. Best station improvement: better coax
2. Best station improvement: good grounding and bonding
KO6AOL, Mike
W6DS, David
KK6WXN Tim
W6CAG, Claude
1. Best station improvement: 6’x3′ bench to hold radios, plus shelves, more organized, made a big difference.
AJ6EE, Kevin
KF6UME, David
1. Best station improvement: added a mixer, one control board

9/2/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Net Control
K7KCE Joe, Logging
1. SOARA Fall picnic on Sept 17th. RSVP to K7KCE@soara.org
AE6H Ray
1. Any experience with the Yeasu FT-710-AESS?
  1. Bill used one and liked it except for the menus
W6EDT Dale
1. What reasons for choosing between Random wire and EFHW? Why and what advantages?
  1. EFHW works well on resonant bands, random wire is a compromise on all bands.
KM6FOY Bill
1. What software do you use to program your HT
  1. Mostly manufacturers software and CHIRP. RT Systems is very nice, has unique features but $$
W6DS David
AJ6EE Kevin
AJ6VT Phil
1. Putting together QRP rig for cruise ships, what should he bring?
  1. Get permission from the Captain
  2. Bring a copy of your license, make sure you have rights to xmit in foreign countries
KR6J Kenan
AI6WE Mike
NH7WG Bruce
KG6QWY Ray
W6CAG Claude

Net closed at 9:52am

8/19/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko
1. UHF digital antenna
  1. Heiko picking up southern stations
  2. Mikkel NR6E picking up up Mt Wilson
  3. Mike AI6WE reaching Mt Wilson, 40 + channels, wants it higher with a rotor
  4. Bill, KM6FOY, Internet $40 per month with Cox, picking up Digital TV Mt Wilson, added a wide band RF amp.
2. Monitor Clara too.
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. What are you doing to prepare for hurricane / tropical storm Hillary?
  1. check batteries, radios, flashlights
  2. outside, clear gutters & drains, pickup anything that wind might move or break
  3. bottled water and emergency food
K7KCE, Joe
1. SOARA picknic on 17th Sept
2. Check on elderly neighbors during storm
3. GOES-16 satellites, sat data download
Bill, KM6FOY
1. Prepare for Hillary arriving sooner and lasting longer
  1. Maybe lightning strikes
AE6H, Ray
1. Hillary rain predicted to start 2-6 am Sunday
  1. maybe spawn a few small tornadoes
NR6E, Mikkel
AI6WE, Mike
W6CAG, Claude
K6RBS, Richard
1. 7250, 7267, 14325, Skywarn
2. Thunt this afternoon, 1PM, 146.565 Thunt transmitter

8/12/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko
1. dipole variations, center, offset / OCF, inverted V, Inverted L
  1. Cobra Ultralite Jr & Sr work well
  2. G5RV
  3. Dipole directional, figure out where you want cover, East-West coverage then point antenna North-South
  4. reference the ARRL Antenna book
  5. Cobra Ultralite Kid, worked well for it’s bands without a tuner
  6. Educate yourself about how the antenna works, height, oorentation etc.
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
AE6H, Ray
1. EARN repeaters, SoCal Edison 220 repeaters, don’t hand out on these repeaters, but okay to use for light traffic
KM6FOY, Bill
NR6E, Mikkel
NH7WG, Bruce

7/15/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
AI6WE, Mike
AD6OI, Heiko
1. Dipole baluns, uses 4:1 current balun with ladderline
W6EDT, Dale
1. radio RF induced into solar system?
K6NOV, Ray
1. noise isolation at 144.39 and maybe AGC observation
AE6H, Ray
KC6ACT, Greg
K0RU, Rob
W6CAG, Claude
KM6FOY, Bill
K6WKB, Bruce

7/8/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
KO6AIM, Ted
1. on Echolink
2. POTA antenna types
N6JY, Scott
1. interfaceing FTDX3000 to MMTY
AE6H, Ray
K6NOV, Ray
1. Echo link sometimes disables the mic.
W6EDT, Dale
AI6WE, Mike
AD6OI, Heiko
W6CAH, Claude
K6PA, Troy

7/1/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
W6EDT, Dale
1. battery connections broken and alternator overloads in dodge truck. How to monitor bad battery connection when it happens?
  1. monitor current between batteries
  2. monitor alternator for over current
  3. check voltage regulator
  4. alternator will be low voltage and high current if shorted
W6CAG, Claude
1. WSJTX keeping the time sync for FT8
2. Current repeater database
  1. repeater book link
AI6WE, Mike
KM6FOY, Bill

5/6/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, Logging
1. Built LOG antenna, need to connect to lightning protection ground. How to tie in to house ground on opposite side of house from panel?
  1. Need to look out for ground loops, could have different potentials at each rod location.
  2. Could try tying in to local house safety ground and see if it works.
N6JY, Scott
AI6WE, Mike
K6NOV, Ray
1. Do you use a BNC adapter on your HT? Why/why not?
  1. Some no, due to loss or no need. Some yes, due to switching antennas frequently. Can be a danger from more leverage on the SMA connector.
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6J, Kennan

Net closed at 9:31am

4/29/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. MFJ coax window pass through
AE6H, Ray
1. Attic vent coax pass through
KR6J, Kennan
1. THD-74 issue, check crystal filter
W6CAG, Claude
1. drill hole in wall, plastic box to seal from rain
2. Kenwood THD-74 setup
3. IFR monitor
KN6SIP, Ravi
AI6WE, Mike
NJ6N, Brian

4/1/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, Net control
1. Q, roadtrip
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. Malahit-DSP SDR
  1. Lots of clones, do your research before buying
  2. This is the closest link to what I bought
    1. The software is Russian and the hardware is made in China.
  3. There may be better radios out there as well
W6EDT, Dale, articles for propagator
1. Q operating ht in the house / one way repeat
  1. use external antenna on roof
  2. local repeater
AI6WE, Mike, woo hoo!
KM6FOY, Bill
W6CAG, Claude
K6NOV, Ray
1. looking for propagator articles
N6KY, Scott

3/11/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
WA6LDI, Phil, on the way to the candy store
KQ6BIL, Bill
1. 400 watts, TX FT8 on 40 meters, SWR 1.05 then after a few minutes SWR off the charts
2. HF auto tuner and linear amp
3. feedline from anplifier to tuner
  1. could have hotspots in coax?
  2. LMR400 kenwood TS890, (should be good with this coax)
  3. Rigexpert 20M 1.2, 40M 2:1 SWR
4. HF auto and amp tuner has same issue
5. 20M & 15M doesn’t show this issue
6. Run test with dummy load
AE6H, Ray
AD6IO, Heiko
KM6FOY, Bill
KE6GQO, Monty
NR6E, Mikkel
W6CAG, Claude

2/25/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. Tape Measure antenna build Murry center, 3/4/2023
2. Dipole wire length vs sensitivity?
  1. beverage antenna
  2. 400 meters of wire for receive
  3. for transmit, 1/2 wave dipole optimal, becomes more directional off the ends with more length
3. The End Fed Half Wave Antenna
AI6WE, Mike
W6EDT, Dale
1. waterproof coax for temporary connections?
  1. plastic electrical tape
  2. self vulcanizing tape, utility knife to remove
  3. waterproof electrical box
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Yaesu FT65 door prize at next meeting
AE6H, Ray
1. need communications director
K7KCE, Joe
1. How does rain affect an antenna?
  1. skin effect, bare wire vs insulated wire, insulated wire would be better
  2. make sure to seal the coax, rain proof coax
  3. rain water has pollution and stuff in it
W6CAG, Claude
AJ6VT, Phil
1. telephony vs VOIP?
  1. Raspberry Pi likely using something other than VOIP
  2. Hotspots takes DSTAR, DMR, FUSION data / encoding and just sends encoded data to the repeater. This is why you can’t translate encodings.
W6BOT, Rich
KE6GDR, James
K6RBS, Richard
KN6FOA, Mitchel
K6NOV, Ray
1. long wire vs off center dipole

2/4/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

K7KCE, Joe, Net control
1. Is remote operation real ham radio discussion.
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. yes, real ham radio, but emergency coms will likely be different.
AE6H, Ray
1. yes, real ham radio, but emergency coms will likely be different.
W6CAG, Claude
1. remote stations existed in the past
KM6FOY, Bill
1. cell systems not that robust
2. land lines cost more, more robust
3. cable network phones don’t work without power

1/21/2023 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
K7KCE, Joe
AE6H, Ray
1. Balun discussion
2. Basically impedance matching transformers
3. Make sure transformer if properly power rated
4. Make sure ferrite material doesn’t overheat
KE6GQO, Monte
1. Tesla auto charger noise on HF, no solar
2. Walked around with a spectrum analyzer, lots of noise
3. What type of noise on SA?
4. Noise during charging?
  1. When car gone no noise.
5. Spikes every 35KHz, noise floor plus spikes
6. Talked to neighbor, in denial a problem exists
7. Call ARRL and file a complaint
W6EDT, Dale
AE6H, Ray
WB6RDO, Bud
AI6WE, Mike
W6CAG, Claude
K7KCE, Joe
KM6FOY, Bill
NH7WG, Bruce

12/31/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
WA6ED. Ed, Logging
AJ6VT, Phil
1. 220 radio, Retivis 50watt, smoke poured out, diamond tri-band, black smoke
  1. test with swr meter and dummy load with low power prior to transmitting higher power
  2. check antenna SMA for proper polarity
  3. test antenna for 220, maybe antenna broken
  4. maybe Retivis doesn’t have protection on finals?
  5. Diamond cr320a
W6CAG, Claude
WA6LDI, Phil
AI6WE, Mike
KR6J, Kenan
Nj6N, Brian
G7LWT, Darren
AE6H, Ray

12/24/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
WA6ED. Ed, Logging
WA6LDI, Phil
W6WHC, Scott
1. Baofung, GT5R FCC compliant
  1. If it has a FCC ID then it is compliant
  2. Check FCC database for compliance
W6EDT, Dale
1. How do you test hour HF voice audio for clarity?
W6CAG, Claude
1. Long wire antanna, HOA restrictions
2. 10 feet
3. heavy lift drone to haul fishing line over house?
AI6WE, Mike
KR6J, Kenan
N6LBC, Cortland
KN6IQ, Larry
KE6GQO, Monte

11/19/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
1. Of the three major types of antennas (vertical, dipole, beam) can we live with just one?
  1. It depends on what the other station has, better if they match.
  2. Your operating conditions really drive antenna choice, apartment, 50 acres? You put up what you can.
  3. No such thing as a perfect antenna.
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. EFHW counterpoise, are they needed, how many, do they help? What directions?
  1. Needed for 1/4 wave, not critical with an EFHW as the whole antenna is there already.
AI6WE Mike
WA6LDI Phil
K6RBS Richard
WA6ED Ed
KM6FOY Bill
AE6H Ray
W6CAG Claude
1. Any experience or ideas putting an antenna on top of a car with glass roof? Glass mount?
  1. Hatch lip mounts and door mounts work well.
2. Can you run FT8 in a fully automated manner?
  1. No, the default software won’t allow it. Kind of a gray area with the FCC.

Net closed at 9:44am

10/29/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. What do folks use for HF coax, is low loss LMR400 style really necessary?
  1. Use ladder line if you can. Ladder line does require some special routing.
  2. LMR400 is good to prevent overheating at high power and melting the dielectric.
W6CAG, Claude
1. Astatic Golden Eagle mic gets RF noise when transmitting above 200 watts, what components or modifications can help filter the RF?
AJ6EE Kevin
WB6RDO Bud
KB6BXD Dave
N6LBC Cortland
1. Any advice or suggestions for an indoor HF antenna?
  1. If you have an attic, a long wire with remote tuner will work.
  2. A mag loop in the backyard will work and not be visible.
K6EEE Jim
K6RBS Richard
KM6FOY Bill
KR6J Kenan

10/1/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

WA6ED, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. When wrapping turns on ferrite autotransformer do they need to be separated or can they overlap?
  1. Probably does not matter, a VNA might be able to help. Owen Duffy might have some online guides.
  2. Binocular cores used as autotransformer probably does not matter if the windings are nearby to each other.
WE4BY Greg
1. Wants to control HF radio from Raspberry Pi. Jimmy suggested NodeJS, any good starting point? Tutorial on how to server a web page that has controls?
  1. Try Node-RED dashboards: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-node-red-dashboard/
AE6H Ray
NR6E Mikkel
KM6FOY Bill
K6WHC Scott
AD6OI Heiko – Maritime Mobile at the airshow.
KK6UMB Tom
1. Xiegu X-6100 any good? Looking for shack-in-a-box radio.
  1. Some folks like the Xiegu radios. This is not a shack-in-a-box radio, missing VHF/UHF.
  2. Icom 7100, 7000 are great, Yeasu FT-991A also great.

Net closed at 9:45am

9/17/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
1. Do you prefer a halfway dipole or off-center fed dipole?
  1. Personal preference is OCFD for mutliband in HOA’s
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. A portion of my OCFD fell down in the storm and is laying on the roof. It works better. Why?
  1. The mysteries of ham radio are unknowable, antennas more so. Some things with antennas are a bit obscure, it just is.
  2. May also be the radiation pattern has changed.
KM6FOY Bill
WA6LDI Phil
AE6H Ray
W6CAG Claude
WA6ED Ed
K6EEE Jim

Net Closed at 9:40am

9/10/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
AE6H, Ray
AI6WE Mike
WA6LDI Phil
AJ6VT Phil
1. Has 4 BTech 25×4 radios that go deaf after another party transmits, the receive indicator shows a signal but no audio is heard. Can be fixed by quickly keying up.
  1. Ray has seen a similar problem, there is a setting in the menu that controls what “slot” the radio is receiving on, it can “lock” when it hears another frequency other than the one you are listening to.
  2. Try factory reset and reprogram.
AJ6EE Kevin
KM6FOY Bill
K6WHC Scott
KR6J Kenan
W6EDT Dale
K6TJO Tim
KM6FPF John
KN6SIP Ravi
1. Recently install FLDIGI, like to get feedback and tip from others.
  1. Just need a sound card and way to connect to the radio. More info might be had at the upcoming SOARA Saturday.
KH2BI Will

Net closed at 9:47am.

9/03/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
WA6LDI, Phil, on his way to the candy store
AE6H, Ray
K7KCE, Joe, Picnic 9/24 at Laguna Niguel Regional park, shelter #3, bout 12:30
AJ6LU, Harald, random wire, rain gutter, vert 6.5 dB, 18 dB yagi, what is a reasonable gain? 29 feet gutter, 10 feet to unun, 25 feet in the air, about end fed 40 foot long, chart with dBd values, need website here
WB6UOO, Claude, d104 microphones converted to Heil d104 dynamic cartridges, something went wrong with conversion, doesn’t work
K7KCE, Joe, propagation question, vert horz polarization, what is circular polarization? how it does that? satllites rotate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_polarization
KN6OFF, George
KM6FOY, Bill
AI6WE, Mike
KR6J, Kenan

8/20/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
1. What is the use of all the digital modes and internet linked services when the internet goes down?
  1. The internet is rarely down and very rarely down for everyone. The digital modes like D-STAR and CFM do not need the internet to function.
K7KCE, Joe, logging
KM6FPF John
1. When tuning an antenna and measuring SWR on a NanoVNA there seems to be an interaction between tuning and the 50 ohm insertion point on the smith chart. Why does it move and does it matter?
  1. The reactance is a function of the inductive and capacitive components of the system, as you tune the antenna you change both. Also you change the electrical length of the antenna which changes the insertion impedance on the smith chart. You need to compensate by changing the delay in the VNA.
  2. https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/q1106037.pdf
AI6WE, Mike
WA6LDI Phil
NR6E Mikkel
KH2BI Will
NH7WG Bruce
KM6FOY Bill
AJ6EE Kevin
AE6H Ray
WB6UOO Claude
N2GPD Matt

Net closed at 10:05

8/13/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
W6EDT Dale
1. What are folks using to attach coax to eaves and what do you use to weatherproof the connections?
  1. Simple clips & mastic. The new silicone self adhesive tape is very nice, sticks to itself but not the connector. Some are not UV resistant.
  2. Scotch #2228 Rubber Mastic
KM6FOY Bill
1. Are there any differences or things to look out for on aluminum body vehicles with mobile antennas?
  1. Galvanic corrosion can be a problem, use an appropriate anti-corrosion paste.
AJ6VT Phil
1. Will mounting a mag mount mobile try-band on a 30ft long balcony rail be a problem?
  1. No, it should work. There are also other antenna designs out there that don’t need a ground plane.
AJ6EE Kevin
AE6H Ray
NH7WG Bruce
N1SPW Mike
KM6BRC Matt

Net closed at 9:45am

8/6/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
1. How to check isolation between ports on coax switch?
  1. NanoVNA will do a fine job.
K7KCE, Joe, logging
KN6FPF John
1. Best practice for antenna measurement/setup when operating portable? Measure/mark at home or test in field?
  1. Can get a lot of prep done before but will need to measure/tune depending on field conditions and how “perfect” you want to be.
  2. Keep a written log of what you have done and what worked in the field. Will give a record for faster setup and a starting point at new places.
AI6WE Mike
AE6H Ray
AJ6EE Kevin
KR6J Kenan
W6EDT Dale
WE4BY Greg
1. Is there a way to operate field day stations on the same band simultaneously, filters or?
  1. Very hard to do, need a deep filter and will still get coupling. 60db-70db should work, 50db is not enough.
  2. Club has use of band-pass filters for field day.

Net closed at 9:48am.

7/16/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
KM6FPF John
1. Do you need an antenna tuner when using a resonant antenna such as a 40M dipole?
  1. Not if the antenna is resonant. The tuner in your radio can handle small mismatches. A tuner will be needed for non-resonant or mismatched impedance.
  2. A tuner at the antenna feed point will reduce vswr loss in the cable.
  3. A balun is needed when impedance is mismatched.
N6PM Greg
KR6J Kenan
AJ6EE Kevin
K6WXN Tim
K6RJO Rich
WB6OO Claude
AE6H Ray
W6EDT Dale
1. Please send articles for the propagator, your participation helps!
KN6SIP Ravi
1. Has a Xiegu G90 transceiver and is interest in opinion on the radio and antennas for portable use?
  1. Antennas don’t really care what radio they are connected to. A good antenna works on most all radios. Mag loops, simple dipoles, a wire in a tree with a tuner are all good.
  2. Keep it simple
NR6E Mikkel

Net closed at 9:52am

7/2/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
AE6H Ray
1. The club is looking for a Membership Director, will train. Please reach out to Ray.
2. Opinions on amps? Tube vs. solid state? Price? What do people like?
  1. Tube amps are robust and less expensive. They do require more effort (tuning, band switching, etc.).
  2. Solid state can be “hands off” IF you spend big bucks, $5k+. LDMOS is more robust but still easy to damage compared to tubes.
W6EDT Dale
1. Looking for articles for the propagator.
N5KCE
KM6FPF John
1. Can coax loss be measured at home?
  1. Yes, a spectrum analyzer works well for checking loss and other parameters. A VNA can also be used to get an idea.
    1. Tiny SA spectrum analyzer
    2. Nano VNA
2. Does the SWR of an antenna change when you move it or change the radials?
  1. Yes! Most changes (coax, length, position, radials, the actual ground) can change SWR.
N5KZV Bob
1. Has built a mag loop antenna, needs an inexpensive way to turn the variable cap.
  1. Need a significant gear reduction, must be fine tuned do to high q. RC steering serve/control might work.
  2. Could do it cheaply with small 12vcd motor, a momentary DP switch and belt gear reduction.
KN6YNE Eddy
1. Looking for recommendations on HF antenna, needs to be HOA friendly.
  1. Dipoles for HF, easy to hide if you have trees. 66ft OCFD is a good starting point.
  2. ARRL books, Small Antennas for Small Spaces
KR6J, Kenan

Net closed at 9:55am

6/18/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
1. Lots of heavy noise on 40M in Mission Viejo
  1. Seems to be solar power systems, micro inverters on the panels.
  2. Could be e-vehicle chargers
K7KCE, Joe, logging
AE6H, Ray
1. Watch for an email with instructions on how to submit Field Day logs so the club can get credit.
KM6FPF, John
1. Are there major difference between low cost DMM’s and high end versions, specifically for voltage and continuity checks?
  1. No. There are many low cost DMM’s that are very well suited for these measurements. The differences are for more sophisticated use cases and features.
  2. Harbor Freight makes a great unit: Harbor Freight DMM Link
  3. Invest in quality leads, J-hook and alligator clip leads are very handy.
KR6J, Kenan
1. Will try to come by FD and operate CW.
NR6E, Mikkel
W6EDT, Dale

Net closed at 9:45am

6/4/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:32 am)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. How finicky is ladder line? How far to keep away metal and surfaces?
  1. 2-3 feet of clearance from metal, Dale found standoffs were necessary. Ladder line WILL radiate so plan accordingly. Heiko has “Antenna Physics” book in library.
WA6LDI, Phil
W6EDT, Dale
1. Has some Astron power supplies, has anyone adjusted voltage to charge batteries? 14+ volts. Will be used to charge LiFePo batteries with integrated BMS and charge controller.
  1. No one sees any issues with adjusting the output as long as it in within spec, 11-15v.
KK6WXN, Tim
KR6J, Kenan

Net closed at 9:43

5/21/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:32 am)

AD6OI, Net control
WA6ED, Ed. logging
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
1. switching radios and antennas
W6INE, Eric
NR6E, Mikkel
KR6J, Kenan
KK6WXN, Tim
AI6CG, Mark
AJ6EE, Kevin
KM6FPF, John

5/14/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:38)

K7KCE, Joe Net control
WA6ED, Ed. logging
1. Q: Malahit DSP Radio MDR 2000 (Registered), no responses
AD6OI, Heiko
1. Variac bringing up tube radios, increase voltage slowly, wear face mask in case old caps blow up.
WA6LDI, Phil
W6EDT, Dale, on to OC Heart
KR6J, Kevin
AE6H, Ray
1. SOARA auction 6pm this Monday night
KK6WXN, Tim
1. End fed antennas
2. 102″ whip, mag mound on AC
3. Ham sticks, with brackets, or ham sticks as a dipole
KC1RAF, Ben
KK6UMB, Tom
1. Using Jpole antenna
AI6WE, Mike
1. step IR Urban beam installing

5/7/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:18)

K7KCE, Joe Net control
AE6H, Ray
KN6HI, Steve
1. Has a new antenna design that uses a welding rod pushed into the to to tune a 1/4 vertical. May have a writeup for the propagator.
AD6OI, Heiko
1. The SOARA library at Heiko’s house will be open today from 1pm-4pm.

Net closed at 9:18am. A short one!

4/30/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:42)

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
NR6E, Mikkel
AE6H, Ray
W6INE, Erik
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6J, Kenan
NJ6N, Brian
KM6FPF, John
1. Will an EFHW work hanging down from a balcony or tree?
  1. Yes it will. It will work as a vertical.
2. Do most folks use the same power supply for both radio and tuner?
  1. Yes, there is a possibility of RFI or ground loops.
K6RBS, Richard
AI6WE, Mike
K6EEE, Jim
KE6GQO, Monte
W6BOT, Rich
WA6RUZ, Charley
W6TRG, Tom

Net closed at 9:42am

4/16/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:42)

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. Tri-band antenna suggestions?
  1. Try Comet or Maldol antennas. The comet blends well.
  2. Ed Fong makes a tri-band too.
  3. Try painting black to keep it inconspicuous.
  4. A mobile adapter is available to use mobile antennas, DX Eng, MFJ, etc.
AE6H, RAy
1. What are folks using for FT8/JS8Call rig interface?
  1. Direct USB interface is very easy.
  2. MacLoggerDX provides direct CAT control and TCP/UDP interface to other software.
2. Ray’s radios do not have USB, any experience with rig control units for older radios?
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6J, Kennan
KN6OFF, George
KE6ZGR, Dale
K6TJO, Tim
1. Going to Cabo soon. Any tips for operating on Mexico?
  1. Does require a permit from the Mexican FTC.
WD6E, Mike
W6EDT, Dale
N2GPD, Matt
1. How is my audio?
  1. Sounds great.
G7LWT/3B8
1. Checking in from Mauritius

Net closed at 9:40am

4/9/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed @ 9:42)

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
WA6LDI, Phil, on the way to the candy store
KN6OFF, George
1. choke on coax lines
  1. how does it work? where to put choke?
  2. place choke where feed lines split on a dipole
  3. 6-8 turns of coax around a liter bottle.
  4. at feed point of antenna there will be current differences. Current goes down outside shield. A choke at the feed point reduces current.
  5. noise can be picked up on the outside of the shield. try a line isolator
  6. mix 31 or 43 ferrite core
K7KCE, Joe
1. Why PL tones
  1. why don’t clubs use pl tones, some members had radios that didn’t support tones
  2. no tone, try to keep things simpler
  3. cochannel repeaters need different pl tones
    1. something like 1.6 channels per repeater
2. Receive pltones
  1. fully optional, squelch will only open for the tone and other transmissions are blocked
3. Radar, what radar?
  1. 440 secondary to military
NR6E, Mikkel
AE6H, Ray
K6EEE, Jim
W6EDT, Dale
KR6J, Kenan
NJ6N, Brian
KM6FPF, John

4/2/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed 9:30 am)

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. link to battery
  1. LiFePo4 20ah delivers less than 20A
  2. returning 20ah and getting 36ah
WA6LDI, Phil
K6EEE, Jim
KR6J, Kenan
K7KCE, Joe
1. wspr beacon, 200mw, 40,20,15, 10 meters, Antarctica
AE6H, Ray
AJ6EE, Kevin
KM6FOY, Bill
W6EDT, Dale
1. how to switch multiple radios and antennas?
  1. use high quality coax switches, like bird
  2. bird 65 dB isolation
  3. alpha delta 55 dB isolation
  4. AO3 antenna switch

3/19/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI Heiko, Net control
K7KCE Joe, logging
1. Why do 2M & 70CM repeaters sound different?
  1. It could be due to differences in linking methods or different RF paths.
2. An EFHW should have infinite impedance at the ends/feedpoint but in use it does not. Why?
  1. No antenna is perfect and don’t match theory. EFHW often use coax as an RF ground or counterpoise.
KM6FOY Bill
1. What radio or transmission method does NASCAR use to bring back video feeds?
  1. None of us really know but suspect 2.4ghz & 5ghz backhaul
AJ6EE Kevin
AD6OH Patti
KN6TAF David
AE6H Ray
K6EEE Jim
KN6NLJ Sam
WB6RDO Bud

Net closed at 9:44am

3/12/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Net Control
WA6ED Ed, Logging
W6EDT, Dale
1. Grounding, hooking negative DC to ground? be causious if you try this.
2. Does the linear amplifier short coax ground to chassis? need to check.
3. Careful with testing with ohm meter. Need to test with RF not DC ohm meter.
4. RF grounds use short wide brades to common RF ground
5. Common RF ground bus needs to be low impeadance, like a copper pc board, or a copper buss plate
NY6I, Charles
1. logging what do you use?
  1. QRZ, LOTW, eQSL
  2. wsjtx logs to adi file. You can take this file and push it to LOTW etc.
  3. you can also setup logging to be automatic / realtime
KR6RG, Roy
1. 20 meter beacon in SJC 14.0956
WB6RDO, Bud
KM6FOY, Bill
AE6H, Ray
AI6WE, Mike
AJ6EE, Kevin
K6NOV, Ray
WD6E, Mike
K7KCE, Joe

2/26/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED Ed, Net control
1. RigExpert makes a very good analyzer. Made in Ukraine so may not be available soon.
K7KCE Joe, logging
1. Walking T-hunt on March 12th or 19th at Laguna Niguel Regional Park
KR6J Kenan
1. What do folks use to test capacitors? LCR meter or something else?
2. Agilent makes a great LCR meter
AI6WE Mike
AE6H Ray
1. Use common sense when responding to an emergency. Determine the nature of the emergency and the help needed, coordinate with emergency services. If you aren’t the responder, stay off the air and let them handle it.
AJ6LU Harald
1. Does anyone have any more information on coiling coax? Good, bad or no effect?
2. Would be a good experiment for SOARA Saturday.
KE6GQO Monte
W6BOT Rich
AD6OI Heiko
K6EEE Jim

Net closed at 9:52am

2/19/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. Why do we pause for Echolink traffic?
  1. Because it takes 3-5 seconds for the link traffic to come through, we need to leave them room.
NJ6N Brian
K6EEE Jim
1. Echolink, any restrictions on making contact with a foreign country through Echolink?
  1. May require you to follow normal restrictions on operating a remote transmitter in a foreign country.
AE6H Ray
1. What experience or recommend heights for 40M NVIS antenna, EFHW or dipole?
  1. DX Engineering has some good info, Heiko had good experience with low heights.
NR6E Mikkel
KN6OFF George
1. 10M antenna from 8ft tall fence on top of 20ft slope. Should it be run parallel to fence or in “sideways V”?
  1. Height is important, get it 1/2 wavelength above the ground. A 10m dipole in a straight line should be easy to do, only 5M long. Keep bends above 90 deg, ideally 120.
KM6FOY Bill
K6RJO Rich
WA6ED Ed
AJ6LU Harald
WD6E Mike
NH7WG Bruce
N6RRV Scott
1. Can an EFHW have a 90 deg bend?
  1. Yes in an inverted L, not a good idea in a horizontal. Most reasonable antennas are a compromise, any antenna is better than no antenna.
W6BOT Rick
1. EZNEC is an antenna modeling software: https://eznec.com
KK6UMB Tom
1. Do I need to log HF contacts for confirmation?
  1. Yes, QRZ.com, LoTW and EQSL are the popular ones.
KI6WLP Craig
1. Anyone familiar with the West Radio Epic Powergate? Any experience or thoughts?

Net closed at 10:01 am

2/12/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. feedback for SOARA Saturday’s. Email: wa6ed@soara.org
W6EDT, Dale
1. Q: how would you build a mast side arm?
  1. for a discone antenna, maybe 3 pounds.
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
AJ6EE, Kevin
1. Discone antenna, mainly a wide band receive antenna
K6NOV, Ray
K7KCE, Joe
NH7WG, Bruce, 73
G7LWT Darren
N6RRV, Scott
1. HF signal at 100 watts, S9
2. now 1000, maybe 1 or 2 s units higher
3. not necessarily louder but clearer
4. s9 100w to 500w 7 db up above s9
5. need a calibrated s meter. S meters can be all over the place
6. the real reason to increase power is to improve SNR (signal to noise)
7. a directional antenna with rotor may help more
8. 500w may be the sweet for power verses cost
WD6E, Mike
KE6GQO, Monte
KN6FOA, Mitchel
1. how to track down 2 meter interference?
2. 3-7am interference
  1. grow lights? could be anything.
3. track down with a spectrum analyzer or SDR
4. directional loop, article in the propagator for a 2 meter loop
5. 144.0 MHz signal
6. Who repairs Kenwood handhelds?

2/5/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, net control & logging
1. balun presentation, will try to find
2. Trying to get bluetooth going on an arduino
3. messing with a arduno uno form factor ESP32
AE6H, Ray
1. DMR presentation today
KI6DDB, Tom
1. Biking and ham radio, for event radio comminucations
WA6LDI, Phil
1. Going to HRO
NR6E, Mikkel
1. Running errands and eating a crosant
K6EEE, Jim
1. Saying hello
W6EDT, Dale
1. PLL’s not working on a crystal oscilator
W6BOT, Rich
1. What are you guys doing with all those microprocessors?
AJ6EE, Kevin
1. build a servo controlled 7 segment type clock. We need a SOARA Saturday demo again. Way cool!

1/22/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. SOARA Saturday 1/29, Gilleran Park 9am noon, supporting winter field day
2. Coffee and donuts will be provided.
3. Placement of carbon monoxide detectors, instructions say keep out of reach of children and in another part mount no more than three feet from the floor.
AE6H, Ray
1. Winter field day, 1/29 Gilleran Park
2. Today, 1/22, Radio setup and testing at Gilleran Park, after this net
W6EDT, Dale
1. Propagator articles submit today
2. coax crimp tools, suggestions on good ones?
NR6E, Mikkel
KE6GQO, Monte
1. very windy here, 55 MPH gusts
K7KCE, Joe
1. Uses DX Engineering crimp tools
  1. wind about 30 MPH
2. Winter Field Day, we do have a permit for 1/29
K6RBS, Richard
1. Carbon Monoxide slightly lighter than air

1/8/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. Does everyone know where the club repeaters are located?
2. Each is listed on the website with coverage maps: https://www.soara.org/repeaters/santiago-peak/
K7KCE, Joe, Logging
1. Cool RF coverage maps can be generated here: https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonline_s.asp
2. Walking T-Hunt next Saturday January 15th at William R. Mason Park. Starts at 10am and runs until 1pm-2pm depending on interest. Come on out and have fun!
W6BDV, Vlad
1. Looking for 50V, 50A power supply. Willing to trade a lightweight tower.
2. Suggested to use server power supplies.
AJ6LU, Harald
KR6J, Kenan
NH7WG, Bruce
1. New version of HamPi is out and very useful: https://github.com/dslotter/HamPi
W6EDT, Dale
1. Doing well, staying busy.
K0PGE, Ron
NR6E, Mikkel
N6RRV, Scott
1. Found a great Yaesu YS-2000 wattmeter. Very useful and well built: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pebbw6RfBJM
WA6ED, Ed
1. Working on some spare T-hunt antennas and offset attenuators.
AE6H, Ray
AI6WE, Mike

Net closed at 9:39 am

1/1/2022 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. Happy New Year All!!!
WA6ED, Ed, Logging
1. Anyone want to make a 2 meter MLA?
KR6J, Kenan
1. Reading Navy electronics books
K6UVR, Steve
1. porta-mobil on a walk
K6NOV, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
2. Echo-Link today, good to hear you today!

12/11/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net control & logging
WA6LDI, Phil
KN6OFF, George
K6EEE, Jim
NH7WG, Bruce
AE6H, Ray
K6MSM, Mike
AD6OI, Heiko
Notes:
1. Raspberry Pi
  1. DigiPi image Craiger.org
    1. You have to pay $5 to get the image with Patreon. This payment(s) keeps the riffraff out.
  2. DL1GKK.com for Ham applications to run on a Raspberry Pi
    1. lots of info about stuff you may want to load onto a ham shack raspberry pi. Be sure to get the latest versions of each app.
    2. https://dl1gkk.com/setup-raspberry-pi-for-ham-radio/
  3. https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/
  4. Kubermetes cluster info from LoRa discussion
    1. https://clusterhat.com/
2. LoRa
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa
  2. https://meshtastic.org/
  3. Disaster.radio
3. Ed researching most of day after the net, These are my “finds” so far:
  1. noVNC, maybe a remote way to control a Raspberry pi, I saw this in one of the DigiPi videos.
    1. https://novnc.com/info.html
    2. still researching this one
  2. Webmin, really cool addition to remote control your Pi!
    1. https://webmin.com/
    2. I got this running on my raspad today, way cool
  3. DigiPi
    1. After watching some YouTube videos, I paid them the $5, downloaded the latest image. I plan to use it with the RPI02W
  4. RPIZ2W, (Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W)
    1. Went to Thingiverse and downloaded STLs for a case. This is the link to the case I liked…
      1. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1848639
    2. The new RPIZ2W’s are hard to get. I went to microcenter.com and reserved one online. Then after the confirmation email, I went to the store in Tustin and bought it. Then I proceeded in spending more money there. Don’t go to Microcenter. This is dangerous for your pocketbook.

12/04/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net control
WA6Ed, Ed, Logging
1. loop vs mag loop antennas
  1. loop is a simple wire
  2. mag loops are simple too but have challenges like the high voltage capacitor
    1. the cap needs to be made for the expected voltages. So spacing of the plates are important.
  3. narrow bandwidth so re-tuning is often needed, also narrow bandwidth keeps the noise out too
    1. it only picks up signals over that narrow bandwith
  4. High voltage can be dangerous, do not touch the capacitor while transmitting.
WA6LDI, Phil, driving to HRO
KK6CHF, Jeff
1. Mag loop antennas are smaller, more portable, more hoa friendly
2. Mag loop antennas can couple with metal near by
KR6J, Kenan
AE6H, Ray
1. 3 inch square lights
KM6FOY, Bill
1. propagation question, significant deltas over time
  1. can be fickle, conditions can change quickly
  2. smoke and mirrors, maybe reflections
  3. wind can cause static, pops and clicks
  4. antennas an make difference based on radiation pattern of the antenna
    1. sometimes a verticals are better
    2. sometimes a dipole if better if it is pointed in the right direction
    3. sometimes a yagi is better if you need to focus the rf energy in the right direction
KN6HI, Steve
W6EDT, Dale
K6UVR, Steve
NR6E, Mikkel, hi and bye

11/27/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

KK6CHF, Jeff, Net Control
1. What does the RF Gain control actually do? Does it improve SNR?
  1. Maybe. Can lower level of noise floor but also lowers signal. On some radios also changes AGC.
K7KCE, Joe, logging
1. What is this antenna?
  1. Could be an “egg beater” DF antenna.
AE6H, Ray
1. Useful website for seeing a map of local hams: http://haminfo.tetranz.com/map
K6EEE, Jim
1. How does an operator give a signal report in FT8 or JS8Call?
  1. SNR is reported by the software in db relative to the whole 2.5khz band: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/the-skinny-on-ft-8-signal-reports.591508/
KN6OIS, Phil
1. What effect does wind have on VHF/UHF propagation?
  1. Causes static build up on both antennas, adds pop & crackle, can reduce receive sensitivity.
  2. Does not impact HF skip as ionosphere is above winds.
NR6E, Mikkel
K6UVR, Steve
AJ6LU, Harald
AI6WE, Mike

Net closed at 9:53am

11/13/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
K7KCE, Joe, logging
N5KZV, Bob
1. Has Baofeng that keeps cutting in and out on receive, what could be causing this?
  1. Check squelch level
  2. Check antenna connection, the nut may be loose
  3. Check battery charge level
WA6ED, ED
1. Any experience with running Parallels on M1 based Macs?
  1. Emulation can be a challenge, often there are compatibility problems and bugs
  2. Joe will install on Mac M1 and try it, will report back to Ed.
W6EDT, Dale
1. Modeling antennas, radials can have high voltages, why have elevated radials on ground planes?
  1. Keeps them out of the way and out of reach where high voltages can develop.
AE6H, Ray
1. How to get Chirp working on MacOS 11?
  1. Right click on file from a finder window, select “Open”, may have to do this twice.
KM6FOY, Bill
KE6GQO, Monty
W6BOT, Rich
1. Hear operators on 80M that respond very quickly and also are on video at the same time. How are they doing it?
  1. They set up a Zoom, Teams, etc. meeting online and talk via radio instead of the computer audio.

Net closed at 9:45am PST

11/06/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K7KCE, Joe
1. IC-7300 preamp,
  1. turn down RF then change preamp to optimize / minimize noise or improve signal
  2. play with it
KM6FOY, Bill
1. GMRS, why no 5MHZ input output
2. like ham radio, pay more for license
AJ6EE, Kevin
NH7WG, Bruce
1. rig pi, experience?
  1. code costs money, promise of source code for a very long time.
  2. Software for RigPi will be available on GitHub as a free, open-source download. Add your own features to RSS!
AE6H, Ray
KR6J, Kenan
K6UVR, Steve
1. https://digirig.net/
KN6KHN, John
KM6ZPI, Kevin
N5KZV, Bob
1. WSJTX logs to LOTW, TQSL point to log adi file
W6UXT, Mike
1. software radio on a mac
  1. KR6J, try websdr.org, utah websdr https://www.sdrutah.org/
  2. K7KCE, websdr, cubiq sdr with sdr dongle like rtlsdr, needs receive antenna too
  3. AE6H, utah SDR mainly ham bands, RTLSDR other frequencies as well
K6EEE, Jim

10/30/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. Should we keep the Net post-Covid?
  1. All responses were in favor of keeping the Net.
2. How do we get more volunteers for Net Control?
3. Matter Hackers are having a sale at the Lake Forest location.
K7KCE, Joe, Logging
K6EEE, Jim
AE6H, Ray
1. What are good repeaters in the Las Vegas area?
  1. No answers.
2. Can Fusion repeaters also be used for analog?
  1. Yes, they support FM along with CFM modes. Must be configured by the owner/operator.
  2. Make sure you know the PL tone to activate TX/RX.
WA6LDI, Phil
NR6E, Mikkel
NH7WG, Bruce
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6OYS, Phil
K6TJO, Tim
KR6J, Kenan
1. Has anyone heard the Long Beach 28.244 MHz beacon recently?
  1. No.
KK6CUR, Kevin
WA6ED, Ed

Net closed at 9:38 am PDT

10/16/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
K7KCE, Joe, Logging
WA6ED, Ed
1. Any favorite Linux applications to use on Raspberry Pi tablet?
  1. Octoprint
KN6LZK, Mike
1. Suggestions on getting better at ham radio hobby?
  1. SOARA Saturdays, Tech Net, get on radio and talk, hams are kind and helpful so ask questions.
KM6FOY, Bill
1. LDG auto tuner always retunes on 40M not on other bands?
  1. Check SWR on 40M, may be high. Increase autotune setting.
K6TJO, Tim
NR6E, Mikkel
KR6J, Kenan
KN6OFF, George
1. Tips on wall penetration for 1 in. PVC pipe?
  1. Use larger diameter pipe, use gray electrical PVC with screw on ends.
  2. https://www.kf7p.com/KF7P/EntrancePanels.html
NH7WG, Bruce
AE6H, Ray
1. 2011 MacBook Pro won’t boot, don’t hear HDD spin but do hear clicks, gray screen, any suggestions?
  1. Try swapping HDD, Tech Tool Pro boot from recovery USB and run diagnostics on HDD.
  2. https://www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/
  3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201255
W6BOT, Rich
KK6CHF, Jeff

Net closed at 9:51 am PDT

10/09/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
K7KCE, Joe, Logging
KM6FPF, John
1. What simplex freq steps do most use on VHF/UHF? Use TASMA band plan.~15Khz
  1. https://www.tasma.org/TASMA-2m-Band-Plan.pdf
2. Any experience using repeaters in Europe? Do they all use 750 Mhz tone or move to a more US style tone system?
W6EDT, Dale
1. What type of counterpoise are folks using for random wire antennas?
  1. https://udel.edu/~mm/ham/randomWire/
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
NH7WG, Bruce
K6MSM, Mike

Net closed at 9:42am PDT.

10/02/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. grounding the shack
  1. Motorola R56 document
    1. https://wiki.w9cr.net/images/1/14/Motorola-Standards-and-Guidelines-for-Communication-Sites-R56-Manual_68P81089E50-B.pdf
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6J, Kenan

9/18/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
K7KCE, Joe
N1SPW, Mike
NJ6N, Brian
WO5H, Dave
K6RBS, Richard
KK6CUR, Kevin
K6EDT, Dale
K6LMR, Lou
KN6OFF, George

9/11/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K6MSM, Mike
NR6E Mikkel
1. metal surrounds for wooden stakes, try industrial metal supply in Irvine
K6EDT, Dale
1. antenna feed line on roof, plate bolted to wall. copper or aluminum
  1. mfj window feed through
  2. bulkhead
  3. georgia copper
NH7WG, Bruce
K7KCE, Joe
KR6J, Kenan
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6OUS, Tim
K6TJO, Tim
KN6ASR, Deon
AF6GL, Tim

9/4/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. gamma match tuning
  1. adjust for one frequency may affect the other
  2. use antenna analyzer, mark current setting, then move and test for optimal
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. conductive ABS, label was generic, will research further…
WA6LDI, Phil
AE6H, Ray
1. alinco 235 programming
KM6FOY, Bill
KK6CHF, Jeff
NH7WG, Bruce
W6EDT, Dale
1. vertical with radials, what antenna do you use?
K6WHC, Scott
KK6CUR, Kevin

8/14/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
N6TIK, John
1. Sun rot on coax cable,
2. lube connector, maybe non-conductive, concern about changing things
  1. silicone rubber tape, self sealing to itself, www.coaxwrap.com
    1. stretch while wrapping connector to vulcanize together the layers, remove the backing while stretching.
    2. Home depot calls it splicing tape, maybe cheaper.
  2. dielectric grease, stops oxidation, moisture, & corrosion
    1. KI6LOM uses this stuff https://www.nyelubricants.com/nyogel-760g
KM6FOY, Bill
AI6WE, Mike
NH7WG Bruce
K7KCE, Joe
NR6E, Mikkel
WE4BY, Greg
KN6CUV, Darren
AE6H, Ray
KD6IYJ, Nick
KN6IQ, Larry

8/7/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, logging & Net Control
WD6E, Mike
1. Any solar cycle news?
  1. ARRL weekly newsletter
  2. Pat Cook K7RA
  3. Hamqsl.com
  4. KC2G.com
W6EDT, Dale
1. Ground rods with antennas
2. Dipoles probably don’t need a RF ground. But a ground rod with a Polyphaser is likely good for static bleed.
3. Vertical antennas do need a counterpoise or ground of some sort.
KN6OFF, George
KK6CHF, Jeff
K7KCE, Joe
AI6CG, Mark
AE6H, Ray
KI6QBM, Kriss
WA6LDI, Phil
K6JKB, Jim
1. Rigs and coffee event
NR6E, Mikkel

7/31/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. Digital modes
  1. Digital modes, FT8
  2. WSJTX, FT8, 144.174 MHz, 432.530MHz
  3. Digital Voice DSTAR
  4. FT8 like CW and others like FM
  5. Use SDR to look at RF transmissions
2. When to throw away a alkaline battery?
  1. Recycle bin when they quit working
  2. Discard when it quits operating
  3. Leaking issue when discharged
  4. Toss 1.38v and below
  5. 1.5V good, new
  6. between 1.5v & 1.4V good
  7. under 1.4V recycle
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. SOARA Saturday ideas (SES)
  1. debugging radio problems with instruments
  2. radio programming clinic
    1. Chirp
    2. Manual from keypad
  3. New FCC RF emission rules
W6EDT, Dale
1. 80 foot high pulley points, what antenna would you use
  1. end fed antenna
  2. dipole, how much room on each side?
  3. 130 feet to another point
  4. pulley in the corner
  5. Inverted L?
KR6J, Kenan
AE6H, Ray
NR6E, Mikkel
1. SES, radio programming clinic
WB6RDO, Bud
1. Working on Satellites
KM6FOY, Bill
1. SES Chirp programming
NH7WG, Bruce
1. 50 foot end fed, 40M, 60M, random length
N6TIK, John
K7KCE, Joe
KK6CHF, Jeff
W6DE, Mike
K6TJO, Tim

7/17/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
NH7WG, Bruce
1. menus on different Icom radio, similar but not identical
K7KCE, Joe
1. Small MLA, maybe limit to 10-20 watts
2. https://www.loop2er.cz/book-magnetic-loop-antennas-5th-edition
3. https://www.66pacific.com/calculators/small-transmitting-loop-antenna-calculator.aspx
K6EEE, Jim
WB6RDO, Bud
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY Bill
NR6E, Mikkel
AJ6LU, Harald
KR6J, Kenan
W6EDT, Dale
K6UMB, Tom
K6RBS, Richard

7/3/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. SOARA Saturday 7/24 at Gilleran Park
2. topics?
  1. Tinysa spectrum analyzer and instrumentation
  2. NanoVNA
  3. Setup a HF rig
  4. Maybe setup a SDR too.
AI6WE, Mike
N6TIK, John
1. learn CW, Code quick
2. try starting at 20 wpm, train ear to rhythm
3. 60% copy / 40% transmit
4. practice daily, 30 minutes
W6EDT, Dale
1. High voltage diff probes oscilloscopes?
NISPW, Mike
1. Field day postmortem
  1. generator and power supply fixed
  2. discuss at next meeting
KM6FOY, Bill
AE6H, Ray
K7KCE, Joe
NH7WG, Bruce

6/19/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
NH7WG, Bruce
1. which antenna am I using on the roof?
  1. ohm, disconnect coax, short one end, see which one is shorted with ohm meter.
  2. use vna, disconnect all antennas and then measure one connected at a time
  3. x low power sniffer
  4. led on antenna, maybe neon bulb?
N1SPW, Mike
1. Testing during field day?
  1. Definite maybe, contact k6uvr@soara.org
AI6WE, Mike
1. fer-rite chokes affects antenna?
  1. choke reduces common mode current
  2. if off center fed antenna, feed line could be part of antenna, then choke may make a difference, take measurements with a VNA to verify
AE6H, Ray
K7KCE, Joe
W6EDT Dale
AI6CG, Mark
KR6J, Kenan
1. PCB design, what software
  1. KiCad, open source, free
  2. Eagle, 4 layers free
  3. Pads, expensive
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RBS, Richard
1. need ham radio 440 comms for MV fireworks event, email Charlie wa6ruz@soara.org
KN6HI, Steve
1. counterpoise
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpoise_(ground_system)
2. ground radials
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radial_(radio)

6/12/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. triodes, 3-500z what are differences?
2. ceramic likely to last longer due to better seal at pins
N6TIK, John
1. wall warts
  1. Parasitic current, yes, get a kill-a-watt to measure current, wattage etc.
  2. RF radiation
    1. will radiate based on quality
    2. different noise with load vs no load
  3. Inline rocker switch outlet
    1. plug in wall wart
    2. just flick rocker switch for each outlet to save parasitic power
K7KCE, Joe
1. LoRa, how to send call sign?
  1. if within power requirements, no callsign requirements needed
  2. if amateur radio amplification, send call sign as ASCII comment
  3. 1 watt at 900MHz or less, likely okay
  4. 400MHz may need a license
  5. Key is not to interfere with others
W6EDT, Dale
1. feed point impedance for an off center fed dipole, vertically polarized, how to calculate?
  1. perhaps just measure it empirically.
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
NR6E, Mikkel
KI6LOM, Jim
N1SPW, Mike
KK6CUR, Kevin

6/5/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6GQO, Monte
1. RIT, adjust RX frequency separately from TX frequency
KN6GAM, Matt, Firewatch
W6EDT, Dale
1. DC high voltage, current limited
  1. use to test HV caps, insulated enclosure
2. GPS 10 MHZ oscillators
K6MSM, Mike
1. Bad barrel connector,
  1. Possible causes: insulation installed incorrectly, bad crimp, insulation creeping into connection adding capacitance, short, open.
AE6H, Ray
NH7WG, Bruce
KB0J, Larry
KR6J, Kenan
K7KCE, Joe
AI6WE, Mike
KK6CHF, Jeff
N1SPW, Mike
K6RBS, Richard

5/29/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. Old linear amplifier refurbish checklist (not a complete list)
  1. Get Elmer help if you never did this before!
  2. Stand on a rubber insulating mat, high voltages are dangerous!
  3. Be careful with high voltages, be sure to unplug amplifier from outlet and let the high voltages dissipate.
    1. High voltages are dangerous! Let voltages dissipate to zero.
    2. Properly test voltage safety with a high voltage probe & meter
      1. Check tube anode voltage, use a bleeder resistor to ground,
        
        2 watt, 10-100 ohms, never short tube anode directly to ground. (otherwise you may damage tube)
    3. Never touch anything metal inside a linear amplifier until you test voltage levels.
  4. Dust it out, clean it
    1. dirt and contaminants could enable arcing
  5. Check plastic parts for aging, cracks, wear
    1. replace plastic parts as needed
  6. Check old capacitors
    1. Caps on input may need replacement, test input good SWR
  7. If you wake up across the room on the floor, go back and reread high voltage safety. If you didn’t wake up. Well, I hope you have good insurance for your family.
AJ6EE, Kevin
AE6H, Ray
K6UVR, Steve
K6MSM, Mike
KI6LOM, Jim
W6EDT, Dale
1. ladder line have different impedances, why? 300 ohm, 600ohm
2. some build their own ladder line, trying to not be part of the radiator
K7KCE, Joe
NR6E, Mikkel
KN6FOA, Michel
K6RBS, Richard
AJ6LU, Harald

5/15/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AE6H, Ray, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
WA6LDI, Phil, going to the candy store
WB6RDO, Bud
1. corroded aluminum antenna, how to take apart
  1. carefully try heat
  2. cold like ice for the opposite tube
  3. strap between each side to make an electrical connection
2. Assembling
  1. clean aluminum joint well
  2. Burndy, PENETROX A
W6EDT, Dale
1. what publications do you subscribe?
2. QRZ, QEX,
3. Radio club of America, Papa Systems emails
4. GQRP / Sprat published quarterly
5. QRP ARCI, qrp quarterly
6. CQ magazine
7. Nuts & Volts
8. Elektor
9. https://circuitcellar.com/
N6JCN, Jim
KR6J, Kenan
KM6FOY, Bill
K7KCE, Joe
KK6CHF, Jeff
1. JS8CALL conversational mode
2. http://js8call.com/
NH7WG, Bruce

5/8/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K7KCE, Joe
1. call sign when tuning required?
  1. Heiko, yes callsign at end of tuning
  2. Mikkel, maybe not necessary when tuning, I think???
  3. Jeff, < signal broken up on 70cm >, switched to 2m much better.
  4. Richard, some wiggle room, polite and nice to do it. brief transmission to make adjustments to station probably okay.
W6EDT, Dale
1. legal limit tuners, why do you prefer one over another?
  1. K6RBS, requirements, price, ladder line, bands supported MFJ-976
  2. WA6ED, bought MFJ-962D used, seems to work
  3. AD6OI, MFJ-986
NR6E, Mikkel
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Bluetooth, freq hopper, multiple frequencies, range, microphone ear piece 2.5mw
K6RJO, Rich
NH7WG, Bruce
1. Chameleon, emcom III antenna, 80-10M
  1. https://chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-emcomm-iii-portable
N1SPW, Mike
KR6J, Kenan
KN6NOV, Ray
K6RBS, Richard
KK6CHF, Jeff
K2DNA, Ramon
1. Can you use your wife’s call sign? If wife at control point yes. Otherwise, no.

5/1/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. ID-5100 with bluetooth UT133A & Pryme BTH 600-IC
AJ6EE, Kevin
AE6H, Ray
1. What is the simplex activity today? 9am RACES ARES simplex testing, IDEC, SET Test
KB0J, Larry
AJ6LU, Harald
K6LMR, Lou
K7KCE, Joe
1. beaconing on a IC4100, monitoring 70cm,
  1. try Facebook forum on DSTAR beaconing
2. Laguna DSTAR repeaters, linked? no
  1. DSTAR net Wed at 8pm & reflector 88 which belongs to Brian
K6NOV, Ray
1. MFJ & Diamond telescoping antennas for HT
K6RBS, Richard
KE6BNS, Jeff
KE6GQO, Monte
NR6E, Mikkel

4/24/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K7KCE, Joe
1. No ground plane needed, how it works?
  1. Mikkel
    1. maybe an end fed dipole
    2. heavy metal base
  2. Ray
    1. comet antenna makes one requiring no ground plane
    2. stick with common brands like comet or diamond
  3. Bill
    1. CR320a mag mount on metal plate
    2. some antennas will work with mag mounts some wont. Be careful what you buy
W6EDT, Dale
1. g5rv Antenna tuner with a linear amplifier, Palstar tube amp
2. Mikkel
  1. Tunes with amp in bypass, then adjust with amp at low power
3. Sunday solar storm, necessary to disconnect antenna?
  1. if you have a lightning arrester?
  2. maybe time to get on and experiment?
  3. if lightning nearby, good to disconnect antennas.
AE6H, Ray
NR6E, Mikkel
KM6FOY, Bill
W6VDV, Vern
KR6J, Kenan
WB6HRO, Joe
K6RBS, Richard
AJ6EE, Kevin

4/17/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
1. analog wattmeters different, needs to be calibrated
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KR6J, Kenan
1. dBd, dBi, 35w, 13dBd antenna gain
KM6FOY, Bill
NR6E, Mikkel
KB0J, Larry
K7KCE, Joe
KK6CHF, Jeff
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KE6GQO, Monty

4/10/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
AI6WE, Mike
W6EDT, Dale
1. roof off, long Ethernet runs, inside conduit, coax in conduit?
2. fiber, keep it clean.
K7KCE, Joe
1. use wifi or fiber
2. SFP’s can generate hash
3. Ethernet cables radiates hash
4. Links to K9YC website links
  1. K9YC
  2. K9YC

4/3/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. Use seamless aluminum gutters as antenna? end fed or loop?
2. Stainless fittings, conductive grease
3. Do I need a ground?
AE6H, Ray
1. What repeaters to use when on the road? 15 North, 10 East? etc.
2. Try repeater book, ARRL CD, websites
AJ6EE, Kevin
AI6WE, Mike
KM6FOY, Bill
1. How to get PL tone from the radio?
2. Search for RK-560, frequency and CTCC / DCS decoder
K7KCE, Joe
1. Radio in truck, what works and doesn’t work?
  1. Power directly from battery, fuse both + & –
  2. Use ground from battery and not chassis to avoid ground loops
  3. Comet or diamond fold over antenna
  4. Havis auto power off. https://customers.havis.com/
  5. Automatic power off set to something (APO)
  6. Careful on battery drain on HF while engine not running.
N1SPW, Mike
1. OC radio control club, Murray center closed to end of year 2021.
KR6J, Kennith
KB0J, Larry
N6RRV, Scott
NY6I, Charles
K6RJO, Rich
K6RBS, Richard
KN6FOA, Mitchel

3/27/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6CXD, Mike
K7KCE, Joe
W6EDT, Dale
1. Open bands? how to find?
  1. tune in & listen
  2. dx spots, dx watch
  3. idxcluster, free
  4. psk reporter
KR6J, Kenan
KB0J, Larry
K6EEE, Jim
1. Icom 51a plus, hard reset, restore reflectors?
AI6WE, Mike

3/20/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. https://www.radioanalog.com/ptrx-7300/
2. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2767819
  1. MK4 sniffer case
W6EDT, Dale
1. Coupling from HF TX to other antennas
2. dipole to diamond x510, +17-20dB
KB6POE, Richard
KK6CHF, Jeff
KM6FOY, Bill
K7KCE, Joe
NH7WG, Bruce
AJ6LU, Harald
AE6H, Ray
K6EEE, Jim
K6RBS, Richard
K6WHC, Scott
N6RRV Scott

3/13/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
W6INE, Erik
1. on echolink
K6WHC, Scott
KI6LOM, Jim
N6RRV, Scott
K6RJO, Rich
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6J, Kenan
W6EDT, Dale
1. tin copper flex weave wire,
K6RBS, Richard
1. 10M open!
AJ6EE, Kevin
NR6E, Mikkel
K6EEE, Jim
AI6WE, Mike

3/6/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
N6TIK, John
1. APRS turning off notifications
K7KCE, Joe
1. Synthesized radios? non-crystal for each frequency, anything with a PLL type frequency source
2. Kenwood TMD-710, wants display & APRS
K6UVR, Steve
1. Optics to see whilst soldering
  1. USB digital microscope
  2. AmScope 7x-90x
  3. lens over camera on cell phone
  4. lighted lamp magnifier with large lens, mounted video camera to big screen monitor
  5. dentist binocular glasses with led illumination $12 Jewelry magnifiers
  6. Amscope with an articulating arm, working distance important
W6EDT, Dale
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
K6FTL, Alex
NY6I, Charles
AJ6EE, Kevin
K6WHC. Scott
KR6J, Kenan
K6RJO, Rich
N6RRV, Scott
K6RBS, Richard

2/27/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KC7CKI, Aaron
1. Injector noise in diesel pickup?
2. sound varies slightly with throttle
3. K9YC
4. http://k9yc.com/2018Cookbook.pdf
5. https://palomar-engineers.com/
K7KCE, Joe
1. Son talking on radio without license
2. Similar to guest on GOTA station, use father’s call sign, father (control operator) must be physically present.
AJ6LU, Harald
1. RFI jump through coax cable to another in a conduit about 12 inches or so.
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RJO, Rich
NH7WG, Bruce
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
N6RRV, Scott
KK6CHF, Jeff
KR6J, Kennon
K6WHC, Scott
NR6E, Mikkel
KN6HI, Steve
K6RBS, Richard

2/20/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. Tiny Spectrum Analyzer, portable, TFT, battery
2. www.tinysa.org
3. not the same as tinyvna!
4. Beware of counterfeits! see website
AJ6LU, Harald
K7KCE, Joe
AJ6EE, Kevin
WD6E, Mike
KN6CXD, Mike
KM6FOY, Bill
1. dipole antenna, inverted V
2. height off ground important to radiation pattern
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_antenna
N6TIK, John
1. antenna and valley of skyscrapers
KK6CHF, Jeff
1. 1/4 wave vertical, random length 9:1 transformer (balun?)
2. used antenna analyzer, found where it is tuned
3. has anybody used an antenna without a tuner?
W6BOT, Rich
1. tuner protects radio by matching impedance
K7COH, Cliff

2/13/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
W6EDT, Dale
1. How do you ground your shack? electrical, RF, lightning protection
AE6H, Ray
1. Midway, 7.250, 14.320 MHz
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RJO, Rich
K7KCE, Joe
KK6CHF, Jeff
N6TIK, John
AI6WE, Mike
K6TJO, Tim
K6WHC, Scott
AJ6EE, Kevin
N6RRV, Scott
K6UVR, Steve
KM6AFI, George
W6BOT, Rich

2/6/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
1. APRS tracker?
2. APRS.FI, using?
3. APRS Droid?
4. check out www.aprs.org
N6RRV, Scott
1. https://mfjenterprises.com/products/b-2518-g#product-manuals
KM6FOY, Bill
N6TIK, John
1. elk antennas, 50 watts
W6EDT, Dale
K7KCE, Joe
K6EEE, Jim
KK6CHF, Jeff
KE6GQO, Monty
KJ6URR, Kevin
KR6J, Kenan

1/30/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. ID-5100 bluetooth? experiences?
AE6H, Ray
1. Q: APRS beacons, how to find other signals, know where people are at.
  1. balloon transmits lat, long, & alt.
KM6FOY, Bill
K6UVR, Steve
K7KCE, Joe
AJ6EE, Kevin, echo link
1. FTM 400, APRS packets out serial port
2. APRSISCE/32
3. http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/
W6EDT, Dale
1. Q: receiver for APRS packets on the air?
K6WHC, Scott
1. Cleaning antenna contacts today.

1/23/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
KI6LOM, Jim
KK6CHF, Jeff
KM6FOY, Bill
W6VDV, Vern
NR6E, Mikkel
KN6HI, Steve
K6RBS, Richard

1/16/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net Control, & logging
AD6OI, Heiko
W6EDT, Dale
KM6FOY, Bill
KG6LZP, Ted
1. SGC 230 tuner counterpoise, Kiss counterpoise multi-wires
2. make sure to pick non-resonate wire lengths
  1. https://www.hamuniverse.com/randomwireantennalengths.html
3. Make sure you don’t have arcing high voltage issues
4. feed line choke
  1. https://palomar-engineers.com/tech-support/tech-topics/best-hf-end-fed-antenna
AE6H, Ray
KK6CHF, Jeff
KN6CXD, Mike
K7KCE, Joe
KG6DCV, Jeff
WI6X, Jim
1. RX antenna port, T/R switch is one option
K6UVR, Steve
K6EEE, Jim
AJ6EE, Kevin

1/9/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K6CHF, Jeff
1. 40 meters, cobra ultralight, poles, how to keep safe
2. rebar in ground to inert mast at bottom, then guy the upper part of mast
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6CXD, Mike
W6EDT, Dale
K7KCE, Joe
K6RJO, Rich
KB6POE, Richard
K6RBS, Richard
K6UVR, Steve
K6WHC, Scott
1. plastic cars no ground plane
  1. https://www.diamondantenna.net/k9000lrmo.html
  2. diamond antenna that does not require a ground plane
KG6QWY, Ray
AI6CG, Mark

1/2/2021 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
N6TIK, John
1. ? coax type important for short lengths
  1. connectors can contribute to loss
KK6LE, John
WJ6F, Craig
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RJO, Rich
WE4BY, Greg
KN6CXD, Mike
KK6CHF, Jeff
K6UVR, Steve
KB6BXD, David
1. warning about power on microphone jack
KN6HI, Steve
1. LDG YT1200 auto tuner, OCF dipole
  1. DX40 from radiowave
  2. MFJ2010
AE6H, Ray
K6EEE, Jim
NR6E, Mikkel
W6INE, Erik
KI6WLP, Craig
AJ6EE, Kevin
N6VEG, John

12/26/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
W6EDT, Dale
1. THD74 issue with antenna
2. tested antenna with nano vna, looked good
3. Scott,
  1. cx333 then a diamond stubbie, worked well if in the open.
4. Ray, what type of connector? Ask comet antennas?
  1. radioddity has antennas
5. Ed
  1. maybe a marginal connector with some antennas?
6. Jim, try resetting radio?
7. Heiko
  1. check with Mick(sp?) at comet?
AE6H, Ray
1. how to do APRS without buying a $500 radio?
  1. app for aprs.fi
  2. http://www.mobilinkd.com/
K6EEE, Jim
NH7WG, Bruce
K7KCE, Joe
N6NHP, John
1. Matching multiple antennas with coax
2. 1 cm accuracy
3. methods to tune
K6WHC, Scott
K6NOV, Ray
K6TJO, Tim
KM6FOY, Bill

12/19/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
WA6LDI, Phil
KE6GQO, Monte
1. best way to setup dipole for EU?
2. wire north south
3. computer apps to show true compass setting, correct for mag north
K7KCE, Joe
1. recommendations for logging software on the mac,
  1. Tim, Log for OM
  2. Ray, print a cabrillo file, n3fjp
  3. Rich, N1MM
K6RJO, Rich
NH7WG, Bruce
1. http://www.mobilinkd.com/
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
K6WHC, Scott
WE4BY, Greg
1. dipole, instead using a telescoping fiberglass pole, 30 feet up in the air
2. mostly 20 & 40 meters
3. try a wire to the side
4. tilt away from desired direction
5. Wants a raspberry pi touch screen logging software, for mobile use.
W6EDT, Dale
1. time for articles, Propagator soon!
K6MSM, Mike
1. having fun with t hunts
K6TJO, Tim
1. Astron vibration, maybe some enclosure plates, try a paper shim
2. call and ask Astron?
KM6VMI, Stan
1. small antennas, compact antenna? Any experience?
KK6CUR, Kevin

12/12/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
KE6GQO, Monte
K6TJO, Tim
1. Q: how to electronically lengthen or shorten an antenna
  1. dielectric
  2. coil & tap? move tap changes inductance, looking for resonate point at the frequency you desire.
KN6HI, Steve
1. ARRL Antenna book, smith chart with nano vna
2. Oscilloscope, bandwidth of scope, Rigol, 4 channel, 50 to 100MHz, up-gradable with hack to 200MHz.
3. cheap logic analyzer: https://www.amazon.com/KeeYees-Analyzer-Device-Channel-Arduino/dp/B07K6HXDH1/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=logic+analyzer&qid=1607794491&sr=8-6
W6INE, Erik
NR6E, Mikkel
KM6FOY, Bill
WI6X, Jim
NH7WG, Bruce
K6EEE, Jim
WB6HRO, Joe
KM6SLF, Bill

12/05/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
1. TYT 7800 shipped locked, website Chinese
2. How to unlock? picture of a key, hold down 3 seconds
3. sheet how to unlock frequency, power on, remove by turning off power supply hold down p1 & p2 turn power supply back on
4. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2015/12/new_tytera_tyt_th-7800_mobile_radio.html
KM6FOY, Bill
1. on 2 meters mobile antenna, diamond cr320a attach a radial and don’t use mag mount. Why?
2. maybe needs radials as a counterpoise
NR6E, Mikkel
KI6CG, Mark
K6NOV, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
1. What schematic capture software do you use?
K6WHC, Scott
W6UXD, Mike
1. ID5100, led light bars, see a signal on LEDs
  1. noise generated by LEDs?
  2. RF coupling into LED controller? ferrites may help on 12v to light bar.
KE6GQO, Monty
1. PL’s and repeaters, advantages and disadvantages of a high vs low pl
2. same PL’s, older repeaters tone boards or dip switches.
K6RJO, Rich

11/28/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AJ6EE, Kevin
1. inverted V 20-25 feet up worth the effort.
2. Ideally 1/2 wave up, higher the better.
3. 6 foot fence line works but not optimal.
4. https://www.arrl.org/files/file/antplnr.pdf
NR6E, Mikkel
K6RJO, Rich
1. Ed Fong’s SDR radio, www.countycomm.com
W6EDT, Dale
1. coax crimping tools, what’s good
2. Rich, check quicksilver.com seem to work fine, dies for rg8x, hex die to crimp shield
3. Joe, DX engineering, ultra grip 2 with die $58,
KI6LOM, Jim
1. in a canyon with dipole 12 feet up to
WA6LDI, Phil
KK6CUR, Kevin
1. crimps on boats a lot, marine supply
2. Jpole question, what type of connector, check their website, SO-239 default, N $5 extra
3. nanovna in Ed Fong presentation. R&L Electronics.
KN6CXD, Mike
K7KCE, Joe
AI6CG, Mark
K6EEE, Jim

11/21/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
no logging this day, Ed at work…

11/14/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
1. DMR programming
2. code plug not software, it’s settings / data
3. get software working first, like read the data from the radio
4. how to insert analog frequencies? added new zone for SOARA repeaters frequencies
5. always save original configuration from the radio and safely save it away. Allows you to get back to a working start point.
6. (Bruce) many radios, firmware update and customer software must match.
7. (Bill) always check compatibility firmware & software
8. how to check new radio firmware?
  1. (Mikkel) varies on radio, look at manual, note firmware, check manufacturer’s website.
9. (Mitchel) Be sure to set your callsign and DMR ID
10. (Mikkel) manual is confusing? try searching YouTube
KN6FOA, Mitchel
1. Lithium ion 14.8v, 16.8 v to high for radio equipment. How to bring voltage down?
W6EDT, Dale
1. how to determine fm deviation. pick freq to determine deviation. Or set the amount of deviation at a frequency?
2. signal link want to see 2.5KHz deviation? Do it by ear?
3. (Mitchel), test by hooking audio output to oscilloscope, look at deviation there.
K6EEE, Jim
1. HT batteries, charged up, on high power 1-2 transmissions, time to by a new battery? or something else wrong?
2. (Bill) batteries degrade over time, maybe 500-1000 cycles, check charge current
3. (Ray) battery chemistry is a big variable, some batteries like NiCad have memory, lithium ion work well
4. (Dale) chargers are different for different battery chemistry, be sure to use the correct charger.
KM6FOY, Bill
NR6E, Mikkel
NH7WG, Bruce
K6FTL, Alex
KD6JBL, Jerry
AI6WE, Mike
KK6CHF, Jeff
1. CB radios, any interest for raffle or donate to new member?
  1. Yes, Heiko will take them and re-purpose through SOARA.
K6MSM, Mike
K6RBS, Richard

11/07/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. comet GP9
2. FTM 400 & ID5100
3. IC7300
4. Elimination of electrical Noise, by Don Pinnock G3HVA (ARRL)
W6EDT, Dale
1. FT8800 base station radio
2. Flex 6600
K6EEE, Jim
1. Icom 880
2. THD74
3. Kenwood 2000, KX3
4. G5RV Jr, force flagpole
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Yaesu 991a
2. FTdx101d
3. OCF dipole
K7KCE, Joe
1. Icom 7100
2. Anytone 868
KN6FOA, Mitchell
1. THD74
2. external j pole hanging with a zip tie
3. 2 meter noise floor very high, even at street
N6RRV, Scott
1. Kenwood 870 + tcxo
2. FT60
3. Mot 7550e
4. endfed for hf
5. looking at Ed (Fong?) antennas
K6RJO, Rich
1. ID51 plus 2
2. RA77 diamond antenna
3. ladderline jpole N9TAX
4. ID-5100
5. IC-7100, 17′ vert with 33′ radials
AJ6LU, Harald
1. IC9700
2. ID51
3. Diamond X200 about 15 feet up
K6TJO, Tim
1. FT891
2. endfed 134 feet
3. Anytone 580 something
4. Kenwood TD74
HN6HI, Steve
1. Kenwood 74a
AI6WE, Mike
K6RBS, Richard
1. check noise floor with a SDR
2. sunspots are baaaaaack!!!!!

10/31/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, logging & net control
1. Questions / comments
  1. Get the ARRL antenna book and read it! lots of good stuff.
KI6LOM, Jim
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
KB6POE, Richard
K6EEE, Jim
1. winding coax into a circle make an inductor, RF choke
2. diameter?
3. number of turns?
KN6HI, Steve
AJ6LU, Harald
1. Winlink SW modem on PC IC9700
2. Sound modems
3. Brian’s blog
NJ6N, Brian
K6RBS, Richard
AI6WE, Mike
N6RRV, Scott
1. New end fed Nelson, block stray RF, try ugly balun
2. https://www.instructables.com/Air-Choke-Ugly-Balun-for-Ham-Radio/
3. https://www.hamuniverse.com/balun.html
K6WHC, Scott
1. TYT 9800, wants 2M, 440, 6 & 10M
WE4BY, Greg
W6EDT, Dale
K6FTL, Alex
K6UVR, Steve

10/24/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Microphone current
  1. 2ma on cell phones
  2. 20ma microphone chips
  3. calculate from wattage of resistor
  4. looking for a cleaner install
WA5C, Ben
W6EDT, Dale
1. antenna switching, looking at 5 switches
2. UHF switch
3. VHF Switch
4. HF
5. Antenna switches getting out of control
WA6ED, Ed
1. UBX-M8030, difficulty connecting serial, inverting data didn’t help.
KI6LOM, Jim
KE6GQO, Monty
K6WHC, Scott
1. Yaseu Vx5R
N6RRV, Scott

10/17/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net Control & logging
1. questions on:
  1. digital pl tones on papa system
  2. propagation not the same both ways
  3. programming Kenwood D74
AD6OI, Heiko
KM6FOY, Bill
K6EEE, Jim
KN6CFW, Toby
KI6LOM, Jim
K7KCE, Joe
W6EDT, Dale
KN6IRN, Ed
KG6QCI, Dave, Ted & Max
K6TJO, Tim
N6RRV, Scott
K6WHC, Scott
K6RBS, Richard
NR6E, Mikkel

10/10/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
AK4DB, Darren
KM6FOA, Mitchel
1. Replace RF power transistors
NR6E, Mikkel
N6TIK, John
1. RF vs Electrical Ground
W6EDT, Dale
1. Auction of donated test equipment, 10:30-1:30 Sat & Sun.
NH7WG, Bruce
1. 1/4 wave ground plane antennas?
2. If in a field, mag mount with cookie sheet vs 1/4 wave ground plane with three counterpoise aimed down
3. Try a jpole, pull up to top of tree
4. 2 meters 146.580
5. 19″ nagoya mag mount
N6RRV, Scott
1. Icom 275, rf gain knob, what does RF gain do?
KI6LOM, Jim
K6RBS, Richard
1. Neighbor’s led lights generate RF
K6UVR, Steve
KM6HCC, Steve

10/03/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
1. SOARA electronic badge
  1. Parallax,
    1. https://www.parallax.com/
  2. Adafruit, two versions
    1. https://www.adafruit.com/product/3939
    2. https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200
  3. Custom SOARA badge, (no recomendations on these links, just researching)
    1. TFT display, Raspberry Pi Zero W
      1. 1.54 inch tft
      2. 3.5 inch display
    2. Lipo battery
      1. Battery on Ebay
      2. Different bigger battery on Ebay
    3. Post source code on Github
KM6FOY, Bill
K6WHC, Scott
K6RJO, Rich
NR6E, Mikkel
KI6LOM, Jim
KB6HRO, Joe
AE6H, Ray
KG6LZP, Ed
1. TNC variations, any types better?
  1. sound card
    1. https://kb3kai.com/sound-card-tnc
    2. http://www.mcminnarc.com/packet/packet.html
  2. Arduino version
    1. Mobilinkd
  3. built into radio
2. Winlink
3. Mobile radio recommendations for winlink?
KB6POE, Richard

9/26/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KM6FOY, Bill
KE6GQO, Monte
KM6FPF, John
K6EEE, Jim
K7KCE, Joe
AE6H, Ray
K6RJO, Rich
W6EDT, Dale
AJ6LU, Harald
KI6LOM, Jim
W6UXD, Mike
AI6WE, Mike
KB6POE, Richard

9/19/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KM6FPF, John
KI6LOM, Jim
K6EEE, Jim
K6TJO, Tim
KM6FOY, Bill
W6UXD Mike
K6RJO, Rich
K7KCE, Joe
W6BOT, Rich
AE6H, Ray
K6MSM, Mike

9/12/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
NH7WG, Bruce
KM6FOY, Bill
K6UVR, Steve
AE6H, Ray
KM6FPF, John
WA5C, Ben
W7RTO Robin
NR6E, Mikkel
W6EDT, Dale
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KI6LOM, Jim

9/5/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko, Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KM6FPF, John
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
WE4BY, Greg
NR6E, Mikkel
K6EEE, Jim
K6RBS, Richard

8/29/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
KM6FPF, John
K6NOV, Ray
NR6E, Mikkel
K6RJO, Rich
K6FTL, Alex
KC6ACT, Greg
KN6FOA, Mitchel
K7KCE, Joe
KN6CUV, Daren
KI6LOM, Jim

8/22/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
NR6E, Mikkel
WB6HRO, Joe
KI6LOM, Jim
K6FTL, Alex
K6WHC, Scott
AI6WE, Mike
K6EEE, Jim
K6UVR, Steve
K6RBS, Richard
WE4BY, Greg

8/15/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KM6FPF, John
K7KCE, Joe
K6FTL, Alex
NR6E, Mikkel
KI6LOM, Jim
KN6AFR, Deon
K6WHC, Scott
AE6H, Ray
KM6HCC, Steve
W6INE, Erik
K6RJO, Rich

8/8/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
K6NOV, Ray
AE6H, Ray
AJ6LU, Harald
K6RJO, Rich
W7RTO. Robin
K6WHC, Scott
NR6E, Mikkel
W6EDT, Dale

8/1/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KC6FZY, Charlie
KM6FPF, John
K7KCE. Joe
KM6FOY, Bill
AE6H, Ray
K6JKB, Jim
NH7WG, Bruce
W6EDT, Dale
KN6CVB, Bob
K6NOV, Ray
KK6CUR, Kevin
K6RBS, Richard

7/25/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
AE6H, Ray
AJ6EE, Kevin
KM6FPF, John
1. log periodic vs yagi
W6EDT, Dale
1. How to test gas discharge lightning protection devices
  1. Polyphaser whitepaper online
K7KCE, Joe
KN6BMR, David
K6MSM, Mike
KM6FOY, Bill
KW6REX, Rex
KI6LOM, Jim
NR6E, Mikkel
KN6ASR, Deon

7/18/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed, Net Control & logging
AE6H, Ray
1. Microphones, Dynamic vs Condenser
2. https://www.microphonetopgear.com/types-of-microphones/
AD6OI, Heiko
KM6FOY, Bill
1. New WSJTX 2.2.2.2
K7KCE, Joe
1. Antenna analyzers, discussed lab equipment, Rigexpert & NanoVNA
2. https://www.amazon.com/Elikliv-Analyzer-10k-1-5GHz-Measuring-Instrument/dp/B088H5JJR2/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=nanovna+h&qid=1595093632&sr=8-10
W6EDT, Dale

7/11/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging
KM6FPF, John
K6WHC, Scott
N67WG, Bruce
K7KCE, Joe
KM6FOY, Bill
W6EDT, Dale
KM6ASR Deon
K6NOV, Ray

7/4/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (Closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
WA6ED, Ed, logging on SOARA.org
KI6LOM, Jim
AE6H, Ray
W6EDT, Dale
KM6FPF, John
1. Q1, DSTAR, reflectors
2. Q2, HF, vert antenna, radials pattern, does it matter?
K6EEE, Jim
KM6FOY, Bill
NH7WG, Bruce
K6RJO, Rich
KN6JHQ, Joe
K6TJO, Tim

6/20/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (Closed)

AD6OI, Heiko Net Control
1. Logger
  1. https://www.n3fjp.com/index.html
WA6ED, Ed, logging on SOARA.org
AE6H, Ray
K6RJO, Rich
AI6WE, Mike
KM6RFI, Dave
KM6FPF, John
KM6FOY, Bill
WE4BY, Greg
AJ6LU, Harald
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KJ6OKV, Anthony
1. TASMA
2. 220SMA
3. SCRRBA
W6EDT, Dale
AI6OU, David
K6UVR, Steve
K6RBS, Richard
1. SDR
  1. http://www.websdr.org/
2. Logger
  1. https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/
K6JBL, Jerry

6/13/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed (net control & log)
K6RBS, Richard
AE6H, Ray
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6BMR, David
W6SI, Tak
W6EDT, Dale
W6INE, Erik
WE4BY, Greg
K6RJO, Rich

6/6/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed (log)
AE6H, Ray
NR6E, Mikkel
W6INE, Erik
W6SI, Tak
KE6GQO, Monte
AJ6LU, Harald
KN6BMR, David
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RJO, Rich
K6EEE, Jim
K6RBS, Richard
KM6AFI, George
NJ6N, Brian
W6EDT, Dale
K6UVR, Steve
NH7WG, Bruce
K6FRY, Bill
KJ6OKV, Anthony

5/30/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

WA6ED, Ed (net control & log)
AD6OI, Heiko
AI6WE, Mike
KE6GQO, Monte
KC6FZY, Charlie
KM6FOY, Bill
KN6BMR, David
KN6FOA, Mitchel
W6EDT, Dale
AJ6LU, Harold
KE6BXT, Don
K6EEE, Jim
K6TJO Tim
K6RBS, Richard
NJ6N, Brian
AE6H, Ray
AA6UG, Morris, easy digi board

5/23/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed (log)
W6EDT Dale
1. Traced previous issue with Raspberry Pi, POE, mesh-node
KC6FZY Charlie
1. Linear power amplifiers, power measurement issues
K6WHC Scott
1. OC Races 60 meter band, KX3
2. Hustler 60 meter stick antenna
3. most internal tuners can handle 3:1 or better
4. Anybody on 60 meters?
5. K6EEE uses g5rv junior with KX3, initial reading 6:1, KX3 tuner quite good
AE6H, Ray
1. SF Pier 45, 4 alarm fire
KG6JBL, Jerry
KN6BMR David
1. weak signal
K6EEE, Jim
K6RBS, Richard
AI6WE, Mike

5/9/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed (log)
KE6GQO, Monte
K6WHC, Scott
KN6BMR, David
W6SI, Tak
KM6FOY, Bill
1. when driving a ground rod into the ground, be sure no gas or water, electric lines to hit. Free call to utilities
W6EDT, Dale
KN6FOA, Mitchel
KK6URR, Russ
AJ6LU, Harold
1. Grounding your station
  1. ARRL Book on Grounding and bonding
K6RBS, Richard
1. RF ground
2. AC ground
3. During storms, ladder line, arcing in tuner, time to disconnect ladder line and ground it.
KI6LOM, Jim
AD6OH, Patti
1. 3D printing
  1. Friction welding question
KM6IRT, Peter

5/3/2020 Sunday 10 Meter Net 9am

WA6ED, Ed, net control (closed)
AD6OI, Heiko
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6ISS, Kriss
W6BOT, Rich
AE6H, Ray
K6UVR, Steve
N6SNX, George
K6RJO, Rich
K6RBS, Richard
NU6R, Nick

5/3/2020 Sunday 40 Meter Net 8am (closed)

WA6LDI, Phil, net control
N6JCN, Jim
KR6ISS, Kriss
WA6ED, Ed
K6UVR, Steve
W6EDT, Dale
K6RJO, Rich
KG6FCT, Lou
KM6FOY, Bill
K6RBS, Richard
KC6FZY, Charlie

Every Saturday tech net starting 9am, until we can meet again, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters

Questions or answers. Try to keep your turn to 3 minutes or less.

5/2/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 1 47.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed (logging this page)
K6RJO Rich
K6BMR David
AE6H Ray
NR6E Mikkel
KM6FOY Bill
W6EDT Dale
K6RJO Tim
KI6LOM Jim
NJ6N Brian
K6RBS Richard
K6UVR Steve

4/25/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed (logging this page)
W6BIK, Jeff
1. Does a FTM400 need a cooling fan?
  1. only if it gets hot
  2. display gets warm, need goods air flow
    1. dim display, it will run cooler! Woo Hoo! Thanks Jeff.
  3. How much TX power?
  4. TX duty cycle?
KN6BMR, David
1. Baofang receiver noise
  1. led lights
  2. out of band noise
  3. in band noise
  4. try a filter, fun to experiment!
KM6FOY, Bill
1. Some Baofangs work better than others
2. For the price, it’s what
NR6E, Mikkel
K6RJO, Rich
AI6WE, Mike
W6SI, Tak
KC6FZY, Charley
1. WIRES messing up repeater
AE6H, Ray
1. set your timeout timer 60-90 seconds. This will protect your radio from a stuck PTT and overheat your radio.
G7LWT, Darren
KM6HCC, Steve
K6RBS, Richard
1. offered to check out David’s noise in the area
NJ6N, Brian
1. Turn off WIRES
W6EDT, Dale
1. 3-5 impulses of noise, something oscillating, need trouble shooting ideas
2. goes away at 1 watt
3. 1 second after key up, wide band
4. centered on discrete frequencies
5. happens on two radios
6. happens on different antennas
7. 15 meters
8. 1-5 seconds in a series after tx stops.
9. check coax? (from Bill)
10. Radio a & b pick up each other issue
11. Flex & 7300
12. Try CW keyer, with directional antenna
13. something storing energy and then re-radiating?
K6FTL, Alex

4/18/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
AE6H, Ray
1. Field Day, Gilleran Park Closed
2. Investigating Alternatives
AB6CP, Adam
1. 6 meter, 10 meter antenna suggestions?
  1. vertical
  2. dipole
  3. CB antenna could be adapted to 10 meters
K6WHC, Scott
K6RJO, Rich
K6SI, Tak
KM6FQY, Bill
AJ6LU, Harald
KE6GQO, Montey
W6BIK, Jeff
1. Lido, Panavice
2. double stick
AI6ED, Mike
N6WH, Liana
KN6CVA, Bob
KB6POE, Richard
KM6ZPI, Josh
KK6UMB, Tom
KC6FZY, Charley
W6EDT, Dale

4/11/2020 SOARA Saturday Tech net, 9am, 147.645 and 447.180 repeaters (closed)

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
WA6ED, Ed
W6EDT, Dale
K6RJO, Rich
K6MSM, Mike
N6WH, Liana
KC6FZY, Charlie
WD6E, Mike
1. spectrum.ieee.org
2. mtt.org
3. microwavejournal.com
AJ6LJU, Harold
KM6FOY, Bill
AB6CP, Adam
NR6E, Mikkel
K6ACJ, Bill
K6UVR, Steve
K6RBS, Richard
1. homingin.com
  1. JoeMoell
2. http://www.foxhunt.com.au/
  1. vk3yng
KJ5KG, David
AG6VQ, Mike
KJ6PFW, Patrick

4/5/2020 10M 9am net (closed 9:39)

WA6ED, Ed, (net control)
K6UVR, Steve
AD6OI, Heiko
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6ISS, Kriss, 73
N6NSX, George, 73
N6JCN, Jim

4/5/2020 40M 8am net (closed)

WA6ED, Ed (net control)
W6EDT, Dale
KM6FOY, Bill
KR6ISS, Kriss
WE4BY, Greg
KG6FCT, Lou
K6RBS, Richard
W6DZL, Bob, Utah, 73
K6UVR, Steve, 73
KC6FZY, Charlie
N6JCN, Jim

4/4/2020 Tech Net 9am (closed)

WA6ED, Ed (net control)
AD6OI, Heiko
1. meetings online to members, goto meeting, zoom, and others
2. how to make updates on www.soara.org
3. linked 2m to 440, wait for both to key down
K6WHC, Scott
1. interesting session
WB6NOA Gordon
1. beam antenna, moon bounce, FM Sat., meteor scatter, 6M FM, 10KHz wide
2. this summer, high pressure, tropospheric ducting
3. kids excited tonight 8:37 ISS, 3 min, 41 deg, look NNW
4. Tusday NASA TV
5. Clear
Ae6h Ray
1. radio repair problem, alinco 605, fuse glowed, display half brightness,
2. radio timers set 90-120 seconds
3. 10MHz cutoff USB, below 10MHz LSB
4. chimney help
W6BIK Jeff
1. ticket in Jan, studying for general
2. webex and goto meeting, lately zoom, 40 minute sessions, zoombombing
3. likes the notes!!!!!
WD6E Mike
1. 57 GHz & up
2. liked modes tropo work, moon bounce, Stanford dish antenna, 1200 mhz to Hawaii
3. likes the log too!!!!
KM6ZPO, Mark,
1. checking in, tram1480?
2. zoom not using passwords
KK6TTL, Jimmy
1. suggestion: record tech net, 5W HF radio, how to determine lsb usb difference in reception?
2. sw to demod SSB signal, headless radio, cell phone control
3. using LSB USB convention clears up question
4. 73
KM6FOY Bill,
1. chimney mount, use stainless straps
2. chimney mounts designed for TV antennas
3. black UV zip ties
KE6RDK, Dan, on car mobile
1. zoom
2. Chimney mount question asker! Thank you for all the info. (Maybe connect with Ray)
3. 73
W6EDT, Dale
1. after keying pulses, every 50khz
2. suggest stainless chimney straps, galvanized lasted about 4 years, wide as possible to reduce load
3. USB LSB, 60 meter USB only channelized
4. 73
AI6CG, Mark
1. checked in, monitoring
2. Anaheim ht
3. 73 / clear
AG6VQ, Mike
1. ID-51 HT, how to get onto DSTAR?
2. Car antenna next!
3. 73 / clear
WE4BY, Greg
1. software decode? LSB USB
2. Webex at work, metal faring, slot antenna, 2 story roof
3. LSB USB convention, contrarians
4. timed out?
KN6BMR, David
1. 73
KK6LZB, Roger
1. Zoom Webex, Skype, feature set
KF6QPC, John
1. getting familiar with DMR & Fusion, FT70D
AI6OU, David
K6RBS, Richard
1. set your timer
2. glendora jamming repeater
3. 60meter US
K6ACJ, Bill
1. recorded net

4/3/2020 Dinner net 7pm

AD6OI, Heiko (net control)
NR6E, Mikkel
WD6E, Mike
WA6ED, Ed
KM6FOY, Bill
AE6H, Ray, 73
W6INE, Erik
G7LWT, Darren, echolink, UK?, 3am, 73
K6TJO, Tim, Radio check, 73
AG6VQ, Michael, final, 73
K6FTL, Alex, 73
K6HHC, Scott, clear

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