CCARA Club News
AB8SV New QRP Kit
Chad gave a program to the club on his new adventure with a QRP Kit. Chad has written up a short summary of his efforts and the great results here below:
(NOTE: Check out Chad's 2019 video on his first QRP Kit project available HERE.)
I recently completed a kit build of a QMX from qrp-labs.com QMX
The QMX is a high performance, 5 band, 5 watt, cw and digi-modes, embedded SDR with 24-bit USB sound card and CAT control, with synthesized VFO and TCXO transceiver.
This rig is tiny (about the size of a deck of playing cards) but is packed with modern high performance features including a VFO with A/B/Split operation, RIT, CW keyer, CW decoder, message memories, frequency memories, SWR bridge, audio ACG, IQ output for SDR software, and more.
The QMX comes in 3 choices of bands - low: 80,60,40,30,20 mid: 60,40,30,20,17,15 or high: 20,17,15,12,11,10. A QMX+ is also offered that is a 160-6m version in a larger physical footprint (which also makes it easier to build). I chose the low band QMX because I wanted the smaller size for portable operations and coverage of 40 and 20m bands with the option of experimenting with 80m. (After playing with this rig I've also come to appreciate the 30m band!)
Assembly of the radio took about a week, working on and off from a few minutes to a few hours at a time. The most difficulty came from eye strain while identifying parts and soldering tiny components while utilizing a jeweler's loupe due to the small size. The instructions are very detailed with each step well documented and plenty of pictures for reference.
Since completing this build about a month ago I've logged 43 contacts with my QMX, including a "clean sweep" of the 13 Colonies special event (http://www.13colonies.us/) and even worked the bonus station of TM13COL in france on 20m using a fan dipole mounted in the attic of my house!
I enjoy being a POTA (Parks on the Air) hunter and plan to take this rig portable and become a POTA activator! I tested my setup on the front porch recently with my QMX using an EFHW antenna that I previously built from a kit, and a collapsible fishing pole I use for a mast. For power I use a Talentcell rechargeable 12V 3000mAh lithium ion battery that I purchased from amazon for less than $25 here . Overall this setup is very portable and comparatively inexpensive.
It's very rewarding to operate gear you build yourself and a great way to save money too! 72, (the QRP version of 73 hi hi) AB8SV
FIELD DAY, FIELD DAY, FIELD DAY
We had a great field day this year at the Brown Farm again. Much thanks to the field day committee for their efforts in coordinating and setting up the event; KC8PUW, NF8U, and KC8YXY. As always, Will KC8PUW was expert at the grill and made sure we all ate well. AB8SV was not only our safety officer, but was our club photographer. Chad offers these great pics below to remember the fun.
Friday morning set up (early to beat the heat)
A view of the three operating positions
KC8ZWR & KC8YXY operating phone
KL7RF and KC8PUW operating psk-31 digital station
KE8WIP working the digital station
the digital station was totally solar powered this year
NF8U and visiter at the CW station
KA8BJA and N8MXX sending out field day radiograms
Good Eats
KC8PUW at the grill
A quiet evening
July Club Meeting
THe July meeting was held at the County Services Building on 7th St. on the basement floor at 6PM on July 2nd. We discussed the results of the Field Day event on June 22-23. We also discussed the equipment gifts made to the club by the family of Craig Afolter. There was a door prize of a coax patch cord won by AA8BN.
August Club Meeting
The August meeting will be held held at the County Services Building on 7th St. on the basement floor at 6PM on August 6th. We hope to see all the members that can attend. Make your club strong.
CW Certificate for AB8SV
Congrats to Chad for his score in the World Wide WPX Contest on QRP!!
AB8SV Certificate
Chad has shared a certificate he earned in the 2023 New England QSO Party. Congrats Chad.
In Memory of K8CAA
In memory of CCARA member Craig Affolter K8CAA, his brother Steve and family have donated Craig's radio equipment to the club. The club appreciates the generousity of the family and will put the equipment to good use. We will miss our good friend.
KE8XM Lifetime Club Membership Awarded
Bruce KE8XM was awarded a lifetime membership certificate by president Jamie Hoy KC8PUW and ARES SEC Steve AA8BN in late 2023. Over the years, Bruce has been such a key member and benefactor for ARES and for the Coshocton club. Congratulations Bruce.
Cool Recipe
As a cool side note to field day, Wendy KL7IUC made some very nice energy no-bake cookie balls. They seemed to be a hit so we thought to make the recipe available for any who would like to try it. Click HERE
N8VV 2023 Achievements
Dan has been operating overtime on these state QSO parties
Impressive Operating throughout 2023
Recognition for longstanding membership
Library Display - November
KC8PUW, AA8BN, KE8WIP set up a cool display at the Coshocton Public Library to increase public knowledge of ham radio and to hopefully encourage interest in becoming a ham radio operator.
There are some that think that a "live" display may be more exciting, but we would have to provide our "stand-in" model with a supply of lobster grilled cheese sandwiches which would be a little beyond our club budget. Thanks Will.
Practice Your CW Skills
Anyone wishing to practice their cw and learn a little bit about traffic handling, can check into the Ohio Slow Net, on weekdays at 2200Z on 3.3535.35MHz
(6PM local time). Check in to enjoy a no pressure traffic net experience. This is a training net. All are welcome and the net runs about 8wpm. I would
like to see you there.
Frank KA8BJA
Joining or renewing membership in the ARRL?
If you are joining or are renewing your membership in the ARRL please consider joining through our club. The club gets a small percentage of the renewal or joining fees. Please contact Wip (KE8WIP) to find out how to help yourself and the club.
Cyber Security
We might all want to make ourselves aware of potential disruption. During these stressing times we might want to be aware of possible problems online. The article refers to this link for information from the government's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It is a good thing for hams to be aware of tech. vulnerabilities around us.
Icom Radio Repair
Check out the Links page if you are in need of an Icom repair. This repair facility is recommended by club member experience.
Solar/Terrestrial Weather and Propagation
Check out the website, Solarham.com for current propagation forcasts and solar activity as it relates to ham radio operations.
Meeting Minutes
Don't forget that the club meeting minutes are available on the Meetings page. Check them out before the next meeting to keep up with current information.
The 147.045MHz CCARA Club Repeater Antenna and Equipment
KL7RF photo KB8HEA photo
Ohio Single Sideband Net
The OSSBN is a great introduction to the ARRL's National Traffic System. It meets three times a day: 10:30AM, 4:15PM, and currently 6:00PM to handle traffic in, out, and througout the state of Ohio, and the rest of the country. Check them out, and listen in on 75 meters on 3.9725MHz. This is a very active net and represents some of the best of amateur radio operating, as well as continuing the fine tradiotion of providing emergency communications in existance since the inception of ham radio iteslf. This was the foundation of the formation of the Amateur Radio RELAY League. This is where the "Relay" came from in the name.
Check out the OSSBN website at: Ohio Single Sideband Net
Net on 440
The KB9JSC repeater will be linked to the 145.230MHz for the Monday ARES net at 8PM local, so you can check in to the net on either band. The frequency of the UHF repeater is 443.5375+MHz.
Right after the ARES net, the 440 link will be brought down, and there will be a new net run on the 440 repeater alone. The purpose of this net is for folks to set up and test their equipment on the 440 band and get used to operating there. If you have 440 capability, you are welcome to check in to the net. You don't have to be a member of any group to join in.