CLUB MEETINGS
Regular meetings: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 12 noon, 238-543. Open to all.
Board of Directors: 4th Wednesday of each month, 12 noon# 198-211. Open to all club members.
W6QIE CODE PRACTICE 8:00 pm to 9:3O pm PDT, daily except Monday, 3590 kHz.
W6QIE provides excellent code practice on 3590 kHz every night except Monday from San Francisco. He starts at 5 wpm at 8 pm and increases in steps of 3 wpm to 30 wpm; approximately 10 minutes at each speed. Text from recent ham magazines is used so that the copy can be checked.
WS6MVM SPECIAL MENTION
The following follow hams contributed their own ham equipment an well as their time to the WS6MVM success:
Warren Andreasen
Walt Diem
Norm Chalfin
Chas WeirWS6MVM OPERATION by C. Weir, W6UM
The WS6MVM operation, a special event station activated during the Mariner 10 encounters of Venus and Mercury, is complete. The two operating periods resulted in over 2700 contacts in all 50 states, plus eight Canadian provinces and a total of 33 countries in all continents. Nineteen operators participated at WS6MVM. Individual operator and band contact totals are included [below] as a separate attachment.
The extended period of operation proved some things about the capabilities of club station W6VIO. The installation is charged by NASA with providing emergency communications, and considerable experience was gained that is applicable to such situations. A separate set of technical comments is included covering desirable station modifications and improvements.
TECHNICAL COMMENTS WS6MVM OPERATIONS
Observation: Many more contacts could have been made on 10/15/20 meters if the two transmitters could have been used on two of the bands at the same time. However, the TH6-DXX beam has only one feedline for the three bands, so only one band can be used at a time. This would be a serious limitation in an emergency operation.
Recommendation: Replace the TH6-DXX with a two-element triband quad having separate feedlines for the three bands. Consider mounting this array on the same boom with a shortened 40 meter two-element beam for better capability on that band.
Observation: The CW position, set up using a borrowed exciter for the club's Thunderbolt amplifier, functioned well and yielded more contacts than the SSB position. One deficiency was lack of sufficient selectivity in the 75A4. The outboard active filter, used for selectivity improvement, was subject to ringing in the presence of RF from either the CW of SSB transmitter.
Recommendations: (1) Obtain a separate CW exciter belonging to the JPL ARC and make the CW station a permanent part of W6VIO. (2) Obtain a 500 Hz Collins mechanical filter for the 75A4. (I wish I knew where to get one!)
Observation: The WS6MVM signals were good on all bands. Listeners near JPL heard many more stations calling than could be discerned here due to the noisy location. Such a condition will seriously limit the effectiveness of any emergency operation, particularly if communications with low-powered stations are involved.
Recommendations: Intensify efforts to move the site of the club station away from the power lines.
Observation: Two meters yielded 300 contacts for WS6MVM using a borrowed transceiver. The club station has therefore considerable potential on this band which should be made available for emergency or disaster use.
Recommendation: Obtain a multi-channel two meter FM transceiver for W6VIO.
Observation: The two-meter beam is on the same mast as the 10/15/20 meter antenna and conflicts arose during the operation as to whether the antenna should be rotated to the best direction for two-meter contacts or for 10/15/20 meter contacts.
Recommendation: Remove the two-meter beam from the mast. Either have a separate rotator for the two-meter beam, a number of fixed two-meter beams, or a omnidirectional antenna capable of accessing all the desired local repeaters.
Observation: The operating position at W6VIO is too crowded to permit more than two stations to operate simultaneously. Additionally, the Thunderbolt emits vast quantities of heat which taxes the capabilities of the room cooling capabilities at best and produces an intolerable heat level during non-working hours when the central air-conditioning is turned off.
Recommendation: Obtain more room for W6VIO operations. Investigate the possibility of using the adjacent unused room in the interim.
Observation: Over 300 contacts were made on 80 and 75 meters using an antenna erected especially for this operation. The antenna gave inconsistent results, caused by water in the feedline, and has a high VSWR across most of the band. Use of this band is mandatory for communications within 500 miles after dark.
Recommendation: Convene a work party with a borrowed vector impedance meter. Waterproof the feedline-antenna connection and trim the antenna length for more optimum VSWR.
Observation: The W6VIO KWM-2A and 30LI gave trouble during the operation. The audio quality is intermittently very distorted on reception and sounds excessively treble on transmit. The 30LI burned out a new 811 after less than 15 minutes life and presented an extremely reactive load to the exciter on 20 meters.
Recommendation: Have both the KWM-2A and 30L1 thoroughly serviced. Investigate ways to ensure better operator discipline in following tune-up procedure. Have the KWM-2A aligned every six months by someone at JPL.
Observation: The GMT clock at W6VIO is difficult to read and keeps time of questionable accuracy.
Recommendation: Obtain a digital clock with numbers large enough to be seen from across the operating room.
Merv says that THE ARRL 6th CALL AREA QSL BUREAU NEEDS HELP
They are storing QSL cards for some 15,000 California hams who have not sent in their envelopes. Some hams here may not care for DX cards. but the DX stations must want theirs! Got an envelope from the QSL Bureau Manager and send it to the QSL Bureau. Help stop pollution!
TALK TO BE GIVEN ABOUT MVM. May 17, 1974. 7:30 PM. Bogen High School Auditorium. Vallejo, CA.
As guests of the North Bay Amateur Radio Association, Jay A. Holladay, W6EJJ, and C. Walter Diem, WA6PEA, of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Amateur Radio Club will talk on Mariner 10's flight to Venus and Mercury. They will describe the Mission objectives, how the unmanned spacecraft is controlled from earth, how the data is transmitted back to earth, and how the picture data is reconstructed and displayed.
The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy in November 1973 and flew past the planet Venus in February 1974 and the planet Mercury in March 1974. This is the first time a spacecraft has ever visited Mercury the innermost planet of the solar system.
OUTGOING QSL SERVICE,
wherein club members may send their QSL cards destined for overseas contacts thru the club has been hit by postal Inflation. Our outgoing bureau, W3KT QSL SERVICE, now charges six cents per card, or 20 for one dollar (20% hike). Please send the appropriate amount to George with your cards:
George Williamson, K6YGN
JPL ARC QSL MANAGER 190-247JPL PICNIC July 13. JPL/ERC (X-6397). SOLEDAD CANYON.
Always in the past, good ole Jerry Hawkes always took care of all the arrangements for the Club's hot dog activity at the was picnic. This year, however, Jerry will not be available. The ARC needs someone/s to participate and pull off this very worthwhile cause. Anyone with even the slightest interest, should phone Walt Diem.
VICE PRESIDENT HELMUT MECKE W6ZGC HAD A HEART ATTACK
Helmut was in the Barstow Community Hospital for one week recovering from a heart attack. He is now at home, recuperating,, end, according to his doctor, he should be able to return to work in early May. His mailing address is:
H. R. Mecke, W6ZGC
BOX 262
BARSTOW, CA. 92311WANTED TO SUPPORT THE ARC
The Club needs someone/s to support the upcoming Mt Wilson Field Day in June. Have a good time in the outdoors, call Merv X2112 and enlist your talents.
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR 1974 DUES? ???
IF NOT. this will be the last W6VIO calling you will receive.... We'll miss you and you'll miss all the exciting new activities the Club is undertaking. So please got your $2.OO to:
Treasurer Merrill Burnett, 201-225. X-6441
THE CLUB OFFICERS AND ALL THE CID MEMBERS sincerely appreciate the excellent super performance of the WS6MVM operators. We had 2700 contacts, while Boeing had 1900 total. Our sincere appreciation is particularly extended to Chas Weir for running the show.
CODE PRACTICE
Gordon Crawford WB6DRH and Waldo Brown W6QJO have practice sessions during informal lunch at about 20 wpm. Some of the code is from tape. Any interested members should contact Gordon for info.
W6ZGC REPEATER- NOW OPERATIONAL ON TABLE MOUNTAIN, WRIGHTWOOD.
Several years of planning and saving reached fruition for H. Mecke on 15 Apr 74 when the W6ZGC 2 meter FM repeater became operational atop Table Mtn near Wrightwood. Input frequency for this open repeater is 146,16 MHz; output on 146.76 MHz. RF output power is 10 watts to a 6 db antenna providing 40 watts Erp. Mecke reports excellent coverage with full quieting mobile signals from the Riverside and Mojave Desert areas. Mobiles check in regularly from Lone Pine Ca, Bullhead City As. Fixed stations in Bakersfield, San Diego and the San Gabriel Valley have also used the repeater. The San Gabriel Valley stations bounce the signal off of Mount Baldy to hit the repeater on Table Mtn.
The 2 meter repeater, made by Standard, in identical to the WR6AAA repeater on Catalina Island. The unit occupies approximately two feet of 19 inch rack space above the 450 MHz control unit which Mecke built from surplus commercial equip. This repeater would not have been possible without the help and cooperation of Earl Ivie W6KMT, Manager of Table Mtn; and the planning and saving of our Club VP, H. Mecke.
Future plans are to tie this repeater into the remote base station on Mount Wilson and Mecke's other repeater (located in his home in Barstow) as a part of the JPL Amateur Radio Club's WARP System.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN MARCH
President Merv MacMedan presided. The Treasurer reported a balance of $589.91 including $81.76 of AMSAT funds and 48 paid-up members for 1974.
Vice President, Helmut Mecke, was unable to attend. He had a heart attack and was in the Barstow Community Hospital.
Progress Is being made in reactivation of the WARP System. A license has been issued for the site.
The President announced the appointment of Waldo Brown to head the Station Facility Committee.
Jay Bastow, Emergency Communications Manager, announced the following appointments:
NASA Emergency Net: G.S.H. Williamson K6YGN
WARP System: Earl Bunker W6MVY
JPL Mobile Group: Walt Diem WA6PEA
RACES Gordon Crawford WB6DRHBoard Members Present: Members Present:
Merv MacMedan, President Jesse Ball
Merrill Burnett, Treasurer Glenn Berry
Walt Diem, Secretary Earl Bunker
Jay Bastow, Emer. Comm. Mgr. Norm Chalfin
Dick Ulrich, Past President Hal WheelockFOR SALE
Three UNUSED WWII surplus 808 triode transmitting tubes (RCA tantalum) in original cartons. Collectors items. $2.00 each. McElroy Wheatstone perforated tape transmitting head, 10-200 wpm motor. Needs minor electronic repair. $10,00. 80 meter loading coil for Hy-gain 14AVQ antenna, complete with hardware except for instruction sheet with orig carton. $5.00. Phone Merv X-2112.
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