As you can see, we have something
for nearly all interests. Please call these key people and let
them know of your availability for a given activity. This club
is much more than a once-a-month meeting with entertainment!
I feel badly that, as your President
this year, I will not be here for some of the most exciting activities.
I have always enjoyed Field Day, even as a loner on a boat at
Catalina, and I am well aware of just how much it has contributed
to my own operating skill (what little I have.) Stan has planned
a tremendous event this year in a tremendous location, but he
needs help in planning equipment and antennas. Rich is planning
a special event to take place in July or August and I'm sure
he would appreciate your call indicating support. Gordon's tour
is coming up in April and I know he needs people. I, along with
several other club members, will be at the Cape for the Voyager
(formerly called "MJS'77" launches, and will be able
to help only in spirit.
Please, don't get me wrong. Some
tasks require no more than one person to accomplish; but some
of the more mundane tasks are continually performed by a single
person simply because no one else will volunteer. Please! Call
the individual activity people and let them know your support.
[Anybody want to help your overworked and underpaid editor? ....
Ed.]
On a more pleasant note, due to
the significant efforts of a few people during 1976, the club
is fairly well off financially. The Board needs inputs from members
on what facility and station improvements would be most appreciated
by the members. We also need a volunteer to troubleshoot an intermittent
in the drive circuit of the Collins 32S3 in the trailer. Call
Jack Patzold, X 4926.
I am looking forward to working
the club members from Florida using my new TS520 (Gloat, gloat.)
Bought it just so I could keep up with the active summer I expect
at the club here. I'm not sure how good my antenna "system"
will be while living in an apartment, but I am confident that
the club's TH6DXX up 300 feet fed from the 30S1 will make up
for my own shortcomings!
See you at the April club meeting.
Put it on your calendar now! There may not be a separate meeting
notice due to our continuing effort to reduce ERC costs.
73, Jim WA6MYJ.
GOLDSTONE REPEATER OFFICIAL
NOW
On March 12, the Goldstone Amateur
Radio Club received their authorization for WR6AZN. They plan
to operate both the 93/33 repeater (2 meters) and the 220 MHz
repeater (222.44 in, 224.04 out) under this call at Table Mountain.
Congratulations and good luck!
STEVE BEDNARCZYK USES W6VIO
TO KEEP IN TOUCH
The Ground Based Microwave Applications
Group (Div. 33) has installed a five channel passive microwave
radiometer aboard the Canadian Weather ship "Quadra"
for in situ testing. The instrument is being used to determine
the feasibility of using passive microwave techniques for determination
of liquid water, water vapor and vertical temperature profile
of the maritime troposphere. Several JPLers are aboard the ship,
for operating this equipment: Jim Beard, Walt Proniewicz, and
alternate Steve Bednarczyk, WB6MJK.
The Quadra is located approximately
900 miles due West of Vancouver, B.C. (latitude 50 North, longitude
145 West) and operates in this area which is called "Ocean
Station Papa." From Ocean Station Papa, weather and oceanographic
information is relayed to the mainland. Also, the Quadra provides
air and sea rescue service to the area. The ship has been at
sea on its current trip since February 11, 1977, and will return
to port on March 30. 1977.
The Quadra has a Ham Shack aboard
(VE0MC) which is customarily operated by Mel, the ship's radio
operator. Prior to Steve Bednarczyk's boarding the ship, he had
made radio contact with Mel on 20 meters from W6VIO. Since that
time, Booth Hartley, K6KVC was gracious enough to power up the
JPL station each Thursday at 2000 GMT and make radio contact
with Steve who is now aboard ship. The best method of connecting
with the ship has been through the Confusion Net which operates
at that time on 20 meters.
Without a doubt, the person most
anxious to talk with Steve each week is his XYL, Terry, who also
works in Div. 33, and doesn't complain one bit about the long
trip to the W6VIO hamshack at the East Gate to do it!
The word from the ship is that
this has been one of their roughest trips. There have been 60
ft. waves and as much as 30 degrees of roll, with green water
breaking over the upper decks. [You sure it was only water? ...
Ed]. It hasn't been all work and bad weather, though, because
they have been able to catch some nice salmon. But all in all,
the boys just can't wait to get their feet on dry, solid land!
[By Dick Wetzel, WA6JBZ, and Nob Yamane.]
LAST CALL - - FOR PAPERS
As yet I have received no response
from any JPL hams to my appeal in the November, 1976 W6VIO Calling
article describing the Amateur Radio Session at the 1977 National
Telecommunication Conference. This conference will be in December
and papers should be received by May 1, although late papers
may still be considered. Please review the list of suggested
topics and get in touch with me if you have anything in mind
that might be worthwhile to present. And if you are writing a
paper but just haven't let me know yet, please let me hear from
you. Thanks.
Bill Weber, W6HNQ X 3845.
[Editor's offer: If you have a
good paper topic and have all the material, I will be a goody
two-shoes and offer my services in editing it for you. This offer
is only open to those engineers who can use my help (i.e., those
that write worse than I do.) - -Merv, X 7264.]
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
I had the good fortune to be in
town for a change when the last Board meeting was held, on March
23. Here are my unbiased views of what went on, none of which
should be construed as official or even true, but might make
for interesting reading .....
Jim Lumsden called to order the
Board meeting of March 23, 1977. Present were:
- Jim Lumsden* Warren
Apel
- Dick Piety * Gordon
Crawford
- Jack Patzold* Sam Weaver
- Stan Brokl* Walt
Diem
- Norm Chalfin Merv
MacMedan
- Rich Ward *
= Board member
Written minutes, a luxury which
I thought had been lost to antiquity were passed out by the Secretary
and approved by the board with minor corrections.
In Ron Ploszaj's absence, there
was no Treasurer's report.
Glenn Berry was unanimously approved
as the club's Emergency Communications Manager.
A discussion concerning the recent
FCC moratorium on Special Event Calls and how this affects our
planning for special events this year took place. To support
either an N6V anniversary or Voyager launch event would require
publicity, which has to go out soon. Rich Ward was asked to look
into what possibilities were open, including what could be done
with our own call, W6VIO.
Gordon Crawford reported that
he now has authorization in hand for the Tour of JPL, which will
be by invitation only, to several nearby radio clubs. The limit
will be 100-150 visitors, and guides and helpers are needed.
The event will be held on April 14 at 7pm sharp, starting at
the Von Karman auditorium and circulating to a number of sites
in small groups where operations will be explained by the people
in charge of each location.
A proposed revision to the By-Laws
was presented. Basically, it would allow student members to join
(from any institution) for $1 per year. It was decided that since
the sponsor of the revision was not present for discussion, it
would be referred to a committee consisting of Nash Williams,
Jay Holladay, Jack Patzold and Stan Brokl to study and make recommendations
next month on how to handle the question without revising the
By-Laws, if possible.
Walt Diem announced that since
we now have a repeater, we become full members of the Southern
California Repeater Association and the dues go up to $16 please
pay, Mr. Treasurer! We are still searching for an enclosure for
the repeater, and Warren Apel is handling a group purchase for
220 rigs which should be ready by the time you read this. Price
is $135 plus $10 per channel for crystals. Group discounts also
available on antennas - see Walt X3186 or Warren Apel, K6GPK,
X 7733.
Stan Brokl announced Robot would
lend us a Model 400 Slow Scan machine for the Burbank Hamfest,
and that JPL will be dominating the Fresno hamfest because four
of the four speakers are all from JPL! Then Stan dropped the
big one and announced he would run for Los Angeles Section Communications
Manager (SCM) of ARRL when elections are held in a few months.
The meeting adjourned at 1:03Pm.
220 MHz SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
REPEATER LIST
The January 1, 1977 roster of
the Southern California Repeater Association reports that all
220 MHz repeater channels have been assigned to at least one
system. 18 of these systems are in test status and therefore
are not listed. The following list of operating repeaters may
be of interest to the growing number of 220 devotees:
- In / Out Call
Location
- 222.30/223.90 WR6ANF
Van Nuys
- 222.32/223.92 WR6ANW
Santa Barbara
- 222.34/223.94 WR6AER
Los Angeles (Highland Pk.)
- 222.36/223.96 WR6AFI
Santa Barbara
- 222.38/223.98 WR6AFG
Pomona (Johnstone Pk.)
- 222.46/224.06 -RESERVED
FOR MEXICO
- 222.50/224.10 WR6AHX
Santa Ana
- 222.54/224.14 WR6ANI
Long Beach (Linked with WR6AEY, Mono)
- 222.62/224.22 WR6AAC
Long Beach
- 222.68/224.28 WR6AKU
Palos Verdes
- 222.70/224.30 WR6ABR
Los Angeles (LA RACES)
- 222.76/224.36 WR6ABC
Los Angeles
- 222.78/224.38 WR6AVQ
Carson
- 222.82/224.42 WR6AAA
Catalina Island
- 222.84/224.44 WR6AOY
South Pasadena (RACES)
- 222.86/224.46 WR6AKY
San Diego (Linked w/ARO)
- 222.86/224.46 WR6ARO
Glendale (Linked w/AKY)
- 222.90/224.50 WR6ACB
Anaheim
- 222.94/224.54 WR6AID
San Diego
- 223.00/224.60 -REPEATER
TESTING CHANNEL
- 223.02/224.62 WR6ADL
Hawthorne
- 223.06/224.66 WR6AIZ
Lemon Heights
- 223.14/224.74 WR6ABJ
Los Angeles (Hollywood Hills)
- 223.20/224.80 -RESERVED
FOR MEXICO- (Under Debate)
- 223.26/224.86 WR6ACJ
Crestline
- 223.28/224.88 WR6AOF
Blue Ridge (Near Wrightwood)
- 223.30/224.90 WR6AHW
Altadena
- 223.34/224.94 WR6AJI
Los Angeles (Mt. Wilson)
Please add our own repeater for
reference:
- 222.44/224.04 WR6APQ
JPL
We omitted all repeaters on the
SCRA list marked "private." We try to be careful, but
don't buy xtals on the basis of the above list without checking!
Tnx.
FOR SALE
Scope, DC to 8 MHz, triggered
sweep. Heath 10-14 with probe PKW-2. Excellent condition. $150
or best offer. Walt Ross, W6VPN 343-0660 or X2456.
FOR SALE
PARABOLIC Dishes, spun aluminum,
without antennas or mounts: One 12-footer with two-piece fiberglass
windscreen, $300; One 8-footer with two-piece fiberglass windscreen,
$150; and two 4-1/2 foot dishes each with a very rugged foldable
tripod, $50 each. You arrange transportation. We can supply photos
and additional details. Contact W. A. Monahan, K6KH, Trustee,
Northrop Radio Club, Dept. 1263/5, 3901 W. Broadway, Hawthorne,
Calif. 90250, or call days (213)-970-6064 or nights (213)-374-8289.
ADIOS AMIGOS
Former JPLARC President Allan
K. Chapman, W6MEO, has decided to pack it in, in smogsville,
and head North. After the beginning of April, those who desire
to correspond with Al may write him at P.O. Box 543, Santa Rosa,
Calif. 95402. We'll miss you on 2 meters, Al, but hope you'll
get a chance to drop in and say hello on HF or in person. Good
luck at the new QTH!
LABOR DRAFT IMMINENT
Club Secretary, Jack Patzold,
WB6TXG, decided to fix up some of the sagging antennas and clean
up the trailer. So, he asked for volunteers at the club meeting
of March 10 for a work party to do those things on March 12.
Who showed? To start with, the Facilities Manager (who happens
also to be Club Secretary) plus Jim Lumsden, (who also happens
to be Club President) and Sam Weaver (who also just happens to
be club Librarian.) They got the 80-cw/40 phone inverted vee
up, but there is much more to do. Why is it that only the most
loaded members show up for ad-hoc tasks like this? Jack asked
around to find out how other clubs managed to get volunteers
to clean things up, and discovered they don't! They draft their
labor! So, remember that next time Jack asks for volunteers ...
if he doesn't get them, he may get you!
VIEWPOINT
On January 1, 1977, the FCC was
required by court order to suspend all fees for licenses. This
decision was reached as the result of a suit brought against
the FCC by cable TV and other interests who had charged that
the FCC's entire fee structure was arbitrary and thus improper.
Some of the implications of this
decision, this observer believes, reach far beyond just the cost
aspect. Until fees were suspended, cost to the applicant was
one of several factors limiting the quantity of applications
descending on the FCC. With cost eliminated, a great many more
people started asking for additional licenses, many of which
they probably would never use. Examples are second station licenses,
special event licenses and even special 2-letter calls.
We heard of one applicant who
tried to secure a current call in each of the 50 states for himself,
and one who did the same with each overseas territory. The former
may be trying to protect his call in case he later has to move
somewhere, but the guy getting calls in each possession was probably
coupling the fee suspension with the recent deregulation eliminating
the need to sign "portable" or "mobile" when
away from the fixed location. Thus our friend can use his KP4,
KJ6 or other DX call right here in California (ho-hum. land)
thus confusing the dickens out of the JAs and others thinking
they hooked some rare(?!) DX.
Perhaps we've had too much deregulation.
I have always believed you get what you pay for. If licenses
are free, perhaps that is exactly what they are - or will be
worth. Perhaps one way of restoring order would be to charge
the minimum fee (say, 34) to everyone from broadcast down, for
any kind of license. This would prevent the poor overloaded FCC
from caving in by establishing a minimum financial barrier to
license requests, while showing no bias or preference to one
service over another. We recommend that ARRL petition the FCC
to do something to bring things back to normal before, as one
club member remarked at a recent meeting, "they deregulate
us to the point where we are wallowing in chaos; and then the
FCC's only alternative will be to say they must abolish the Amateur
Radio Service because it is impossible to control." [W6IUV]
1977 FIELD DAY
It is time again to prepare for
Field Day. This year will be first year of a new location for
this club activity, and a new format.
1977 Field Day will be a joint
venture of the Goldstone and JPL Amateur Radio Clubs. The location
will be near JPL's Table Mountain facility in the Angeles Forest,
with an elevation near 8000 ft.
The JPLARC will furnish a steak
dinner and a ham and egg breakfast. To help assist in the purchasing
and cooking of the dinner and breakfast, non-operator club members
or interested XYL gourmets are encouraged to volunteer their
expertise for this big event!
This year, we will run in the
200-watts-and-under power class, and use generator power. CW
ops are encouraged to join us to make up the high score we will
need to win. SSB phone ops, plus guys for 6 meters, 2 meters
and 220 kHz are all needed too! Bring rigs and antennas!
Please fill out and return the
attached slip so that plans can be made for this June 25-26 event.
Please return by April 29th.
Note: IF YOU DON'T FILL OUT A
SLIP, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO PREPARE YOUR FREE MEALS. When you've
finished, mail the slip to Stan Brokl, Mail Stop 238-420.
73, Stan, K6YYQ
Go back to the W6VIO
Calling Index.
