Permission to copy is granted provided that credit is given to “W6VIO Calling.”
Contents
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November 4 |
[Fontana Swap Meet, A. B. Miller HS, Fontana} |
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November 8 |
General Meeting, Noon - 238-543 |
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November 18 |
[CMRA Hamfest, Cal Poly, Pomona, 7 AM] |
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November 22 |
Board Meeting, Noon - 233-305J |
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November 25 |
[TRW Swap meet, Redondo Beach] |
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December 2 |
[Fontana Swap Meet, A. B. Miller HS, Fontana} |
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December 13 |
Annual JPL ARC Banquet |
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December 16 |
[CMRA Hamfest, Cal Poly, Pomona, 7 AM] |
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December 27 |
Board Meeting, Noon - 233-305J |
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December 30 |
[TRW Swap meet, Redondo Beach] |
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January 6 |
[Fontana Swap Meet, A. B. Miller HS, Fontana} |
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January 10 |
General Meeting, Noon - T-1309 |
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January 20 |
[CMRA Hamfest, Cal Poly, Pomona, 7 AM] |
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January 24 |
Board Meeting, Noon - 233-305J |
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January 27 |
[TRW Swap meet, Redondo Beach] |
By Christopher Carson, KE6ABQ
The November General Meeting of the JPL Amateur Radio Club will be held November 8th at noon in 238-543. It is vital that you attend to help the Club conduct the business that needs to be handled. Topics include next year’s budget and election of club officers. This is YOUR club.
The November JPL ARC Board meeting will be held November 22 in 233-305J. Everyone is welcome to attend – bring your lunch if you want. n
By Bob Dengler, NO6B
A lot of things have been going on in the local ham scene this month. General meetings of the 220 Spectrum Management Association (220 SMA) and Two Meter Area Spectrum Management Association (TASMA) were held within one week of each other.
While attendance at the 220 SMA meeting was fairly light, more TASMA members were present at their meeting due largely to increased participation by the Hispanic Radio Amateur Network. This appears to be in response to TASMA’s chronic refusal to coordinate the HRAN 2 meter repeater, which is operating on an “odd split” of 146.49 in/147.495 out and has been on the air for over 10 years.
This is a situation that I’ve been casually watching for much of this time and personally, I think it’s high time that this system receive coordination despite the use of traditional simplex frequencies for its operation.
This system is one of the busiest in the area and is one of only three systems (and the first of the three) that serve the LA basin that I’m aware of that allow Spanish language communications. Coordination of this system will require a vote of their general membership to amend the TASMA bandplan; hopefully this change will be approved.
After being QRT on HF for over 12 years, I’m happy to report that I’m finally back on the low bands! Ever since I moved to Diamond Bar I toyed with the idea of getting back on HF since I could finally put up some antennas, but since I didn’t have any HF gear I concentrated on VHF and UHF from the new location.
About 3 weeks ago I was the recipient of a Gap Titan vertical HF antenna given to me by Jack Halem, K6DLX. Gap antennas use a rather unique design that I haven’t quite figured out yet, but seems to be an integrated dipole/balun with transmission line transformers to achieve 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meter coverage using only a single lumped element: a capacitor mounted at the top of the antenna.
OK, so now I had an antenna. About a week later I happened across a good deal on a TS-940. This weekend I finally got the antenna, feedline and radio setup and got on 29.60 FM (still my “favorite mode”, even on HF) Sunday evening and worked LU1ICI in Posadas, Argentina. Full quieting both ways. I guess it works!
The VSWR of the Gap Titan on 10, 12, 17 and 30 meters is exceptionally low. However, the VSWR on 40 meters is a bit high. This is probably due to its proximity to my backyard fence and/or Pomegranate tree. The VSWR on 80 meters is right at spec: 2:1 or less over 3900-4000 kHz.
This is truly amazing given the antenna is only 25 feet tall and has no coils. Probably the Gap’s greatest weakness is its inability to accept power outside of resonance.
The manual repeatedly warns not to use an antenna tuner to bring down a high VSWR, as this can arc the one capacitor in the antenna. Since it’s rated for 1500 W PEP under normal matched conditions, I figure it may be able to stand up to 3:1 or so for 100 Watts in.
Well that’s my ham adventure for the month. Anyone for 75-meter FM? n
By Jonathan M. Cameron (KF6RTA)
General Meeting, October 11
The general meeting was held at the W6VIO shack (T-1309). Those present included Eric Archer (N6CV), Jonathan Cameron (KF6RTA), Chris Carson (KE6ABQ), Bob Dengler (N06b), Randy Hammock (KE6HUR), Jay Holladay (W6EJJ), Walt Mushagian (K6DNS), Scott Nolte (N6CUV), Bob Polansky (N6ET), Carl Puckett (K7UFO), Chuck Sarture (GG6NF), Mark Schaefer (WB6CIA), Robert Smith (W6GRV), and Jan Tarsala (WB6VRN).
Bob Polansky gave everyone a detailed run down on the shack and all the capabilities that we have there. Several people expressed interest in setting up a PSK-mode station in the shack or in building 180. Everyone at the meeting thanked Bob Polansky for all his Y2K work.
Board of Directors Meeting, October 25
There was no quorum present for this meeting. Only three members were present and the secretary was absent. There was some discussion of the tentative 2001 budget. ¾
By Bob Polansky, N6ET
BHUTAN - Several operations are active/planned from this Himalayan hideaway. One is on the air now. I believe his call is A52B. Another, A52UD will be active from 1 through 9 December. He has special permission to run a full kilowatt!
CAPE VERDE ISLAND - D44AC plans to operate from 1 through 8 November. I understand he plans some WARC band activity.
CONWAY REEF - Several operations are planned for this Pacific reef. The first is by YS1RR and a group of YU hams, as I recall. That will take place from 5 through 15 February. The next is from 5 through 24 April. There is a third; however, I don’t have the details with me during the composition of this article.
EAST MALAYSIA - 9M6BAA will be active through 2 November. He’s been spotted on 24910 and 18071 kHz. Another station, 9M6ERT is also frequently heard on the WARC bands.
ERITREA - Look for E30TA. He is active now through 1 November. He’s been worked on 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, and 30 meters on the West Coast. In general, he’s pretty loud.
KINGMAN REEF - K5K, a rather unique call, has been worked locally on every band from 160 through 6 meters. They continue very active through 1 November. Don’t miss them. It’ll be a long time before the next operation from here.
NORTH KOREA - A possibility exists that there may be some kind of legitimate North Korean operation starting 7 January. With the lessening of tensions between the two Koreas, and the apparent realization by the North Korean government that they need to establish better relations with the rest of the world, I suspect that such an operation is only a matter of time.
SAN FELIX - A CE0X operation will take place from 8 through 15 February. More details on this one later.
VANUATU - A group of W9’s will be attracting the multitudes from this Pacific garden spot from 18 through 28 November.
Don’t miss the CQ World Wide CW Contest scheduled from 25 through 26 November. In the opinion of this author, this is the most exciting DX contest of the year! Until next month, 73. n
Wanted:
Reliable Person to receive about 40 copies of “W6VIO Calling” each month to address and mail to retired and other off-lab club members. Job involves applying club supplied adhesive address labels and postage stamps. Takes only 30 minutes each a month. Contact Bill Wood, W6FXJ, at 760-256-5529 or w6fxj@earthlink.net for details.
Your want-ad or article for inclusion in a future issue of W6VIO Calling. Submit to Bill Wood, W6FXJ, 31094 Hemlock Ave, Barstow, CA 92311; or email w6fxj@earthlink.net
For Sale:
QST 1990-1994 CD-ROM set, new. $25 (ARRL price $39.95) Skip, W7NWY, 818-354-9674
US Tower (MA40) 40 foot tubular telescoping tower, hinged base, 2 co-ax arms, mast extension, Hy-gain Explorer-14 beam antenna with 40 meter dipole add-on, and Hy-Gain antenna rotator (Ham IV). Original cost, less tax, was over $2200. Sell all for $800. Contact Ron Zenone (W6TUZ) at (626) 914-5585.
Icom UT-40 Tone Squelch Option Board (CTCSS) for HT models 2GAT, 4GAT, 12GAT, 32AT or for mobiles 228, 448, 901, 1201, 2400 and 2500. Cost: $80 (AES Catalog) Sale for $40. Radio Shack, Rotor/Controller and Cable, 3 years old, never used, have box/papers, like new. Cost: $70+ Sale for $50. Scott Nolte, N6CUV 818-354-9724 n
By Scott Nolte, N6CUV
The following list of Jet Propulsion Laboratory Amateur Radio Club members in good standing for 2000 was compiled from the club membership database. If you feel that there is an error or omission in the list please contact Scott at ext 4-9724, mail stop 306-364B or email Scott.H.Nolte@jpl.nasa.gov. n
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Eric |
Archer |
N6CV |
Extra |
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Darren |
Baird |
KE6NIH |
Tech |
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Donna |
Barnes-Roberts |
KE6PNC |
Tech |
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Phil |
Barnes-Roberts |
AD6PQ |
Extra |
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Dan A. |
Bathker |
K6BLG |
Gen |
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Dorothy |
Billitti |
KB6VOG |
Tech+ |
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Joe |
Billitti |
KA6SMO |
Tech+ |
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Robert B. |
Blakely Jr |
N6MTI |
Tech+ |
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Carol J. |
Bruegge |
KE6SRN |
Tech+ |
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Christopher |
Bruegge |
KF6HZE |
Nov |
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Thomas J. |
Bruegge |
KE6SRO |
Tech |
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Ron |
Burns |
KF6AKJ |
Tech+ |
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Jonathan |
Cameron |
KF6RTA |
Tech |
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Christopher |
Carson |
KE6ABQ |
Tech |
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Kurt |
Carter |
KE6HRG |
Tech+ |
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Allan |
Chapman |
W6MEO |
Adv |
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Robert |
Dengller |
NO6B |
Extra |
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Alan |
De Vault |
N6WDX |
Tech+ |
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Walt |
Diem |
W6PEA |
Adv |
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Warren L. |
Dowler |
KE6LEA |
Tech |
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Courtney |
Duncan |
N5BF |
Extra |
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Viann |
Duncan |
WD5EHM |
Tech+ |
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Rick |
Ebert |
KE6ONX |
Adv |
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Harry T |
Enmark |
WA6IUR |
Adv |
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William C. |
Fesler |
AC6UQ |
Extra |
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William T. |
Fesler |
KF6DKD |
Tech |
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Mark |
Fiore |
WA2YKF |
Adv |
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Robert A. |
Francis |
KD6AMI |
Tech |
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Michael |
Frantz |
KM6QZ |
Adv |
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A. Robb |
Frederickson |
W1EEL |
Extra |
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Eric |
Fuller |
KF6OPW |
Tech |
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Christine |
Gauthier |
KE6WWC |
Tech |
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Margaret A. |
Gauthier |
WA6OUD |
Tech+ |
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Mike |
Gauthier |
K6ICS |
Extra |
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Paul S. |
Goodwin |
KO6D |
Extra |
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Randy |
Hammock |
KC6HUR |
Tech |
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George R. |
Hansen |
NJ6I |
Ext |
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Barbara |
Hartley |
N6TQH |
Tech+ |
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R. Booth |
Hartley |
N6BH |
Ext |
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Jerome |
Hawkes |
W6WXL |
Extra |
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Jay |
Holladay |
W6EJJ |
Extra |
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Allen B. |
Hubbard |
N6VTX |
Tech |
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Christina |
Hubbard |
N6ZCS |
Tech+ |
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Patrick |
Hubbard |
N6BUG |
Tech |
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Vince |
Humphrey |
W6RNO |
Adv |
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John W. |
Johnston |
N6ZZJ |
Tech+ |
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Dayton L. |
Jones |
K6DJ |
Extra |
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Ray |
Jurgens |
KQ6RH |
Adv |
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Tigran |
Karsian |
KF6PGE |
Tech |
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Laurence R. |
Kinney |
WA6HOB |
Adv |
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Albert M. |
Kuchler |
KI6IE |
Adv |
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Gregory R. |
La Borde |
KD6MSM |
Tech |
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Gaylin |
Laughlin |
KE6ZTE |
Tech |
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Betty M. |
Lawson |
KA6JEX |
Tech+ |
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Donald B. |
Lawson |
WA6SQF |
Adv |
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Robert W.(Padgett) |
Layne |
W6LTC |
Adv |
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Peter T. |
Lyman |
K6PTL |
Adv |
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Merv |
MacMedan |
N6N0 |
Ext |
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Jim |
Margitan |
KE6IGX |
Tech |
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Peter V |
Mason |
N6BBP |
Gen |
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Leona |
McKinney |
KA6RHH |
Nov |
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Richard P. |
McKinney |
KA6DAN |
Extra |
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Vieve |
Metcalfe |
KD6YLI |
Tech+ |
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Joel |
Mosher |
KB6RXE |
Extra |
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Diana |
Mushagian |
KC6LPR |
Tech+ |
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Walter H. |
Mushagian |
K6DNS |
Extra |
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Scott |
Nolte |
N6CUV |
Extra |
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John J. |
Norris |
KE6QEZ |
Tech |
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Maryann |
O'Hara |
WB6YSS |
Tech+ |
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Tom |
O'Hara |
W6ORG |
Adv |
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Jerry |
Person |
KK6TS |
Extra |
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John |
Piotrowski |
KC6TVK |
Tech |
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Michelle |
Piotrowski |
KD6NEH |
Tech |
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Maurice A |
Piroumian |
WA6OPB |
Adv |
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Robert G |
Polansky |
N6ET |
Ext |
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Carl |
Puckett |
K7UFO |
Ext |
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Lawrence |
Rauch |
W6JVT |
Adv |
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Leonard |
Reder |
KB6DVG |
Tech |
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Charles |
Rhoades |
WB6KZE |
Adv |
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Mel N. |
Roberts |
W6OC |
Extra |
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Stan |
Sander |
N6MP |
Ext |
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Charles M. |
Sarture |
KG6NF |
Adv |
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Deril M. |
Schmitt |
KA6YIX |
Tech |
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Dennis |
Shebel |
WB6IZR |
Tech+ |
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Phil |
Smith |
WB6LQP |
Tech+ |
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Robert |
Smith |
W6GRV |
Extra |
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Ross |
Snyder |
N0GSZ |
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Anita M. |
Sohus |
KE6JTW |
Tech |
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Brian |
Stapleton |
KW6J |
Ext |
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James M. "Mike" |
Stewart |
N6PLM |
Tech+ |
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James C. |
Sutton Jr. |
ND6X |
Ext |
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Cheryl B. |
Tarsala |
KB0QJJ |
Tech |
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Jan A. |
Tarsala |
WB6VRN |
Extra |
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Michael |
Tope |
W4EF |
Extra |
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Richard L. "Dick" |
Ulrich |
K6KCY |
Tech |
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Fred |
Vescelus |
WB6LNO |
Extra |
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Sam |
Weaver |
WB6EMO |
Gen |
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William |
Weber |
N6CI |
Ext |
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Bill |
Westphal |
WB6YPF |
Gen |
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Richard |
Wetzel |
WA6JBZ |
Gen |
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Harry W. |
Woo |
KN6MG |
Adv |
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Bill |
Wood |
W6FXJ |
Adv |
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James W. |
Young |
W7FTT |
Extra |
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Karen A. |
Young |
N6PJL |
Adv |
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John |
Zitzelberger |
W6GL |
Ext |
And They're Off! All-Ham Crew is ISS-Bound
Via www.arrl.org
NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 31, 2000--Right on schedule, a Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the all-ham International Space Station Expedition 1 crew blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan this morning. Amateur Radio operation from the ISS is expected to debut by mid-month. The crew will spend four months aboard the ISS.
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The ISS Expedition 1 crew: Left to right, Krikalev, Gidzenko, and Shepherd. [NASA Photo |
On board the Soyuz when it lifted off at 0753 UTC were US astronaut and Expedition 1 Commander William "Shep" Shepherd, KD5GSL, and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko--the Soyuz commander--and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR. The Soyuz is expected to dock with the ISS on November 2.
"Give us a fast ship," Shepherd--a Navy captain--was quoted as saying. Shepherd, 51, is only the second US astronaut to go into space aboard a Russian launch vehicle. The Soyuz lifted off from the same launch pad where Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin--the first human in space--made space history 43 years ago this month.
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An artist's conception of the Soyuz spacecraft. The Soyuz will remain attached to the ISS to provide an emergency crew return vehicle. |
In a NASA interview, Shepherd said the ISS will give humans "unique access to the space environment where we hope we can do very interesting and productive research." But he and the other Expedition 1 crew members also view the ISS as a stepping stone on the pathway to human habitation of space.
"If we don't have this progress with this space station, it means that humans in space are pretty much destined to stay close to the Earth, and I don't think that's what humans are about," Shepherd said.
Krikalev described the multinational ISS project as "joint exploration of the universe," while Gidzenko predicted that mankind "has to develop and will continue to develop in exploring space."
"You could even fantasize and say that for the future, man may have problems of overpopulation, problems with water and food and maybe we're going to have to develop some, explore some new planets, or regions in space," Gidzenko concluded.
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The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station--or ARISS--initial station gear already is aboard the space station. It will be installed temporarily in the Zarya Functional Cargo Block of the ISS and will permit operation only on 2 meters--FM voice and packet. Tentative operating frequencies are: Worldwide downlink for voice and packet, 145.80 MHz; worldwide packet uplink, 145.99 MHz; Region 1 (Europe) voice uplink: 145.20 MHz; Region 2 and 3 voice uplink, 144.49 MHz. An ARISS operating schedule will depend on the crew's work schedules. |
The Expedition 1 crew's primary mission will be to flight test the new space station and to assist with critical assembly activities on board in anticipation of the arrival of the station's first science laboratory early next year. However, ARISS spokesman Will Marchant, KC6ROL, says the crew has expressed a lot of interest in getting on ham radio early in the mission. Crew members may use their personal call signs or one of the "club station" call signs issued for ISS use--NA1SS, RZ3DZR, or DL0ISS.
QSL’s and SWL reports will be processed via the ARRL or Radio Amateurs of Canada.
Cloud cover permitting, the continental United States will enjoy visible passes of the ISS for the next few days.
Visit the Heavens Above site for more information.
For ARISS information and updates, visit the ARISS Web site.
For a Visual Reality tour of the ISS visit, http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/vtour/. n
Friday, December 1 for the December issue of W6VIO Calling. Your articles, ads, photos, diagrams, letters to the editor, or technical material should be submitted to the editor via email (w6fxj@earthlink.net) or regular mail to: Bill Wood, 31094 Hemlock Ave, Barstow, CA 92311.
Posted November 1, 2000