What’s happening at SBARC? Here you will find the latest club news, events, projects, net activities, and news from our special interest groups (SIGS).
Be sure to check in frequently so you don’t miss out on any of the interesting things going on with the club and its members!
We have moved content for the Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net here, and content for the Digital Modes Net here.
[Darryl – KF6DI] Come meet Ryan McMahon who is the Disaster Program Manager of the American Red Cross serving the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Ryan is excited about having the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club use the excellent facilities of the Santa Barbara Chapter building of the American Red Cross.
![Ryan McMahon[2]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sbarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Ryan-McMahon2.jpg?ssl=1)
You are probably aware that SBARC recently had our annual Bazaar in the parking lot of the Red Cross. You do know that our Club station resides in their building. Of course you know that we have a number of antenna systems situated there. They permit us to park our Rover van in their parking lot. But, did you know that SBARC holds its monthly Board meetings in the Red Cross Board Room? All these things they do for us – at no charge! We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with the American Red Cross.
Ryan has been with the Red Cross for just over 2 years now in his present position. He was active duty Air Force for 8 years before that. He was an Airborne Mission Systems Specialist and flew on the E-3 AWACS (the plane with the big RADAR on it). When he wasn’t flying, he was in the Readiness shop learning about emergency management and planning operational readiness exercises. You can tell where his heart is. Ryan has 2 kids, ages 8 and 5 and is interested in becoming an entrepreneur at some point in the future.
Ryan is excited about talking to us about the Red Cross’s message of “Get a kit. Make a plan. Be Informed.” He will highlight some of the simple things that can be done in your home/workplace that will greatly increase your preparedness efforts for when things start hitting the fan!
Also, at this SBARC meeting, you will hear from President Brian Milburn, K6BPM, about the continuing saga of our Digital Mesh Network and how you can get involved with it. By now you have probably heard that there is a whole lot of progress being made on the project and that more and more of us are finding it very exciting. Brian will also let us know more about how the Club Station is evolving – and it certainly is. Levi Maaia, K6LCM, would like to tell us about our Telecommunications group and what they are doing. Also, at this meeting, we will raffle off a couple of those much-wanted pocket-sized frequency counters as well as that nifty shelf system to put in that place you call ‘home’ for an instant radio operating position. Last month we didn’t meet at our regular meeting place so we couldn’t raffle off our neat prizes, so let’s do it at this meeting. Bring money!
Post expires at 11:00pm on Friday September 16th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.
Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday August 20th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.
The Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club Swap Net is now taking place at 7:30-8:00PM every Tuesday night instead of Wednesday. The net is still hosted by Haydn KK6OYV.
In my never-ending effort to upgrade my home and portable stations, I directed some effort toward improving my power connections. After some research, I decided to use Anderson Powerpole connectors. These are the standard ARES power connector and they have been thoroughly tested and used by Amateur Radio operators around the world. After crimping and installing the connectors on all my radio power cables, I ran into an issue. How do I power more than one radio from a single power source? Looking around online, I found a couple of companies that sold Powerpole distribution panels, but most of them did not fit the bill. They were all too expensive or too large for my application.
After looking around some more, I decided to explore some homemade options. I ran across this design, freely available on the popular 3D model sharing site, Thingiverse. I downloaded the files and had a friend print the box on his Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer. The print turned out quite nicely, and all the components that I ordered from Mouser fit perfectly. Each side of the box snapped together cleanly and after a few weeks of everyday use at my home station, I can confidently say it works like a charm and will be a convenient piece of equipment for years to come! Total cost: $7.63 + S/H.
The following is a time-lapse and build log of the distribution box for those of you that might want to build one of your own!
Time-lapse –
In real time, the building portion of the project only took around 30 minutes.
Click below to continue reading.
Via Tim Woolever KJ6OIL -President of the Satellite Amateur Radio (SARC) Club.
I would like to invite all in remembering and celebrating the life of Eric George Lemmon WB6FLY.
A memorial will be held at the Satellite Amateur Radio Club W6AB, Vandenberg AFB on the afternoon of Aug 6, 2016 at 2:00 pm. This is on Vandenberg AFB property but base gate access is not required. Excellent directions can be found at http://satellitearc.com/directions.html. Ham Operators: Talk-in on 145.360 -131.8, one of Eric’s repeaters.
The Satellite ARC will be holding a meeting at this facility the hour before the memorial from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Everyone is invited to participate in the meeting and presentation. SARC was one of the favorite passions of Eric’s. For information about the club, please contact any of the officers or myself.
The memorial will be outside in the paved parking lot. Parking will be on the fields. These fields have not been maintained and have gopher and ground squirrel holes, some holes are large. So please take care while driving and walking at the facility. No designated handicap parking or facilities are available. Minimal restroom facilities, please plan accordingly.
Current plans have a sound system, 2 – 10×30 foot awnings and lots of chairs. Vandenberg’s Honor Guard will perform a ceremony and playing of taps.
Tim KJ6OIL
Post expires at 8:35pm on Saturday August 6th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.
(Darryl – KF6DI) Do you recognize the fellow above standing next to the 7-foot tall rack of broadcast equipment? Some of you might remember him as attending, as well as helping answer questions after, the extremely interesting meeting put on by Orv Beach, W6BI, in February of this year. He is none other than Tom King, KA6SOX, husband of Marina, KA6JWL, and father of Justin, KJ6ZRT.
![Tom King, KA6SOX[1]](http://www.sbarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Tom-King-KA6SOX1.jpg)
Tom has been in the broadcast business for quite a while and has made a very good name for himself at practically every AM and FM radio station in our area as well as many out-of-town stations. At one time, not that long ago, he could even be seen working at dizzying heights atop broadcast radio towers at various stations. That is an activity that can take a toll on a body. Tom says that he is through with climbing towers!
Tom is equally at home with the electronics inside the studios as he was with it up those towers. Today he much prefers to work on all that indoor gear! Wouldn’t you?
Have you ever found yourself listening very carefully while tuning your receiver dial and asking yourself, “What are all these strange sounds at the bottom of the HF bands?” At this SBARC Club meeting Tom will explain the explosion of the HF Digital Modes, what they sound like and how they are used. If you appreciated your introduction to the Digital Mesh Networking discussion in February, you are bound to gain much knowledge at this meeting as well! It is meetings such as this one that will enhance your pleasure of Amateur Radio. The more you understand it the more you enjoy it. Don’t miss Tom’s presentation!
Also, at this SBARC meeting, you will hear from President Brian Milburn, K6BPM, about our Digital Mesh Network and how you can get involved with it. By now you have probably heard that there is a whole lot of progress being made on the project and that more and more of us are finding it very exciting. Brian will also let us know more about how the Club Station is evolving. Levi Maaia, K6LCM, would like to tell us about our newly-formed Telecommunications group and what they are doing. Darryl Widman, KF6DI, will be introducing the newest hams and license upgrades from our VE Session held this past Saturday. Also, at this meeting, we will raffle off a couple of real nice radio items. They haven’t arrived yet so their description may not even be known until the meeting night. Bring money!
We hold our monthly Club Meetings at the Goleta Union School District, 401 No. Fairview Ave. in Goleta, right across the street from the Goleta Library. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM but come early and look at all the Free-to-Good-Home stuff your friends have brought for you to see and take home with you. Be sure that you bring yours for them! Before the meeting begins is a good time to shake a few hands and bring in those cookies and cakes you brought along for the refreshment break because you are such a neat person! And we all do thank you for that.
Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday July 16th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.
If you shop at a Amazon, you can now help benefit the club by using the Amazon Smile program. The Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club is now a registered non-profit organization with Amazon, and a they will donate a small percentage of every purchase you make to the club.
In order for Amazon to credit us correctly, you need to access the Amazon website using a special link that identifies SBARC as your chosen charity. This doesn’t cost you a penny, and it will help support SBARC. Just click on the button below, and follow instructions.
