October 13th, 2006 - Tom Azlin, N4ZPT, “Icom D-Star System for Digital Communication,” and Mike Toia, K3MT, “A 147 MHz J-Pole Antenna.”
Notes Posted By Len Hook on October 21st, 2006
VWS General Meeting, Oct. 13, 2006. Vienna Elementary School.
Attendees: 35
Visitors: Former member Steve Margrave, N7ANT, was welcomed back to VWS.
Refreshments by Bob Kennedy, KI4POS. Thanks, Bob! Next meeting, Mike Steussy, AE4R. Nov. 10 refreshments, Quentin Taylor, KG4VQU.
The meeting was razzed to order (official Virginia Tech razzer) at 7:35 PM by our new President, Jim Parsons, W4JTP. Jim, who had been serving as VWS VP, was appointed to the office of President by the VWS Board on Oct. 3. Congratulations to Jim, VWS’ 37th President. Jim replaces our retired President, Ray Albers, K2HYD, who recently moved to Pittsboro, NC with his wife, Susan, so they could be near family.
Reports.
Pete Norloff, KG4OJT, Treasurer’s Report. Pete reports that VWS spending closely matches the 2006 budget. He mentioned a recent book sale through Steve Karty, N5SK, and our recent President’s Picnic at Glyndon Park.
Len Hook, KG6ZR, Secretary, read the minutes of Sept. 22; approved.
John Transue, AF4PD, gave the VWS Repeater Report. Both machines are working fine.
Net Reports.
Pete Norloff, KG4OJT, is net control for the Monday 2-m net (8 PM, 146.685-). He thanked Tom Azlin, N4ZPT for filling in as NC.
Mike Steussy, AE4R, is net control for the Thursday 10-m Pow-wow Net (8:30 PM, 28.444). Mike reports 5 check-ins on SSB.
The Digital Net has lately been using a revolving net control. This week Jim Dickson, WI4A and Kerry Kingham, WA4BQM checked in (Tuesdays, 8 PM, 3578 USB PSK-31, 900 Hz offset).
Dan Sullivan, KO1D reported on the 6-m Activity Net (Wednesdays, 8 PM, 52.51 FM). Dan reported that Mike Davis, KF4PPF plus a number of stations in MD checked in. Mike is planning to replace his antenna rotor soon.
New Business.
Pete Norloff, KG4OJT - reports that NAQP-SSB in January will be held at Camp Highroad in Middleburg, VA. We can arrange catering there. Pete will check into staging the NAQP-CW January event at the Vienna Fire Dept (Gene Jacob, KM4FJ).
The Vienna Halloween Parade is set for Wednesday, Oct. 25. We will gather at the Suntrust Bank at 5 PM.
Dan Sullivan, KO1D, Public Service Report. Dan reported that the upcoming NCACDC Institute meeting will be entirely devoted to preparations for the Marine Corps Marathon. Dan also noted the NVFMA Meeting on Oct. 19 in Falls Church.
Steve Karty, N5SK, reports that he has ARRL Handbooks for sale, $44.95. This year’s edition includes a reprpint of a 1942 QST.
Linda Thomas, AC4LT, encouraged everyone to get out to vote on Nov. 7. She will be glad to discuss voting topics with you.
Paul Bassett, KI4DTL, reports two upcoming training meetings: (1) Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, “OEM, AEOC, and You;” (2) January 2007, IS-100 and IS-700 training at AEOC.
Winterfest 2007 Planning Session.
Pete Norloff, KG4OJT, has volunteered to be WF-2007 Chairman. He reports that the main goals for now are to man the primary job captains:
Table Sales - KG6ZR. We have commitments for approx. 60/120 tables so far.
Tailgating - K4TCM
Security, Parking - W4JTP
Consignments - N4ZPT
Book Sales, Ordering Tables - N5SK
VEC Exams - KD4DGQ
Asst Eagle 1 - WA4QMS
Ticket Sales - AF4PD
Talk-In - WD5DBC
Vie de France - KO4ALA
Lock-up Runs - open
Tonight’s Featured Speakers.
Tom Azlin, N4ZPT. Tom gave a demo of his Icom ID-1 digital system that will be used at this year’s Marine Corps Marathon. It runs 10 watts, 120 kbits/s, 150 kHz bandwidth using half-rate minimal shift keying. He set up a gateway at home, with controller, rack-mount, 10-w USB interframe, ethernet connection and could browse the internet remotely from his home access point. A marvelous high-speed digital comm system, indeed.
Mike Toia, K3MT, demonstrated the 2-minute assembly of his 147 MHz J-pole made out of half-inch copper pipe. It consisted of three sections: 38”, 19” and 16” with a tap point 2.75 inch from the bottom. The J-pole has a maximum take-off angle of 10 degrees, with zero signal going straight up. See Mike for construction details.
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