What's New? |
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TARC
MEETING
Tuesday 21 May *** NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR THIS MEETING ONLY *** Tulsa Community College Northeast Campus Harvard and Apache (Click here for map) |
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TARC D-Star Repeater Update
January 2013 The TARC D-Star repeater, on 443.000mhz is up and running with the network connection working good. We still have some packet loss between the tower and the gateway computer, but I've tried to decrease the packet sizes by an increase in the hopping frequency so that noise or problems on one segment of the 900Mhz band has a smaller impact on the total quality of the audio being transmitted across 900Mhz. I enjoyed the D-Star web program put on over last weekend of Dec at the http://www.w5kub.com/ web site. It had a lot of great information in it. There are reruns still available on that web site. There were a couple of times that audio cut out as they changed speakers or at the start of a session, so just hang tight what that happens in the replays, and you'll get audio back shortly. I currently have 443.000 connected to reflector REF014C. Reflectors are internet connected hubs which handle the large bandwidth needed for lots of users being "internet" connected to one or more repeaters. If you want to connect to a different reflector, you can use the 'unlink' mechanism by sending a 'U' in position 8 of the UR call field. The list of possible reflectors can be located on the internet by searching for "dstar reflectors". The http://www.dstarinfo.com/reflectors.aspx web page is at the top of the results. To connect to one of the reflectors, set the UR call to the reflectors name with an additional 'L' character in position 8. Each of the reflectors listed, has a "Usage" description of it, and location information etc. You can click through the links there in your web browser, and see which repeaters and users are connected to which reflectors. There was a lot of information provided on the DV-AP and DV-Dongle devices. These devices are internet connected dongles which allow you to use D-Star as well. The DV-AP is an "access point" like device which you connect to your computer. It has a low power FM transceiver on board, which you can talk through, with your conventional FM equipment. That device provides the D-Star CODEC to encode/decode your voice for D-Star. It then gateways your transmission into the reflector/repeater which you've used your computer to connect to. The DV-Dongle is also connected through your computer, but requires you to use a headset for your audio in and out. If you are setting near a computer, and can stay there, then this device can make it possible to get into D-Star with that simple restriction on your movement. Both of these devices can be found on the internet at the various ham radio equipment stores. The DRATs application was also reviewed. DRATs allows you to use your D-Star radios digital data services to send text messages, transfer files and other related data services. It is a great ARES resource for support activities because you can use your D-Star radio, as you would a TNC, and this application provides all of the "applications" without you having to do the extra work to manage your data transfers manually. There are lots of D-Star nets being run world wide. There is a list at http://www.dstarinfo.com/nets.aspx which you can review to see if there are some interesting topics which you'd like to participate in. If you have a DV-Dongle, you can sit at your computer and connect to these nets and participate directly. With the DV-AP, you can also connect via your computer, but be able to use your FM HT, around the house to participate. If you want to use a D-Star radio, then you can check for any activity on a local repeater, such as the TARC 443.000mhz. If there are no other users who need the repeater for something else, then you can simply link the repeater to the appropriate reflector and participate. This coming year, I will be taking some time to do some D-Star demonstrations and programs at the club meetings. If you have an interest in D-Star, feel free to send me an email to w5ggw@cox.net and I can try and provide some answers or pointers to answers. Gregg |
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TARC
Repeater Update
December 2012
The TARC repeater systems have been undergoing several changes, upgrades and new equipment over the summer. Here's the low down on what has been happening.
We owe a big thank you to the generous contributions of money, time and effort by Bob Buford, Jerry Moyer and some of their coworkers, as well as some matching funds, courtesy of their employer, Conoco/Phillips. If you see these folks, please give them a thank you for helping the club extend and maintain its equipment. The D-STAR system on 443.000mhz was obtained for "free" due to a program that ICOM has had to try and extend the use of D-STAR by providing repeaters, which might encourage people to use or buy D-STAR capable radios. There are lots of things to read about D-STAR, on the Internet. Here are some things that D-STAR provides to the Amateur Radio operator. 1. Station to station communications, through repeaters via Internet linking. This is similar to echolink's capabilities, but it is digital, and more dependable in implementation it seems. We are working on finalizing the internet services connection to the repeater site so that we can make use of these linking facilities. The Gateway to repeater link for the 443.000mhz machine is experiencing some spotty operations due to the quality of the antenna system we currently have access to at the repeater site. 2. Call sign routing allows you to just say you want to talk to another Amateur station, and you don't have to know what repeater they are using. That information is stored in the global D-STAR system, and the Gateway computer system, attached to the repeater, has access to the information about all stations, and will select the gateway repeater on the other end to connect you through. 3. Much like echolink conferences, there are D-STAR reflectors, which a repeater can be connected to so that larger "systems" can be created and interest specific nets can include many more stations. 4. At the top end of the system is the 1.2Ghz and higher linking radios which allow Ethernet connections into D-STAR so that it can be used "across" town, to provide a wide-area network. The lower frequency radios provide data services at lower speeds, and use serial data connections into the radio. To use D-STAR effectively, you need to create an account on some Gateway computer somewhere in the world. Generally, it's a good idea to have your account on the repeater system in your hometown, or some place where you usually hang out. Having your account on that repeater system, will allow you to use D-STAR more fully. Noid, NM5I has also setup a D-STAR repeater on 443.025mhz at 36th St. North at the Police station. Noid is trying to finalize the operations of the Internet connection to his repeater as well. To read more about D-STAR, you can look over some of the associated web sites such as the following: 1. ICOM D-STAR Information http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/dstar/default.aspx 2. ICOM ID-1 radio for 1.2Ghz communictions http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/id1/default.aspx 3. ICOM 2820H - D-STAR optional radio http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/2820h/default.aspx 4. ICOM IC-91AD dual band HT http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0091.html 5. ICOM D-STAR repeater hardware http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/2000_4000/default.aspx 6. D-STAR users web site http://www.dstarusers.org/ 7. D-STAR Information Site http://www.dstarinfo.com/ There are lots of other sites around the Internet, and you can find lots of stuff linked to by the #6 and #7 links above. If you have questions about how to use the local D-STAR repeaters, trying asking on the local nets, or on other repeaters. Most of the D-STAR radios support both D-STAR and normal, analog FM emissions, so that you can use these radios for existing repeaters. There are a couple of D-STAR repeaters in OKC and of course all over other states and areas of the world. The information at the link #6 above (dstarusers.org), reveals more about all of the D-STAR repeaters in the U.S. |
| Repeater Back On The Air The
Cavanal Repeater,
442.250, is back on the air on the Leflore Co. EMS tower and works very
well.
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Tulsa
District ARES Net Changes
Circle the date on your calender - changes coming to the weekly Tulsa District ARES Net! Starting Thursday - April 5, 2012 New Net Night - Thursday evenings New time - 2000 Hrs Local Same repeater 146.880 (back up 147.390) See you there! Mark Conklin, N7XYO Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator Amateur Radio Emergency Service 918.232.8346 n7xyo@arrl.net Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO www.ARESOK.org |
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VE
Testing Changes
Hardesty Library ARRL VE Session
First Saturday of ODD numbered months. January 5th, March 2nd, May 4th, July 6th, September 7th, November 2nd. 9:15 a.m., walk-ins welcome until 9:45. Please email for further information. Hardesty Regional Library 8316 E. 93rd St. Tulsa, OK 74133 The library is just east of Memorial on the south side of 93rd street, behind the car dealership. http://tulsalibrary.org/hardesty/ Check calendar of events at library for directions to room. For more information contact Loyd, AE5MM at ae5mm@arrl.net or leave message at 918.638.2393. You will need to bring $15, two forms of photo ID and copies of any previous licenses you may have. If you do have any previous license from the FCC (amateur or otherwise), please be sure to bring your FRN, a special number assigned to you. W5YI
Last Saturday of EVEN number months, 10:00 - 11:30 AM (W5YI)(after the American Airlines ARC meeting) MARTIN EAST REGIONAL LIBRARY 26th and Garnett Tulsa, OK *** Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment necessary *** Contact: John S. Campbell, K5ENA, at 918.346.8284 (before 9 PM) or k5ena@cox.net Contact John for dates, time and location. |
| FIRST CONTACT At the January
18th TARC
meeting, Dan Threlkeld, KF5FSL, and weather man at NBC TV station KJRH,
made his first amateur radio contact with 11 year old Electra, KB3RGE.
Follow
this link to see Dan talk about his first contact during that evening's
10PM newscast.
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| TARC now on FACEBOOK To follow the
Tulsa Amateur Radio Club on FACEBOOK click this link
or on "Facebook" on the left index.
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Back for 2012 by popular demand The date for the 2012 Route 66 On The Air isSeptember 8, 2012 to September 16, 2012.
The Route 66 Special Event continues to be a success each year. Follow the links for some pictures at the 2005, 2006and 2007 event. W5IAS operating as Route 66 On The Air Guidelines QSL to |
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145.11 Status
Just to make sure there are no "rumors" being spread: 1. The fire marshall ordered the repeaters (plural - also involved is the 443.000 UHF machine - the one that is not on the link system) "unplugged", because they were being powered by an "extension cord" that was not rated for the amount of power they draw. a. This is technically not the case, because (1) 443.000 was actually down, and shouldn't have been counted, however the fire marshall doesn't see it that way - it WAS plugged in. b. Both repeaters are powered by one 13.8V power supply, so while it is substantial, it actually only draws 4 or 5 amps even if both repeaters were transmitting, therefore the cord was actually still well within its ratings - basically, the fire marshall didn't "do the math", he just decided to be hard-nosed about it. 2. The fire marshall (and the building owner's) position in this case is understandable - this inspection was shortly after TWO fairly spectacular fires in the building! 3. While the extension cord may not have itself been a fire hazard, it is NOT code - no permanently mounted equipment is supposed to be powered by extension cords in a commercial building, PLUS no outlet is supposed to be installed in a closet (too easy for them to be damaged because they are "hidden", plus they get missed in inspections). So in this case, the extension cord is to reach a "working" but illegal outlet because the "close" outlet we used to use was pulled out when another tenants equipment was removed. At this point, we are negotiating with the building owner - we have an electrician who has done a quote for the work required to restore the original outlet to operation while at the same time bringing it up to code. But we have to work with the building management company to get their approval, then the city to get a permit and then inspections. There are also issues with the "lease" of this space and paying for power. The building has changed hands (or at least management) since this space was originally donated to TARC, and apparently the records (if any) were lost. In conjunction with getting the permit/building modifications negotiated, we will also renegotiate the lease. However, we're dealing with not one, but TWO bureacracies here, and these things take time. In the meantime, normal TARC operations (nets, special events, public service events, etc.) are held on the 147.045 repeater (positive offset, 88.5 tone). Please be patient, once we get the legal side worked out, it should take us (or rather, the electrician) about an hour to actually get us back on the air - once he gets an okay from the building owner and the city. 73, Jay |
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DIY Vertical Antenna
Kit
The Portable-Convertible-Vertical that was the presentation at the July TARC meeting will be made available in kit form at the Ice Cream Social club meeting in September. In order to take advantage of quantity discounts, we'll be collecting pre-payments for the materials through the August club meeting (August 19th). The cost is $20. Quantities are limited, so first come, first served. For those that missed it, this antenna is not an antenna for permanent mounting, but is rather a portable quick setup antenna suitable for emcomm or similar use on 10-20m including the WARC bands. It's made of 3/4" EMT conduit, wood and wire, and is designed to be ground mounted and guyed with rope. It can be set up in 5 minutes and packs in a 4' 6" by 4" tube. The conduit will be pre-cut into the appropriate lengths - base, 10m top, and add-on stubs for 12m, 15m, 17m and 20m. Switching bands is done by adding the stubs with couplers, with each lower band requiring all the stubs for the higher bands. The lengths will be cut for the middle of the SSB portion of each band, but tuning down for CW can be handled by adding a short (2" to 6" as needed) tuning stub to the top. The kit is the wood base, conduit (pre-cut and drilled), couplers, conduit straps, screws, ring terminals, and radial wires (8), plus a PVC ring for the guy ropes. Building requires a screwdriver and crimpers or soldering iron and takes 15 minutes. 73, Jay, AD5PE |
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Edmond Repeater The Edmond repeater is now
online and a part of the TARC W5IAS Super Link System. Look
for it on 443.250 and a PL tone 88.5 |
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Spreading Ham Radio
into Cooper Elementary School One of the goals of the ARRL is education regarding amateur radio, with the intent of bringing new licensees into the fold. As a special service club, the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club strives to do the same in many ways. One obvious way is through licensing classes, but there are other ways we can reach out to non-hams as well, such as holding events in public, or giving presentations to other community organizations. |
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ARES ON-LINE Take a look in your wallet, your desk drawer, glove box of your car... if you have a ARES ID chttp://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=36.150873,-95.823438&spn=0.001289,0.001875&t=h&z=19ard please ask yourself one very important question – Are you currently registered on line on the ARES OK website? If you not currently a volunteer and would like to be, PLEASE go to the ARES OK website and register as a volunteer. Why should you register on line? By registering on line we have one consistent information source for volunteer information throughout the state, as well as a resource listing for each county. To register go to http://www.aresok.org/mkApplication.asp and click on the map of your county. Scroll down and fill in the blanks. Please register as a VOLUNTEER. The website is password protected, only persons that are registered on ARESOK.org can see your information. If you are interested in becoming a leader with in ARES with in ARES OK you should contact the EC, DEC or ZEC in your area for more information about the duties and responsibilities. Most of the information is located on the website. Also to help get information out to volunteers quickly - Oklahoma ARES is inviting all hams in area to sign up on the aresoklahoma yahoo group. To sign up go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aresoklahoma (then click on the big blue "Join This Group!" button at the top right). These groups is how ARES will broadcast all area or state events, information, etc. that is of a timely or critical nature. This is not an email forwarding system. Please keep the posts to items that effect the Oklahoma State, i.e. weather updates, calls for assistance, ECOMM, situation reports. THIS GROUP IS FOR ALL HAMS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT DURING AN EVENT.
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Tulsa Amateur Radio Club Store Check out the large selection of TARC items and apparel available for your purchase. Tee shirts, golf shirts, sweat shirts, caps, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, buttons, clocks and stickers. It's all there and at a reasonable price. If you do not see something of interest to you, contact Tom, KE5EHX, at tom.white@gmail.com, with your ideas. |
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ELMER Help is just a click away For technical
questions, email our 'elmer committee' at
elmer@w5ias.com
and we'll get you hooked
up with a volunteer mentor with expertise in the field pertaining to
your
question. Please include email or phone preference, and if
you prefer a phone
call be sure to include your number and the best time to reach you. |
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444.600 Is On The Air Tim, KB5ZVC, and I finalized the installation of
the 444.600-mhz machine into
the Mounds Oklahoma site. This installation will be easier for us to
support and
provide a better coverage pattern to the south and west of Tulsa for
storm
spotting and other community support activities. |
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FREE On-Line Incident Command Training IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp On-Line Emergency Communication Training ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) http://www.arrl.org/cce/ 73 Mark Conklin N7XYO |
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Google TARC REPEATER MAP Thanks to the hard work of Gregg, W5GGW, you can now see where the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club repeaters are located and their status. It is amazing to explore both the maps and the satellite imagery that this system provides. It can keep you occupied for hours! |
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TESTING First Saturday of ODD numbered
month 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Second Saturday in EVEN number month 9:30 A.M. Third
Wednesday
in ODD numbered months, 7:00 PM Quarterly,
10:00 - 11:30 AM (W5YI) |
The Tulsa Amateur Radio Club
and Eastern Oklahoma / Northwestern Arkansas Skywarn As you may or may not know, the TARC is involved with the Skywarn network of community service oriented clubs. The W5IAS linked repeater system is the largest, the best and most efficient repeater system in the State of Oklahoma. When emergencies arise in our areas of coverage, the W5IAS linked repeater system serves both as a communications system and a community service. Covering some 50,000 square miles from I-35 to deep into Arkansas and from Texas in the South to Kansas in the North. During times of disasters and other emergencies the W5IAS repeater system will be used for relaying information from one area to another. Several times in the past this impressive system has played major roles in the safety of our communities. Everything from severe weather to the phone outage of the year 2000, which was covered by the TARC and the link system was used to cover the area hospitals. Thirty minutes after the phones went down the TARC was there with a net organized, hours before the EOC and others in the area even knew the phones were out. The TARC is very proud of this system and is always ready to help out in those times of trouble when we are needed the most. The W5IAS linked repeater system is still growing more impressive by the day and is always ready to leap into action.
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