On November 27th 2020, the day after Thanksgiving, I headed out to Moraine Hills State Park (K-1012) for a POTA activation. I had been there before, so I knew roughly where I wanted to setup my radio gear.
My plan was to setup with my QRP radio, the IC-703 Plus, and give the Wolf River Coils Silver Bullet vertical a good try out. I had used it before, but without much success, so this time I had put together a few 32 foot radials which I hoped would improve things.
Setting it up wasn’t hard. The coil screws into a mini tripod, and then I add an MFJ 1979 telescopic whip which I extend out to 102”. I chose this length because it is one of the options that WRC suggest, even though the whip I have can go longer. With the help of my antenna analyzer, I was able to tune the SWR to a decent level on 40m.
I’m not sure if it was band conditions, or something that I was doing wrong, but I struggled to make any contacts. I did finally make one, but that was it, just one! I did realize afterwards that I did not have the audio compression enabled on the radio, and this could have helped make my signal heard a little better. I will try that out next time.
Thankfully I had brought trusty Elsa with me, my K9 companion, so we went for a good hike before calling it a day and heading back home. It’s not always about how many contacts you make! It was still a nice day out in the fresh air, and Elsa had a fun time in a new location.
Here is a video, where you can see more about my setup and my POTA activation attempt. 10 contacts are required to make it an official activation… oh well, better luck next time!
Early in December 2020, I went out to Busse Woods Forest Preserve to test out a new antenna; the AL-705 Magnetic Loop from Alpha Antenna.
It is a low power (20W) very portable magnetic loop covering 40m to 10m, designed and built by Alpha Antenna and marketed by ICOM, as part of their IC-705 portable field radio package. It can of course be used with any radio, as long as power is kept below the 20W maximum.
On my way to the Forest Preserve, I was chatting on the SARC 2m repeater (K9IIK), and a couple of friendly folk offered to help with my initial tests.
I had never used a magnetic loop antenna before, so it was a very new experience for me. Overall it worked as expected. Tuning it can be a little fiddly, but I understand that is the nature of this type of antenna. The bandwidth is very tight, so any frequency change more than a few kilohertz on the radio requires a retune of the antenna.
I see it being best suited for things like Parks On The Air activations, Field Days, or any other situation where you pick a frequency and call CQ, rather than chasing around the band for contacts.
Here is a small video showing how things went.
The following weekend, I decided to give it another try. At the same park, but at a more comfortable spot with a picnic table, I set things up again and yes, here is another video showing how it went.
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH President called the virtual meeting to order at 7:03PM
Attendees:
Danny Kafka KD9HIL
Rob Glowacki N9MVO
Mike Sorensen K9KQX
Terry AE9TJ
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH
Mike Griffiths K9KMV
Ed Liska AC9SD
R. Kocourek W9RKK
Brent Kaser WB9UXN
John Zietlow K9WIC
Garrett K9GBN
Burt Schultz AB9CV
Doug W9YFC
Rick KY0Q
Lou N9LTW
Dennis KD9HIK
Jim Campbell KB9RGU
Steve Karson AC9EM
John Douglas KD9KSH
Jody KD9QAI
Don Dewar KD9NJR
Cliff Sowka K9QD
Hugh WB9VWM
Chris Brewer AC9GN
Daryl KB9RHR
Mike Grimm KD9POE
Secretary’s Report:
Cliff Sowka K9QD informed December’s Minutes were successfully published in the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG). Burt AB9CV moved to approve, Steve AC9EM seconded. So moved. SARC Website listing Officer/Committee information has been updated with newly appointed Treasurer John Zietlow K9WIC yet to be edited.
Our State of Illinois Annual 501c3 Report has been filed but Geoff’s KA9QGH Wisconsin address wasn’t available on the club’s Roster so the Mundelein address was submitted. $10 filing fee was paid by the Secretary.
Treasurer’s Report:
Chris Brewer AC9GN was able to transfer the Treasury books to John K9WIC. John will begin effort of changing current officer’s access to our Harris Account and generate a current financial report, accomplish Field Day awards, and send funds to reinstate our Insurance Coverage. Need Financial Report for close of 2020. Need Proposed Budget for 2021.
Public Service:
Rob Glowacki N9MVO informed there is nothing to report at the moment.
EMCOMM:
John Zietlow K9WIC. Activity currently on hiatus. Additionally, Burt Schultz AB9CV published SATERN’s planned activity: The SATERN group will be monitoring the clubs repeater on the days & times shown below. If an emergency arises, please give them full & unrestricted use of this machine/repeater. Tnx U very much. Burt Schultz AB9CV SARC BOARD CHAIR
As John K9WIC recommends, this could be restated:
As Chairman of the Board, Burt Schultz has authorized SATERN to use the SARC repeater for their communications during a special exercise associated with the inauguration from Sunday to Wednesday (Jan 17-20). Scheduled SATERN net control stations monitored the repeater for possible Salvation Army communications. Normal users of the SARC repeaters were requested to relinquish the repeater to SATERN if they needed the machine to establish a net. Fortunately, other than the Monday night weekly net and the regular wellness nets, no additional nets were required.
Repeaters:
Terry AE9TJ reported our machines are functioning properly.
Construction Project:
Bill McGovern W9WEM no report. Cliff K9QD has opened communication with Merry of the clerical support staff of the front desk at the Tennis Club. She will request a ruling from the building manager Ryan and said they may also work with Rob Ward of the Park District to confirm we’ll be allowed to return to Saturday meetings. Cliff K9QD also suggested VE exams and Business Meetings may also be convened in the basement if CRC remains closed for the duration. Governor Pritzker’s recent rulings regarding limited openings of current lockdowns may allow us to return to the basement meeting room. Update expected shortly.
VE Exams
Ed Liska AC9SD reported the Volunteer Exam team may plan a March timeframe return depending upon proper facility availability.
Radio Hill Gazette RHG
Mike Griffiths K9KMV reports he is pleased to receive articles for publication.
Membership:
Bob N9JAX no report.
Social:
No current plans.
Education:
Leo N9NBH previously reported our training schedule will be on hiatus for the duration.
NETS:
Steve Karson AC9EM submitted the following report for January 7th:
Thanks everyone, for checking into our Club NET. 31 Hams checked in!!! Question of the night: Do you have any specific Ham Radio plans for 2021? Radio purchases, equipment upgrades, antenna installation, etc… Though the Wheaton Hamfest is officially closed to the public, you can still virtually attend. John Zietlow, K9WIC sent out details to the reflector. Check it out. We also had some interesting traffic regarding antenna installations in Roselle IL,. Finally,we expect to resume outdoor VE Testing in March. Check the Club Web Site for details if you are interested in taking a test…and other topics.
Check-ins included:
W9RKK Robert
WA9E Roberto
KB9RGU Jim
KC9RP Hap
K9CMZ Charlene
WB9VWM Hugh
N5PEF Dirk
WB9UXN Brent
K9KQX Mike
KD9KSH John
KD9POE Mike
K9KMV Mike
N9VWC Mike
N9LTW Lou
N9NBH Leo
KD9HIK Dennis
AC9SD Ed
KB9RHR Daryl
KC9NMW Tim
K9ASB Tony
N9IJS John
KD9NJR Don
K9GBN Garrett
K9EYE Pierre
N9MVO Rob
KF5IV Owen
K9MKD Kevin
KD9OLI Howard
KC9NUV Russ
K9ECF Ed
AC9EM Steve Net Controller
Be Safe and Happy!!!
73
Steve Karson, AC9EM
Dennis C. Calvey submitted the following TechNet report for January 12th:
The following operators checked in:
WA9E Roberto
K9MKD Kevin
W9RKK Robert
KD9PWI Pat
K9CMZ Charlene
N9IJS John
WE9PP Jim
KB9GRU Jim
KY0Q Rich
AC9SD Ed
WB9UXN Brent
KD9POE Mike
KC9NMW Tim
K9GBN Garrett
KD9NJR Don
N9VWC Mike
KC9RP Hap
KD9HIK Dennis (Net Control)
Please let me know if there are any corrections.
General question to all checking in: What do expect from Tech Net?
Discussion included asking how operators got into Digital Modes, what did they have to learn to get it to work and what would you tell an operator interested in starting with Digital Modes.
Roberto (WA9E) provided information about the DuPage Tech Net, the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club Tech Set. Also, he reported that Mel (W9FRT) has been provided a hand held transceiver and may be getting back on the air, and relayed a conversation he had with Kent (W9KAO), suggesting that SARC may want to look into some preventative maintenance on the repeater SD cards.
73
Dennis C. Calvey
Leo N9NBH provided the following report for the January 14th Net:
Thank you to all the hams that checked into the net Thursday evening. The question for the evening was have you experimented with a magnetic loop? Attached at the bottom of the email is some additional information on magnetic loops.
Also you tube Kevin Loughin for more info on 160 and 80M magnetic loops.
N9NBH Leo net control
KB9RGU Jim
KC9NMW Tim
KC9RP Hap
KD9KSH John
KF5IV Owen
K9ASB Tony
W9RKK Robert
K9CMZ Charlene
10- K9KQX Mike
KY0Q Rick
K9KBM Dave
WE9PP Jim
KD9NJR Don
K9KMV Mike
WB9UXN Brent
AC9SD Ed
KD9HIK Dennis
W9WEM Bill
KDPOE Mike
K9GBN Garrett
KB9QVX Kevin
WA9E Roberto
N9MVO Rob
N9VU Gary
N9IJS John
KD9RJS Tim
Leo Ribordy N9NBH provided the following report for January 19th:
I want to thank all the hams who checked into the net. The questions for the net were:
Do you own a HF radio that is portable? What type of antenna do you use for portable
use? At the bottom of the email are two links on magnetic loops.
KB9RGU Jim
W9RKK Robert
N9IJS John
WB9VWN Hugh
KC9NMW Tim
N9MVO Rob
K9EYE Pierre
K9CMZ Charlene
W9WEM Bill
KD9POE Mike
K9MKD Kevin
K9WIC John
WA9E Roberto
W9YFC Doug
WE9PP Jim
K9KBM Dave
K9KMV Mike
18 WB9UXN Brent
KD9KSH John
KD9HIK Dennis
KD9LOA Brandon
K9GBN Garrett
KB9RHR Daryl
K9KQX Mike
WB9TZC Bob
K9NGL Jerry
KD9NJR Don
N9NBH Leo net control
Publicity:
Dennis K9HIK No activity at the moment.
Programs:
No report.
Old Business:
None.
New Business:
Burt AB9CV reported our successful transfer of Treasurer Files to John K9WIC. Also discussed was ARRL plan for Winter Field Day. About three members expressed interest for the January 30/31 event.
Ask an Elmer
Chris AC9GN described desire to implement his current quarter wave automotive whip installation in a Yagi format. Burt AB9CV and Rob N9MVO proposed several approaches utilizing the available ground plane of the roof and also described the need for several additional magnetic mounts to create a phased-array. Lou N9LTW described his previous use of Co-Phase arrangement to obtain directionality.
With the help of Geoff KA9QGH’s ZOOM-enabled call, the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM
Attendees:
Russ Schmidt KC9NUV
Cliff Sowka K9QD
John Douglas KD9KSH
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH
Danny Kafka KD9HIL
John Zietlow K9WIC
Ed Liska AC9SD
Lou N9LTW
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK
Kent Ochs W9KAO
Jim Campbell KB9RGU
Leo Ribordy N9NBH
Robert Kocourek W9RKK
Burt Schultz AB9CV
Secretary’s Report:
Cliff Sowka K9QD: December BOD Minutes approved as published in the RHG.
Treasurer’s Report:
Chris Brewer AC9GN. Not present and previously requested an interim Treasurer be appointed while he deals with family medical stress. John Zietlow K9WIC has been nominated by Cliff K9QD and seconded by Danny Kafka KD9HIL. So moved. John is hereby elected by the Board of Directors to handle the club’s finances until such time as Chris can return.
John K9WIC will contact our insurance carrier as well as confirm our data line payments are current. Geoff KA9QGH has been personally funding ZOOM service and can continue without reimbursement for the moment.
Public Service:
Rob Glowacki N9MVO. Not present.
EMCOMM:
John Zietlow K9WIC informed the possibility Civil Air Patrol may be a participant in Illinois EMCOMM statewide exercise to test simplex capabilities February 27, 28th; details will be published as soon as plans are solidified. Additionally, the rumored newly-imposed $35 FCC fee for Amateur applications is not currently being imposed.
Repeaters:
No Report. Operations normal.
Construction Project:
Bill McGovern W9WEM. No report
VE Testing:
Ed Lishka AC9SD informed testing is likely to remain on hiatus until an appropriate facility can be found. Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK reported the Schaumburg Park District predicts an eventual re-opening but the schedule remains uncertain.
Nets:
Leo Ribordy N9NBH provided the following report for the December 22nd TechNet:
Thank you to all the hams that checked into the Tech Net last night. The question for the evening was
not a question but asking for help. I installed an inverted V fan dipole cut for 40 and 20 Meter. My SWR and impedance are terrible. Discussions were had and a lot of good ideas were presented for
me to investigate. Ii will keep everyone up to date on how I progress on tuning the antenna
W9RKK Robert
N9IJS John
WB9VWM Hugh
KB9RGU Jim
K9KMV Mike
KD9HIK Dennis
K9CMZ Charlene
KD9KSH John
AC9SD Ed
KD9NJR Don
WB9UXN Brent
KD9POE Mike
KF5IV Owen
WE9PP Jim
K9GBN Brent
KB9RHR Darryl
K9EYE Pierre
N9NBH Leo net control
73
Have very Merry Christmas
Leo Ribordy N9NBH provided the following report for the December 29th TechNet:
I want to thanks all the hams that checked into the net Tuesday evening. The question
for the evening was do you have any traps in/on your amateur radio antenna. I have
emailed some articles on how to build traps and also how to calculate to those on tonight’s Net. Also check out article: Modeling Trap Antennas by L.B. Cebik W4RNL.
W9RKK Robert
K9QD Cliff
K9CMZ Charlene
KB9RGU Jim
WB9VWM Hugh
KC9NMW Tim
KC9RP Happ
K9EYE Pierre
N9LTW Lou
K9SKY Bob
WB9UXN Brent
WE9PP Jim
KD9NJR Don
KD9HIK Dennis
K9ASB Tony
AC9SD Ed
KD9KSH John
K9KBM Dave
K9WIC John
K9GBN Garrett
KC9NUV Russ
K9KMV Mike
KB9RHR Darryl
KY0Q Rick
N9IJS John
N9NBH Leo net control
Stay safe and have a great New Year
Dennis C Calvey KD9HIK hosted the January 5th TechNet and filed this report:
The following operators checked into the TechNet:
K9MKM KEVIN
WA9E ROBERTO
W9RKK ROBERT
N9IJS JOHN
KB9RGU JIM
WB9VWM HUGH
K9CMZ CHARLENE
WB9UXN BRENT
KD9KSH JOHN
NE9PP JIM
KD9KBM DAVE
K9WIC JOHN
KB9RHR DARYL
KD9NJR DON
K9GBN GARRETT
W9WEM BILL
W9YFC DOUG
KD9FIA AL
KD9OLI HOWARD
KD9POE MIKE
KC9NUV RUSS
KD9QAI JODY
KC9NMW TIM
KD9AJI CHRIS
KF5IV OWEN
KD9HIK DENNIS, Net Control Operator
Please let me know if there are any corrections or additions.
Topics included recently completed projects, limitations for Technician Class licenses within the US Band Plan, and some propagation reports on the 20 Meter band.
Roberto, WA9E, also reminded us that the repeater must drop between transmissions for EchoLink users to be able to access the repeater.
73
Dennis C. Calvey
Radio Hill Gazette RHG:
Mike K9KMV No Report. For the December RHG Mike published an article submitted by Mike Sorensen K9KQX regarding his recent Go Box Case construction. Also published was the recent tower takedown video by Roberto WA9E and made available on the SARC YouTube channel.
Additionally, Dave Simms K9KBM provided us with some useful insight regarding guidelines by automotive manufacturers relating to the use of RF in modern vehicles.
Recurring Calendar:
Insurance, Meeting Room Reservations for the Airport, Tennis Plus Basement, and CRC, need to be renewed for 2021. Cliff K9QD resurrected previous traffic to assist in establishing the proper governmental contacts required.
Membership:
Geoff KA9QGH. No report.
Publicity:
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair reported there may not be a published re-opening plan from the Schaumburg Park District for several months.
Social:
John KD9KSH Nothing to report for obvious reasons.
Education:
Leo N9NBH. No Report.
Programs:
John K9WIC reminded the Wheaton Ham Club’s January HamFest will be a virtual event. He also hears the Sandwich HamFest this spring could remain a possibility depending upon the state’s eventual re-opening.
The 2021 WCRA Hamfest is being held virtually due to COVID-19. Come enjoy the 54th annual observance of this great event.
The WCRA 54th Hamfest will be held January 17, 2021, 8:30AM to 1:30PM
9:00-10:00 Thom Beebe (W9RY) IL Section Manager – “Did You Feel It?”
10:00-11:00 John Kruk (N9UPC) Yaesu Radio
11:00-12:00 Bob Heil (K9EID) Heil Microphones
12:00-1:00 Orv Beach (W6BI) AREDN for beginners
1:00-1:30 Closing remarks
Since this event will be held virtually, admission is free this year.
To get an idea of how many people will be attending, we ask that you please register for the event thru Eventbrite.
73,
John K9WIC
Old Business:
It is unknown if our insurance has been renewed; normal renewal cycle is ~April/May and we will need to check with our records to ascertain current coverage.
New Business:
Russ Schmidt KC9NUV reminded repeater users to avoid religious/political dialog as these are not considered appropriate use of the resource.
Kent Ochs W9KAO informed the newly-implemented FCC policy of eMail contact information requirement apparently cannot be performed on the FCC database at the moment.
Motion to Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned 8:05PM. Submitted January 7, 2020. Cliff Sowka Secretary
On November 27th 2020, the day after Thanksgiving, I headed out to Moraine Hills State Park (K-1012) for a POTA activation. I had been there before, so I knew roughly where I wanted to setup my radio gear.