N1ZZ working some DX!
Led by Curt, W1FSM, and Dee, N1ZD, some major progress was made in the radio room today! The right side is primarily HF and the left side is VHF/UHF. The desks have been positioned, and placement of various items like the antenna patch panel have been decided. We await a 240v outlet to power the amp. There are power supplies installed at each table for the radios.
Power will be distributed via a Rigrunner powerpole panel at the center of each table. Some rigs have build in power supplies. There is a 8 foot long power strip bolted to each table that allows easy access to 120V as needed.
Next steps will involve setting out radios and hooking them up. Building coax jumpers and the antenna patch panel. Deciding if more monitors/computers will be needed for DX spotting, etc other than the main computer shown in the pictures.
If you want to help, please contact Curt, he is coordinating the room build out and more help is needed! We want you to make this room your room!
VHF/UHF
HF Table
HF Table
Charles, N1LLL and Erika, KC1BLS installed the beam this past Sunday! Sam, NV1P, arrived later on as well and lent a hand ! Wow. A few photos are attached.
GNARC member Steve Dick, K1RF, will present “Software Defined Radio (SDR) for Amateur Radio – An Overview”. This talk will cover what is SDR, how it works, basic types, some examples of current equipment from low end to high end, how SDR has evolved, and how to access SDR radios on the internet for free! Some short videos of SDR SSB and CW operation will be included. The talk will be followed by a demonstration of an actual SDR receiver. Steve is an amateur extra and an electrical engineer who has built and used several SDRs and has closely followed the amateur radio SDR market.
All are welcome!
This presentation will be at the Westport Astronomical Society / Rolnick Observatory on December 4th, 2014 at 7:30pm.
182 Bayberry Lane
Westport, CT
Check out some photos of the tower raising at our communications center!
The tower is being installed at the new communications center. Tower sections 1 and 2 are installed. The first section is through bolted to a steel I-beam in the building in four places. We will be looking for some volunteers to help with installation of the third (and final for now) section and the beam.
As part of a demonstration project, to show the technical capabilities of the GNARC members, several hams have worked to setup a video link from the 2014 Norwalk Oyster Festival back to emergency managers at Fire HQ. This will allow real time viewing of the amusement ride area of the park. In the future GNARC will be able to deploy this technology rapidly to assist emergency managers in getting “eyes on” views during critical events.
The radio link originates at a light pole in Vets park (very near our field day site). It is then received at the top of the hospital and relayed to fire HQ. This is done with an IP camera over the normal 5.x Gig wifi standard using high gain dishes.
Some photos are attached.
Live view of the area shown on a PC at Fire HQ
This is one of the dishes relaying the signal from the bullet IP camera
View from the ground of the setup.
It is at a good height to be able to “see” the hospital.
The GNARC “stuff for sale” team had a good trip to the 2014 Antique Wireless Association World Convention in Rochester, NY. The group consisted of Sam, Rachel, Steve, Roberta, Tim, Jim, and Don.
The convention program presented a wonderful range of events starting with a personally escorted tour of the AWA Museum Complex on Tuesday and ending with the “paper collectibles”, vacuum tube, and equipment auction on Saturday.
Outstanding progress has been made at the museum, featuring thoughtfully assembled equipment exhibits in beautifully appointed surroundings. The various presentations in the next few days covered an appropriate variety of amateur and antique radio interests. The Thursday/Friday flea market gave the seven person “sales crew” a good opportunity to market our goodies. The equipment contest was supported with many entries; Sam and Don won ribbons with their exhibits. On Friday, there was a fine dinner and a very interesting talk about Voice of America.
After a well-run auction with a large crowd in attendance, the team had an uneventful trip home.
Click here for the photos!
