VICE PRESIDENT: Erik Dean, NI6G
SECRETARY: David Peters, KI6FF
TREASURER: Bob Earl, KD6UIH
I am glad to see the participation in the WSWSS grow; we are now almost 2 years old. The board has had several meetings and there are many things in the works .We have decided not to do the WEST COAST VHF CONFERENCE and instead to make our SEPTEMBER WSWSS conference bigger and better. We will be looking for a new place to hold the conference in 1997. Something more suitable for a conference, bigger rooms, better audio and video. On the same note, I would like to thank Ron, KC6WLC for the use of his mountain ranch.We are now getting close to this September's conference. This conference is your conference, the WSWSS. You as a member can make it happen. When asked to help, please try and find a way you can contribute to this yearly event.
This is a reminder and not intended to point a finger at anybody
The group as a whole has done a great job trying to keep the calling frequencies clear; remember they are calling frequencies. Make your call and move, this does two things,
Frees the calling freq. so others can make a call.
Utilizes the entire portion of the band, letting the FMers know we are there.
If you do decide to rag chew on the calling freq., keep it short, less than 15 seconds, then break and listen for others, there is no need to quick key, this is not the low bands, no one is going to take the freq. away from you. When you come up on a frequency for the first time, to use it, ask: "Is the frequency in use?" Wait a reasonable time for a response, there may be a weak signal in there you are not hearing. If you hear someone on the calling frequencies rag chewing and quick keying, please jump in and nicely remind them. Also there are a lot of people out there listening but not hearing what is being said.
We have begun to get area representation , this is great and very needed, I am asking for each of the area reps to get more people involved in your area , to help each other to improve their station. When you have a net, ask is there anybody who needs help with any radio or antenna projects. Some people are afraid to ask for help, or to ask a "dumb" question. I have learned a long time ago there are no "dumb" questions, only the one not asked. Let's help each other to become a better weak signal operator
I hope to see each and every one of you at the September conference, it will be a success if you make it one,
73's
N6RMJ, PAT
To extend the understanding and promulgation of weak signal propagation activities and its attendant technologies in the radio amateur VHF, UHF and Microwave spectrum. This recognizes that the basic radio wave communication modes are CW (A1A) and Single Sideband (A3J). Wideband communication modes are interfering and non compatible with weak signal work. Our goal is the preservation of the weak signal (CW and SSB) sub bands as set forth in the ARRL band plan; and the education of the general amateur community in the interests of the weak signal operator. Our desire is to attract new operators into our ranks; all properly licensed amateur radio operators are invited to join us on SSB and CW on all the VHF/UHF bands. We will work with all spectrum management groups and seek their support in maintaining the small amount of spectrum required for this interesting and enjoyable part of amateur radio. We are interested in furthering the technology and advances of weak signal activities and sharing the same among new operators. We organize technical and social activities to foster understanding and fraternalism.
I am very sorry to report that VE3ONT will NOT have access to the 46 metre dish in Algonquin Park this year. Fortunately for the future of the site, a contract has finally been reached, and they will be doing major revisions of the drive/control gear. I am not privy to any details at this time. The Toronto VHF Society, the group responsible for bringing you the VE3ONT EME activity, will hopefully be able to work out an acceptable timetable of events in 1997. I suppose if we could come up with the $1,000 per hour chargeout rate (before improvements) we could be a little more demanding about access! In all seriousness, the site's managers have been extremely cooperative in allowing us access and the full run of the site. Despite disappointing results in 1994 and 1995 due to events beyond our control, we cannot forget the very satisfying results achieved in 1993 (144/432/1296 - ~600 QSO's and 6.5 million points!). Let's hope the dish will be available to amateurs again in the future!
73, Peter Shilton Grid: FN02cw VE3AX (ex-VE3VD, VE3EMS) On behalf of everyone at VE3ONT.
A proposal was made to amend the Constitution and By Laws; the proposed changes are listed here. Be prepared to vote to accept or reject these changes. They were introduced by David, KI6FF at the March meeting.
That Article V, Sec. 2.
Sec. 2. The officers of this Association shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the annual meeting.The term of office, be changed from one (1) year to two (2) years. From the Spring meeting of an even numbered year to the next even numbered year.
Further in the same section, add provisions for: vote of the membership by mail-in ballot, a valid election being a return of two-thirds of the voting membership.
Article V, Sec. 6
Sec 6. Area Representatives shall promote and further the interest of weak signal operating in all its facets within his local grid square or region. He shall contact and visit other organizations for this purpose. The Area Representatives shall maintain liaison with the Area Representative's Coordinator.
Recommend adoption of sec 6 as written above in its entirety.
That Article VII - Meetings:
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meeting, a minimum of twenty-five voting members or 1/3 of the membership, whichever is less, plus at least two (2) officers of the association, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.In the description of a quorum for transacting business, strike out and remove the phrase "twenty-five voting members or"; change the term 1/3 to 2/3 of the membership; strike out and remove the phrase "whichever is less." (
Aug. 3-4 ARRL UHF Contest
Aug. 17-18 ARRL 10 Ghz Cumulative Contest
Aug. 21 WSWSS 50 Mhz and up sprint
Sept. 14-16 ARRL Sept. VHF QSO Party
Sept. 21-22 ARRL 10 Ghz Cumulative Contest
Sept. 27-28 WSWSS Vhf/Uhf Conference
Erik Dean, NI6G has worked hard putting this sprint together, let's get behind it, support it, advertise it, and get on the air and work it. The following is the news release announcement:
The First Annual WSWSS VHF and Above Sprint. 7 to 11 P.M. local time, Wed. August 21The Western States Weak Signal Society presents the First Annual WSWSS VHF and Above Sprint. The object is to QSO as many stations in as many different grids as possible on the bands 50 MHz and up during the four hour contest period.
Classes: Single Operator, Multi-Operator, QRP (25 watts or less) and Rover.A rover is one or two amateurs operating from more than one grid; no captive rovers or "grid circling" allowed.
Exchange: ARRL four character grid locators. Signal reports are optional.
Scoring: Same as the ARRL June VHF QSO Party.
Awards: The highest entry from each ARRL-defined Region (West Coast, Midwest, etc.) in each of the above categories will receive a handsome award certificate from the Western States Weak Signal Society.
Send logs and summary sheet within 30 days to Erik Dean NI6G, 3813 N. State Av., Fresno, CA 93722; or via Internet to er1k@pacbell.net. Results will be posted by Oct. 21 on the WSWSS home page: http://users.aol.com/KI6FF/index.html and the WSWSS newsletter. To receive the results by mail, send an SASE to the above address.
By KI6FF, David Peters
The Northern California stations weren't coming in on 2 meters, at least to my Westminster, Southern California, DM13as location, yet there was a QSO in progress between a station in CM98 and Huntington Beach, DM03 about 7 miles away. Wait a minute... what the heck? The Huntington Beach station was a mobile. Yes Don, AA6GE was once again running stations one after the other, the only one apparently being able to work the DX. I rocked my 2M18xxx back and forth looking for the slightest signal from the north. I switched to the omni directional Big Wheel 4 bay array then the pair of Cushcraft 215 WB, no luck. When the signals faded and Don was quiet for awhile I made a transmission, "AA6GE, KI6FF calling, Hi Don, what's up." He returned and told me some of the stations he had been working. "Yeah, I heard you talking to some of them, I couldn't hear them, though. What antenna you using?" He replied, " Dave, I have a phased array of vertical antennas.....", I wasn't hearing the rest. Verticals??? No way!.... NO WAY!!! When he turned it back to me, I signed off, "AA6GE, KI6FF well good luck, Don, see you later, 73, KI6FF." Mobile.... vertical antennas?... Ha!... I can't believe it, I thought. He must have a 70 foot motor home with a big horizontal array and 1500 Watts if he's mobile. At rest I bet, on some mountain top... I went away, "I'll try it later when the band opens up a little." I told myself.
It was about 8:30 P.M. local time, "The stations from the north should be coming in now." I muttered to myself. As I turned the 2M18xxx back and forth across the gap from due North to 330 degrees I heard a couple of Fresno stations which I worked. They said a station in CM98 was on and that I should give him a call. I got the CM98 person's call and gave a couple of calls, nothing. "He came back to you Dave" a very strong familiar voice said. "I can't hear him Don you go ahead and try, KI6FF". Eventually I did make the contact and more, but it sure ruffled my feathers that I had to be told by a mobile that the station I called was responding. I was very interested in what made Don's set up so good, location is part of it, as he locates on a bluff fairly near the water in Huntington Beach. I set up an appointment with him to see his rig. He uses vertical collinear 5/8 wave over a half wave verticals. You know, like those very expensive white collinear sometimes multiband 9 dB sticks. He uses 2, 4 or 6 of them. Depending if he is moving down the road or stopped, and how much set-up he wants to do. They are arrayed on their side so they are parallel to the ground in two rows about 6 feet apart. Each side currently has three antennas separated vertically by an adjustable amount, typically about 4 feet. The lowest antenna is about 7 feet off the ground. The array seems to work best almost dead off the points of the antennas, if I understood correctly, and is very directional. Very interesting, especially since it works so well. Don has 2 meter and 432 MHz. Transceivers and brick amplifiers. Unusual set up, but works DX very well, and makes life miserable for those close by. I am sure that many of us want to thank Don and his sideways vertical array for making DM23 available to us in the June ARRL VHF contest. If there is a prize for unusual antennas that work, out there... I vote for AA6GE, Don.
73, David, KI6FF
Several WSWSS members met at Ft Tuthill June 18, and 19, to spread the word about the WSWSS. There was a dinner Friday night at the Horseman Lodge just north of Flagstaff. Saturday noon there was a meeting of all weak signal operators we could find. The attendance was about thirty with about 7 WSWSS officers and members from California. President, Pat Coker, N6RMJ, explained the society, its purposes, and how we needed Local area reps in order to grow. Four people signed up to be area reps. In addition an "Antennas East and West" hour was set up in order to increase DX contacts between the west coast operators and those in Arizona, Nevada, and others. The day picked is every Saturday morning at 1500 GMT. We will start on the two meter calling frequency, then move off frequency, and to other bands as things develop.
Many memberships have expired as of 7-1-96. Check the area by your name in the address label; if there is no letter and date such as, "M 7-1-97", then your membership is up for renewal. If your records about dues payment do not correspond to ours please let us know with a phone call, email, or a letter. The membership data base was lost and reconstructed. We do have a paper trail if we have a hint from you something is wrong and a date you sent your payment in. So please support the group, this may be your last newsletter if you do not send your membership in.
Applications and dues for membership till July 1, 1997 are now being accepted. Please mail to the Treasurer:
Bob Earl, KD6UIH P.O. Box 332 Midway City, CA 92655
The third annual Fall Vhf/Uhf conference will be held the last weekend in September, Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th. The conference will once again be held at the Ventura County Ranch of former WSWSS president Ron Hammel, KC6WLC. The conference will feature Technical sessions, antenna range, noise figure measurement, swap meet, and get togethers, and visiting. For further details, map to Ron's and Conference registration see elsewhere in this issue.
1996 WSWSS CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Get on the Interstate 5 Fwy near the towns of Gorman and Lebec. Take the Frazier Park exit just north of Gorman and just south of Grapevine and Lebec. The Frazier Park exit is about 75 miles north of LA and about 45 miles south of Bakersfeild.
TAKE THE FRAZIER PARK OFF RAMP AND GO WEST ON FRAZIER PARK RD.
The Flying J Inn is at this off ramp. Many people from the group will be staying here.
Stay on the main road (follow the yellow line) go past Frazier Park.
Go past the stop sign with the blinking red light--go straight.
Go Past Mt. Pinos Rd. and Lakewood Rd.
After about 7 miles from the Fwy exit you will come to Lake of the Woods (don't be fooled there is no lake that I could see). There is a large wooden sign on the right indicating Mt. Pinos is straight ahead and the Ranger Station and Lockwood Valley are to the Left.Look for the gray two story building on the far left corner of the intersection. This is Mt. View Minimart and Deli.TURN LEFT at this intersection. This is Lockwood Valley Rd.
You will stay on this road till Ron's turn off. Make note of the odometer reading.This is a good road, two lane double yellow line, but it is a windy mountain road. Pay particular attention to the road warning signs. If a turn is coming and the speed warning is 25 miles an hour, adhere to that; they do not exaggerate, get that speed down to near 25. Some people highly familiar with the road may want to go faster and desire to pass you. Move over as much as you can to the right without going onto the dirt shoulder and let them pick a safe time to go by.
You will go past Camp Cuddy Seventh-Day Adventist Camp.
Go by Mile High Ranch on the left.
Go by a development made out of mud-with lots of mail boxes on the right, then up a hill.
Go by the Sand and Rock quarry on the left. This should be about 5 miles from the turn on to Lockwood Valley Rd.===keep going.
You will come to a summit with a beautiful valley in front of you. This should be about 6 miles from the turn on to Lockwood Valley Rd.
At mile 7, as you come down into the valley, you will come to Conover Private air strip on the right. == keep going you are almost there.
You will see a mountain in front of you and a road off to the right to Lockwood air Park== Keep going Ron's place is just around the corner it is a turnoff to the right. Reduce your speed so you don't miss it.
As you go around the mountain you will see some mail boxes and signs for a road off to the right this is about 7.8 miles since turning onto Lockwood Valley Rd. This is it. Greenleaf Springs Road.
TURN RIGHT ONTO GREENLEAF SPRINGS ROAD it is a GRAVEL ROAD. GO SLOW. Look over your right shoulder you will see lots of antennas the red building with the three white garage doors is Ron's.
Turn Right just in front of the Timber Gate, turn right again at the old busted granary? or water tank? You are Here. Please register and say hi to Ron.
We currently have active nets on 2 Meters, Sunday 8 P.M. at 144.240 in Southern Cal, 144.250 in Central and Northern Cal. The 432 nets are: Sunday 8:30 P.M. 432.1 in Central Cal., and Thursday 8 P.M. 432.120 in Southern Cal.
WSWSS on the world wide web
Information about the WSWSS can be found online, search on WSWSS, or try these sites:
http://www.vhfdx.com
http://mpb.com/mls1/wswss.htm
http://users.aol.com/ki6ff/index.html
n6rmj@qnet.com. President Pat Coker, N6RMJ email address
er1k@pacbell.net. Vice President Erik Dean, NI6G email address
kd6uih@juno.com. Treasurer Bob Earl, KD6UIH email address
KI6FF@aol.com. Secretary David Peters, KI6FF email address
WSWSS c/o KI6FF, David Peters
14291 Middletown Lane
Westminster, CA 92683