
January 15, 2021
The club takes a "Gamble" on CW
December 30, 2020
Using UZ7HO for Winlink (Updated!)
Software TNCs use a computer's sound card to listen for and play tones to and from the radio. Many modern desktop radios come with USB soundcard built in, which means all you need to use them is a USB cable connected to your computer and some software.
One of the software packages currently available is written by UZ7HO and is simply called, "Soundmodem". (On the website, the file is called soundmodem105.zip. The hs-soundmodem26.zip is a different program and not what you are looking for.) It has been around for many years but the programmer recently released an updated version which make it even better. Previously, you had to use VOX (voice activated control, or in this case tone activated control) so your radio would automatically switch back and forth between receiving and transmitting. Switching back and forth is called the PTT (or push-to-talk) function. (Another option was to use a Signalink which provides a soundcard and PTT functions.
However, the newest version of Soundmodem includes a new feature that allows you to automatically control most popular desktop radios. Simply download the file ptt-dll.zip from the UZ7HO's website, unzip it and place the files in the same folder as Soundmodem. Then, in the Settings menu, under Devices, you'll see a section called "PTT Port". Choose "CAT" for computer automated and hit Apply. You'll get an error which will be followed by a "Advanced Settings" where you can choose your radio, port, speed and other options. It worked very well with my IC-7100 and really make Soundmodem even more useful!
It's really a longer story, but to use UZ7HO, you simply install the Winlink software and then configure it to use the KISS port on UZ7HO. Then in Soundmodem, make sure to enable the KISS Interface so the two programs can talk to each other.
October 08, 2020
Club to visit OEM Station
The OEM station consists of an Icom 7100, an LDG autotuner, a Signlink digital interface and a Pactor-4 Modem feeding into a multiband roof-top vertical.
August 02, 2020
Club changes regular meeting night
July 26, 2020
New Lightning Monitor added to site
June 11, 2020
In-Person Meeting Planned for June
All visitors are welcome to attend, licensed or not, you do not have to be a member of the club. The location is large enough for social distancing. Visitors are welcome to wear a mask and hand sanitizer will be available. Here is a page showing the layout.
March 18, 2020
Louisiana ham fined $18,000 by FCC
As the FCC recounted in the FO, an FCC agent “observed Materne causing intentional interference to a local repeater by generating digital noise into an analog radio.” The agent further reported that Materne failed to transmit his call sign, as required.
Materne disputed the FCC’s findings, arguing that the NAL should be canceled because the agent “was mistaken in his determination that the source of the interference was Materne’s station” as his
March 16, 2020
March meeting planned for ON-AIR
So, the club has decided to hold the meeting on the club's N5RCA repeater. The meeting will be on Thursday, March 26. The meeting will start at the typical net time of 7:30 p.m. instead of the normal 7 p.m. meeting time. This will help avoid interference with another net held the same frequency (on a different repeater). The N5RCA repeater is at 147.68 (- offset, PL131.8).
Several members noted that holding the net on the 2-meter repeater complies with the CDC recommends staying at least six feet from each other people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 since two meters is slightly longer than six feet!
February 27, 2020
Building a Power Distribution Box
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Karan and Keith solder the connectors. |
The club used an online 3D Printing service (CloudCraft) to produce the cases and sources the Anderson Powerpole connectors from Powerwerx. Several of the members who built the boxes are relatively new hams who also benefited from the soldering practice.
The soldering job, in fact, was a little more difficult than expected as the connectors needed to be carefully aligned in order to fit inside the final case. Also, most builders added two small copper wires as "bus bars" across the bottom of the connectors to strengthen the solder joints.
The kits came in right around $15 each and we still have two extra kits still available is anyone would like one.
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Adding a bus bar proved very tedious, but effective. |
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Danny's is ready to go into the case. |
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It's finished! (With some added decoration) |
January 26, 2020
Winter Field Day heats up!

The station consisted of David's, W5CWT, go-box with a FT-991 and Keith's LiFePO4 30Ah battery. The battery kept the station on for nearly 10 hours without a hitch. Group erected an end-feed long wire antenna, an inverted-V and a multi-band BuddiePole. All three antenna's performed well across the bands.
The group also enjoyed hot dogs grilled on the campfire (thanks Stephen for the chili!) and some coffee to stay warm.