ATV Newsletter Archive

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Introduction

ATV Newsletter Archive from August 2007 until present (with a few gaps). Reproduced with permission from Bryon Foster, N6IFU.

ATV Newsletters

 
434 MHz:
There has been problems with 434 MHz inputs into the repeaters on both Oat Mtn. and Santiago Peak. And it is a good possibility that it is also effecting Mt. Wilson because WB6ATN John was unable to get into the net last Tue..
 
K6RGW Rich has monitored the freq. on his spectrum analyzer for sometime and during the problem he was unable to see any signal strong enough to cause a problem. We were having the same problem while the OC Fair was going on and Gordo WB6NOA was going to check into it but I never heard anymore. Maybe Gordo can give some feed back on what he found.
 
Can anyone else help in finding out what is the source of the problem?
 
Newcomer to ATV:
KI6JL Hank in Canyon Country should be receiving Oat Mtn. very soon and then on the air with 60 watts soon after. Keep an eye out for Hank.
      Dishes for Sale
 
Chuck WA6FGK still has some dishes for sale. There are two 10' grid dishes that break down into two pieces that are available. Price for the 10'ers are $80.00 each.
 
There are 8' and 6' grid dishes and solid dishes available. The solid dishes come with radomes which you are responsible for taking away with the dish. All the smaller dishes are gone and I have a waiting list of people just in case a small dish turns up.
 
Price for the 6' dishes are $60.00 each
Price for the 8' dishes are $70.00 each
 
The brand of these commercial dishes is ANIXTER-MARK.
 
All the proceeds from the dishes are being donated to ATN for repeater improvements and maintance by Chuck WA6FGK.
 
The dishes were used for 1.7 to 1.8 GHz and come with az/el mounts for towers as well as feed assembly which is fed by a N connector. The dishes are currently being removed from towers where they were in service. The dishes are 0.4 parabolic. Not real deep and not real flat.
 
The only thing I ask is that if you order a dish please come and pick it up soon after it is dropped off at my house here in Simi Valley. I am not interested in storing it for you.  If you are interested e-mail me at bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
 
 
   ATN Summer Bar-B-Que/Meeting
The event is Sat. August 25th. Go to the ATN web site for more info. Family members are welcomed. Open to the public.
 
                                            Reminder:
                            ATN Net Tue. @ 8:00 PM
 
See you on the net,
N6IFU
 
 
 
DXing ATV:
Frank N7ZEV in Las Vegas sent me an e-mail that proposed a schedule to attempt ATV communications with Southern California.
 
I brought the subject up during the net last week and received some interesting input such as: Frequency to be used. Location for So. Cal station. Best time of year for propagation. All these areas are open to consideration. I know that Frank plans on locating his DX Station on Hi Potosi Mtn.. Sounds like a fun project.
 
Anyone that has equipment and/or the interest in working with Frank should contact him at Frank@Kostelac.com  Maybe someone  can put together a group here to take on the project.
 
ATN Link/Las Vegas:
Mark W6MAF is checking on Blueridge's equipment to see if it is all functioning for it's link to Las Vegas and Frank is in communication with Mark. Frank wants to try and be on Potosi when Mark is on Blueridge to do some testing on the Las Vegas ATN repeater. We may have the link to Nevada working sometime in the future.
 
New 434 Signal on Oat:
KI6JL Hank transmitted his first ATV signal into Oat Mtn. on August 16th @ about 11:30 AM. Hank is located in Canyon Country and about 10 miles from Oat.  And he is going through the same frustrations we all did when putting together a station. Congratulations Hank. Hang in there.
 
Call for Oat Technical Group:
WA6SVT Mike sent me an e-mail this week and made this statement, " If you know anyone else who should be on the technical group to work on the repeater, let me know so we will have better backup for the repeater".
 
I know many people that have volunteered assistance in the past. Now would be the time to contact Mike. wa6svt@aol.com 
 
Oat Mtn. Controller:
After 8 months of being without a controller Mike WA6SVT and Allan W6IST installed the repaired controller on Oat Mtn. last Tue. just before the net. The output of Oat experienced some problems shortly after they left the shack and they didn't find out about it until they arrived at Allan's house around 9:30 PM. To their disappointment they saw the same bad signal that we were watching. Herringbone like you wouldn't believe. Very Nasty!
 
Mike brought with him the 2.4 GHz antenna that Rick W6DQE donated in Sept. 2006. The antenna is now on Oat or at Allan's house.
 
On Saturday at about 4:00 PM Allan W6IST and Joe K6TBA made a special trip up Oat Mtn. and repaired the repeater. And it is working fantastic.
 
Oat Mtn. 2 meter Link:
For the newcomers to ATV and the old timers that might have forgot there is an additional useful benefit of having the controller back in service. When you transmit a 2 meter FM audio signal on 146.430 MHz simplex with a 100 Hz PL on it your signal is received by the ATV repeater on Oat. It is then up converted and added to the 919.25 MHz output and comes out on the audio sub carrier. So you can be heard on the TV's audio you are watching the ATV signal on. This is full audio duplex.
 
It is very useful when helping someone tune up their transmitter or just to make a comment while you are having a QSO.
 
If you mute your TV while you are transmitting an ATV signal you will not have this benefit.
 
W6KL in Burbank:
Dave sent me an e-mail after the repeater was repaired on Sat. and gave an excellent signal report at his QTH.
 
W6KGE in WoodRanch:
Bob put his perfect signal up on Saturday and showed he is still around. Welcome back Bob.
 
Oat Mtn. 2.4 GHz:
Now we have all the parts for the 2.4 GHz receiver. And after Mike WA6SVT and Allan W6IST installed the controller on Oat last Tue., Mike climbed the tower to check out the location for the antenna and made a drawing for it's placement.
 
Now the antenna and feedline can be installed. And the location for the antenna is a know value. Rock & Roll!
 
K6BNN of Anaheim:
Gene helped us out with a check-in relay last week during the net and helped out with KI6JL over the weekend. For you new comers to ATV Gene is one heck of a nice guy. Gene works mostly on 2.4 GHz and 10 GHz with the Mets ATV group. Good to see you.
 
The Iowa Kid:
Mike N6KYD contacted me and wants to check-in via the internet and Skype. I have put him and George AC6RB together to see what they can do. Although I understand George is very busy with work right now.
 
Internet ATN viewers notice:
Now that the Oat Mtn. controller is in service Santiago will be taken off beacon mode. What that means to you as an internet viewer is there will not be streaming video of Santiago Peak 24/7 on the internet. When ever the repeaters are in use during normal operation the video will be seen. But once the last signal into the repeater drops about 30 sec. later your picture will drop and you will see a blank black screen on the internet streaming video. Please pass this information on to others you have directed to this web site.
 
During the net the repeater system is put into beacon mode and it will appear as it has for the last 8 months.
 
Equipment for Sale:
Chuck WA6FGK has 6', 8' and 10 foot dishes still for sale.
Bob K6CUK still has his equipment for sale.
And I still have the two PC Electronics 434 MHz ATV transmitters for sale.
 
ATN Summer Meeting/Bar-B-Que: Aug. 25th Saturday:
If you haven't contacted Don KE6BXT and let him know your coming and what side dish your bringing, you better do it now.
His e-mail address is hillda@cox.net
 
                                         Reminder:
                              ATN Net Tue. @ 8:00 PM
 
See you all on the net,
N6IFU
  
 
News:
I was out of town most of the week visiting my son and daughter in Dallas. So I don't have a lot of news this week.
 
I did talk with KA6DPS on the way home from the airport on Sunday afternoon. Dave told me that "fun was had by all" at the Summer Meeting /BBQ. And I understand the weather cooperated by making it a nice day.
 
Thanks to N6IWY Spence for arranging for the use of the Senior Center here in Simi Valley.
 
WA6SVT Video Processor *UPDATES*:
W6KGE Bob wrote an article for "Amateur Television Quarterly" magazine that appeared in the Summer 2007 edition. The article updates Mikes old design video processor. It provides everything to build your own or you can purchase an assembled and tested unit from Bob for $39.00. Contact Bob at w6kge@yahoo.com Maybe Bob can tell us more about the processor on the net.
 
Amateur Television Quarterly:
Anyone wishing to subscribe to ATV Quarterly should go to http://www.hampubs.com
 
Microwave Dishes:
Chuck WA6FGK still has 6 foot ($60), 8 foot ($70) and 10 foot ($80) dishes available. Please pass this around to other clubs and hams that maybe interested in them. Have them contact me at bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
ATV DXing?:
Has anyone contacted Frank N7ZEV in Las Vegas or is putting together a group to do DXing from So Cal.? Or is there anyone interested in working with a group but doesn't have equipment?
 
Las Vegas ATN Link:
Last I heard from Frank was that he is in contact with W6MAF Mark. No other news so far.
 
I haven't seen the Las Vegas repeater in the three years that I have been on ATV but some old timers have.
 
Pt. Loma ATN link:
W6WYN Al tells me that the Pt. Loma repeater is operational in the San Diego area but not linked to Santiago Peak yet. Does anyone else have anymore news on the situation?
 
Santa Barbara ATN link:
Anyone know any news on the Santa Barbara repeater link? We see the controller on Mt. Wilson ID as Santa Barbara when it is in use.
 
AC6RB internet link:
I did show my family the internet link while I was in Texas as well as his friends. So we should have third party check-in's this Tue. during the net. I am sure that my daughters best friend, Jackie will have some interesting things to say via the chat room.
 
And thanks again to George AC6RB for his time and effort in providing the link.
 
Oat Mtn.:
The condition of Oat appears to be very good right now. I don't know of any plans for installing the 2.4 GHz antenna system and transmission line right now but I will keep you all informed.
 
                                         Reminder:
        ATN Net @ 8:00 PM every Tue./ 10:00 PM Dallas time.
 
See you all on the Net,
N6IFU Bryon
 

 
 
DXing News:
As of this weekend no one has contacted N7ZEV Frank about setting up a schedule to do some point to point ATV DX. I would think this kind of thing is a long term planning project. And may become of interest in the future. It's at least something to think about.  N7ZEV's e-mail address is n7zev@embarqmail.com
 
Newcomer to ATV:
Not real new to ATV, Ed K6UUZ had a different downconverter
last year. And has been involved in other things. Some of you might remember him for his corner reflector antenna that he had at my Open house last Sept.  
 
Well Ed is back and receiving an almost P5 picture. And Ed is now working on his 434 MHz transmitter.
 
Welcome back ED.
 
News on Repeaters:
 
Santa Barbara Repeater:
Rod WB9KMO is Santa Barbara sent me the following news on his local repeater:
 
"Everything is working fine except the backlink. We're hoping to add a couple of new ATVers in the next month. Stay tuned. The backlink gave us trouble, with signal strength inadequate to get through. When the need arose for a Santiago controller input for Mt Wilson, Santa Barbara's was the logical choice. That's why Mt Wilson signals appear to come from Santa Barbara! There's another input, but it needs to be fixed. In the meantime, we're planning to increase our backlink power from Santa Barbara so we have a fighting chance to override the WiFi noise floor. We hope to be back online within the next few weeks."
 
Mt. Palomar Repeater (W6NWG):
Art KC6UQH in Vista sent me the following news for his local repeater.
 
"Until there is an easy way electronically, to positively determine a transmitted picture from the ID screen on ATN, the link to W6NWG will remain off. This is something that Mike and I need to work out on a technical level. PARC is not willing to pay for 24 hour operation of a repeater that serves one or two club users."
 
Point Loma Repeater:
I heard from Robert KA4JSR in San Diego area and he is in contact with W6KGE to make the first board for an ATV Repeater Controller of a completely new design.
 
Mt. Potosi Repeater (Las Vegas area):
Frank N7ZEV has not been able to make it to the repeater site since the last newsletter but will make it soon. He has been extremely busy with commercial communications work.
 
Blueridge Repeater:
Mark W6MAF has been to Blueridge to check out the equipment for the link to Mt. Potosi but I haven't heard for him. Frank told me that he has talked to Mike WA6SVT in a long conversation and was informed of what needs to be done. Maybe Mike can give us an update on the link equipment.
 
Snow Peak Repeater:
There is no full time user for Snow Peak. I think that Dave KA6DPS is the only ATVer that can turn his antennas to Snow Peak and bring it up. But he told me that there was a problem with it but I can't remember exactly what it was.
 
Mt. Wilson Repeater:
WB6ATN is the only full time user and John has been having problems bringing up the repeater during the net. Merv KO6E has not been able to get a picture into Wilson as well. The Oat Mtn. users have volunteered to go to Merv's house and check out his station and see what can be done. (Crew of W6KGE, N6IWY and myself)
 
To help rule out a problem with the repeater, I have asked W6IST Allan to set up a test and see if he can bring up Mt. Wilson from his QTH.
 
Oat Mountain Repeater:
The 2.4 GHz antenna, LNA, bandpass filter and feedline was installed by WA6FGK Chuck on Friday. Chuck volunteered to do the tower climbing as well as the 7/8" heliax and connectors for a full run of about 140'.  His backup crew of volunteers from the Oat Mtn. area was N6IWY, W6IST and myself. WA6SVT stopped by for a couple hours and dropped off the LNA and filter as well as a bias T.
 
No one in the Oat Mtn. area has the capability to put up a 2441.5 MHz signal right now so we are not sure how it works. But we should have something going very soon.
 
Everything else is working fine on Oat with the exception on the intermittent problem on the 2 meter link audio sub carrier. But that is something we can live with.
 
Programming on ATN:
I have received requests from the readers of my newsletter to see what we can do to rebroadcast nets from our sister clubs. Rockford Ill, Las Vegas, Fresno, Mt. Diablo (N.Cal). I addressed this question to the President of ATN Don KE6BXT. Don gave me a reply that with the use of a sling box it can be done. I would like to ask Don to make a statement to explain this on the net this Tue..
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Association" used to have a time slot once a month where ATN would broadcast their club meeting. The meeting, as I recall, ran from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and I would like to see it come back. It was very informative and I know other ATVer's that are experimenting with microwave would find it useful. What needs to be done to bring it back?
 
         Volunteers:
I have been involved with ATV for a little over 3 years. I have seen people volunteer for work on the repeaters and fellow Ham's stations all over Southern California and it gives you a good feeling to belong to a club with that kind of involvement. And I have to say that the group here that use Oat Mtn. are the greatest group of Hams. All that has to be done to get volunteers is ask and people step forward. I want to thank all the volunteers that help this whole thing work. 
 
See you on the Net, every Tue. at 8:00 PM
N6IFU  Bryon Foster    Editor and Publisher of "ATV Newsletter"

 
 
 
Back from Christmas Island:
Gordo WB6NOA should be back from Christmas Island this week and maybe he will have some pictures for us on the net.
Tune in and see.   Welcome back Gordo!
 
W6WYN:
Al in San Diego was in the hospital for the last couple weeks and is now back at home. AL will be providing us with some additional information on the Pt. Loma repeater.
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting Rebroadcast:
I have been talking with W6KVC Gary about bringing back the SBMS meeting to ATN. The meeting is held the first Thursday of every month and runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The rebroadcast was stopped about a year ago
 
When I used to watch the meeting the first part covered a normal club's business. And then there was a round table/mic pass with members showing/talking about microwave projects that they were working on. And many of the club members also had equipment that they had found that could be used on our frequencies and connections to all kinds of goodies for microwave. That was followed by tech talk. 
I will try to have a better description of what to expect from the rebroadcast of the meeting in next weeks newsletter.
 
The production quality of the video feed is excellent. Two cameras with cameramen  and wireless mic's. And they break so you will also be able to interact with the meeting via ATV. Very professional.
 
The reason that the meeting stopped being rebroadcast on ATN was because two ATN members made some negative and really stupid remarks. Gary was volunteering his time and equipment to set-up and tear down a station so we could watch. And Gary didn't appreciate the remarks. One person who made a remark that ATN should be charging SBMS for air time, but he did apologize. And the other person said that having the Microwave Society on 2 hours a month was taking up to much air time on ATN. 
 
I don't think one person should rule what we do as a club. I asked five ATN members if they would like to see the SBMC meeting return and they all said yes. I asked Mike WA6SVT and he has no problem with it returning. So I have placed it in my ATV Guide so you will know when to watch. And I have asked Gary W6KVC to reinstate the SBMS meeting rebroadcast on ATN if it is alright with him and SBMS.
 
Maybe this is a subject that should be brought up at the Winter Meeting after we have seen several months of viewing SBMS meetings and make an official vote.    
 
Internet Viewers:
Last week during the net the internet viewers were meet with a blank screen on the AC6RB link. I do not know if it will be back in operation for the net this week.
 
Sling Box?
Many of the internet viewers that were without a signal last week were talking about the "Sling Box" concept in the chat room, after someone brought it up from the newsletter. For more info on this mode, you should address questions to Don KE6BXT hillda@cox.net  Don is the expert on this subject.
 
Mark these dates on your calendar:
Don KE6BXT, the President of ATN, tells me that the next ATN meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2008. This is the "Winter Meeting" and will be held in Ontario. This is one of two meeting held each year and the only one that conducts any club business. The agenda for this meeting is for the election of club officers.
 
Anyone that is interested in bringing up any new business for the club should be thinking about it, so it could be placed on the agenda.
 
The "Summer Bar-B-Que" is scheduled for August 16, 2008 and will be held in Simi Valley.
Address's of meeting locations are unknown at this time.
 
                              QRM & Fades
There is still a buzz that comes in & out on our audio output on Oat from signals originating from users transmitting into Oat. The buzz wipes out some of our audio altogether. All other signals from other repeaters are unaffected. It has been sugjusted that we should monitor 438.5 MHz (audio subcarrier) to see what we might be able to track down. Users in Simi Valley have been monitoring with no luck. Maybe we could get someone listening in Santa Clarita and the San Fernandio Valley.
 
Spencer and myself also heard a CW repeater ID on the audio subcairrer on our TV's Thursday evening. 
 
Oat Mtn. is once again seeing fades on the 1200 MHz link from Santiago. They are short in duration and seem to accure in the late morning and early evening and well into the night. I noticed only one fade on the 2.4 link back to Santiago. We have all learned to live with the fades but I address this because we have new users that need to know what is going on.
 
KI6JL Hank has the same QRM as K6LDK Mike in the Santa Clarita Valley. The QRM is right on our 919.25 MHz output freq.
 
                                 Repeater News
 
Snow Peak:
On last Tue. Mike WA6SVT was on Snow Peak checking out the equipment. It appears that the problem I couldn't remember in last weeks report was; the return signal to Santiago Peak is not being received. (Santiago Peak is the "hub" of the ATN repeater system in Southern California) 
 
Blueridge:
Mike says it's all there and working.
 
Mt. Wilson:
No news to report on Wilson. I didn't hear from Allan W6IST to see if he was able to do a test from his QTH. WB6ATN John was able to get into the net with an ATV signal last week.
 
Update on Oat's 2.4 GHz receiver:
On Sept 9th, Sunday morning during the "Coffee Clutch" N6HOG Barry in La Cresenta turned his antennas and put the very signal into Oat Mtn. on 2441.5 MHz. So we know that the receiver is operational. Thank you Barry.
 
Chuck WA6FGK has purchased some 2.4 GHz equipment from the Netherlands and is waiting for it to arrive. W6KGE Bob has been out of town. W6DQE Rick's equipment doesn't tune to 2441.5 MHz yet.
                         
                                                                     ATV Guide
 
       Every Tuesday, "ATN (So Cal) Net Night" held at 8:00 PM
       Every Sunday, "Coffee Clutch" at 9:00 AM
       San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting Rebroadcast
            Thur. Oct. 4, 2007 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
 
                                  ATN Breakfast
    Sat. September 15th at 9:30 AM @ Flo's Airport Cafe at Chino
                    Airport on Merrill Ave., Chino CA
The exact address is a closely held secret so if you plan on using mapquest or a GPS device you will not find the Cafe.
                                                                     Everyone is welcomed.
 
                        Letters to the Editor
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
                             Buy-Sell-Trade
 
Looking for Equipment:
K6HXX is looking for a small HF linear amp, about 400 watts. Contact John at k6hxx@sbcglobal.net
 
N6ESW Mike is looking for a turret from a battleship so he can rotate his dish. It should be able to handle 250 lbs. and 90 knot winds. Mike's address is oracle6@verizon.net
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication.
 
See you all on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster       Editor and Publisher of "ATV Newsletter"
 
 
Santiago users with 434 MHz inputs:
If the input isn't working by the net on Tue., I would hope you would check-in on 2 Meters. 
 
 
WB6HYH:
Tom was able to hold a 434 MHz signal into Santiago Peak on Wed. evening even with a strong radar interference. The following night Tom put a signal into Snow Peak after Santiago's 434 input was shut down. Way to go Tom!
 
KI6JL:
Hank has a P5 picture into Oat Mtn now. Maybe we can get him to check-in on the net this Tue. so you can all get to meet him.
 
K6IOJ:
Gary is back in town and you all should see him on the air soon.
 
New Downconverters:
WB6ATN John was up to date with new ATV equipment and let us know last week on the net that P.C. Electronics has a new line of downconverters for 70 cm, 33 cm and 23 cm. To check it out, goto www.hamtv.com/newstuff.html  PC Electronics also has a 250 watt amp from Downeast Microwave for 70 cm.
 
KM6KU:
I hope you all received the news about Rod Hewitt KM6KU. Bob K6CUK was so kind to make us aware of Rod's condition. Rod's mailing address is 226 Via La Solidad, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 if you wish to send him a get well card.
 
                          Internet Viewers
I have not heard from AC6RB about his link so I have nothing to report.
 
KE6BXT Don, the President of ATN, gave a demo of "Sling Box" verses "Skype" after the net last week and Skype seems to be the way to go.
 
N6KYD Mike in Iowa asked me a while back to get the address/ password to get into AC6RB's Skype. I was unable to, so I have asked Mike to get in touch with Don at hillda@cox.net so he can check-in with us for the first time since he moved to Iowa. 
Others interested in using Skype to send a video and audio signal should contact Don as well. 
                           
                             QRM & Fades
The QRM problem on Oat Mtn. that was taking our audio out has all but disappeared. It is still there but very faint.
 
Fades seem to be much less than they were last week.
 
                                 Repeater News
 
Crown Point, IN-K9ATN:
Report submitted by Henry AA9XW/K9ATN:
"There are very few local ATV'ers, always been that way. Instead, we're more of a node, between Rockford, Lafayette, and a few local users. The system has been up and down because of tower access issues since I left Sears site in 01. It was up as a 70 cm band system on the current tower, then the boss got pissy and I sold the Andrew to Wisconsin. I got it back up then he got pissy again. I put up two new V pol omni's so I could have full duplex cross band 23 cm/70 cm, either in goes to both out. I expect to get it back on the air in about a week, with a bigger 70 cm TX. (100w Vs 10 W). The 23 cm is at 3 W. TPO, until I can afford a 60 watt or so amp. After the tower sale, I can likely add NASA as there is a vacant sat dish and and I can get a digital sat receiver."
 
"I sent WA6SVT a pile of microwave gear to sell that I was planning to use here to link Rockford or Lafayette, but the boss/new owner is not likely to let me put up dishes to do that. But I do have a couple nice NEMA boxes if someone wants them for the shipping costs. They have front windows as they were used for Flashtek strobes."
 
Snow & Santiago:
I received this e-mail from WA6SVT last Monday and read it on the net last week:   "Snow link update, The 2417.5 Signal is making it to Santiago as the control audio is making it into the 1286.15 machine. The video is not making it out of the receiver or the controllers sync detector or logic circuit in the Santiago controller is not working. This will require a visit to Santiago to fix the link receiver or controller. I will also turn up the sensitivity of the Santiago 434 sync detector so some of the 434 users can get in easier. I plan to be on Santiago either Thursday or Friday for company work and that will give me the opportunity to check on ATN's equipment at the end of the day while I am there."
 
Update after service on Thur. 13th: The 434 MHz input on Santiago is still down at the time the newsletter was sent out. And I was told Snow Peak is now operating. But on Friday evening Dave was watching Snow Peak as N6AZV Bob was trying to establish a signal into Snow. And when I transmitted, Dave told me that my signal would come up on Snow Peak for a moment and drop out of Snow.
 
Mt. Wilson:
Update after service on Thur. 13th: The service call Mike preformed on Wilson last Thursday was noted by several people and the color bars he was transmitting looked great.
 
FYI: When you see a signal key up Mt. Wilson you will no longer see the ID in the upper left corner of the screen read, "Santa Barbara". It now reads "Point Loma/Polamar".
 
Point Loma:
W6WYN Al sent me this report from KA4JSR Robert in San Diego: "Unfortunately, nothing new to report that you can lay your eyes on. I'm working diligently on the new repeater controller that will improve the operation of Santiago Peak and several other sites when we get them installed. It's an entirely new design using the latest technology and software. In the midst of all that, I'm working to get the Point Loma (shack) in order before the 50th birthday Dec. 1. I'm going to get Mike down here one weekend soon to make some more improvements. In the mean time, my plate is pretty full with work and home."
 
Oat Mtn.:
W6KGE Bob put a 2.4 GHz signal into Oat Mtn. last Wed. with 3 watts. With his antenna in the attic and looking through the two story house next to him. He had some horozontal bands going through his signal and was unable to receive his audio back from Oat.
 
Bob was interested in knowing if N6HOG Barry was able to get audio into Oat with his signal the previous Sunday. So I asked Barry to once again to turn his antennas at Oat and do another test. When Barry repeated his test, his signal had the same horozontal bands and he also was not able to transmit audio into Oat.
                         
                                                                     ATV Guide
       Every Tuesday, "ATN (So Cal) Net Night" held at 8:00 PM
                             Everyone is welcomed
             Every Sunday, "Coffee Klatch" at 9:00 AM
                             Everyone is welcomed
            San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
              Thur. Oct. 4, 2007 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
                             Everyone is welcomed
 
                                ATN Breakfast
    Sat. October 20th at 9:30 AM @ Flo's Airport Cafe at Chino
                      Airport on Merrill Ave., Chino CA
                                                         Everyone is welcomed.
 
                        Letters to the Editor
 
"We need to stress that someone volentering their time to bring a quality program of general Amateur interst to ATN should be praised, and others should be encouraged to donate some of their time to bring some local video of Amateur Radio events to ATN. This was the spirit of of ATV when I first started watching ATV and it needs to be rekindled."
Art KC6UQH Vista, CA
 
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
                             Buy-Sell-Trade
 
Equipment for Sale:
Henry AA9XW/K9ATN sent me this list of equipment for sale.
"I sent Mike WA6SVT several microwave radios and Amps. They are for sale. Contact Mike for details. I also have a brand new still in the bag Dentron 500 watt HF mobile amp for sale. Make an offer." 
If WA6SVT can give me a list of Henry's equipment and prices, I will be happy to put it in the newsletter.
 
Henry also wrote:
"I have 4 23cm antennas. One Andrew truncated parabolic (as seen on most every TV news truck). One Dual Goldenrod, and two smaller end fire/end mount disk on rods cut for ham radio. The dish/dual rods are 1.8-2.5 (channels 1-12)
Also on hand, 4 Larsen 900 MHz 12 dB yagi's and 2 KLM 900 meg 4 way splitter/combiners. Also a new in box Bensat rx for 900/1200 RX."
 
"Make offer plus shipping." 
Contact Henry AA9XZ/K9ATN a9xw@cs.com 9/18/07
 
Looking for Equipment:
K6HXX is looking for a small HF linear amp, about 400 watts. Contact John at k6hxx@sbcglobal.net 9/11/07
 
N6ESW Mike is looking for a turret from a battleship so he can rotate his dish. It should be able to handle 250 lbs. and 90 knot winds. Mike's address is oracle6@verizon.net 9/11/07
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication.
 
See you all on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster       Editor and Publisher of "ATV Newsletter"
 
 
                                   Please send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it 
 
If you would like to subscribe to the ATV newsletter send me an e-mail with "ATV Newsletter" in the subject and I will add you to the list.                                      bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the ATV Newsletter and would like to have it stopped, please drop me an e-mail as well.
 
                                                        My mailing list will not be shared or sold.
ATV Newsletter
September 25, 2007
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society:
Next Thursday evening, Oct 4th the SBMS meeting will be on the ATN repeater network here in Southern California. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM and runs to 9:00 PM. You may see equipment being set up and testing around 6:30. The program is produced by Gary (W6KVC) and he uses his own portable 2.4 GHz station to link us to the meeting. Gary is assisted by Gene (K6BNN). 
 
Tune in and join the meeting.

Oat Mtn. Brush Removal:
On Tue. the 18th Allan (W6IST) and Spencer (N6IWY) and myself cleared the brush from the area around the Oat shack and tower. There are plans for a return to the site again in the late spring to remove any new growth and apply a herbicide. 
 
W.A.R. Award: (Worked all Repeaters)
(N6AZV) Bob was looking around for a different repeater to transmit his 434 MHz signal to last week. Bob normally uses Santiago but with it's 434 input being inoperative he turned his antennas and started a search. Bob worked Blue Ridge, Wilson and Snow Peak. He even made a blip on Oat Mtn.. Bob's QTH is in Long Beach.

 
Beacon Mode or Not:
I heard Art (KC6UQH) comment this morning about whether the Beacon Mode on Santiago would be turned off or not.
Mt. Palomar can not be activated while Santiago is in Beacon Mode because it would make it operate 24/7 and the club doesn't want to pay for electricity for operation with only two users. 
 
Dave (KA6DPS) told Art that he had turned the beacon mode off for three days and had got 6 complaints. Then he said it was up to Mike (WA6SVT). Maybe Mike can fill us in why the system remains in beacon mode.
 
Santiago was put in beacon mode about 9 months ago when the controller was removed from Oat Mtn. and it was slaved to Santiago. Oat has it's controller now and has no need for it to be left in Beacon mode.
 
We all used to make arrangements for the system to be put in beacon mode if a user was going to do some testing or a demonstration. And it was always put in beacon mode during the net.
 
If you were one of the six users that complained about it being in beacon mode, maybe you can send me an e-mail and explain why you need it in beacon mode and I will put it in next weeks newsletter.
 
I don't think anyone one on Oat Mtn. has a problem with it being in or out of Beacon Mode.
 
 
Silent Key:
Rod Hewitt (KM6KU) passed away on Sunday September 16th.
He died at home while under hospice care with his son Erich in attendance. A memorial service was held last Tue.. 





 



Repeater News:

Mt. Wilson:
Robbie (KB6CJZ) brought up a problem with Mt. Wilson during the net last week. And after the net I brought up the topic and no one was quit sure what Robbie was talking about. So I sent Robbie an e-mail and he spelled it all out. And I think I can explain it for everyone.
 
It has to do with Mt. Wilson's ID. When Wilson ID's it self, all video and audio is blocked coming into the repeater as well as going out of the repeater. This doesn't sound like much of a problem but it can be very frustrating to someone trying to work into the network via Wilson.
 
Here is an example of a QSO with the ID coming up in the middle of things: Robbie is transmitting into Wilson and talking to anyone else on the network. The ID comes up while he is still talking and the other party in the QSO sees him drop out and thinks he has turned it over to them. But Robbie is still talking. And the other party makes a few comments and turns it back to Robbie. Neither party heard of saw anything from the other during the ID. This can be very confusing and make you doubt your equipment if you didn't now what was happening.
 
The ID lasts about 15 seconds.
 
Robbie can watch Santiago and Wilson at the same time so he can see the problem first hand. And the ID doesn't happen just every 9 min.. It can be triggered by noise and all is lost until the noise goes away or the ID drops.
 
This problem makes Wilson unreliable for communications as it is. And I can now see that WB6ATN is being constantly confused by this problem.
 
Robbie suggested that Mike should let everything work as is but allow the ID to pass the audio so the communication isn't completely broken every time the ID comes up or there is some noise tripping the ID. Robbie has been trying to make us all aware of this problem ever since Mt. Wilson was put back in service earlier this year.
Thank you Robbie for your observations and comments.
 
The following e-mail is from Mike (WA6SVT) in response to Robbie's report: "Thanks for bringing this to my attention. The controller at mt. wilson is done with a PC Electronics VOR 2 and three connected together to make a priority controller. The PC unit forces an ID at 9 minuit intervals. This controller board uses a DPDT relay to switch audio and video. I could bypass the audio part of the relay in the last VOR in the chain since Mt. Wilson uses the 5910 FM output that is always on. The issue would be if the link on 5910 gos down of faded out (I do not think this has happened yet) the Wilson output would have loud white noise. If this is OK with all parties, I will pull the Wilson controller and put it into slave mode and modify the controller then re-install."
 
"Santiago's ID is very diffrent as it is a video overlay not a A/V interupt ID."
 
73s,
Mike
Thank you Mike for your comments on Mt. Wilson.
 
From another ATV'er Dave (KA6DPS) told me last Wed. that he thinks the 434 MHz receiver on Wilson is numb. "And it's the same receiver that has been up there for years and years", says Dave.
Thank you Dave for your observations and comments also.

Oat Mtn.:
Oat had a power outage from 11:20 PM Friday until 7:30 PM Saturday. The outage inpart was due to a scheduled outage from Edison to change out some worn power lines.
 
While the repearte was off the air, a signal on the 900 MHz out put could be heard in the audio subcarrier range which has been heard for months. Most thought it was some QRM coming in from the 146.43 MHz link. Guess not.
 
Also Spencer (N6IWY) Noted on Sunday morning that he had to tune way off his nornal position on his downconverter to receive the signal from Oat. I noticed the same at my station. Could the output frequency on Oat moved?
 
No news on the 2.4 GHz output yet. No ajustment on the deveiation.    
 
Santiago Peak: (Southern Cal. Hub)
As far as I know the 434 MHz input is still non-operational.
 
Blue Ridge Mtn.:
No New News
Snow Peak:
No New News 
Point Loma:
No New News
Santa Barbara:
No New News 
 
 




QRM & Fades:
QRM is down this week and the fades are very slight.
 


 



ATV Guide:
 
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM
Everyone is welcomed.
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM
Everyone welcomed
"San Bernardino Microwave Society"
Meeting is Thur. Oct. 4, 2007 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 pm 
Everyone welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Oct. 20th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
AT Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone welcomed
 
 

 


Letters to the Editor:
I received an e-mail from an ATN Club member who asked a very reasonable question:
 
"I would like to see a budget of the ATN's fixed club costs. A break down of each repeater site rental and insurance. It could be posted on the ATN web site."

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com  
 


 


Internet Viewers:
No news about the AC6RB's internet link. I just hope everything is alright with George.
 
Skype can put you on the air for $0:
With "Skype", all you need is a high speed internet conection on your computer, a web cam and a microphone for your computer. Then you goto www.skype.com and download the free software and set up an account. There is an offer for long distance telephone service for $29.00 a year that you don't need for this. Just the free software. 

Then you contact Don (KE6BXT) at hillda@cox.net So you can get his Skype phone number. Then and you can at least check-in on our net with video and audio. KE6BXT is one of our resedant computer wizirds and knows this stuff forwards and backwards. Don is also the president of ATN and one heck of a nice guy. I am sure he will be happy to help get you setup. Really, it's not difacult.
 
This is the same setup as AC6RB had but he had the streaming video so you could watch. And AC6RB's Skype phone number is hamradiotv .
 
Last week there were no Skype or Sling Box contacts to the ATN net.
 
If you want to call me using Skype my skype phone number is bryon foster .


 


Buy-Sell-Trade:
Henry AA9XW/K9ATN sent me this list of equipment for Sale.
"I sent Mike WA6SVT several microwave radios and amps. They are for sale. Contact Mike for details. I also have a brand new still in the bag Dentron 500 watt HF mobile amp for sale. Make an offer."

"I have 4 23cm antennas. One Andrew truncated parabolic (as seen on most every news truck). One Dual Goldenrod, and two smaller end fire/end mount disk on rods cut for ham radio. The dish/dual rods are 1.8-2.5 (channels 1-12). Also on hand, 4 Larson 900 MHz yagi's and 2 KLM 900 Meg 4 way splitter/combiners. Also a new in box Bensat rx for 900/1200 RX."
"Make offer plus shipping".
Contact Henry AA9XZ/K9ATN a9xw@cs.com  9/18/07
 
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication.

 


See you all on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you would like to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail with "ATV Newsletter" in the subject and I will add you to the list.
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
If you are currently receiving the ATV newsletter and would like to have it stopped, please drop me an e-mail as well.
 
My mailing list will not be shared or sold.  
 
 

ATV Newsletter
October 2, 2007   Circulation 317 

 
Mystery on Oat Mtn.:
Remember the power outage on Oat last week? Well I received an e-mail from Jim (K6IYK) whose equipment is in the rack right next to the ATN equipment. Jim writes: "I wonder if the ATV system at Oat had any problems on Friday evening. We apparently took a VERY local lighting strike that scrambled my controller. No damage to the hardware so I assume it didn't come in the telephone line or the antenna feedline, but was a very close proximity EMP burst."
 
-JimF K6IYK

And thank you Jim for your input on Oat Mtn..

I talked with Jim after reading the e-mail on Skype and he told me that the scheduled power interruption with Edison accrued three weeks before this event.
 
Just to refresh everyone's memory, I noted that on that Friday evening the signal on Oat was flashing in and out from 9:30 to 11:20 when it completely went off the air.
 
Could this be why three downconverters at different locations can change calibration overnight?
 
Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club:
Frank (KL7IPV) editor of the LARAC requested to be on my newsletter mailing list after getting a taste from Frank (N7ZEV).
 
Frank (KL7IPV) asked me to invite you all to visit their clubs web site. And Frank wants you to check out the clubs Sept. newsletter, ATN here in Southern California is in the newsletter.  LARAC's newsletter is very well written and laid out with reports from some of the club officers like the Secretary, the Treasurer, new business and old and even a Treasurer's report. And they put this out every month.
 
The club web site is http://www.larac.org  check it out!
 
And thank you Frank for your interest and support.
 
SBMS:
Don't forget that this Thursday Oct. the 4th at 7:00 PM is the San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting, right here on ATN. 
 
Watch for K6BEN:
Next week in the ATV Newsletter there will be a repeater report from W2NYC about his K6BEN ATV Repeaters.
 
Antennas Moved:
Chuck (WA6FGK) moved his 434 antenna and what a difference it made in his signal into Oat.

Beacon Mode:
The "Beacon Mode" was turned off after the ATN Net Tuesday night. Al (W6WYN) tried to make his thoughts known via 2 meters but was unable to get in during the net. He did send me several e-mails. Al writes: Hi Bryon I tried to get in on 2 meters last night with no success. I wanted to put in my 2 cents worth about the beacon mode on Santiago. It is the only ATV repeater in the southern district that has a picture the new people can use to check their equipment. Believe me I went through it all. I used the repeater to orient my antennas and contact you and Dave who put me on the right track to become one of the group. I don't know what I would have done without Santiago being there. 73 Al W6WYN
 
I should point out that Al has been completely without ATV for about two weeks with the 434 MHz input on Santiago not working.
 
I was also told that Barry (N6HOG) expressed his dislike with the beacon mode no longer being on. But this info about Barry came to me second hand so it may be wrong. 
 
I have not received any other comments about the "Beacon Mode."


 




Repeater Reports:
 
Oat Mtn.:
WA6SVT said we could adjust the 2.4 GHz receiver with a bunch of equipment that we don't have or we could tune it up with a known 2.4 GHz signal.
 
Maybe we can put together a work detail to make the adjustments using N6HOG's 2.4 signal and the technical volunteers here on Oat Mtn. This would save Mike a trip to Oat and free up more of his time. And we could get the 2.4 receiver working.
 
WA6SVT also noted that the reason that there is no audio on the 2.4 GHz signal may be because the audio subcarrier could be plugged into the wrong hole. This should be an easy fix.
 
N6HOG has weekends off as well as Mondays so maybe we can arrange with Barry to see if he could help us out with his signal.

Santiago Peak:
At the time I sent out this publication and as far as I know the power to the preamp is still off and the 434 MHz input is still not operational.
 
Santa Barbara:
Rod (WB9KMO) sent me this update on his repeater: "I got a phone call from Mike Collis and he told me that he corrected the Santiago controller problem and reconnected our link input."
 
"In other words, if we get enough 2.4 GHz signal into Santiago, we'll get in. Problem is he only saw a very low level signal, not enough to bring up the link."
 
"I'll check out our link transmitter on Sunday to see if it's working properly. We may need more power."
 
That's all for now,
Rod
 
Mt. Wilson:
Mike (WA6SVT) was on the air direct from the ATN repeater on Mt. Wilson on Friday. He gave us a tour of the facility and the equipment. It is clear that the link transmitter to Santiago from Wilson works great.
 
There was a problem with the audio and Mike said it was because of the QRM on Wilson. He said that 434 MHz is a very big problem on Wilson because of all the interference.
 
Mt. Palomar:
The Palomar link was established and has existed for over 10 years, and is co-ordinated with Scrbra, and is listed on the control codes for Santiago Peak W6ATN repeater.
 
Art tells me he is well on the way to putting the Palomar repeater back on the air. I will provide updates as Art progresses.
 
I just received this e-mail from Art (KC6UQH) this afternoon just before sending out the newsletter. Art writes the following:
 
"O.K. guess I was not informed by anyone that the Palomar Link was consumed for Mt. Wilson. Dave, KA6DPS did so this morning. At this point I have no other option but to abandon the project as things are being done behind my back, as Mike, SVT does not communicate with me his plans for the system. I even question at this point if there is a plan for the system! The last time the link was working we had interference from over modulation of the output from Santiago Peak on one ID screen jamming the Palomar input. Mike never fixed that problem to my knowledge. I spent several hours testing and confirming the problem. Robbiewitnessed part of the testing."
 
"San Diego has very few or no users of ATV. I will bring the status to the attention of the Board of Directors for the Palomar Club, and I doubt that they want to continue the operation of the ATV repeater. I have no means of monitoring it here. No one else that is a part of the Palomar Club control ops do either. I am at a point in my life that I need to simplify things, my efforts to improve the system have gone largely unrewarded. No one that would be a good understudy to learn the system and take over the maintenance responsibility of the system is available of interested. I am 64 and I do not intend to make this my last stand." 
 
"In short it is time to stop urninating up a rope! I can not deal with Mike, ATN and the crazyness that surounds his mode of operation. He has no documentation on the ATN system, others have very limited knowledge of the system, and he does not have anyone to continue the operation of the system in his absense. Amateur Radio must be fun or you find another hobby or another part of the hobby that you can enjoy."
 
Art
 
I did make a comment for Dave to pass along to Mike that Snow Peak doesn't have a any user at all and it is using one of the ports on Santiago Peak and could reslove this problem.
 
Art told me that if Mike wants to work this problem out he should contact Art.
 
Because of this situation the Beacon Mode can be turned back on.
 
I am surprised that Mike didn't bring this all up when he told Dave to go ahead and turn it off last week during the net.
 
And as I said when this all started it's up to Mike if he want's the beacon mode turned on or off.


No New News on all the other repeaters. 

 




ATV Guide:
 
"ATV Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM
Everyone is welcomed.
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM
Everyone is welcomed.
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society"
Meeting is Thur. Oct. 4th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Everyone is welcomed.
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Oct. 20th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone is welcomed.


 



Letters to the Editor:
Is there a club "charter" or "constituion" that the ATN club operates under? I have looked all through the ATN web site to try and find it. Can someone let Bryon know so he can put the location in the newsletter?
 
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to:
bryonfoster@hotmail.com  


 



Internet Viewers:
No news on AC6RB or his streaming video link from Santiago.
 
I know that ATN had many internet viewers and the link was a great place for Hams interested in getting into ATV to see what it was all about. It also provided other chapters of ATN a place to see what was going on in Mike's backyard.
 
Maybe someone else could step forward and do what George was doing.


 



Buy-Sell-Trade:
Here is some of the equipment that (AA9XW) Henry sent (WA6SVT) Mike to sell.
"There are two Microwave Associates agile transmitters. Both are BAS 2 gig with 2 subcarriers. One is self contained 2-3 watt, the other is an exciter with a 12 W amp module that connects vis a multi strand cable so it can be remote of the exciter. All are N output. There are also 2 H-P TWT amps, rated for 20 watts for 2-6 gig, work well on 3.5, 5.5 gig bands and I am told make about 30 watts on 2.4." 
Henry   a9xw@cs.com  10/02/07

Anyone looking to buy,sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication.


 



Comments from N6IFU:
Mike (WA6SVT) is a very busy man and has responsibilities just like we all do. He has a full time job and sometime works double shifts and not always the best hours. He is married and has three children. And the house that Mike has been building and making a home with his wife and children hasn't been finished. And he also has an ATV repeater network called ATN.
 
The repeater network puts enormous demands on his time to maintain all the equipment on all the mountain top sites and Mike also travels to other states to repair their ATV equipment. He doesn't even have time to set-up an ATV station at his own QTH. You can only spread one man so thin. Maintaining all the repeaters for ATN rests on Mike's head. 
 
Having said that, I sent an e-mail to Don (KE6BXT) last week. Don brought up the e-mail topic on the net last week. The following is the e-mail I wrote Don:
 
Hello Don,
 
I thought I would suggest that you as President of ATN might want to ask for volunteers to help Mike out with service on Santiago and Wilson.
 
Mike is so busy and there has to be people in the area that have the expertise to service equipment. As Mike gets busier with his life the club has to take more responsibility of maintaining the repeaters.
 
N6IFU
 
In my e-mail I wasn't referring to someone to ride along with Mike and watch him work. I was referring to volunteers who could lighten his work load.
 
And I know that someone would need keys to get in the gates and building as well as alarm codes. That isn't an obstical that can't be overcome. Daryl N6DTO went to Santiago by himself to service the equipment for Mike.
 
I was suggesting to Don that Mike needs help and that there has to be people in the area that can help out. And that is why I made the comment about asking for volunteers.
 
And if Mike's doesn't get help with his work load the club members should expect very long periods of time before repairs are made. And that pretains to the last sentence of the e-mail where I wrote---the club has to take over more responsibility of maintaing the repeaters.
 
I know that each repeater should have a "bible" so technicians could understand everything about the equipment. And I know that none of the repeaters have a "bible", but that doesn't mean that we can't start to assemble the infomation now.
 
What happens if Mike is shipped off to China by CBS to cover the Olympics and he's gone for six months? Or any other unforeseen event that would render Mike unable to service the equipment. Then we would all have to start at zero.
 
Working together for a common goal is what a club is and our club is the repeater network. Our dues pay for the repeater network. Without the repeater network there is no ATN. And without the club members there is nothing but a bunch of equipment.
 
I think that my e-mail about getting Mike some help and the club taking responsabilty for maintaining the equipment, something of importance. This is a subject that all the club members should consider.
 
I have been told by some that Mike doesn't want anyone to help him take care of the repeaters. I can't understand how that could be true. You all have to understand the preasure that Mike must be under to do all the work all the time.
Mike should welcome help.
 
I also refuse to think that Mike is the kind of man that would encorage someone to make an investment to build or buy ATV equipment, set-up an ATV station, expect them to pay club dues, ask them for donations for repeater improvements, and then leave you without repeater service for months or years. 
 
We should judge Mike by his deeds and actions and not by what people say about him and his ATN repeater network. And you can be assured that I will be right here reporting what is happening.
 
Once again I send this subject back to Don to do with as he wishes as the President of ATN, as well as all it's members.
 
And I want to thank Don for bringing this up during the net. It shows Don is a true leader.
 
See you on ATV,
N6IFU  Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"

To view past issues of the "ATV Newsletter", click on http://atn-tv.org/atnnews.html
 
Please send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you would like to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail with ATV Newsletter in the subject and I will add you to the list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the ATV Newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My mailing list will not be shared or sold.

 

ATV Newsletter
October 9, 2007      Circulation 321

 
 
This Week in the News
 
Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club:
In last weeks newsletter I make a mistake when I listed their club web site. The correct web address is www.lvrac.org
I apologize to Frank and all the LVRAC members for the mistake.

 
W6KGE Breaks the Sound Bearer:
Bob (W6KGE) setup his 2.4 GHz station at my QTH last Thur. to do some testing before planning a trip to Oat to service the 2.4 GHz receiver.
 
Bob put up a fantastic picture with 3 watts and also confirmed Mike's suspicions that the audio subcarrier was plugged into the wrong jack on Oat. Bob was able to test 6.0 & 6.5 and he was successful in passing audio along with his picture on the 6.5 subcarrier.
 
Santa Monica on the Air P4:
(KO6E) Merv in Santa Monica got his station on the air with a P4 picture on Saturday around noon. Mike stopped by and adjusted Merv's antennas so they were plum with the horizon and took out his first step amp and drove his 120 watt amp direct. Welcome back Merv.
 
For all that might not know, Merv donated all the money to resurrect Mt. Wilson. Thank you Merv.
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting:
If you didn't watch the meeting you missed a very interesting two hours chuck full of information presented in a very professional format.
 
Before I describe the meeting I want to thank Gary (W6KVC) for his the time and the use of his equipment to bring the meeting to us. And Gene (K6BNN) assisting Gary.
 
The meeting opened and right after the pledge to allegiance they went right to a Treasures Report, the min's of last months meeting and then new business. All taking about 15 min..
 
Then they passed the microphone to each member to report on the activates each has been involved with during the last month. Which was not boring at all. I didn't make a count of hams at the meeting but it had to be at least 30. This month they also included with their activities the results of the 10 GHz contesting. This lasted about 1 hour.
 
The last 45 min. was a part of the meeting they call "Tech Talk". This is a presentation buy a member of the society pertaining to a microwave. This month was a presentation about a new design for a 24 GHz microwave switch. The switch was designed and manufactured by a member of the SBMS for members use, as well as for sale to the general amateur radio population.
 
I will try to find out what the subject of next months "Tech Talk". Next meeting: Thur. Nov. 1st. And I am sure we will have some viewers on the internet link.
 
ATN Constitution:
Don (KE6BXT) answered the question asked in "Letters to the Editor" about where is the ATN club constitution located in the ATN web site. It is located in with the "Contact us" button or you can click on: Thank you Don.
http://atn-tv.org/atn-ca_constitution-2006.pdf  
 
Ahead of my time or behind:
I have an odd problem with my hotmail account. When I sent out an e-mail msn time stamps it 19 hours into the future. 
 
Example: I send out an e-mail @ 5:45 PM on Sunday it shows up at your address marked "sent" at 12:45 PM on Monday. I will keep trying to fix the problem.
 



 




Repeater Reports:

Oat Mtn.:
Everything is working well on Oat with the exception of the audio subcarrier on the 2.4 GHz receiver is connected to 6.5 instead of the 6.0. The next time Allan (W6IST) goes to the mountain top, he should plan on swapping out that lead.
 
Until the subcarrier is swapped, Barry (N6HOG) won't be able to transmit into Oat and pass audio. That is unless Barry can change his audio subcarrier to 6.5 with ease and switch it back once the changes are made on Oat.
 
Maybe Allan can give us a time frame of when he can make a trip to service Oat and if he needs any volunteers.
 
On Saturday morning there was an outage of some kind on Oat Mtn.. It was off the air when I turned on my station at 10:20 AM. Oat came back on around 11:00 AM. 
 
On Sunday morning (Oct. 7th, today) there is once again an outage of some type. Oat Mtn. is off line and not operational. I contacted W6IST by phone to let him know the situation. Allan informs me that it must be because of the wind. While we were on the phone, Allan told me that he thinks he lost the business card/phone number of the site owner so he wouldn't be unable to confirm a power outage or let the site owner know. I did call Mike WA6SVT and leave a message about the outage. K6LDK Mike called me on 2 meters and asked about the problem. He is a member of the PAPA Group and he was able to confirm that there is a power outage by checking one of their repeaters on Oat Mtn..  Oat Mtn. is still witout power at 6:19 PM.
 
For future referance here are the freq's for the PAPA Group so all the Oat users can check to see if there is a power outage. PAPA 1 repeater is on 446.580- PL 127.3 and PAPA 2 repeater is on 224.400 PL 127.3. Both do not have battery backup. Thank you K6LDK. 

 
Mt. Wilson:
Dave (KA6DPS) normally turns off the link from Wilson because there is something that is keying up the repeater. It causes the Wilson to chatter in and out for long periods of time and if you are monitoring the network it drives you crazy.
 
On Tue. Dave left the link on and we were all able to see the extent of the problem and it is in and out all day long.
 
On Wed. Mike (WA6SVT) was able to track down the problem while he was at work. The power supply was going into automatic shut off and it was backed up by an additional power supply that evening to solve the problem.
 
On Thursday the chattering started again. I sent an e-mail to Mike who was working the night shift on Wilson and he confirmed the chattering and replyed that he went over to the building to insert a 5.8 GHz filter. Mike also said he would make up another filter for 5805 MHz Wilson link RX for the next trip up to Santiago.
 
Last Tue. just before the net John (WB6ATN) was able to get a P1 picture. During the net he was unable to bring it up.
 
Bob (N6AZV) and Gordo (WB6NOA) were able to check-in to the net with P1 picture but I wasn't able to receive audio and Gordo's 2 meter was very hard to copy on Oat Mt.
 
Santiago Peak:
WA6SVT tells me that he thinks that the problem with the preamp is a power lead to the preamp was pulled lose from a screw head and needs to be reconnected. The 434 MHz input has been down since Sept. 14th. As far as I know at the time of publication Santiago's 434 input is still down.
 
Snow Peak:
I didn't think that there was anyone using Snow Peak but I was wrong. There are three. And two are receiving signals and one is going to get a downconverter. Keith N6GKB in Yucca Valley (thats (WB6HYH)Tom's brother). Wayne WA6QMM in Cathedral City. Rich KI6KSB in La Quinta. This information was supplied to me by WA6SVT. Thank you Mike.
 



 





ATV Guide:
 
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM
Everyone is welcomed.
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM
Everyone is welcomed.
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society"
Meeting is Thur. Nov. 1st from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Watch and interact with meeting on the ATN repeater network.
Everyone is welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Oct. 20th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone is welcomed 



 




Letters to the Editor:
Hi Bryon. This is Greg, WA6KNO in Apple Valley. I was reading the newsletters you have sent getting caught up on reading them and was concerned about the need for volunteers to maintain the ATN equipment. I am not specifically qualified to work on repeaters but would like and am willing to volunteer to help out with Blueridge and perhaps Santiago, Snow Peak also. I have mentioned this to Mark W6MAF, but havn't gotten any invites to ride along yet. Part of the problem is work schedules but I am free on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Thanks. Greg  Lets get something going. 

Thank you Greg.

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com





 





Internet Viewers:
BIG BIG News. The streaming video from Santiago Peak is coming back this week or next.  Viewers outside the Southern California repeater range will once again  be able to watch ATN 24/7.
 
AC6RB George plans on having his link back in operation by the net on Tuesday night this week or next. There is some confusion as to the exact week so keep checking the web site. 
 
The address for the link is www.ac6rb.com once the web site opens click on "ATV" and the cam stream will began to load. If no one is using the repeaters you will see a series of ID screens for W6ATN Santiago that are always displayed. When someone is using the repeaters you will see and hear everything.
 
Below the streaming video there is a chat room you can interact with other viewers in the chat room. When the cam stream is loading you are assigned a name in the chat room--Guest1--Guest2-- and so on. In the lower right hand corner of the chat room is a button you can click on and change your guest name to your call. This makes it easy to see a ham is in the chat room. And each time you log into the streaming video your call will be displayed such as "N6IFU enter the room".
 
During the ATN Net each Tue. at 8:00 pm, I log check-in's from this very chat room and mention your call and comments on the net, such as name and location.
 
There are a large number of Hams that are going to be using George's link and some things can happen that you should know about. If the number of viewers logging on to the web site is very high you might not be able to see the streaming video, but you still maybe able to be in the chat room because of the demands on the web site. I know George had made some changes to his equipment to increase the number of users who could be on the web site at one time. I will try to get that information and pass it along next week.
 
Other chapters of ATN have used this link to rebroadcast our net in their area.
 
It will be nice to see some of the old timers back on the link. 
 
We owe this link all to George AC6RB. Thank you George and welcome back.

Internet viewers: Please e-mail me your comments about the link and plans you have for using it in your area. bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 



 





 
Buy-Sell -Trade:
Here is some of the equipment that (AA9XW) Henry sent (WA6SVT) Mike to sell.
"There are two Microwave Associates agile transmitters. Both are BAS 2 gig with 2 subcarriers. One is self contained 2-3 watt, the other is an exciter with a 12 w amp module that connects via a multi strand cable so it can be remote of the exciter. All are N output. There are also 2 H-P TWT  amps, rated for 20 watts for 2-6 gig, work well on 3.5, 5.5 gig bands and I am told make about 30 watts on 2.4."
Henry a9xw@cs.com  10/02/07
 
Additional info on equipment from WA6SVT: "Microwave Associates 2 CP TX compleate transmitter, It's a portable with handle. Works are in drawers inside the top cover. Has BNC Video in, XLR Audio in, PWR switch, metering switch with meter (PWR out, voltages etc.) "N" output on the back and all other connections front. It's about 6X7 inches and 10" deep. ENG channels 1-7 with freq. switch and frequency offset switch. $75 I think it's a 10 or 12 watt radio."  This Item has been Sold
 
"Same brand as above 2MX  TX Head, designed to mount outside at antenna. No control cable or control head. $50 same power as above."
 
"Two Hughes 1277HO3 TWT instrumentation amplifiers, one manual 4-8 GHz 20 watts 30 db gain $75 each"

 
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication. 

 



 
See you on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
To view past issues of the "ATV Newsletter:, click on http://atn-tv.org/atnnews.html
 
Please send send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you would like to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail with ATV Newsletter in the subject and I will add you to the list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List will not be shared or sold. 

 

ATV Newsletter
Oct. 16, 2007            Circulation 347
Vol. 1, No. 10

 
In This Edition:
*  Santiago Repairs, 434 MHz
*  Simi Valley Police & ATV
*  Volunteers
*  Repeater Reports/Local/Las Vegas
*  New colum, "Repairs Needed"
*  ATV Guide
*  Lighten Mike's work Load, Letters to the Editor 
*  Internet link is back
*  Lots of equipment in Buy-Sell-Trade  
 
This week in the News

Santiago Peak 434 MHz:
WA6SVT repaired the 434 MHz input on Santiago on Wed.. He also installed a PL tone encoder on the output of the 1200 MHz repeater so Dave can duplex with users on Oat Mtn.. Thank you Mike. 
 
There is an added advantage because of the tone encoder. Rod (WB9KMO) in Santa Barbara is able to working to the rest of the Network with audio  
 
Simi Valley Police Dept.:
I was contacted by Greg Riegert (W6GRG), Special Operations Unit Lieutenant of the Simi Valley Police Department. W6GRG asked the local ATV group if we could provide an ATV link for an up coming event. Unfortunately we were not able to pull it all together before the deadline.
 
But this is an opportunity to get ATV involved in community assistance. Gordo (WB6NOA) has been giving me help and guidance for doing this all within the legal bounds of our license. Some of you might not know that Gordo's efforts and training has put ATV stations on Police helicopters in Costa Mesa.
 
And we have also received a wealth of information from Robbie (KB6CJZ) because of his 20 years of experience working with community services. 
 
It was only a short time ago that Barry (N6HOG) and Robbie (KB6CJZ) were talking about getting ATV more involved with the community.
 
We are putting together a small group of local ATV'ers that will meet with Greg and see what we can do to help him out in the future.
 
I am providing Greg with one of my loaner downconverter and an antenna that Spencer (N6IWY) built so he has a 900 MHz receive station and can see what we are doing and who we are.
 
Welcome to ATV Gerg.
 
(I have another loaner 900 Mhz downconverter if anyone is interested.)

 
Volunteers:
Along with Greg (WA6KNO) coming forward to offer his help with repeater maintenance I have been told there are others. (W6MAF) Mark has keys and access to the shack on Santiago as well as Gary (W6KVC). Is there any more?





 




Repeater Reports:
 
Mt. Potosi:
Report from Frank (N7ZEV): We were able to get to the repeater on High Potosi last week on the 4th, through a very friendly country radio shop. We found the main transmitter had failed and removed it for repair. We monitored the link received from Blueridge and had no signal. Since it was a trip of opportunity we were not able to coordinate any real testing so we have no updates on the link being functional. We will be back on the hill the 20th and hope to have the link checked out and replace the main transmitter as well.  Frank
 
Mt. Wilson:
During the net last week we had three users on Wilson. Bob N6AZV in Long Beach who was able to hold the repeater open and barely able to pass a small amount of audio. John WB6ATN who was able to make the repeater hiccup and no audio. And then we have Merv KO6E who had a P4 picture on Saturday now making it in but without audio. Merv came back on 2 meters and brought up the idea that the audio problem was a problem at the repeater.
 
On another note, Merv was working into the Santiago Peak repeater direct on Sat. and also had no audio. 
 
Oat Mtn.:
The 900 MHz output is doing something strange. After the near lighting strike and power outage, five Hams on the network have noticed that the output frequency changes.
 
We have noted after the power outage that our downconverters are off by a full marking on our tuning dials and over about 4 or 5 days we have to adjust the dial until it settles back at the old mark. We had another power outage about a week after the lighting problem and it did it again.
 
Is this something that needs to be addressed?

Hams noting changes: KB6CJZ, N6IWY, WA6FGK, K6LDK and myself.


 


Repairs Needed:

 
Oat Mtn.
1. Needs audio subcarrier on the 2.4 GHz receiver moved from 6.5 to the 6.0 jack.
2. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 MHz antenna with a 3' (or whatever length needed) jumper with gold connectors.
3. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
4. 900 MHz Frequency movement?

Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas).
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link from Santa Barbara. 
 
 



 

ATV Guide:
 
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Meeting is Thur. Nov. 1st from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 Zulu)
Watch and interact with the meeting on the ATN repeater network.
Everyone is welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Oct. 20th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone is welcomed


 


Letters to the Editor:
A member of ATN asked me to put together this question for "Letters to the Editor".
 
"I have a way to help lighten WA6SVT's work load. Why doesn't ATN apply for a fictitious name, a d.b.a. (doing business as) so a bank account can be opened for the "Amateur Television Network"? All clubs do this unless they are incorporated.
 
The cost to file for a "Fictitious Business Name Statement" in San Bernardino County is $35. You are required to also have the fictitious name published. And the "Crestline Courier News" can satisfy this for $65. A total cost of $100. And this can all be done through the mail.
 
I will pay for the filing and publishing costs so the club doesn't have to.
 
I have sent the information to N6IFU and he is mailing all the material to Mike WA6SVT. All Mike has to do is fill out the forms and mail them back to the "Newsletter", and I will take care of the rest.
 
Once the d.b.a. is filed you will be provided with the license and a bank account can be opened. You might want to consider opening the bank account at Washington Mutual" because it's free, and because it has branches all over. This would allow the President of the club easy access to the account in the absence of the Treasurer. And you can do all the banking by mail.
 
This would allow club members to make checks payable to "Amateur Television Network" instead of Mike Collis. And here's where the load is lightened. A club bank account would have to make WA6SVT's tax preparation much easier. And it would make the club's bookkeeping much more simple as well as my own. It's a WIN WIN WIN proposition for everyone.
 
I haven't been able to do much to lighten Mike's load, but this is something I can do to help. The club has 74 members listed on the web site for Southern California. The club needs it's own bank account.
 
Please reply to the newsletter. Thank you. Mr. D.B.A.(name and call withheld)"
 
I have done a Fictitious Name Search which you all can do by going to www.sbcounty.gov/arc/ where you can also view the forms under "online services".
The fictitious name, "Amateur Television Network", is available.

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to bryonfoster@hotmail.com



 



Internet Viewers:
        
     It's Back!  Check it out!!!!!
George put his camstream of Santiago Peak back in service last Monday. If you don't know the address it's www.ac6rb.com And once the home page opens click on ATV. You can watch Southern California ATN 24/7.
 
Thank you so much George. (AC6RB)
 
The picture quality does suffer because of the internet link and George is receiving about a P4 picture at his QTH. But we have found the link to be a very useful tool and an opportunity for interested Hams to see what ATV is all about. Besides you get to evesdrop on us.

 
 


Buy-Sell-Trade:
 
Amplifiers, Transmitters & Receivers:
Two Hughes 1277H03 TWT instrumentation amplifiers, one manual 4-8 GHz 20 watts 30 dB gain. Great for FM mode video or 24/7 repeater amp. $75.00 each + shipping.
a9xw@cs.com 
 
Swedish made 1240-1300 MHz FM video and audio transmitter and receiver. 12 volts DC in, 100 mw+ out. Tunes entire band, dip switches on TX, tuning knob on RX. Great exciter or low power link. $150.00 for set + shipping. New never been used. a9xw@cs.com
 
PC Electronics 900 MHz, AM TV 1 watt transmitter in Diecast box (copy of PC box but not painted). $100.00 + shipping a9xw@cs.com
 
I have several of the modified Wavelink 2.4 GHz transmitters and receivers on ham band. $150.00/pair. + shipping a9xw@cs.com
 
New in the box Bensat rx for 900/1200 RX. Make an offer. a9xw@cs.com
 
Henry AA9XW adds: Lots of commercial audio/video gear to be listed shortly. Check EBAY for WestwindtelevisionLLC starting 10-10-07.
 
P.C. Electronics TVG12a 1200 MHz ATV AM/FM transmitter. All in a box with power supply. $150.00 plus shipping.
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
P.C. Electronics "Creepy Pete" is what I think it was called. I remember it as a 1 watt or 1/2 watt portable transmitter with audio board. Great for RC Aircraft. When the internet link is up I will be able to show it to you on the air or I can e-mail a picture. Crystal 439.25 MHz. $175.00 plus shipping.
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
Antennas:
Four 23 cm antennas:
One Andrew Paraflector truncated parabolic (as seen on most every news truck). 26+ db gain. Dual polarity feed horn use H, V or CP. $150.00 plus shipping.
 
One Dual golden rod 1.8-2.5 GHz. 26+ db gain. CP (disk on rod in radome) Mounts with U bolt on mast. From commercial ENG service $200.00 + shipping 
 
Also four Larson 12 db gain 900 MHz yagi's and 2 KLM 900 MHz 4 way splitter/combiners from KLM. $50.00 per antenna + shipping. (very rugged commercial design) and $75.00 each for the splitters + shipping. a9xw@cs.com
            ------------------ 
Dishes: Anixter-Mark commercial dishes, grid and solid. The dishes were in use for 1.7 to 1.8 GHz and come with az/el mounts for towers as well as feed assembly which is N. The dishes are currently being removed from towers where they were in service. The dishes are 0.4 parabolic.
 
6' dishes grid and solid -----$60.00 each
8' dishes grid and solid -----$70.00 each
10' dishes are all gone.
(Solid dishes come with radomes which you also get) 
For dishes contact N6IFU at bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
HF Gear:
Brand new still in the bag Dentron 500 Watt HF mobile amp for sell. $500.00. a9xw@cs.com
     -------------------
Looking to buy: K6HXX is looking for a small HF linear amp about 400 watts. John wants a base style amp, contact him at k6hxx@sbcglobal.net
 
Looking for a Schematic:
For a P.C. Electronics TC70-10 transmitter/downconverter. The PC web site only allows you to download the first three pages of the manual. Does anyone have a manual that you can copy? bryonfoster@hotmail.com   
 
 
Anyone looking to sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad for publication.

 

See you on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
To view some of the past issues of the ATV Newsletter:, click on http://atn-tv.org/atnnews.html If a newsletter is missing from the ATN web site, I will be happy to send you a copy.
 
Please send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail with ATV Newsletter in the subject and I will add you to the list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
ATV Newsletter
Oct. 23, 2007        Circulation 351
Vol. 1, No. 11
 
Breaking News:
At the time I sent out this newsletter Oat Mtn. is off the air from a power outage. Santa Ana winds are fanning fires all over Southern California. At about 4:00 PM PT 2300 UTC
 
In This Edition:
* Greetings to new Subscribers.
* K6UUZ Smoking!
* Hamfest AZ-ATV
* ATN Treasurers Report
* Repeater Reports
* Repairs Needed
* ATV Guide
* Letters to the Editor (Lots)
* Buy-Sell-Trade 
 
Hello and welcome to all the new subscribers to the ATV Newsletter. I have spoke with many of you but some I haven't had the pleasure.
 
The ATV Newsletter provides you with a inside view on the ATV action here is Southern California.
 
I would like to expand the content of the newsletter to include other areas, states and countries.
 
If you would like to send me your comments about the ATV activities in your area, (DX, groups, repeaters) I would be happy to put them in the newsletter.
 
N6IFU, Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher

This week in the News:
 
K6UUZ in Simi:
On Thursday Ed K6UUZ took his 434 MHz transmitter over to W6KGE's house and Bob checked it out. It was perfect and Bob proceeded to connect it to an antenna and put up a P5 picture with about 25 watts. Bob took his antenna and Ed's transmitter back to Ed's QTH and put a descent picture into Oat. Looking through a tree trunk, bushes as well as all the aluminum you would expect in a mobile home community and the antenna was at ground level, HAND HELD. WOW! Way to go Ed.
 
Ed is working on an antenna and feedline and we should see him very soon. 
 
Letters-Ad's-Reports:
Please check your letters, Ad's and reports that you submit to this publication. I print them as I receive them. I have been sending them back and requesting that they check what they have sent me for any corrections. 
 
My spelling isn't the best and I can't be responsible for checking yours. If there were needs for corrections in any letter in the edition it was sent to the writer and ask if they wanted to make changes.  
 
Please check what you send me because I print it as is.

 
Tucson, AZ  Sat. Oct 20th Hamfest 
Mike WA6SVT sent me this e-mail from Ron AE6QU:
 
Plans for W7ATN will have a cooperative operation with Pueblo HS ARC at the school transmitting ATV via the repeater. I will be at their ATV booth at the hamfest with them working with the Boy Scouts. Tom Fagan (ARRL AZ rep) is their scoutmaster. Explorer Scout Post 599 from Mesa may also be there (their scoutmaster is freq. coordinator).
 
I am making contact with more HS ARCs. Migel has helped prepare an "Introduction to Wireless Technologies" sheet for education administrators, built around Pueblo's successes. We will be getting them out several per month. If you google "high school amateur radio club ISS" you get more links to Pueblo than any other ARC!
 
The kids are certainly doing their part to see that ATV is an important part of Wireless Technologies we call Ham Radio.
 
Ron Phillips
AE6QU

ATN Treasurers Report:
$254.00 in the bank for ATN-CA.
Site rent bill for Nov. and Dec. coming up. This should cover the bills if there are some new members.
 
All other ATN-CA chapter sites rents and the ARRL liability insurance has been paid with funds form the winter meeting.
WA6SVT Mike Collis
 
I hope the "Treasurers Report" will be a on going colum for the ATV Newsletter" so we can all be aware of the clubs finances.
(About 6 months ago, Mike told me that the total cost for all  site rentals and insurance is $1300 pre year for ATN-CA.)  


 


Repeater Reports:
 
Oat Mtn.:
We have had more fades on the 1200 MHz link coming back from Santiago that normal. Everything seems to be operating fine with the repeater. 
Santiago Peak:
Everything seems to be fine looking at it from Oat. 
Mt Wilson:
WB6ATN John is the only operator on Wilson again. KO6E Merv has moved to Santiago along with N6AZV Bob.
 
News Flash from Mike:
Mt. Wilson 434 receiver fixed. Today (Thursday) I found the fuse on the 434 preamp was blowen. I figure we may have taken a lighting hit a few days ago. I tested with Allan and he has a good color picture with audio into the repeater. Thanks for the help Allan and Dave KA6DPS looking at the siganl via santiago.  
Blueridge:
Everything seems to be fine. I did find in my notes that Mike WA6SVT had told me that Mark W6MAF had moved the dish aimed at Potosi for some reason. This may be why the link isn't working. 
 
Along with Mikes news Flash from above:
Eariler today on my way to work I dropped by Blueridge to check on the links to and from Potosi (Vegas). The 2417 MHz link was putting out 3 watts and after retunning the driver amp, 4.5 watts out. 100mw back indicating a good VSWR.I checked the aim of the dish visually on top of the tower and it looks to be still aimed at Potosi.  The 1265 RX line had a clear noise floor with no QRM other than the 1270-1272 MHz radar at -90 dBM. This Saturday I will be at Blueridge and Frank will be at Potosi to see if we can get things back on line. I tested the 1265 MHz receiver and it has good sensitivity.
Thats all from Mike WA6SVT for this week,
73's Mike
-----------------------------------
This report from WA6SVT received on Saturday: Frank reported to me that after changing out a bad RF cable from the dish, that he was able to see a good picture on the 2417 MHz link. Signal level was about -80 to -83 dBM with another signal about the same level on 2425 MHz. Frank even saw Barry N6HOG in color.
 
I was able to receive the 1265 MHz link at about -81 to -84 dBM. We attempted to align the dish at Potosi but due to wind and the cold and lots of QRM using a handheld next to several 440 MHz repeater systems on the same tower we did not finish the elevation adjustments so ne improvement. At Potosi the wind was so strong they did not want to loosen the dish for alignment. It was decided to regroup in about two weeks to finish the alignment. Usually by mid November the road will be closed at Blueridge for snow making by the ski resort so this may be our last time avalible this year. 73's Mike

Snow Peak:
I would love to have one of the ATN members watching on Snow Peak check-in on the net with 2 meters. 
Santa Barbara:
Nothing new to report. 
Mt. Potosi:
See Blueridge: 
Point Loma:
KA6DPS Dave told a group of us on Monday morning that Mike had Richard up to his house over the weekend. And that Mike WA6SVT had got Richard,"off the dime" to getting the the repeater linked to Santiago. Dave said it wouldn't be long. Here comes San Diego. Thank you Mike.
 


 
Repairs Needed:
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Needs audio subcarrier on the 2.4 GHz receiver moved from the 6.5 to the 6.0 jack.
2. Replace 15' to 20" coil of heliax on 900 MHz antenna with a appropriate length of jumper with gold connectors.
3. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi.
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago. 


 
ATV Guide:
 
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Nov. 1st  from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 Zulu)
Watch and interact with the meeting on the ATN repeater network.
Everyone is welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Nov. 16th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino AIrport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone is welcomed  

 

Letters to the Editor:
Received 10/16/07
Hello Mr. D.B.A.
 
Thank you for your suggestions to lighten my work load I want to assure you and the ATN-CA, AZ and NV Chapters (Sec-Tres for all three) that the banking is not a workload problem:
 
During the time I have been Tresurer I have never had any issue with the club account at my credit union causing any tax prepreation issues at all.
 
The checking is free to the club other than one box of checks I purchased at about $17.
 
Bookeeping is not a problem as I get a statement for the account each month with deposits and dispersments made.
 
Although Washington Mutual is in wide distrabution, there is no branches in Crestline. We have Vinyard National Bank and Arrowhead Credit Union.
 
I do need to get our chapter president a signature card. This I will do ASAP.
 
I do have the account noted in my family trust with instructions to disperse the money to the ATN president should I no longer able to take care of my own matters. The trust also allows ATN to keep link equipment at my residence as long as it is kept in the family. It also notes that the ATN president would have control of any equipment I own and used in the ATN network. This way the club would not have to worry about equipment and funds.
 
I think this should take care of any concerns you may have. If you like, I can send the amount in the statement from the bank if you to the newsletter. I do need to be carful NOT to publisize the amount we pay each site owner as most of the site owners have requested me to do so. I can indicate total paid for the year. I do let the officers of the club see the invoices for rent and any other documents of the club.
 
I also bring the documents to the meeting each winter if anyone has an inquire about an item. 
 
If you have any concerns I have not covered, please contact me or the ATN president and we can discuss the concerns in private and keep your identity private.
 
The issue I brought up in the recent past I indicated workload reduction as to weekend time avalible to go to sites to work on the equipment and large purchases from my funds due to my recent marrage and trying to finish construction on my new home as my 700 sq. ft cabin is no were near what I need to support a family.
 
Thank you for your suggestions and offer to help!
 
Mike WA6SVT
 
-----------------------------------------------------
Received 10/15/07
I realize that anyone has a right to express their opinion, but when someone doesn't have the conviction to sign their name to a letter I tend to disregard the whole thing.
Dave KA6DPS 
-----------------------------------------------------
Received 10/14/07
I think your newsletter is fantastic and just what has been needed. And I love what has been showing up in the "Letters to the Editor". So many talented people with excellent ideas to benefit the club. Keep up the good work and put this in your newsletter. (Name and call withheld)
-----------------------------------------------------
Received 10/14/07
What Mr. D.B.A. wrote is a great idea for ATN.
(Name and call withheld) 
---------------------------------------------------- 
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com


 


Internet Viewers: www.ac6rb.com then click "ATV".
Watch the ATN repeater network 24/7.
Check-in on the net every Tue. using the internet link/chat room.
 
The link has been up and down but it has been on every Tue. @ 8:00 PM for the net.

 

 


Buy-Sell-Trade:
 
Looking For info: 
---------------------------
KO6E Merv needs the programming information for a Yaesu FT272. mervynhecht@yahoo.com
--------------------------- 
Schematic Diagram for a P.C. Electronics TC70-10 transmitter/downconverter. Does anyone have a manual that they can copy. bryonfoster@hotmail.com  
--------------------------- 
Looking to buy:
K6HXX is looking for a small HF amp. About 400 watts. John wants a base style amp, contact him at k6hxx@sbcglobal.net
--------------------------- 
For Sale:
 
Antennas:
One Andrew Paraflector truncated parabolic ( as seen on most every news truck ). 26+ db gain. Dual polarity feed horn use H, V or CP. $150 plus shipping.
---------------------------- 
One Dual golden rod 1.8-2.5 GHz 26+ db gain. CP (disk on rod in radome) Mounts with U bolt on mast. From commercial ENG service $200 + shipping
---------------------------- 
Also four Larson 12 db gain 900 MHz yagi's and 2 KLM 900 MHz splitter/combiners from KLM. $50 per antenna + shipping (very rugged commercial design) and $75 each for the splitters + shipping. a9xw@cs.com
----------------------------
Dishes:
Anixter-Mark commercial dishes, grid and solid. The dishes were in use for 1.7 to 1.8 GHz and come with az/el mounts for towers as well as feed assembly which is N. The dishes are 0.4 parabolic.
 
Only a few left of the 6' and 8' so send your requests in soon.
6' ----$60
8"-----$70   Contact: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
----------------------------
Amplifiers, Transmitters & Receivers:
Two Hughes 1277H03 TWT instrumentation amplifiers, one manual 4-8 GHz 20 watts 30 db gain. Great for FM mode video or 24/7 repeater amp. $75 each + shipping.  a9xw@cs.com
------------------------ 
Swedish made 1240-1300 MHz video and audio transmitter and receiver. 12 volts DC in, 100 mw+ out. Tunes entire band, dip switches on TX, tuning knob on RX. Great exciter or low power link. $150 for set + shipping. New never been used. a9xw@cs.com
------------------------ 
PC Electronics 900 MHz, AM TV 1 watt transmitter in die cast box copy of PC box but not painted). a9xw@cs.com
------------------------ 
I have several of the modified Wavelink 2.4 GHz transmitters and receivers on ham band. $150/pair. + shipping a9xw@cs.com
------------------------ 
New in the box Bensat rx for 900/1200 RX. Make and offer. a9xw@cs.com
------------------------- 
HF Gear:
Brand new still in the bag Dentron 500 watt HF mobile amp for sale. $500 a9xw@cs.com
------------------------- 
 
 
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad (s) for publication. 
 


See you on ATV,
N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this ATV Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail with Newsletter in the subject and I will add you to the mailing list. 
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or Sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not part of the ATN network.
 

 



ATV Newsletter
Oct. 30, 2007      Circulation 356
Vol. 1, No. 12
 
In This Edition:
*  Hello from "Silicon Valley Amateur Television Group" K6BEN
*  Hat Trick
*  Where's Gordo?
*  Oat's OK
*  W6ORG
*  He didn't fall off the edge of the earth  
*  Fire Damage
*  KK6MX
*  W3EFG
*  K6UUZ
*  San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
*  Repeater Reports
*  Repairs Needed
*  ATV Guide
*  Letters to the Editor
*  Internet Viewers
*  Buy-Sell-Trade


 



 

      K6BEN
Silicon Valley Amateur Television Group
 
K6BEN amateur television repeater serves the Silicon Valley area in San Francisco bay area of California. Input is 1255 MHz and the output 421.25 MHz (same as cable channel 57). For best results, point a UHF beam (vertically polarized) toward Mount Hamilton or east San Jose foothills. UHF J-poles work quite well also. With good line-of-sight, even rabbit ears antenna has good reception. Two meter talk-in frequency is 145.51 simplex. We also have a voice repeater 443.125, plus offset, with a PL of 123.0.
 
Our weekly video ATV net is every Wednesday at 8:30 pm, visitors are welcome and encouraged to join our net! If you cannot transmit video, please check in on audio 145.510 simplex, or on repeater 443.125, plus offset, with a PL of 123.0.
 
Monthly Meeting every third Saturday at 11:00 am. We meet at Harry's Hofbrau on Saratoga Ave (next to Garden City casino) in San Jose. This is near highway 280 and Saratoga Ave. Visitors welcome!
 
K6BEN ATV also re-transmits NASA TV during Space Shuttle missions by relaying transmissions from the Ames Amateur Radio Club, NA6MF. We encourage many people including non-hams to use their cableready TV set on channel 57 aimed at Mt. Hamilton to watch NASA TV. It also encourages them to study and obtain an amateur radio license.
 
K6BEN is active in ARES/RACES activities such as Moffett Air Show, Veterans Day Parade in San Jose, Linux Picnic in Sunnyvale, and transmissions from different stations during ARRL Field Day.
 
Some recorded footage of K6BEN activities are posted on YouTube, do a search for "K6BEN" on http://www.youtube.com  
 
For more information, contact Ben Carlucci W2NYC at w2nyc@pacbell.net or visit:
K6BEN-ATV webpage: http://k6ben_svatv.tripod.com/index.html  or alternate (without soundfile) at
http://batnet.com/mfwright/k6ben.html
 
For more info on NASA-TV re-transmissions, see
http://hamradio.arc.nasa.gov/AARCatv.html
 
Upcoming 2007 activities include re-transmission of STS-120 (launch scheduled Oct. 23rd), Ames Research Center Emergency Preparedness Day with exhibits on Oct. 23, Veterans Day Parade in San Jose on November 11, and Christmas Day Parade in San Jose on December 2.
 
Prepared by Michael Wright K6MFW who works with Ben Carlucci W2NYC on the K6BEN ATV repeater for the south San Francisco bay area.
----------------------------------------------------- 
I have been talking with Ben W2NYC for about a week now and have also made contacts via Skype. Ben gave me a tour of his shack and the repeater and you are all in for a treat to see the quality of pictures on his repeater. Ben made contact with KT6LN Brian while we were talking and I also met Don KK6MX.
 
I plan to have Ben as a guest on the ATN Net once we get a system worked out. I might add that K6BEN is a chapter of ATN.
 
   
This week in the News:

Hat Trick:
Allan W6IST was putting a signal into Mt. Wilson while WA6SVT was doing work on Wilson this week. Allan had a real descent picture. And during the net he turned his antennas to Santiago Peak and checked-in since Oat Mtn. wasn't operating. Allan can work three of the ATN repeaters and on 434 MHz. He may even have a shot at Snow Peak. Well done Allan.
 
Where's Gordo?
Does anyone have any news on Gordo WB6NOA and what he's up to? Last time we say Gordo he was going to give us an update on his Christmas Island Expedition and some pictures and maybe a video. Then the 434 on Santiago went away.
 
Oat's OK:
On Thursday W6IST Allan and W6KGE Bob went up to Oat Mtn. and fixed it good. Allan found a BNC connector that was just pushed on and not locked into position and a problem with one other connector. And it was fixed. The 434 input was checked by K6TBA Joe as well as N6BPU Bob by transmitting a signal in and keying up the repeater.
 
The subcarrier was switched to the 6.0 input on the 2.4 GHz receiver. So it is fully operational.
 
Allan also swapped out a short length of LMR 400 for a piece of 1/2 heliax on the 900 MHz transmission line. We even swept the floor in the shack and cleaned up some trash.
 
Good work Allan and Bob.
 
I went along but all I did was drive the car and bring drinks.
 
W6ORG Tom:
I saw Tom W6ORG on talking with Dave KA6DPS on Thursday. They were talking about Mt. Wilson and Dave was explaining how the repeater is working but not optimized yet.
 
Tom was doing some checking because of one of his customers (WB6ATN John) has one of his new downconverters. And John has had some problems receiving Mt. Wilson and Tom was tiring to sort things out.
 
Good to see you Tom. You should get on the network more often.
 
W6MAF didn't fall off the edge of the earth: Mark has been on the network via voice watching the tower cam on Santiago this week. And Mark is using the cam stream for people in Sacramento to watch also. (Thanks again to AC6RB's Internet link) He has a receive antenna up and all he needs is a transmit. Good to hear from you Mark.

 
Fire damage at KI6JL, Canyon Country:
Hank is the only ATVer that received fire damage that I am aware of. He lives in one of the canyons in Canyon Country. He lost some trees and some outside storage shelves and about $5000 worth of equipment. His family is safe and his house had only minor damaged.
 
KK6MX Don:
Don from the San Jose area was in town this weekend and I had the opertunity to talk with him on the phone. Bob W6KGE met Don at the TRW Swap meet and picked up some equipment for us here in Southern Calfornia.
 
Don has some additional equipment that he wants to sell. And he will be getting me a list of items when he can. Good to have you here, to bad we couldn't have got you on the air.
 
W3EFG Bob:
I have been in contact with Bob via skype and he has extensive experiance with internet video. Bob has some other idea's of how to improve the quality of video for an ATV link up. But for now we are going to work with skype to see if it can be perfected. Good to talk with you Bob.
 
K6UUZ Ed:
Ed has received his 434 MHz antenna, made mod's and is ready to install it. Any day.
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting:
Don't forget it's this Thursday starting at 7:00 PM. Check the ATV Guide.



 

Repeater Reports:
Mount Potosi/High:
Report from Frank N7ZEV:
Potosi update:
We were able to access the site early Saturday morning the 20th. We had a number of tasks the highest priority of which was to repair a UHF and a VHF repeateras there was a charity event scheduled to start at 11am so the hurrywas on so to speak.
 
We did well, got the voice up and in service in time to support the event.
 
Then the ATV fun started as Mike (SVT) had waited patiently for us to get on the air to verify the path from Potosi to Blue Ridge. We determined that the link is in need of realigment as it is working at signal levels of -80ddm when it should be in the 60's. So we have connectivity but the S/N ratio is pretty poor. We also tested transmitting from Vegas and saw the same problem.
 
High winds prevented us from doing any peaking adjustments on the 8 foot dish antanna but we are planning another trip in a couple of weeks and see if we can improve the signal level.
 
Additionally we replaced the local repeater output transmitter so we can now see the link in Las Vegas.
 
That's it for now.
 
Frank/N7ZEV  

 
Repairs Needed:

 

 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 MHz antenna with an appropriate length of jumper with gold connectors.
2. Add grounds to the antennas on the tower.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi.
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater.
 

ATV Guide:
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 UTC)
Everyone is welcomed Video/Audio/Internet
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 UTC)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Nov. 1st from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 UTC)
Watch and interact with the meeting on the ATN repeater network.
Everyone is welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat. Nov. 16th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino CA
Everyone is welcomed 
 

Letters to the Editor:
Received 10/24/07

I think that the ATN Club should award George AC6RB for his Internet link from Santiago Peak for his hard work and investment of time and money. What a great way to introduce someone to ATV. Thank you George. (Name and Call withheld)
----------------------------------------------
Received 10/25/07
I was excited to see so many viewers on AC6RB's streaming video during the net last week. There are some hams here on the ATN network that think that the Internet should have nothing to do with Ham Radio and ATV. That is such a narrow minded attitude to not be able to see the benefits for us and the hobby.
 
How else could other chapters of ATN get together on ATV? The Internet gives the ability for other clubs to see and talk with us about how they do things. It opens up a whole new world of Hams to trade ideas and techniques and equipment with. It can be used to raise the awareness of ATV. It can be used to get new people involved with ATV. All this is "Ham Radio" and "ATV".
 
I have asked Bryon to withhold my name and call. Not because I don't want you to know who I am. But because either the "truth" or a "good idea" should be able to stand on it's own when viewed by any intelligent person who looks at the whole picture. Some people are just afraid of change and we can't let them hold us back.

 
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit yor letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com  
and you don't have to be from the Southern Cal. area. 

 

Internet Viewers:
www.ac6rb.com Then click on ATV.
Internet check-ins during the ATN net last week:

W6NUT Gary in Huntington Beach, CA
W3EFG Bob in New Smyma Beach, FL
KA6FEW Keith in Napa, CA
KD5LWU Johnny in Cortez, CO
WA0JTW Cliff in Culleoka, TN
K6BEN Ben in San Jose, CA -------ATN Chapter
WB9MMM Gene in Rockford, IL----ATN Chapter
N7ZEV Frank in Las Vegas, NV----ATN Chapter
 
Thank you all for checking in to the ATN Net and your calls were logged in.       All are welcomed.

We had many more check-ins that didn't change the guest name to their call signs. (If you would like to know how to list your call in the chat room, send me an e-mail)
There was a problem with the audio which George was attempting to resolve during the net and the video stopped several times as he rebooted his system for the camstream.

 

I ask you to please hang in there as George works out the bugs.

 

This week should be better. See you on the net. Tue. @ 8:00 PM 0300 UTC

 

Buy-Sell-Trade:
Buy:
Tony K6LKH wants to purchase a 2.4 GHz transmitter and amp for his shack. He doesn't want to build anything he just wants a working 2.4 GHz station. Tony asked me where he could go to buy what he wants. I thought that one or two of my readers would like to accommodate Tony.
2441.5 MHz audio subcarrier 6.0 /about 15 watts. 
Anyone want to build a station for Tony contact him at buccitony@cox.net and see what you can work out.
 
Sell: 
--------------------------------------------
One only, Compact Pan and Tilt (pitch and yaw) motor driven servo unit with controller, 115 VAC, and stand. New condition. Price: $100.00 Call K6CUK at 310-640-8855 
-------------------------------------------- 

Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.


 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU  Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this Newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you would like to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not part of the ATN network.
 
ATV Newsletter
Nov. 6, 2007      Circulation 360
Vol. 1, No. 13
 
In This Edition:
* 900 MHz
* SBMS Meeting
* Special Guest (pending repairs on Oat)
* K6UUZ
* There's Gordo
* WB9KMO
* Repeater Reports
* Repairs Needed
* ATV Guide
* Letters to the Editor
* Internet Viewers
* Buy-Sell-Trade 
 



 



This week in the News:
 
900 MHz
While Oat Mtn. was off the air the on Friday while Edison changed some power lines there was something else new that was going on. There was some testing of ATV simplex in Simi Valley. On 913.25 MHz (VSB).
 

SBMS
Another excellent meeting of the San Bernardino Microwave Society on Thursday. (Seen on ATN)
 
There were four ATVer's that checked in with Gary W6KVC just before meeting started. K6LDK Mike, KB6CJZ Robbie, N6IWY Spencer, N6IFU Bryon, WB8TMP Dave as well as K6BNN Gene and Gary W6KVC who produced the audio/video link to the ATN network. 
 
There was a rumor passed around that AMSAT had been offered a platform on a geosynchronous orbit satellite with a 45 watt output. The Satellite was mentioned as "INTEL SAT" and the uplink would be UHF/1296 and the downlink 2400/VHF.
 
I was interesting that one ham commented about how he was so impressed with the technical specifications and performance of LMR 400. Which most of us use.
 
Next SBMS meeting Dec. 6th.
 
Special Guest on the Net
I plan on having W2NYC Ben as a special guest on the ATN net this Tuesday. Ben is the owner of the K6BEN ATV repeater in San Jose, CA.  K6BEN is the Northern California chapter of ATN.
 
I hoped to have Ben on last week but I was having problems with my computer and Ben got stuck at a hospital. And shortly after the net started San Jose was hit by a 5.6 earthquake.
 
(Gordo WB6NOA noted the earthquake also during the net)
 
Mike K6MFW had a VCR ready to go to record the link and post it on youtube. Mike noted he was sure to win a Pulitzer prize.
 
Ben and I will be linking via Skype and we will see if we have all the bugs worked out. Ben should be able to see and hear everything I am seeing. We will have to see if his schedule works out with the 6th. (This is now all pending on Oat Mtn. being repaired by Tue.. see "Repeater Reports")
 
K6UUZ
Ed has his 434 antenna up and is in the process of tuning everything up. The cable modulators sure do produce a beautiful picture. Ed should be ready for the net this week.
 
WB6NOA
Gordo checked in to the net last week and informed us of all his work with the "Red Cross" and dealing with the fires in Orange County.
 
WB9KMO
Rod was working the network via Blueridge Sat. morning on his way to DARPA in Victorville..
 

 
Repeater Reports:
 
Palomar:
Due to the Poomacha fire The PARC ATV repeater is off the air until we get power to the site restored.
The repeater site is O.K. but will not have electric power for a couple weeks.
The Palomar ATV is currently a standalone repeater, not linked at this time pending resolution of some issues both technical and administrative.
 
Blueridge:
W6MAF Mark checked in during the net last week and informed us that the link coming from Santiago Peak wasn't operational. Mark also said that he had a 900 as well as a 1200 ATV receiver in operation at his QTH.
 
Point Loma:
No new news to report.
 
Snow Peak:
No news to report.
 
Santa Barbara:
No news to report.
 
Mt. Potosi:
No news to report.
 
Mt. Wilson:
WB6ATN John wasn't able to key up the repeater during the net last week. He wasn't able to receive a signal form Wilson with his new crystal controlled downconverter. He put his old 1200 downconverter back in service and was then able to receive.
 
Oat Mtn.:
Oat has a problem with it's 900 MHz output. It started at 1:30 pm on Sat.. It appears that the exciter is producing a second signal about 5 KC off the orignal signal. This produces heavy herringbone and a very strong sync buzz. Very nasty. We are waiting to hear from Allan W6IST to see when a service call can be arranged to the site. Does anyone know if Allan is out of town? I will still be able to run the net this week even with the problems.
 
Santiago Peak:
It appears to be working fine as a view point from Oat.

 
 
Repairs Needed:
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 MHz antenna with appropriate length of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
3. Repair exciter.

Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi.
2. Reestablish link from Santiago Peak.
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater.


 
ATV Guide:
 
"ATN Net Night" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM  (1600 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Dec. 6th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 Zulu)
Everyone is welcomed
 
"ATN Breakfast"
Sat Nov. 16th @ 9:30 AM
@ Flo's Airport Cafe
at Chino Airport on Merrill Ave.
Chino, CA
Everyone is welcomed 
 
Letters to the Editor: Received Oct. 29, 2007
Hi Bryon,

Please add me to your subscription list. I received your last edition via an e-mail forward from Ben Carlucci.

 

Thanks,

Chuck Hartley, W6OOC

Butte, Montana

--------------------------------------------------------

Received Oct. 29, 2007

Just wanted to say thanks for the newsletter. I like reading about ATV repeaters. I plan to put up a link to Mount Diablo for me and my friend Wayne (W6HUY) Napa, CA.

 

Keith Hunter

KA6FEW 

-------------------------------------------------------

Received Nov. 2, 2007
I have been elected by several ATN members to compose this letter to the editor. We have run some numbers about the club finances (and I am sure others have done the same). And we want to ask some question of the club officers.
 
ATN web site shows 74 club members in Southern California. And at $50 each for club dues = $3700.00 received to the club.
 
There were at least $2000.00 in donations to the club in cash over the year. So $3700.00 + $2000.00 = $5700.00 Total.
 
The fixed costs of site rental and insurance is $1300.00 per year. When you subtract $1300.00 from $5700.00 you still have $4400.00 in the bank.
 
What did the club spend $4400.00 on this year?
 
I know there was a filter on Oat for about $600 and an antenna on Santiago for $800.
 
All we ever hear from Dave is, "the club is broke again". In fact Dave was on the phone to PC Electronics, while he was on ATV, several weeks ago ordering something for Mike for the club. And Dave said "the club is broke again". And a week after that we see a Treasurers Report in the ATV Newsletter that we have $254.00 in the bank. We are confused.
 
We checked all the old ATN news letters from the ATN club on the ATN web site that are put out at the first of the year. We couldn't find a financial report in any of them until we got back to 1996, 11 years ago.
 
We think it is very important for the club members to know what the money is being spent on. Because we are the ones that are called on every year to donate more money because of additional expenses that come up to repair equipment. And that is why we ask the club officers to please make sure that the financial statements for the last five years are posted on the ATN web site so all members can see what the club spends it's money on. As well as an update of this years spending and income.
 
If it can't be posted on the web site you need to send copies to every member using the U.S. Mail.
 
A financial statement isn't something that should be kept from the club members. And it shouldn't have to have secrets of how much we pay for something and there should be receipts for everything. It should show all dues and donations and who they came from and when they were received. This is not a difficult thing to produce. In fact you should already have the financial statements for the last five years.
 
We also think Mike needs to continue sending a Treasurers Report to the ATV Newsletter each month. Eleven Years is to long between financial reports.
 
We are also disappointed that Mike didn't take Mr. D.B.A. up on his offer to pay for the clubs costs to setup a fictitious business name. Even if Mike used his credit union for banking. 
 
I am withholding all our names and calls because it isn't important. But it is important that the club members know exactly what their dues and donations are spent on, in fact we shouldn't even have to ask for the clubs financial statements. They should have been provided to us. 
 
Club Officers, please send your reply to the ATV Newsletter for publication. We will be waiting for your reply. 
----------------------------------------------------------- 

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com

 


Internet Viewers:

The cam stream was having problems again last week. But you all need to know that the site owner was in Texas and not avalible to effect repairs at the time. www.ac6rb.com
 
Please check-in again next week or you can keep up with the links status from the ATV Newsletter.

 


Buy-Sell-Trade:

------------------------------------------------------
Sell: One only, Compact Pan and Tilt (pitch and yaw) motor driven servo unit with controller, 115 VAC, and stand. New condition. Price $100.00 Call K6CUK at 310-640-8855

--------------------------------------------------------

Buy:Tony K6LKH wants to purchase a 2.4 GHz transmitter and amp for his shack. He doesn't want to build anything. He just wants a working 2.4 GHz station. Tony Asked me where he could go to buy what he wants. I thought that there might be someone who would like to build a transmitter and sell it to Tony. Contact Tony at buccitony@cox.net and see what he wants to pay.
---------------------------------------------------------
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.
 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN". 
 

ATV Newsletter
Nov. 13, 2007      Circulation 362
Vol. 1, No. 14

In This Edition:
* Funding for ATV anywhere in the U.S.
* Numbers sent out?
* Special Guests
* Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
* Officers Mail
* ATN Indiana
* Friday Night at the Net
* Ron K8DMR
* SBMS
* Past Issues
* Silent Key
* Dave KA6DPS
* Repeater Report
* Repairs Needed
* ATV Guide
* Letters to the Editor
* Internet Viewers
* Buy-Sell-Trade 



Corporate Sponsors &
Grants to fund your
ATV organization 
 
Have you considered improving your ATV repeater? Or maybe adding an additional repeater to your system or linking to another repeater? Strapped for cash to keep up with maintenance and site rental? Are you at a point you can't grow with just dues and you need money to help your ATV group? 
 
I am someone who can get you funding anywhere in the U.S. if you are interested.
 
Since the first of the year I have been researching the different ways to get funding for ATV.

There is a lot of money available and I know how to ask for it. 
 
I have packaged a very atractive presentation for sponsors. And I have made several presentation to prospective corporate sponsors as an indenpendent broker with unbelievable results.
 
If you would like to talk about funding for your ATV group please send me an e-mail because I want to talk to you. bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
N6IFU
Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the ATV Newsletter
 
My fees are 15% of monies raised plus travel expenses if needed. Package based on $10,000.00 funding.





 




Attention readers that pass the ATV Newsletter to others
 
Many of you have told me that you have been sending my newsletter to other Hams and club members in your area.
 
I would like to have an idea how many ham shacks the ATV Newsletter is read in. Would you please take the time and send me an e-mail and give the number you pass along. Thank you and please keep it up.
Your individual responses will not be published, unless you want me to. 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com

 

This week in the News
 
Special Guest W2NYC
Ben W2NYC was a special guest during the net last week and was hooked up to my ATV station via Skype. In his shack was Don KK6MX, the equipment man.
 
Ben and Don enjoyed the net and was patient as some unusual events accrued during the net.
 
Ben and myself worked out the plans to link the San Bernardino Microwave Society to his repeater for their December meeting.
 
Don KK6MX promised to get me a list of equipment that he has for sale very soon.
 
We will have to do it again after Oat Mtn. is repaired.
   
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
I was attacked by two very angry hams during the net this week. They were upset because the ATV Newsletter published a letter to the editor in last weeks edition. The letter didn't have the writers call or name and he asked for  financial reports. Right after the anger was expressed one of our own ATN members began JAMMING my signal so I couldn't respond.
 
Not to worry, the ATV Newsletter came away unblemished and unharmed and unchanged.
 
Officers Mail
Allan VP of ATN (W6IST) told us during the net that the officers of ATN are putting together a response to the letter to the editor. They are sending it direct to the ATN members.
 
I am a member of ATN.
 
ATN Indiana
Well the boss decided NOT to sell the tower. So the K9ATN system will be back up shortly. As soon as some $ come in from the microwave/900 MHz stuff. I'll get the 23 cm receiver from PC which will complete the full duplex 70/23 system. :-)
 
Henry AA9XW/K9ATN
 
Friday Night at the Net
K3ZKO Ron in Philadelphia, PA area has a broadcast of their net every friday night at 0100 Zulu at the following location, http://webcamnow.com/K3ZKO
You are all invited.
 
K8DMR Ron
Ron sent me an e-mail on Sat. 11/10/07 and requested to be included in the ATV Newsletter mailing list.
 
Ron is also interested in knowing what it takes to set-up a camstream like AC6RB has done so I will be putting them together soon.
 
Ron is Vice-President of the Grand Rapids Radio Amateur Association.
 
Welcome to the ATV Newsletter Ron. 
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society
KJ6HZ John the President of SBMS has been added to my mailing list as well as WA6QYR Bill SBMS Newsletter and K6RRA Kurt Corresponding Sec. I invited them all to watch out net last week using AC6RB's internet link. Welcome to the ATV Newsletter.
 
Past Issues
I have been flooded with requests for past issues of the ATV Newsletter and I have gotten a little behind. I should be caught up by the time you receive this newsletter.
 
If anyone else would like past issues of the ATV Newsletter I am happy to send them to you. Just note which issues you would like.
 
Silent Key K6RGW
Rich Robertson passed away Wednesday. Rich sold me my first two 900 MHz downconverters when I first got started in ATV. Rich was a very nice person and always a gentalman on ATV. I will miss Rich.
 
A memorial service will be held on Wed. Nov. 14th at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills at 2:30 Old North Church.
 
If you wish to send his widow a card her address is 7971 McNulty Ave., Canoga Park 91306-2116

 
Dave KA6DPS 
I wrote this in the Oct. 23rd editon of the ATV Newsletter. The following was printed under the colum of Repeater Reports:
Point Loma:
KA6DPS Dave told a group of us on Monday morning that Mike had Richard up to his house over the weekend. And Mike WA6SVT had got Richard, "off the dime" to getting the the repeater linked to Santiago. Dave said it wouldn't be long. Here comes San Diego. Thank you Mike. 

Dave sent me an e-mail that I have missed placed but he wants everyone to know he did not say that Mike had got Richard "off the dime".
 
Sorry that I used the name Richard because Robert is the name of the owner of Point Loma. And I also put two "the's" back to back in the original printing just as you read it now.


 

 
Repeater Reports:
 
Palomar:
Blueridge:
Point Loma:
Snow Peak:
Santa Barbara:
Mt. Potosi:
Mt. Wilson:
No New News

Oat Mtn.:
Oat Mtn. is still broken.

Santiago Peak:
No New News

 

Repairs Needed:
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 MHz antenna with appropriate length of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
3. Repair exciter or amp or whatever on 900 MHz output.

Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi.
2. Reestablish link from Santiago Peak.
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater.


 


ATV Guide:

 
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia" http://webcamnow.com/K3ZKO
Every Friday at 0100 Zulu
8:00 PM Eastern Time
You are invited to view by K3ZKO 

 "ATN Net Southern California" every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 Zulu)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
 
"Coffee Klatch" every Sunday @ 9:00 AM  (1600 Zulu)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
 
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Dec. 6th Thur. from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 Zulu)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
The meeting will be linked to K6BEN San Jose via Skype and AC6RB's internet link.
Everyone is welcomed
------------------------------ 

Does anyone have an ATV event you would like to list in the ATV Guide that can be viewed via an Internet link? Please let me know and I will include it.

 





Letters to the Editor:
Received Sat 11/10/07:
 
Bryon
RE your unsigned letter to the editor.
 
Mike WA6SVT has had the dream of a ATN linked system for the South West US for as long as I have known him. He owns and runs the system as he pleases, co-mingling Donations, Dues, borrowed Equipment with Funds and Equipment of his own. I doubt that ATN has more that 50 paid members and I suspect the number is closer to 35. I think the site rentals and insurance is twice what was stated in the letter. I also feel from QSO's I have heard that Mike has contributed a similar or greater sum from his own pocket. There is no smoking gun here. It costs money to run a high level ATV system and the contributions are small compared to other repeater groups of similar coverage with voice repeaters. More importantly Mike is the owner of ATN and we must accept everything on his terms, or leave as I have chosen to. I must note that I am not the first one to come to this conclusion, but I am only one, amongst the many that have.
 
The concept of a President and Vice President running the ATN network is totally foreign to the operation of ATN. It is also the main limiting factor in the ATN system. When Mike decided to use the Santiago link port for Wilson instead of Palomar No Officer in ATN contacted me or the Palomar Radio Club. Two months later when I pressed the issue of restoring the link after the controller was reinstalled at Oat Mountain, Dave KA6DPS informed me over the air that the port was being used for Wilson and no other ports were available for Palomar.
 
To my knowledge Dave is a control operator, not an officer in ATN. His informing me over the air shows his lack of sensitivity and people skills. To this date none of the "management" of ATN has contacted me regaurding this issue. Mike did send me an e-mail arguing the lack of signal strenght from Palomar, but had nothing to say about how his termination of the link was handled. There was no mention in his e-mail indicating any sensitivity to the issue I raised.
 
In my opinion the expansion and maintenance of the ATN system is limited only by Mike's abilities. A system as large as ATN requires effective management, which require skills outside of the technical area. ATN needs to become a functioning group to attract more members with skills needed to build out the system. This will require management with people skills and a technical committee.
 
Mike like all the rest of us, has family and work obligations. He needs the help of others to help maintain the system. He also needs to respect others and allow them to contribute to the system. People who volunteer expect to have a say in how things are done, and expect to be recognized for their efforts.
 
I have not been active on ATN since October 2nd.
 
I will remain in the non-transmit mode until an effective ATN organization is established that has control of the system.
 
My membership in ATN expires in February.
 
Unless something changes I will not be renewing my membership and I would appreciate my Call and the W6NWG Repeater be removed from the W6ATN Santiago ID Screen.
 
Thank-You
Art, KC6UQH
-----------------------------------------
 

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com



 



Internet Viewers:

AC6RB is back in town and the link was back in operation last Monday. So drop in and watch our net on Tue, evening. Or anytime you want. 24/7 Thank you so much George.
 
www.ac6rb.com


 
If you know of other Internet webcams to other ATV groups send me an e-mail. I will list it in "ATV Guide".
 




Buy-Sell-Trade:

Sell: Mike WA6SVT still has one of my 2.4 Gig ATV Microwave Radio Corp commecial transmitters. Also two H-P commercial 2-6 Ghz TWT amps.
 
I also have some pairs of the Wavelink units that have been modified for high output and several 1 watt bricks amps, N in/out +12 and away they go. I also have two 2 Gig antennas, one dual Goldenrod, and one Paraflector turncated parabolic with polarity feed horn.
 
Lots of 900 and 1200 gear left, transmitters, receivers, antennas, power dividers/combiners. Several D100 D1010 NATV amps to go. 4 Comark amps modified for ham TV (Class A low intermod commercial TV transmitter amps). My commercial TV gear is beeing listed on Ebay under WestwindtelevisionLLC. TBC's, frame syncs, sync gens, proc amps, Compellor audio processor. DBX audio processors, Globecaster studio in a box, and more are/will be listed between now and when ever its all sold. (Sold my TV production truck but kept the equipment).
 
Henry
AA9XW/K9ATN
a9xw@cs.com
-------------------------------------
Sell: One only, Compact Pan and Tilt (pitch and yaw) motor driven servo unit with controller, 115 VAC, and stand. New condition. Price $100.00 Call K6CUK at 310-640-8855
-------------------------------------

Would someone please help Tony out or tell him where he can buy what he wants.

Buy:Tony K6LKH wants to purchase a 2.4 GHz transmitter and amp for his shack. He doesn't want to build anything. He just wants a working 2.4 GHz station. Tony Asked me where he could go to buy what he wants. I thought that there might be someone who would like to build a transmitter and sell it to Tony. Contact Tony at buccitony@cox.net and see what he wants to pay.
---------------------------------------
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.
 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
 bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".  But I am a member of ATN.

 

ATV Newsletter
Nov. 20, 2007      Circulation 372
Vol. 1, No. 15

 
Happy Thanksgiving

In This Edition:
* World News this Week
   * ATV DXing
   * ATVQ Publication
   * KC6CCC, who's that?
   * Australia
   * G3ZHI, Yorks, UK
   * Pearce Collage Classes
   * Green Stamps and C.A.T.S.
   * Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters, Inc.
   * WB6KJJ, Orange
   * N6GKB via Snow Peak
   * ATV Funding
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers 
* Local News
   * Financial Report
   * Repeater Report
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor 

 

World News this Week
ATV DXing
Letter from KA9UVY:
Well, I have been mysteriously receiving your newsletter for the last few weeks and being from the Midwest I find it quite informative as to the types of issues that are involved with maintaing a huge network of ATV repeaters. Here in the Midwest we have very few ATV repeaters these days and most of us work point to point simplex. This gives us the luxury of making all of the decisions about where to spend the money and what technical changes are needed to our equipment.
 
This also makes it hard to bring new operators into this mode since a modest ATV station out here is limited in coverage to under 100 miles unless the propagation is enhanced. Not many hams these days are willing to put forth the effort it takes to do simplex ATV and many receiving this newsletter probably haven't ever worked another ATVer without the help of those technical marvels sitting on the mountaintop. Everything comes with a price monetary or mental and I think we all should take a look at the enjoyment we get from operating ATV. If the costs are to high maybe we should try something easier and move on.
 
I would like to invite anyone interested in simplex ATV (not always P5 guy's) to view my camstream here in Southern Illinois.
http://ka9uvy.camstreams.com/
 
I just started it mid October so that I could share my fascination with ATV DXing with those that have never experienced it or ever heard of it. The stream is online when I am active here mostly mornings on weekdays and all hours on weekends. We do enjoy some local activity in S. IL with about 9 home stations and one very active mobile station in the area so it's not always DX.
 
We don't have a formal club or repeater or the politics and dues but we do have a lot of fun just trying to establish 2-way video communications.
 
Please add my email to your subscribers list and also thanks to whoever started sending it to me.
73, Bob
KA9UVY
 
ATVQ Publication
Bob KA9UVY writes a colum in the ATVQ (Amateur Television Quarterly) under the banner of "North American ATV DX Report".
 
The ATVQ isn't all ATV DXing but much more.
 
If you are not aware of the ATVQ, it is the only publication devoted to ATV. And if you aren't a subscriber you should consider singing up for at least a year.
 
It is important that we support those that support us.
 
The address is www.hampubs.com
 
KC6CCC, who's that?
 Right after the net a guest watching via the AC6RB Internet link changed his name in the chat room to KC6CCC and I knew at once who it was. John in Moorpark, K6HXX (used to be KA6HXX) had told me about him and the equipment he had made for ATV. I think that the first ATV transmitter John loaned me passed through his hands.
 
His name is Mike and he typed in the chat room for someone to say hi to N6ESW & KA6DPS that were having a QSO on the network.
 
Mike gave me his e-mail address and is now receiving the ATV Newsletter. And he hopes to be around for next weeks net.
 
KC6CCC is the Ham that set up METS (Microwave Experimenters Television System) on Santiago Peak. www.qsl.net/kc6ccc/ (Mets is another Amateur Television repeater network in Southern California)
 
ATN has a few members that are also members of METS.
 
Mikes call has changed to KM7MH and he lives in Idaho.
 
Mike, please send me something to add to next weeks newsletter. Maybe something about how METS got started.
 
It was very nice to visit with you and welcome to the ATV Newsletter. See you on the net.
 
Australia
On the net last week was another guest VK6HV from Wickham, Australia. And would you be leave he used to be involved in ATV here in Southern California (Hesperia) as AA6SN. His name is Steve and he used to work Blueridge and Crestline and said Hi to WA6SVT. Steve is way out in the sticks and sayes he only has HF. Steve said he would try to make the net each week but his work could be a problem. Welcome to the ATV Newsletter.

G3ZHI, Yorks, UK
W6IST, Allan the ATN-CA Vice President, asked me to put G3ZHI on my ATV Newsletter mailing list. I sent him a note and here is his reply:
Hi bryon
 
Thanks for the newsletter and putting me on the mailing list
 
UK ATV live repeaters are at
http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
We are using camstreams in UK to stream our ATV over the net.
 
73 Ian G3ZHI Web www.gsl.net/g3zhi
 
Welcome to the ATV Newsletter IAN.
 
Pearce Collage Classes
We were given a real treat when Ken, N6AWA put his station on the air for the net direct from his classroom at the collage. Ken is a Professor at the collage and he hasn't had much time to do anything with ATV so Ken said he will be using the station from his classroom. Good to see you Ken.
 
Green Stamps and C.A.T.S.
N3DC writes: Hi this is Bill in Maryland call is N3DC  belong to the C.A.T.S. group dont know how I made the list but would like to keep getting it have green stamps if needed.
 
TNX
73
ATV DXER
biLL/n3dc
 
Welcome to the ATV Newsletter Bill. No green stamps needed.

Nevada Amateur Radio Repeater, INC.
W7AOR writes:I would like to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter. I also have ATV Equipment for sale.
 
73
Kent W7AOR
 
The web site for his club is http://www.narri.org
 
Check out Kent's bio on QRZ.
 
Thank you for your interest Kent and welcome to the ATV Newsletter.
 
See his equipment for sale in Buy-Sell-Trade.

WB6KJJ in Orange
Ed, WB6KJJ checked into the net early last week on two meters and informed us that he had his ATV station operational except his transmission feedline. But he said he should have it ready for the next net.
 
Welcome to ATV and the newsletter Ed.
 
I worked a QSO with Ed on Sat. at about 10:43 AM with his P5 video.
 
N6GKB via Snow Peak
Keith, N6GKH checked in to the net last week using the AC6RB link and watching the output of Snow Peak.
 
For those of you that don't know Keith he is WB6HYH's (Tom)brother. 
 
Keith is in Yucca Valley, CA. Good to hear from you.

ATV Funding  
I have began to work with several ATV groups and more are waiting for their monthly club meeting to present the idea. They want to give the club members an oppertunity to know about funding and vote.
 
I will not be talking about funding while I am on Ham Radio or ATV because it is a business. So please don't ask. You can write me of call on the phone.
 

 

Buy-Sell-Trade:
----------------------------------
Sell: Package sale of the following equipment:
 
Pauldson 902-928 MHz Amp PD-900N-1, 1 watt in 18 watts out
 
HF Technology TX930 FM Video/Audio Transmitter
 
HF Technology IF-70 FM Video-Audio IF Demodulator
 
HF Technology RX1300 FM-AM Linear Down converter
 
I have manuals for the HF Technology equipment.
 
$600.00    Contact Kent W7AOR  702-452-4412
-----------------------------------
Sell: Mike WA6SVT still has one of my 2.4 Gig ATV Microwave Radio Corp commecial transmitters. Also two H-P commercial 2-6 Ghz TWT amps.
 
I also have some pairs of the Wavelink units that have been modified for high output and several 1 watt bricks amps, N in/out +12 and away they go. I also have two 2 Gig antennas, one dual Goldenrod, and one Paraflector turncated parabolic with polarity feed horn.
 
Lots of 900 and 1200 gear left, transmitters, receivers, antennas, power dividers/combiners. Several D100 D1010 NATV amps to go. 4 Comark amps modified for ham TV (Class A low intermod commercial TV transmitter amps). My commercial TV gear is beeing listed on Ebay under WestwindtelevisionLLC. TBC's, frame syncs, sync gens, proc amps, Compellor audio processor. DBX audio processors, Globecaster studio in a box, and more are/will be listed between now and when ever its all sold. (Sold my TV production truck but kept the equipment).
 
Henry
AA9XW/K9ATN
a9xw@cs.com
-------------------------------------
Sell: One only, Compact Pan and Tilt (pitch and yaw) motor driven servo unit with controller, 115 VAC, and stand. New condition. Price $100.00 Call K6CUK at 310-640-8855
-------------------------------------
Sell: I have 5 watt 2.4 GHz amps for sale $100 each module or $250 with bias supply, protection circuit (kills drain power if bias supply fails to protect the power fets) and box with connectors for in/out and 13 volt power.
WA6SVT wa6svt@aol.com
---------------------------------------
Buy: I am looking for HF Technology ATV 1.2 GHz Transmitter and Receiver, and a IF70 made by HFT.
My cell number 408-891-0842
Don Apte
KK6MX
--------------------------------------
Buy:Tony K6LKH wants to purchase a 2.4 GHz transmitter and amp for his shack. He doesn't want to build anything. He just wants a working 2.4 GHz station. Tony Asked me where he could go to buy what he wants. I thought that there might be someone who would like to build a transmitter and sell it to Tony. Contact Tony at buccitony@cox.net and see what he wants to pay.
---------------------------------------
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.


 

ATV Guide:
 
"ATV DXing" http://ka69uvy.camstreams.com/
KA9UVY Bob
Active mostly mornings on weekdays
And and all hours weekends
 
The Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXer's post their ATV CQ's and reports to the ATV Logger page:
http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
-------------
"G3ZHI, UK"
http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
 
Many Ham Radio Links
http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
 
http://www.ukirlp.co.uk
-------------
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"
http://webcamnow/K3ZKO
Every Friday at 0100 UTC
8:00 PM Eastern Time
------------
"ATN Net" (ATN-CA)
Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"Coffee Klatch"
Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Dec. 6th Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com Click ATV
The Dec. meeting will be linked to K6BEN (ATN-CA-N), San Jose via Skype and the AC6RB Internet link.
------------------------------------------
Does anyone have an ATV camstream that they would like added to the ATV Guide? Please let me
know. bryonfoster@hotmail.com


 

Internet Viewers:
AC6RB, George has been working on his station and the results are outstanding.
 
And you can see his receive picture on his camstream coming from Santiago Peak ATN repeater, which is the hub for the ATN repeater network for Southern California.
 
www.ac6rb.com and then click on ATV
 
You might want to keep an eye on the ATV Guide for other web sites and camstreams you can visit.

 


Local News
 


ATN-CA Financial Report
The ATN-CA members have been all e-mailed a financial report and should have it in their inbox.
 
ATN-CA club offices have asked that I do not disclose any part of the report to anyone.

 


Repeater Reports:
 
Oat Mtn.:
Was repaired on Tuesday by W6IST and K6TBA.
 
Mt. Wilson:
It is having problems again with interferance and is keying up the network. Two ATVer's said it looked like commercial TV getting into the repeater.

 


Repairs Needed:
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 antenna with appropriate lenght of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater
2. Interferance keying up repeater?

 


Letters to the Editor:
 
-------------------------------
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please sbmit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com

 


See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
 bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".  But I am a member of ATN-CA.


 

ATV Newsletter
Nov. 27, 2007      Circulation 600 +
Vol. 1, No. 16

In This Edition:
* Big News this Week
   * Thanks to my Readers 
   * Oat Mtn. Amp
   * Controller Announcement  
   * $3,000.00 Funding for Controllers
   * Equipment for Sale
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers 
* Local News
   * Repeater Report
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor 


 
Big News this Week
 
Thanks to my Readers, all 600 +
I want to thank all my readers for their interest in the ATV Newsletter. And I want to thank all of you that have sent letters of complements and encouragement.
 
I have tried to respond to everyone individually but I may have let someone fall through the cracks. If so Thank you all.
 
A while back I asked readers who passed the ATV Newsletter on to other Hams and ATVers to send me an e-mail so I could have an idea of the total circulation.
 
I only received a few responses but the total from them brings my circulation to well over 600 ham shacks my newsletter reaches.
 
Thanks to my readers. 
N6IFU 
 
Oat Mountain Amp
W6IST, Allan noted that the report of Oat's 919.25 MHz (VSB) output of 20 over S9 dropping to S8.5 may result in the repeater being turned off so the amp can be serviced.
 
He is going to check the connectors and cables on his next trip to Oat to see if the problems are caused by them.
 
Controller Announcement
During the net last week a club member made an announcement for WA6SVT about the new controller design from Robert, KA4JSR.
 
The description of the functions the new controller design would perform wasn't know but it was described as "new technology" and "fantastic".
 
The announcement also included comments about the money that Robert and Mike had already invested in the project and were asking for donations to complete the project. 
 
It was stated that checks should be made out to " MIKE COLLIS " and in the lower left hand corner on the check you should note "CONTROLLER".
 
$3,000.00 Funding for Controllers
I have been authorized as agent for a Sponsor to offer the ATN-CA club members funding up to $3,000.00. Funding to produce the new controller design from Robert, KA4JSR owner of the Point Loma ATV repeater. Funding with the intent to provide controllers for all ATN repeaters in Southern California as well as backup controllers.
 
I will publish the "terms and conditions" for funding in a extra edition on Monday for the ATN-CA club members. It will be titled "Controller Funding" so if you aren't interested you can delete it. 
 
I will send out an "example terms and conditions" on Tue. to all the other subscribers so those interested in funding can see what they should expect.
 
Equipment for Sale?
If anyone has equipment that they would like to list for sale in the newsletter please let me know.
 
And if you have equipment listed, please let me know when it is sold so I can remove your ad.

 
Check-in's to the ATN-CA net last week totaled 28

Buy-Sell-Trade:
Sell: Package sale of the following equipment:
 
Pauldson 902-928 MHz Amp PD-900N-1, 1 watt in 18 watts out
 
HF Technology TX930 FM Video/Audio Transmitter
 
HF Technology IF-70 FM Video-Audio IF Demodulator
 
HF Technology RX1300 FM-AM Linear Down converter
 
I have manuals for the HF Technology equipment.
 
$600.00    Contact Kent W7AOR  702-452-4412
-----------------------------------
Sell: Mike WA6SVT still has one of my 2.4 Gig ATV Microwave Radio Corp commercial transmitters. Also two H-P commercial 2-6 Ghz TWT amps.
 
I also have some pairs of the Wavelink units that have been modified for high output and several 1 watt bricks amps, N in/out +12 and away they go. I also have two 2 Gig antennas, one dual Goldenrod, and one Paraflector turncated parabolic with polarity feed horn.
 
Lots of 900 and 1200 gear left, transmitters, receivers, antennas, power dividers/combiners. Several D100 D1010 NATV amps to go. 4 Comark amps modified for ham TV (Class A low intermod commercial TV transmitter amps). My commercial TV gear is being listed on Ebay under WestwindtelevisionLLC. TBC's, frame syncs, sync gens, proc amps, Compellor audio processor. DBX audio processors, Globecaster studio in a box, and more are/will be listed between now and when ever its all sold. (Sold my TV production truck but kept the equipment).
 
Henry
AA9XW/K9ATN
a9xw@cs.com
-------------------------------------
Sell: I have 5 watt 2.4 GHz amps for sale $100 each module or $250 with bias supply, protection circuit (kills drain power if bias supply fails to protect the power fets) and box with connectors for in/out and 13 volt power.
WA6SVT wa6svt@aol.com
---------------------------------------
Buy: I am looking for HF Technology ATV 1.2 GHz Transmitter and Receiver, and a IF70 made by HFT.
My cell number 408-891-0842
Don Apte
KK6MX
--------------------------------------
Buy:Tony K6LKH wants to purchase a 2.4 GHz transmitter and amp for his shack. He doesn't want to build anything. He just wants a working 2.4 GHz station. Tony Asked me where he could go to buy what he wants. I thought that there might be someone who would like to build a transmitter and sell it to Tony. Contact Tony at buccitony@cox.net and see what he wants to pay.
---------------------------------------
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.

Please let me know when an item is sold.


 
ATV Guide:
 
"ATV DXing" http://ka69uvy.camstreams.com/
KA9UVY Bob
Active mostly mornings on weekdays
And all hours weekends
 
The Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXer's post their ATV CQ's and reports to the ATV Logger page:
http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
-------------
"G3ZHI, UK"
 http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
 
Many Ham Radio Links
 http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
 
http://www.ukirlp.co.uk
-------------
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"
http://webcamnow/K3ZKO
Every Friday at 0100 UTC
8:00 PM Eastern Time
------------
"ATN Net" (ATN-CA)
Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"Coffee Klatch"
Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Dec. 6th Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com Click ATV
The Dec. meeting will be linked to K6BEN (ATN-CA-N), San Jose via Skype and the AC6RB Internet link.
------------------------------------------
Does anyone have an ATV camstream that they would like added to the ATV Guide? Please let me
know. bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 

Internet Viewers:
We didn't have any out of the area viewers during the net last week.
 
www.ac6rb.com and then click on ATV
 
You might want to keep an eye on the ATV Guide for other web sites and camstreams you can visit.
 

Local News
 

Repeater Reports:
WA6SVT sent me some information for "repeater reports". The following are all his words.
 
Vegas: I fixed the 1265 MHz transmitter for Frank. It puts out 28 watts on 1265 Mhz. I will be working on replacing the 912 MHz transmitter brick Monday with a diffrent part number that will require some rework of the amp.
 
I plan to bring working units with me and drop them off with Frank Tuesday while on the way to the inlaws QTH for Thanksgiving.
 
Blueridge: The 5 GHz link is back on with Mark W6MAF switching the RX channel selector at Blueridge to the channel we transmit on at Jobs Peak, Thanks Mark.
 
Mt. Wilson: With all the QRM and noise at Wilson, I plan to add a 2.4 GHz receiver and probably switch to FM on 2441.5 MHz. The QRM is alot lower there. I will revisit the 434 MHz issue to try and make some sort of 434 carrier lock to turn on the video path to the sync detector to minimize intermod QRM tripping things up. For the next two weeks or so we will still be on 434 MHz.
 

 

 


Repairs Needed:
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 antenna with appropriate lenght of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
3. Check connectors and cables.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater
2. Terminate 434 MHz input.
3. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434.
4. Revisit 434 MHz input in the future.

 


Letters to the Editor:

 

A letter from the editor:
Letters to the editor are never edited. Not just in my newsletter but any other publication in the free world. That is the reason for the column. It is called freedom of speech.
 
I do not print letters with name calling, profanity or statements of hate. That is my choise because I also have freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
 
N6IFU
Bryon Foster 
-------------------------------
If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".  But I am a member of ATN-CA.

 

ATV Newsletter
December 4, 2007      Circulation 750 +
Vol. 1, No. 17

In This Edition:
* Big News this Week
   * San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
   * Third Party Baby Traffic.
   * ATCO Newsletter
   * MFJ ATV chip?
   * Funding Notes
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers 
* Local News
   * Controller Funding Declined
   * Repeater Report
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor 

 
Big News this Week
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
This coming Thursday (Dec. 6th), the SBMS meeting will be broadcast on ATN-CA repeater network and via AC6RB camstream and also linked to K6BEN ATV repeater in San Jose via Skype. 
 
If you haven't seen one of the SBMS meeting you are in for a treat. It is produced by K6KVC Gary and his second cameraman Gene K6BNN. They do an outstanding job.
 
The meeting starts at 7:00 PM PT and runs to around 9:00 PM +or-.
 
The SBMS gives us a opportunity to check-in at the first part of the meeting and I will do my best to relay all check-in's from San Jose. And there maybe additional opportunities for interaction for questions and comments during the meeting. 
 
I will be keeping a log of viewers from K6BEN and I hope to get someone to note the check-in's on the camstream during the meeting so they can also be checked-in. The viewers calls will all be listed in next weeks newsletter.
 
Note to AC6RB camstream viewers: Please list your call, first name, and city/state or country in the chat room so you can be identified.
 
W6KVC starts setting up his equipment at about 6:30 PM so you are sure to see him on the air before the meeting starts.

See you all at the meeting!!!!!!!!!!
 
Third Party Baby Traffic
The Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley area is seeing more baby monitors popping up along with the Oat Mtn ATN repeater output on 919.25 MHz.
 
So if you have QRM on your receive signal you might want to check for un-licensed rug rats. 
 
ATCO Newsletter
I received this e-mail on Monday:
 
Bryon,
Please add me to your Newsletter list. The info is very informative.
 
I am editor of the ATCO Newsletter published by me quarterly in central Ohio. May I have your permission to publish portions or all your newsletter in mine?
 
Thanks. Visit our website at www.atco.tv for a list of our older Newsletters dating back more than 10 years.
 
Kind regards,
Art Towslee
WA8RMC
ATCO 

MFJ ATV chip question
I received this e-mail on Monday:
 
Thanks Bryon - I keep forgetting to tune in for the nets so if you have a net e-mail reminder to put on he morning of, I will do my best to show up...I also would like to know if anyone else is using the MFJ ATV chip and what they are doing with it? Thanks for the newsletter I read every word and enjoy it 73 Jonny KD5LWU Cortez Radio Club President.
 
I think Johnny is referring to the MFJ-8709 4.5 watt ATV transmitter. If anyone that has used one and returned it would like to contact him at kd5lwu@beyondbb.com
 
 
Funding Notes
I have received many questions and the following is to make these two subjects as clear as possible for all considering funding for their club. 
 
                ACCOUNTABILITY:
I cannot stress enough that when a club is looking for funding, accountability is the most important single factor the Sponsor will want to know about the club. Everything involved with finances must be out in the open for the Sponsor as well as all the club members to see how it is spent.
 
And you don't want to try and trick the Sponsor, or trick the club members as well. The Sponsor is going to want to know exactly what every cent is spent on. And all the club members should know everything about the funding before they are asked to vote on the subject.
 
          Anonymous Sponsors:
You may find that a Sponsor's identify maybe requested that it is withheld until the funding package is completed. This is not unusual in business dealing. The Sponsor my find that there is a reason that he may want to withdraw the offer because the club cannot fulfill it's obligations. And the Sponsor doesn't want to be associated with the problems of the club. 
 
If you are brought a funding offer from an agent it will most likely not have the name of the Sponsor. This is again to protect the Sponsor from involvement or publicity in the event the club cannot provide the proper documentation under the conditions of his offer. This is no different than an agent bring you an offer to purchase your house. You don't know who the buyer is until the offer is excepted. And you deal strictly with the agent.
 
The Sponsor may wish to remain anonymous forever and that is his choice because it is his money that he is offering to the club and you must follow the terms and conditions. This is not unusual either. Foundations and Organizations often prefer to remain as an anonymous donor. And a Sponsor that offers funding knowing that the clubs accounting is sketchy at best in the past should expect not to know who the Sponsor until the club can show it can provide accurate accounting.
 
You have to remember that the Sponsor is giving the club his money and you have to play by his rules. And usually all the club has to do is account for the money and what it is spent on. 
 
The agent for broker is an important part of Sponsors and Funding. The agent maybe the only contact with the club and is assigned the job of working out all details as well as putting together and signing aggrements.
 
The one thing that an agent must do for the club is make sure that he doesn't bring an offer of funding to the club that is from a company or corporation or individual that would embarrass the club and it's members.      
 
Check-in's to the ATN-CA net last week totaled 23 

Buy-Sell-Trade:

 
           watch this space

 
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.

Please let me know when an item is sold.
 

ATV Guide:
 
"ATV DXing" http://ka69uvy.camstreams.com/
KA9UVY Bob
Active mostly mornings on weekdays
And all hours weekends
 
The Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXer's post their ATV CQ's and reports to the ATV Logger page:
 http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
-------------
"G3ZHI, UK"
 http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
 
Many Ham Radio Links
 http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
 
http://www.ukirlp.co.uk
-------------
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"
http://webcamnow/K3ZKO
Every Friday at 0100 UTC
8:00 PM Eastern Time
------------
"ATN Net" (ATN-CA)
Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM (0300 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"Coffee Klatch"
Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com click ATV
-----------
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
Dec. 6th Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
(0200 to 0400 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com Click ATV
The Dec. meeting will be linked to K6BEN (ATN-CA-N), San Jose via Skype and the AC6RB Internet link.
------------------------------------------
ATV Web Sites
-------------------
"ATCO Newsletter"
www.atco.tv  
-------------------
"Order of the Iron Test Pattern"
www.oitp.com
-------------------
Does anyone have an ATV camstream or ATV Web Site that they would like added to the ATV Guide? Please let me
know. bryonfoster@hotmail.com


Internet Viewers:
Last week check-in's via AC6RB:
 
N7ZEV
AC6RB Mobile
K6GKB

www.ac6rb.com and then click on ATV
 
You might want to keep an eye on the ATV Guide for other web sites and camstreams you can visit.

 




 

Local News
 
Controller Funding Declined
On Tuesday evening I received this e-mail: 

Bryon,

Thank you for the funding offer.
The officers of the ATN-CA  are unable to meet the Terms and Condition stated in the funding offer and therefore decline the funding.

Don Hill, KE6BXT  
ATN-CA President
 
Repeater Reports:
 

Repairs Needed:
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 antenna with appropriate lenght of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
3. Check connectors and cables.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater
2. Terminate 434 MHz input.
3. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434.
4. Revisit 434 MHz input in the future.
 

Letters to the Editor:

  If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
 bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".  But I am a paying member of ATN-CA.

 

ATV Newsletter
December 11, 2007      Circulation 770 +
Vol. 1, No. 18

In This Edition:
* Big News this Week
   * San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
   * CATS, MATS, & BRATS
   * New Comer to ATN
   * W6GL from JPL
   * N6GKB on the air
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers 
* Local News
   * Repeater Report
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor 


 

Big News this Week
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
It was another great meeting for the SBMS. We had check-in's from W6KGE and myself as well as W4TQI, Patrick in Manassas VA and KD5KPR, David in Denison, TX checked-in using AC6RB's camstream.
 I was unable to link the meeting to K6BEN in San Jose because things came up for W2NYC. We all know how things go during the Holidays. January should be better.
 
C.A.T.S., M.A.T.S. & B.R.A.T.S. Nets  Wednesday evening I checked into an ATV Net in Baltimore MD using KB63LNN, Robert's camstream.   

Before the Net started I met W4TQI Patrick from Manassas, VA in the chat room. W4TQI is just getting into ATV.

 

W4TQI is working on intergrading ATV with a couple of his other hobbies to provide video telemetry and feedback from remotely operated robots.

 

The C.A.T.S. Net started at 9:00 PM in Maryland but a comfortable 6:00 PM here in California. (0200 UTC) (It is held every Wed.) See ATV Guide for days and times for M.A.T.S. and B.R.A.T.S. as well as an International ATV Net.

 

Net Control was K3DRP, Stanley and he checked-in 12 Hams.  Some of the check-in's were KB3JQQ Jay, WB3JUV Grady, K3VRS Ed, K3OCO Jeff, KB3OGV Nicholas, W3WVV Heru and also KB3LNN Robert. I didn't get all the check-in's because I was working on a little problem I was having with Skype but I was able to check-in with my picture. They have as many as 20 check-in's during some net nights. A real nice bunch of guys.

                    ---------------

The address for KB3LNN's camstream is www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com and times and days for all his Nets will be listed in the "ATV Guide".

 

I want to note that I got directed to this group and camstream from Gary, KB9VGD in Burlington, WI and Bill, N3DC in Cheverly, MD. Thank you. 

 

New Comer to ATN
Late Wednesday evening I made contact with N6VCW, John on the 2 meter input/audio subcarrier. John explained to me that he was receiving the 1200 MHz signal from Santiago using a 900 MHz antenna setting on his desk. And receiving a P3 picture.
 
He is looking to replace the 900 MHz antenna with a 1200 MHz antenna mounted outside. John's QTH is in Corona.
 
N6VCW has a 900 MHz repeater and if you would like to visit his web site it is www.n6vcw.com . Excellent web site. If you do nothing but check out his "VSWR/Power Meter" it will be worth the time. KK6MX Don in San Jose sold an item very similar to John's VSWR/Power Meter. Don sold it to WA6SVT for use on Santiago. The device monitors the VSWR and the power output of the transmitter and is designed to set off an alarm if there is a change or a problem. To go direct to the device listed under "Component Descriptions" http://www.n6vcw.com/meter.html
 
Welcome to N6VCW, John. And we welcome you to check-in via 2 meters until you can get a transmitter and put up a picture.
 
W6GL from JPL
I talked with W6GL, John on his way home from JPL on Friday on 146.430 MHz FM simplex. He is on his way home from JPL after 8:00 PM on Fridays only. He comes down the 210 freeway to the 118 to the 23 on his way home to Thousand Oaks.
 
For those of you who don't know John here is a little back ground. W6KGE, N6IWY and myself did a site survey at his QTH about a year ago and he has a mountain getting into his way of the Oat Mtn. repeater as well as causing a receive problem of the 900 MHz output.
 
I told John I would let everyone know his Friday schedule so if you want to they can join in the QSO during his drive.
 
John is interested in setting up a mobile ATV 434 MHz transmit station so he can work the repeaters on his way home. Keep an eye out for W6GL!
 
Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
 
N6GKB
Keith put up a picture on Sat. afternoon from Yucca Valley via Snow Peak ATN repeater. N6GKB is the first full time user on Snow Peak. Job well done Keith.

 

Check-in's to the ATN-CA net last week totaled  24

Buy-Sell-Trade:
----------------------------------
For Sale:
1251 MHz colinear aray ATV antenna.
16 bays or 8 over 8 with 3 elements each.
If you are interested I will be happy to send pictures.
$65 plus shipping. Contact bryonfoster@hotmail.com  
----------------------------------
For Sale:
Used "Kreepie Peepie" 1 Watt 70 cm ATV transmitter by PC Electronics. With Sound Subcarrier Board. Packaged in diecast aluminum box and set-up for portable applications. 350 ma at 12-14 Vdc, it can drive a Mirage D26N amp for 50 watts pep if you want. Great for balloons and R/C projects as well. If you are interested I will be happy to send pictures.
$99 plus shipping. Contact bryonfoster@hotmail.com
----------------------------------
For Sale:
Package sale of the following equipment:
 
Pauldson 902-928 MHz Amp PD-900N-1, 1 watt in 18 watts out.
 
HF Technology TX930 FM Video/Audio Transmitter.
 
HF Technology IF-70 FM Video-Audio IF Demodulator.
 
HF Technology RX1300 FM-AM Linear Down Converter.
 
I have manuals for the HF Technology equipment.
 
Pictures can be provided to interested buyers.
 
$600 Contact Kent W7AOR 702-452-4412
--------------------------------------
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication.
--------------------------------------
Please let me know when an item is sold. Thank you
 

 

ATV Guide:
 
"ATV DXing" http://ka69uvy.camstreams.com/
KA9UVY Bob
Active mostly mornings on weekdays
And all hours weekends
 
The Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXer's post their ATV CQ's and reports to the ATV Logger page:
 http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
-------------
"G3ZHI, UK"
 http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
 
Many Ham Radio Links
 http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
 
http://www.ukirlp.co.uk
-------------
------
TUE.
------
"ATN Net" (ATN-CA)
Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM PT (0300 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
--------
WED.
--------
"C.A.T.S. Net"
Every Wed. @ 9:00 PM ET (0200 UTC)
6:00 PM here in Cal.
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
---------
THUR.
---------





 

"B.R.A.T.S. Net"
Every Thur. @ 9:00 PM ET (0200 UTC)
6:00 PM here in Cal.
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
---------------------------
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
January 3rd Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM PT
(0200 to 0400 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
------
FRI.
------
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"
http://webcamnow/K3ZKO
Every Friday @ 0100 UTC
8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
------------
SUNDAY
------------
"Coffee Klatch"
Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM (1600 UTC)
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
-----------
"International ATV Net"
Every Sunday @ 4:00 PM ET (2000 UTC)
1:00 PM here in Cal.
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
------------
"M.A.T.S. Net"
Every Sunday @ 8:00 PM ET (0000 UTC) 
5:00 PM here in Cal.
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
------------
------------------------------------------
ATV Web Sites
-------------------
"ATCO Newsletter"
www.atco.tv  
-------------------
****CORRECTION******
"Order of the Iron Test Pattern"
http://www.oitp.org    or
http://www.tech-notes.tv/www.oitp.org/
-------------------
Does anyone have an ATV camstream or ATV Web Site that they would like added to the ATV Guide? Please let me
know. bryonfoster@hotmail.com

 
Internet Viewers:
Last week check-in's via AC6RB camstream:

WB6ATN
WA6JOK 
 
AC6RB, George mentioned last week he would have his Skype connection back in operation this coming week.
 
Special Notice: Sat. the ATN repeater system was taken off beacon mode which means that the AC6RB Camstream will not be operational 24/7. This should change after the weather changes and the ice falls off. (See "Santiago Peak" & "Beacon Mode" under Repeater Reports below.) You will have to check to see if it is made operational before any of the nets on ATN. I will give you all an update next week.

www.ac6rb.com and then click on ATV
 
You might want to keep an eye on the ATV Guide for other web sites and camstreams you can visit.


 
Local News
 
Repeater Reports:
Santiago Peak:
Friday evening it was noted that the 1200 MHz output of Santiago Peak was way down. This was because the weather conditions has caused "Flag Ice" to form on the 1200 antenna.
 
Beacon Mode:
Sat. afternoon the ATN repeater system was taken off Beacon Mode. This is to protect the transmitters from running all the time while there is a problem with ice and a poor VSWR.

 
Repairs Needed:
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace 15' to 20' coil of heliax on the 900 antenna with appropriate length of jumper.
2. Add grounds to antennas on tower.
3. Check connectors and cables.
 
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize repeater
2. Terminate 434 MHz input.
3. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434.
4. Revisit 434 MHz input in the future.
 
Letters to the Editor:

If you have a view point or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
See you on ATV,

N6IFU Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
 bryonfoster@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not shared or sold.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".  But I am a paying member of ATN-CA.


 
ATV Newsletter
December 18, 2007    Circulation 783 +
Vol. 1, No. 19
 
In this Edition:
* Big News this Week
   * Update on Cats, Brats & Mats
   * Grimsby Amateur Television Group
   * Got Camstream?
   * Skype. What it good for?
   * Newsletter narrow?
   * New Newsletter Address
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide   Many new events and websites!
* Internet Viewers
* Local News
   * Repeater Reports
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor




 

Big News this Week
Update on CATS, BRATS & MATS:
The repeater used for all these ATV group is W3WCQ/R. And it is owned by the B.R.A.T.S., Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society.
 
C.A.T.S. is Chesapeake Amateur Television Television Society.
 
And M.A.T.S. is KB3LNN's group which is Morgan's Amateur Television Systems.
 
I checked in to the C.A.T.S. net again this week on Wed. and found out some interesting information. Such as: I over heard NY3K. John comment about three repeaters were working and he was asking, "what's the next project". I have sent NY3K an e-mail to see if I can get more info. And told him I would put him on the ATV Newsletter mailing list. I will pass it along when I have something.--And this is what I received from NY3K on Thursday:
                    ---------------
Hi Bryon,
 
I am familiar with your "ATV Newsletter" and have been receiving it through N3DC for the last several months.
 
As for the three ATV repeaters, go to http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev3ql6/id9.html for a description of two of them. These are the repeaters of the Chesapeake Amateur Television Society (CATS).
 
The repeater at the Laurel Hospital now has a link input on 1291 MHz instead of 1265 MHz and the link is still FM. (I have an article coming out in the next ATV Quarterly on setting up an FM 1.2 GHz link like I did for the Laurel Hospital.)
 
The third CATS repeater is at TABCO Tower. a 20 story building in Towson, Maryland. It has a 70 cm input and an output on 3480 MHz. It will also soon have inputs on 10 GHz coming from an ATV system in Pennsylvania, and hopefully inputs for the CATS ATV repeaters in Laurel and on Route 40 discussed in the above website.  It is a work in progress at the moment. If all goes as planned, it may have inputs for all ATV repeaters here in the Baltimore area (CATS and BRATS) as well as some of those in Pennsylvania. Our 3480 MHz output signal is seen in PA and repeated over their ATV system up there.
 
Bottom line--there really are 4 ATV repeaters here in the area; three are CATS repeaters and one is the BRATS repeater. The BRATS repeater is a long time stalwart in the area with 426.25 in and 439.25 out. It is AM.
 
Hope this helps you. John, NY3K
                      --------------
I couldn't have summed it up better than what John wrote. And take a few min. to checkout their website.
 
I checked in on the Thursday night BRATS Net and had a great time. I did copy down all the call signs for the CATS and the BRATS Nets and tried to look up all their e-mail addresses. There were quite a few that didn't have an address listed on QRZ.com so some of you won't be receiving the newsletter. You will have to make sure you pass it along to the members that didn't receive it. I might add that anyone wishing to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter should send me an e-mail and I will put you on the list. atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
 
I plan on checking-in on Sunday for the "ATV International Net" and the "MATS Net" (Morgan's Amateur Television System) KB3LNN. Times and days for all the nets are listed in the "ATV Guide".
 
Visitors are very welcomed to CATS, BRATS & MATS. And thank you all for making me feel welcomed. And thank you KB3LNN, for your camstream.
 
Grimsby Amateur Television Group
I received this e-mail from G7KPM about the ATV group he has in his area.
                  ------------
Hi, Bryon,
 
My name is Jason Haywood, G7KPM and I am the repeater keeper of GB3GG, Grimsby, United Kingdom. The repeater is a tri-input, with TX on 2420Mhz and 3 receive inputs currently on 1280Mhz, 2388Mhz and 10.315GHz.
 
Our repeater also streams on the Camstreams network and the direct URL for the webstream is:
http://www.camstreams.com/asx.asp?user=gb3gg
 
We are currently upgrading the logic which will also allow GB3GG to connect to and relay other Camstream repeaters via IP. This is done via DTMF tone selection.
 
In addition to the above, we are hoping to add an Echolink connection (GB3GG-R  Echolink Node Number is 362918) to facilitate talkback for webstream viewers. This is envisaged to be operational after Christmas.
 
Out repeater group usually has a net on Friday nights at about 21:00 UTC and this is usually streamed via GB3GG's webstream.
 
The repeater group website is: www.gb3gg.org.uk
 
If you could add me to your ATV Newsletter list, I would appreciate it, and I will forward the newsletter to other group members who, should they wish to, contact you for subscription also.
 
Thanks in advance, keep up the good work and best 73's
 
Jason G7KPM
Grimsby Amateur Television Group
                     -----------
I want to thank Jason for taking the time to send me this information. And to let him know that I plan on watching his Net this coming Friday.
 
(GB3GG's camstream and website have been listed in the ATV Guide)

Got Camstream?
If you have a camstream for your ATV group or repeater, please let me know so I can visit your area. Send your information to atv-newsletter@hotmail.com  
 
And even if you don't have a camstream send me some info on your ATV group.
 
Skype. What is it good for?
There are some that have said that the Internet and computers don't have anything to do with ATV. Well here is an e-mail from John, N6VCW the newest addition to the ATVer's here in Southern California. And he is currently using Skype on his 900 MHz repeater and has plans for additional applacations for the future.
 
N6VCW writes:
 
AUTO ANSWER for Skype
The Skype auto-answer setting can be found within the path to your Skype user-name within your Windows Applications Data folder, which is within the Documents and Setting folder.
 
The file name is "config.xml" and looks a lot like html when you open it within a text editor. If you've created Web sites from a text editor before, you should recognize the xml format. Find the field "FriendsAutoAnswer" within the file and change the "0" (zero) to a "1" (one). This will allow anyone you deside to list within Skype to call and have Skype auto-answer.
 
I use this feature to call my Skype connection at my repeater from anywhere I have an Internet connection and listen-in. If I had a Webcam, I could also view it at the same time. I'm considering doing this with my home ATV site and maybe patch the video from a remote location into my ATV site as well someday. That's something to consider WAY off in the future.
 
I'll order a 2.4 GHz transmitter and antenna on Friday and hook everything up at the house mid-January. In the meantime, I'm working on all the cabling and interface controls coming from the shack going to the TX/RX "rack".
 
--John
 
Newsletter narrow ?
I received several e-mails explaining that the text of last weeks edition was a small strip of copy down the center of the page. I have taken measures to rectify the problem. And I thank everyone one that took the time to let me know about the problem.
 
New Address for the ATV Newsletter
The new address is atv-newsletter@hotmail.com . I will be still be using the old address but this is your best avenue for communicating with me for newsletter business.


 
Buy-Sell-Trade:
-----------------------------
For Sale:
1251 MHz collinear array ATV antenna. 16 bays or 8 over 8 with 3 elements each. If you are interested I will be happy to send pictures. $65 plus shipping. Contact n6ifu@hotmail.com
----------------------------
********SOLD*********
Used "Kreepie Peepie" 1 Watt 70 cm ATV transmitter by PC Electronics. With Sound Subcarrier Board. Packed in a diecast aluminum box and set-up for portable applications. 350 ma at 12-14 Vdc, it can drive a Mirage D26N amp for 50 watts. Great for balloons and R/C projects as well. If you are interested I will be happy to send pictures.
---------------------------
For Sale:
Package sale of the following equipment:
 
Pauldson 902-928 MHz Amp PD-900N-1, 1 watt in 18 watts out.
 
HF Technology TX930 FM Video/Audio Transmitter.
 
HF Technology IF-70 FM Video-Audio IF Demodulator.
 
HF Technology RX1300 FM-AM Linear Down Converter.
 
I have manuals for the HF Technology equipment.
 
Pictures can be provided to interested buyers.
 
$600 Contact Kent W7AOR 702-452-4412
----------------------------
Buy:
Icom IC-R3, KM6MW, Ron is looking for an IC-R3.
Contact KM6MW atron@astro-service.us
----------------------------
 
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ham radio/ATV equipment are welcomed to submit your ad(s) for publication. atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
ATV Guide:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"ATVDXing" http://ka9uvy.camstreams.com/
KA9UVY Bob, Active mostly mornings on weekdays.
And all hours weekends.
 
Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXer's post their CQ's and reports to the ATV logger page:
http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
----------------------------------------------------- 
"G3ZHI, UK"
http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.
 
Many Ham Radio Links
http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
 
http://www.ukirip.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------
TUESDAY:
 
"ATN Net" (ATN-CA)
Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM PT
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
----------------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY:
 
"C.A.T.S. Net"
Every Wednesday @ 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
---------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY:
 
"B.R.A.T.S. Net"
Every Thursday @ 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
------
"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"
January 3rd Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM PT
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
---------------------------------------------------
FRIDAY:
 
"GB3GG, Grimsby Amatuer Television Group, Net"
Every Friday @ 2100 UTC
http://www.camstreams.com/asx.asp?user=gb3gg
 
"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"
Every Friday @ 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
http://webcamnow/K3ZKO
---------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY:
 
"Coffee Klatch"
Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM PT
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
-------
"International ATV Net"
Every Sunday @ 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
-------
"M.A.T.S. Net"
Every Sunday @ 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
--------------------------------------------------
         ATV WEBSITES
---------------------------------
"ATCO Newsletter"
www.atco.tv
---------------------------------
"The Amateur Television Directory"
http://www.atv-tv.org/atv-at.php
---------------------------------
"ATN-CA"
Amateur Television Network
http://atn-tv.org/atn.htm
---------------------------------
"Chesapeake Amateur Television Society" (CATS)
Repeaters and Links
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev3ql6/id9.html
---------------------------------
"Grimsby Amateur Television Group"
GB3GG, Grimsby, United Kingdom
www.gb3gg.org.uk
---------------------------------
"K6BEN-ATV"
Home of Silicon Valley Amateur Television
http://www.batnet.com/~mfwright/mfwright/k6ben.html
If you do an Internet search for K6BEN you will see much more as well as several video links that will take you to YouTube. They do a lot of community service.
---------------------------------------------- 
"Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club"
http://www.lvrac.org/
----------------------------------
"METS"
Microwave Experimenters Television System
http://www.qsl.net/kc6ccc/
---------------------------------
"N6HOG's Weather Web"
http://n6hog.com
---------------------------------
"SBMS"
San Bernardino Microwave Society
http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms
---------------------------------- 
 
Does anyone have an ATV camstream or ATV website that they would like added to the ATV Guide? Please let me know. atv-newsletter@hotmail.com  

 
Internet Viewers:
Viewers of the net last week:
N6BYH  Visalia
N7ZEV  Las Vegas
KM6MW  Mission Viejo
N6GKB   Yucca Valley
 
The ice on the Santiago Peak repeater antennas is no longer an issue because the weather has warmed up. So the AC6RB camstream is fully operational.
 
Camstream for ATN-CA:
www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV 

Local News Check-in's to the ATN-CA net last week totaled 21 

Repeater Reports:

Oat Mtn.:
On Monday Chuck WA6FGK and Allan W6IST serviced Oat Mtn.. The 15' lenght of LMR 400 was replaced with a 6' pigtail of 1/2" Superflex which was a good thing. The coil of coax had broken lose and was being supported by the coax's shield ground.
 
The 2 meter coax was also lose and it was also secured.
 
Chuck also added grounds to the antennas.
 
A digital watt meter was placed on the 919.25 MHz output and it was measured at 534 mw reflected and 70 watts forward. EPR about 650 watts.
 
The health of Oat Mtn. is in excelent condition. Thanks to Chuck and Allan. 
 
Santiago Peak:
It's output has been limited because of the "Flag Ice" forming on the 1200 MHz antenna caused by the weather conditions here in Southern California. For those that don't know Santiago Peak is at 5670 feet above sea level.      Oat Mtn. is at 3747 feet.
 
The ice problem cleared up on Monday and the repeater network was put back in beacon mode.
 
Snow Peak:
The link from Santiago Peak does not seem to be operational at this time.
 

Repairs Needed:
Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Snow Peak
1. Reestablish link from Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize Repeater.
2. Terminate 434 MHz input.
3. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434.
4. Revisit 434 MHz input in the future.
 

Letters to the Editor:
 
If you have a viewpoint or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to:
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com   
 

See you on ATV,

N6IFU
Bryon Foster
Editor & Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list. 
 
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not sold or shared.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN". But I am a paying member of ATN-CA.

 

ATV Newsletter
December 25, 2007     Circulation 789 +
Vol. 1, No. 20

 
 

Merry Christmas from the ATV Newsletter 
to all my readers and their family's.

 
In this Edition
* Big News this Week
   * GB3GG, Grimsby ATV Group Net
   * Communications Support Request, AZ
   * QRM on Audio Subcarrier
   * BRATS Net
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers
* Local News
   * Repeater Reports
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor



 
Big News this Week
GB3GG, Grimsby ATV Group Net
I checked-in to the GB3GG Net this Friday (1:00 PM PT/2100 UTC) and had a great time. The camstream didn't have audio but we communicated via the chat room as well as showing signs on the air. I was told they expect to have audio for the camstream soon.
 
I had extended conversations with 2E0ODL, Keith and G7KPM, Jason. They really rolled out the red carpet and made feel very welcomed. I also saw call signs for G8KBC, G0ATW and G4PYD was on the camstream as well as our own W6KGE.
 
I was shown relays from the following ATV repeaters: GB3ET, GB3NV, GB3PV, GB3TN, GB3AXN, GB3LO, G0FVF and PI6DRA in Holland.
 
The GB3GG repeater has inputs on 1280 MHz, 2388 MHz and 10.315 GHz. It was interesting to see that they have problems with Radar interference on 1280 MHz just like we do on 434 MHz. They are able to make a slight shift in frequency to overcome the radar problem which they have plans for in the future.
 
GB3GG has two full time 10 GHz users and I am told that many others are building equipment to move up the band.
 
The GB3GG repeater has some unique features. There is an automatic "P" signal report that comes up on the repeater ID. And the output can show four screens at once. One screen for 1200 MHz, one for 2.3 GHZ and another for 10 GHz and a forth screen which I saw color bars on. I believe it is referred to as the "quad".
 
Excellent pictures from GB3GG and its users, and I was surprised how well the pictures passed to me via the camstream.
 
If you have time next Friday you might want to check it out. The camstream address is http://gb3gg.camstreams.com and the website is www.gb3gg.org.uk  Both addresses are also listed in the ATV Guide.
 
Communications Support Request
"24 Hours in the Old Pueblo"
I received this e-mail from K1ATV, Bil:
 
Please put this in your newsletter.
 
Owen can use all the help he can get.
 
It would really be neat to have a whole bunch of Ham TV types to put on a good show. We have struggled with one or two Ham TV guys for the last six or seven years.
 
Bil
K1ATV
Mesa, AZ
 
E-mail from AK7AR, Owen:
 
Hello FSTV types,
 
Thanks to Bil (with one "L") for letting me post this message even though ATV is not the main focus.
 
This is an email requesting support for the "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo" Mountain Bike Endurance Event held northwest of Oracle, AZ (Between Tucson and Phoenix).
 
The event will be from Noon Feb. 16th to Noon Feb. 17th. For information about the event, please see the following website:
http://www.epicrides.com/twofour/24.htm
 
Indeed this is a 24 hour event that needs 24 hours of support from the Amateur Radio Operators from around the area.
 
There will be six 4 hour shifts this year. If you are interested, you can sign up for one, two, or all six shifts if you want.
 
This year will be perfect for the Amateur Radio Operator that gets "ants in the pants" just setting in the vehicle and watching the riders whisk by them at up to 25-30 MPH. This year will be the first time that there will officially be Amateur Radio Operators on foot and on bikes on the trail with the riders. I hope to have some truly mobile/portable operations.
 
This year we will be trying to integrate a semblance of an ICS (Incident Command Structure). Bringing in EMcomms protocols will allow us to gain some experience in this area of Radio Ops. This event is a wonderful opportunity to simulate an extended emergency evacuation that would occur in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.
 
That is about it for now. If you have any questions/comments, do not hesitate to contact me.
 
In the past, we have had ATV, LPFM, APRS, ect. etc.
 
I plan on having at least LPFM and APRS again this year. I hope to have ATV here too (but we need people, equipment and time for this).
 
Anyone up for NVIS, or Maybe some digital modes such as packet (non-APRS). or PSK-31 or maybe a little D-Star action.
 
As Bil can attest I am more than willing to have ATV at the event (even when the event coordinator was not interested in it) and I welcome it.
 
If there are any other wild ideas, let me know. 24 Hours is a Long time in the field thus there is plenty of time to experiment with some of the "unorthodox" ideas. No scatter-brained scheme shall be turned down without a good gut laugh first.
 
Thanks,
Owen
AK7AR contact at ak7ar@cox.net  
 
QRM on 438.5 MHz, Audio Subcarrier  Here in Southern California we have had a problem with QRM coming in on the 434 MHz input's audio subcarrier (438.5 MHz) and taking out the ATV users audio.
 
It has been thought that the QRM was from FRS radios or maybe a spur from some of the equipment on Oat Mtn.. But it was determined that it is Ham's by the conversations overheard, (but we never hear ID calls), so it's not FRS. And it also can be heard on Bob's (N6AZV) signal when he transmits into Santiago Peak. This rules out a spur on Oat Mtn. because he is located in Long Beach. And if you all remember the QRM was affecting the 434 station that Gordo (WB6NOA) had at the Orange County Fair this summer and it was wiping out all his audio. I checked my notes and I see that we have had this problem for well over a year.

 

So the QRM affects Ventura County, Los Angeles County and Orange County. 

 

We now have a volunteer to help track down the problem and here is his e-mail:

 

Hi Bryon,

I'll try to listen for the interference on that frequency and get a feel for where it might be coming. Once I get a feel for it, maybe I can start tracking it.

 

I have a good TDOA DF unit and it's been quite successful at T-Hunts. Through a process of elimination I should be able to tell which is actual ATV audio transmission and which is not. I'm most interested in those that are not, of course.

 

I'll let you know what I find (if I find anything). I just may end up finding the antenna you're using for ATV, though -- hehehe. Seriously, thought, I should be able to track something that's not normal for an ATV audio subcarrier.

 

In a recent QST article, a person tracked a temporary traffic signal as a source of interference. That was pretty slick.

 

-- John N6VCW

                ----------------------

I will keep you all up to date on the results from John's work. In fact John has already been checking on the QRM for over two weeks.

 

B.R.A.T.S. Net

I checked in on the BRATS net again and there was 17 check-in's including Internet check-in's. There were new members, K3TCC and KB3NYW that I hadn't met before. And one of the people that I have talked with before was Scott, KB3JQQ, nice guy. In fact they are all a great bunch of guys. And thank you KB3LNN for the camstream.

 

Buy-Sell-Trade
 

----------------------------
Buy:
Icom IC-R3
KM6MW, Ron is looking to purchase a used IC-R3. So if you have one you don't need contact KM6MW and make a deal. Contact
atron@astro-service.us
-----------------------------
Buy:
Henry 2004A amplifier. W8ZCF is looking to purchase a Henry 2004A amplifier. Contact Farrell Winder,W8ZCF, Cincinnati.
fwinder@fuse.net  513-231-6732
----------------------------
 
Anyone looking to sell, buy or trade ATV equipment are welcomed to submit their ad(s) for publication:
 atv-newsletter@hotmail.com  

 

ATV Guide
-------------------------------------

"ATVDXing" http://ka9uvy.camstreams.com

KA9UVY Bob, Active mostly mornings on weekdays.

And all hours weekends.

----- 

Hepburn tropo forecast page:

http://www.dxinfocenter.com/trpo.html

----- 

ATV DXer's post their CQ's and reports to the ATV logger page: http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html

--------------------------------------

TUESDAY:

 

"ATN-CA Net"

Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM PT

www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV

-------------------------------------

WEDNESDAY:

 

"C.A.T.S. Net"

Every Wednesday @ 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT

www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com

-------------------------------------

THURSDAY:

 

"B.R.A.T.S. Net"

Every Thursday @ 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT

www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com 

-----

"San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting"

January 3rd THursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM PT

www.ac6rb.com then click ATV

------------------------------------

FRIDAY:

 

"GB3GG, Grimsby Amateur Television Group, Net"

Every Friday @ 21:00 UTC/ 1:00 PM PT 

http://gb3gg.camstreams.com  

-----

"Friday Night Net in Philadelphia"

Every Friday @ 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

http://webcamnow/K3ZKO

-----------------------------------

SUNDAY:

 

"Coffee Klatch"

Every Sunday @ 9:00 AM PT

www.ac6rb.com then click ATV

-----

"International ATV Net"

Every Sunday @ 4:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com

-----

"M.A.T.S. Net"

Every Sunday @ 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com

-----------------------------------

  ATV WEBSITES & CAMSTREAMS

-----------------------------------

"ATCO Newsletter"

www.atco.tv

-----------------------------------

"The Amateur Television Directory"

http://www.atv-tv.org

-----------------------------------

"Amateur Television Network"

http://www.atn-tv.org 

-----------------------------------

"Amateur Television Quarterly"

http://www.hampubs.com

----------------------------------- 

"B.R.A.T.S."

Balitmore Radio Amateur Television Society

http://www.bratstv.org

-----------------------------------

C.A.T.S.

Chesapeake Amateur Television Society

Repeaters and links

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev3ql6/id9.html

-----------------------------------

"G3ZHI"

http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi

----------------------------------

"Grimsby Amateur Television Group"

GB3GG, Grimsby, UK

www.gb3gg.org.uk

-----------------------------------

"GB3LO" Repeater Camstream

Lowestoft, UK

http://gb3lo.camstreams.com

---------------------------------- 

"K6BEN-ATV"

Home of Silicon Valley Amateur Television

http://batnet.com/~mfwright/mfwright/k6ben.html

-----------------------------------

"Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club"

http://www.lvrac.org

For a snap shot of a picture received from the N7ZEV ATV repeater: www.hxo.com

----------------------------------

"METS"

Microwave Experimenters Television System

http://www.qsl.net/kc6ccc/

----------------------------------

"N6HOG's Weather Web"

http://n6hog.com

----------------------------------

"SBMS"

San Bernardino Microwave Society 

http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms

---------------------------------- 

If you have an ATV camstream or an ATV website that you would like listed in the ATV Guide please send your info to:
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com  
 

Internet Viewers
 

Viewers that checked-in on the ATN-CA Net last week:
KC6CJZ Orange
N7ZEV Las Vegas
N6BYH Visalia
 
Camstream for ATN-CA: www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV

 

Local News ATN-CA Net checking last week totaled 17
 
Repeater Reports
 

Oat Mtn.:
WA6FGK says that the feedlines in the past were attached to the 100 ft. + with plastic cable ties. They need to be replaced because the heliax is coming lose. 
 
Oat Mtn.:
The 2.4 GHz link to Santiago Peak is not working very well. It is in & out into Santiago. WA6SVT was on Santiago Peak on Friday and checked the signal from Oat and it is down 20 db. So it is considered that the problem is on Oat. The Oat repeater is working fine as a local repeater. No one has made a trip to Oat to check out the equipment, yet.

 

Repairs Needed
 

Blueridge
1. Reestablish link to and from Mt. Potosi. (Las Vegas)
 
Santa Barbara
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak.
 
Mt. Wilson
1. Optimize Repeater.
2. Terminate 434 MHz input.
3. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434.
4. Revisit 434 MHz input in the future.
 
Oat Mtn.
1. Replace plastic cable ties on Heliax with approrate fasteners.
2. Reestablish a working link to Santiago.

 

Letter to the Editor

If you have a viewpoint or opinion that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to: atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
See you on ATV and have a very Merry Christmas,
 
N6IFU
Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this newsletter to anyone you think would enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the ATV Newsletter send me an e-mail and I will add you to my mailing list.
 
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
 
If you are currently receiving the newsletter and would like it stopped, please send me an e-mail as well.
 
My Mailing List is not sold or shared.
 
The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN". But I am a paying member of ATN-CA. 

 
ATV Newsletter
January 22, 2008  Circulation 836 +
Vol. 1, No. 24
 
In this Edition
* World News this Week
   * International Space Station/DATV
   * Digital Amateur Television Primer
   * Grimsby UK, GB3GG
   * Additional notes on CQ-TV Magazine
   * ATV Newsletter Circulation
* Buy-Sell-Trade
* ATV Guide
* Internet Viewers
* Local News
      * Call to Arms
      * WB6KJJ has a Question
      * W6WYN has a Question
      * Winter Meeting Questions
   * Repeater Reports
   * Repairs Needed
   * Letters to the Editor

 
World News this Week
 
International Space Station/DATV
While reading the most resent issue of CQ-TV my interest was peaked by this information.
 
The launch of Atlantis Space Shuttle STS-122 is targeted for February 7th and in it's cargo bay is the "European Columbus Laboratory" for the ISS.
 
Back in October the L-band uplink (1260-1270 MHz ) and S-band downlink (2400-2450 MHz) antennas were installed on the module for the use of DATV on the ISS.
 
And I noted this paragraph in CQ-TV: "It is expected that there will be a number of educational outreach projects that will be made possible with the equipment"
 
I have not heard a word about this project or planned participation in any way in my local area.
 
What I would like to know is if anyone is making plans to at least receive the ISS? Or if anyone is making plans on work the ISS via DATV in the future?
 
(I do know that there is a group involved with Digital ATV in the Columbus Ohio area and K6BEN in San Jose is making plans to switch it's repeater to DATV.)
 
Please send me a note and let me know what your plans are?
 
I am currently researching any funding that will be offered for educational purposes here in the U.S..
 
Let me know if your ATV Group is interested in some government funding.
 
DATV/Digital Amateur Television Primer
Darren, G7LWT sent me an email to subscribe to the newsletter. Along with his email address was a website address and to my surprise it was his DATV Primer. www.g7lwt.com I have listed it in the ATV Guide for future reference. Thank you Darren.
 
Grimsby, UK GB3GG
I checked into the Net again this week. And for the first part of the net I was able to hear audio and while I was watching their camstream they were watching and rebroadcasting the W6ATN camstream provided by AC6RB. So in effect we had a two way ATV contact with video and audio. Later on I found that the audio problem was on my end and nothing more than a dumb mistake.
 
G7KPM was working with the camstream and the audio loss and 2E0GYZ brought up "Ustream" as an alternative streaming video. I wasn't able to make it work on my end so I will have to educate myself and see if I can get it to operate. See you guys next week.
 
Additional Note on CQ-TV Magazine
 
CQ-TV Cyber Membership now for only 4 UKP (about $7.85 US).

Join now and receive a chance to win an Electronic Caption Generator in the "Caption Competition".
 
www.batc.org.uk  Check it out!
 
ATV Newsletter Circulation
In the past I have asked my readers that pass along the newsletter to other Hams to drop me an email and let me know the number of people you send it to. This is just to give me an idea of the total number of shacks that my newsletter is being read in.
 
If you have already responded to me before you don't need to respond now but the subscribers have grow since I last asked. Please take a moment and send me your number. And please don't stop passing along the newsletter. Thanks to all my readers!
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com  

 

Buy-Sell-Trade
From N8UDK in Troy, MI:
 
Here is a list of equipment I am selling. Everything is in good condition, guaranteed to work, and marked 50% off the retail price. UPS shipping charges will be added. All equipment must be purchased by licensed amateur radio operaters. The reason for sale is our repeater has had no activity in years and I am finishing our basement so I had to clean it out. Please email me at chris@icircuits.com if you have questions or would like to make a purchase.
 
Thanks!
-Chris (chris@icircuit.com)
 
ATV Equipment for Sale
 
1 P.C. Electronics ATV Repeater Receiver ATVR-4 (434.00 and 439.25) [$149.00]
 
1 P.C. Electronics ATV Repeater Receiver ATVR-4 (439.25 LSB) [$149.00]
 
1 P.C. Electronics ATV Repeater Transmitter RTX-23 (1253.25) [$164.00]
 
1 P.C. Electronics ATV Crystal Downconverter TVCX-23 N (1253.25) [$55.00]
 
1 P.C. Electronics ATV Crystal Downconverter TVCX-23 BNC (1253.25) [$55.00]
 
1 Down East Microwave 1.2 GHz 35 watt AMP 2340 PAHS [$make offer]
 
1 Down East Microwave 23cm weatherproof LNA 23LNA [$60.00]
 
1 Geko Labs Video Pattern Generator VG10 [$319.00]
 
2 Kenwood VC-H1 Visual Communicator [$make offer]
 
2 Elktronics boards [$make offer]
 
3 Pico video/audio modulator cable TV 655 to 131 CAM-35U/U [make offer]
 
2 Superscope digital quad splitter b/w rackmount VMS550mkll [$make offer]
 
Filters
 
2 International Crystal Manufacturing FL407 434.000 VSB Filter (tuned for 439.25 LSB) [$make offer]
 
1 Digital Communcations, Inc. 6 MHz Bandpass Filter (1255.00 MHz) 8 pole [$185.00]
 
2 Digital Communications, Inc. 440-450 MHz Bandpass Filter DCI-445-10C 4 pole [$95.00]
 
2 Digital Communications, Inc. 2 Meter Bandpass Filter DCI-146-4H 4 pole [$85.00]
 
Antennas
1 Comet GP-20 1.2 GHz 14.9 dbi omni antenna (new) [$make offer]
 
1 Diamond U-300 440/1200 8.6db/13.2 db omni antenna [$make offer]
 
1 Comet CYA-1216E 1.2 GHz 16.6 dbi beam antenna (new) [$80.00]
 
Radios
 
Kenwood TM-441A [$175.00]
 
Miscellaneous
 
MFJ TNC MFJ-1274 [$make offer]
 
Kantronics Packet Communications 9612 Plus [$make offer]
 
Mountain View Communications Technology GOES Weather Satallite Downconverter 1691-A [$make offer]
 
Hamtronics NOAA Weather Satellite Receiver [$make offer]
 
MulitFAX Weather Satellite PC card [$make offer]
 
Kansas City Tracker PC card [$make offer]
 
Anyone looking to buy, sell or trade ATV equipment are welcomed to send their ad(s) for publication to:
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com

 


ATV Guide

ATV DXing
KA9UVY www.ka9uvy.camstreams.com
KA9UVY, Bob is active mostly mornings on weekdays.
And all hours weekends.
 
Hepburn tropo forecast page:
http://www.dxinfocenter.com/tropo.html
 
ATV DXers post their CQ's and reports to the ATV logger page:
http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
 
Hawiian Beacons for the West Coast provided by "KH6HME":
144.170 MHz
432.075 MHz
1296.34 MHz
 
Tuesday:
ATN-CA Net
Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM PT/ 11:00 PM ET
I am net control and I always check-in internet viewers.
  www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
Wednesday:
C.A.T.S. Net
Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM ET
  www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
Thursday:
San Bernardino Microwave Society Meeting
February 7th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM PT
10:00 to 12:00 Midnight ET
  www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
B.R.A.T.S. Net
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM ET
  www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
Friday:
GB3GG, Grimsby Amateur Television Group Net
Every Friday at 21:00 UTC/1:00 PM PT
  http://gb3gg.camstreams.com
Sunday:
Coffee Klatch
Every Sunday at 9:00 AM PT/12:00 Noon ET
  www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
International ATV Net
Every Sunday at 12:00 Noon PT/3:00 PM ET
  www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
M.A.T.S. Net
Every Sunday at 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
  www.kb3lnn.camstreams.com
 
Other Camstreams:
Six UK camstreams on one site.
http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3gg/repeaters-n.htm

Here is another camstream with another six streaming videos 
http://www.satmann.demon.co.uk/docs/gb3hv/repeaters.htm
 
ATV WEBSITES
 
Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach, Inc.
Club Station located on "Queen Mary" W6RO
http://www.aralb.org
 
ATCO Newsletter
www.atco.tv
 
ATN
www.atn-tv.org
 
Amateur Television Quarterly
http://www.hampubs.com
 
ATV Newsletter (Back Issues Only)
http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi/atvnews.htm
 
Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society (BRATS)
http://bratstv.org
 
British Amateur Television Club Website (BATC)
Also the home of CQ-TV Magazine
http://www.batc.org.uk
 
Chesapeake Amateur Television Society (CATS)
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev3ql6/id.html
 
CQ-TV Magazine
www.cq-tv.com
 
DATV/Digital Amateur Television Primer, G7LWT
www.g7lwt.com
 
G3ZHI
Many Ham Radio Links
http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
G4NJI IRLP 5200 Echolink 135909
Skype g3zhiian
VoiP 642109
Name: Ian
 
GB3BH
http://gb3bh.com
 
GB3GG
www.gb3gg.org.uk
 
GB3KM
http://myspace.freeserve.com
 
K6BEN-ATV
http://www.batnet.com/~mfwright.mfwright/k6ben.html
 
Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club
http://www.lvrac.org & www.hxo.com
 
Microwave Experimenters Television System (METS)
 
N6HOG's Weather Web
http://n6hog.com
 
San Bernardino Microwave Society (SBMS)
http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms
 
Southgate Amateur Radio Club
www.southgatearc.org
 
   
If you have an ATV camstream or an ATV website that you would like listed in the ATV Guide please send your info to:
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
 

Internet Viewers
We had N6BYH, Mike in Visalis check in on the camstream this week. Good to see you Mike.

Camstream to ATN-CA www.ac6rb.com then click on ATV
 

Local News  Check-ins to the ATN Net this week (18)
 

  Call to Arms:
 
 

QST QST QST
 

We need 30 Hams to work communications for the
 

Junior Tennis Tournment (Fullerton Area)
 

February 2 & 3 ALSO 9 & 10th
 

We are expecting 2000+ people
 

SPECIAL NEEDS: 5 Locations need mobile radios with good ant.
 

Be sure to bring plenty of battery power with you

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP

PLEASE CONTACT

GENE KB6CMO@ARRL.NET OR

714-680-4258

 

****  Sent to you by  ****

"Orange County Public Service Event Coordinators"

OCPSEC@Yahoo.com

Cheryl - KI6AFL - KI6AFL@Gmail.com

Susan - KF6VBO - KF6VBO@Gmail.com

 24 Hr. Hotline Phone 714-252-6029

                          ******************** 
WB6KJJ has a Question
WB6KJJ, Ed asked a question on the ATN net last week about his situation on 2.4 GHz. Ed has a amp that needs about a one watt to drive it. He is looking for an exciter or transmitter to drive his amp.. Ed isn't interested in going the way of P.C. Electronics. Can anyone help Ed out? His email address is edboykin@msn.com
 
W6WYN has a Question
Al, W6WYN has his 1200 receive antenna up and this is what he wrote:
Hi Bryon,Seems as though either conditions have been down about 3 db or I have to go higher or something I am right on the threshold between color and black and white. Has the 1.2 GHz signal from Santiago been normal. Thanks Al, W6WYN
 
It might be nice if AL could get a signal report from some of the Santiago users that are on the fringe and would most likely be able to see a change in signal strenght. Maybe N6HOG, N6AZV or KB6CJZ. Al's email is alw6wyn@aol.com
 
Winter Meeting Questions
To answer your questions about the Winter ATN Meeting you should go to the website. www.atn-tv.org
 
And for those of you that wanted to know more about the club rules and the duities of the Treasuer, Pres., or Vice Pres. go to the same website and click on the "Contact US!" button. You will see "ATN-CA Constitution & Bylaws (2006)". This will give you the rules of the club.


 

Repeater Reports
I haven't heard from any of the other repeaters this week and Oat Mtn. is the same as it was last week. No news of repairs either.
 


Repairs Needed

Blueridge:
1. Reestablish Repeater
2. Reestablish link from Mt. Potosi
3. Reestablish link from Santiago Peak
 
Santa Barbara:
1. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak
 
Mt. Wilson:
1. Terminate 434 MHz input?
2. Install 2.4 GHz receiver to replace 434 receiver?
3. Revisit 434 MHz input problem in the future?
4. Reestablish link to Santiago Peak?
 
Oat Mtn.:
1. Replace plastic wire ties on Heliax with appropriate fasteners.

 


Letters to the Editor
 

If you have an opinion or viewpoint that you would like to express to the readers, please submit your letters to:
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com
 

See you on ATV,
 
N6IFU
Bryon Foster
Editor and Publisher of the "ATV Newsletter"
 
Please send this Newsletter to anyone you think will enjoy it.
 
If you wish to subscribe to the "ATV Newsletter", send me an email and I will add you to my mailing list. The newsletter is free.
 
atv-newsletter@hotmail.com   
 
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The "ATV Newsletter" is not affiliated with or part of "ATN".

 

  

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