Category: Blog

May 26, 2021 – All Things HF

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The month of May produced a mediocre solar index that hovered in the mid-70’s as the sunspot numbers stayed in the mid-30’s, however, the quality of DX was ever-present through the entire month of May with something for everyone that included the digital modes, CW and phone for worldwide DX. 

Now that the covid-19 pandemic is on the wane, the long awaited DXpeditions are once again beginning to form with the Principality of Monaco (3A) leading the way, starting on the 27th of this month. Yours truly will be in the pileups to add this to my quest for honor roll…in my 20 years of DXing, this one has evaded me. 

For those of you who collect IOTA’s, there is going to be a rare one by the Russian Robinson group that will be QRV from Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians. Both of these Bering Sea Aleutian Islands were occupied By the Japanese during the early stages of WWll. The Islands have been dedicated as WWII monuments to the 550 American service personnel who gave their lives chasing the Japanese off both of the Islands. 

Most of the DX worked by this station over the past month has been on CW. Once again, the digital mode of FT8 has been the predominant mode but…CW is alive and kicking butt on the bands. That’s about all the news from this station for the month as far as DX goes. 

Don’t forget, no one can hear you listening, so get your station warmed up and call CQ because someone, somewhere in this world of Ham radio is listening for your call; don’t disappoint them. 

So long from my station in Huntersville to yours, wherever it may be… 

Best 73 es gud DX de Bob WØZPE 

May 2021 BAARC Secretary’s Report

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THURSDAY-MAY 27, 2021 – 5:30 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE STATION

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: Terry May KIØFW
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: John Luce WØWY
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community & Special Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ


Attendees: Lyle KØLFV, Terry KIØFW, Ron KØGOP, Doug WØDWB, John WØWY, Al WØRC, Charles W5CCL, and Dave KØISZ. The Vice President opened the Board Meeting at 5:35 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 86 members with 62 paid for 2021 (as of membership meeting close) We welcome new Club member, Andy Stevens KFØACS.
  • Minutes: The April 2021 Club Minutes were distributed to the Board and posted to the Club website
  • Website: Web graphics updated for the ARRL Field Day 2021. May article for Bob WØZPE’s “All Things HF was posted.
  • Correspondence: A note of encouragement and ID portrait enlargements were sent on behalf of the Club to the wife and family of SK Grayle Leech KØBPM.
  • Club membership roster and Gmail recipient list were updated to current status.

Treasurer’s Report:

  • The Treasurer gave his report to the board showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date. All bills are current and paid.

Membership Meeting Programs: 

  • The Vice President reviewed the June 24th Club program. This will occur on the day prior to the Friday Field Day setup date. We will be covering Field Day plans and a tutorial on using the N3FJP FD Logging software.

Digital and Emergency Communications:

  • CWC EOC: John WØWY reported per John Bowen, CWC ES, nothing new regarding the new EOC facility. It is still in progress and our Club operating area should be arranged within the next month. Grant funds are available for antenna cabling when they are ready for our relocation at the new facility.
  • SKYWARN: Al WØRC reported that Duluth SKYWARN operator Doug AAØAW is experiencing connection difficulties with the new NWS online chat room, however, individual operators can still make observation reports to the NWS-Duluth by phone. Al will type up protocols for using the new NWS chat rooms.

Upcoming BAARC Events

  • 2021 Field Day: Lyle KØLFV discussed Club Field Day activities at the CWC Fairgrounds this year. He has made arrangement for our Club use from noon Friday June 25th to Sunday afternoon June 27th. Our exact location will be determined closer to the event as several other groups and activities are in play for fairground space. The usual north-side Public Safety Building we use for our Saturday potluck meal will be unavailable, but we should be able to use the DNR Building to the south as we did in 2019. Lyle’s time will be limited for this 2021 event, and a co-chairman is being sought. Al WØRC volunteered to take the Club trailer to the CWC fairgrounds.
  • Tailgate Hamfest: This outdoor event has proved a good option to sustain Club income from sales of donated equipment. We will again plan to host this at the CWC Fairgrounds with a tentative date of August 14 which will follow the Crow Wing County Fair.

Repeater Trustee & Technical Support

  • Lyle discussed Lyle KØLFV discussed our Repeater Trustee position, and Mitch ADØHJ’s relocation out of the Brainerd area. We are looking for someone to fill this position with a technical skill set. Jay KAØDYN and Dan KØTI have come forward to offer their help in meeting this need and training others to assist.
  • Interested members are also sought for re-establishing a Club Technology Committee to plan and manage current needs and plan for future technical development.
  • John WØWY suggested we ask Mitch for his assistance in producing a job description to outline the various duties of his Club position.
  • The board discussed whether this is an appointed or elected position according to the Constitution and Bylaws. It was decided to make this formal change during the November 2021 Club election.

Old Business:

  • Generator purchase: The Board had previously approved and selected a new, more powerful generator for purchase and use during Club activities. It was discussed and decided to wait for now. We may want to purchase in August when we hope to sell the old one at the Tailgate Hamfest.

New Business:

  • Storage Container Work Day: Lyle reported that the Club storage container on the Brainerd Fire Department grounds needs to be reorganized with the high-quality shelving donated by Mitch ADØHJ. This will require removing the inventory of items and selecting surplus which could be sold or given to members. It was decided that just prior to the August Tailgate Hamfest would be the best time to do this. It was discussed that we do some grounds cleanup on this day as well and offer surplus items to the volunteers.
  • Executive Board Meeting time: A slightly earlier time was discussed to allow for a quick meal prior to the 7PM Membership Meeting. Moving the Membership Meeting to 7:30 PM was also considered. It was agreed we will meet at 5:00PM for the June Board Meeting. MOTION: Doug WØDWB: Move the Board Meeting to 5:00PM and keep the Membership Meeting at 7:00PM, SECOND: Terry KIØFW, PASSED.
  • The Board accepted a letter of resignation from John WØWY for his Club duties as Director of Emergency Communications, and ARRL Emergency Coordinator effective June 30, 2021. John has held these positions for 12 years, since March 31, 2009. The Board expressed its grateful appreciation for his active service in these 2 important areas to our Club, our community and our hobby. John is preparing a job description to outline the various duties of these Club positions as an aide to the Club and those who might next fill them.
  • Dave Satre KDØVJL visited with the Board at the end of the meeting and shared his experiences battling cancer and the resulting complications that have prevented him from being as active as he would have liked. With his condition improving, he is looking forward to resuming his attendance and participation as much as possible. The Board members thanked him for his gesture and the encouraging news.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

THURSDAY-MAY 27, 2021 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE STATION

24 members and guests enjoyed several interesting member presentations on ARRL Field Day experiences:

Ron  KØGOP   Different approaches to Field Day over the last 10 years.

Al WØRC   A Field Day teardown and his Bull Snake surprise.

Lyle KØLFV   A trio of videos on Field Days past and new rules for 2021.

—Respectfully submitted by Ron KØGOP, Secretary

All Things HF

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 April 28, 2021 

All Things HF 

First things first…HFDX is alive and well and there’s plenty of it to go around on the HF bands including the digital modes. FT8 in particular is by far the most popular digital mode on the bands today. 

Radio in a Box is not something that’s new as it’s been in use for many years for HF mobile communications from Field Day to major disasters. What is new however is Radio in a Box set up and operated remote for major DXpeditions in sensitive environmental locations. 

Modern day DXpeditions are expensive, very expensive. The process of obtaining permits and licenses to operate in locations like Peter 1 and Scarborough Reef is laborious and its expensive as well as the DXpedition itself tickling the half million-dollar mark. Bouvet Is. even though both attempts failed for one reason or other each approached the $500K mark. 

Radio in a Box operated remotely from the Motor Ship Braveheart to Bouvet, would have had no requirement for an expensive environmental permit and…would not require a very expensive portable housing installation along with its tear down and removal from the Island. 

The funding for the research and development of the project is the Northern California DX Foundation along with the Flex Radio Company. Good neighbors to the DX community indeed! 

That’s all for now but…sit down at your station and call CQ because someone somewhere is listening for you call, don’t disappoint them. 

So long for now from my station in Huntersville to yours wherever it may be… 

Best 73 es gud DX de Bob WØZPE 

April 2021 BAARC Secretary’s Report

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THURSDAY-APRIL 29, 2021 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE STATION
President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: Terry May KIØFW
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: John Luce WØWY
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community & Special Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ
Attendees: Lyle KØLFV, Terry KIØFW, Ron KØGOP, John WØWY, Al WØRC, Charles W5CCL, and Mark KEØLFQ.

The Vice President opened the Board Meeting at 4:07 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 85 members with 56 paid for 2021 (as of membership meeting close) We welcome new Club member, Andy Stevens KFØACS. 
  • Minutes: The last posted Club Minutes before the Covid-19 suspension were for the February 2020 meetings. At the membership meeting, Doug discussed these in detail and noted the membership renewals, income and expenses over the first 4 months of 2021.
  • Website: Web graphics updated periodically during the Covid-19 suspension included 2020 Tailgate Hamfest, Fall Antenna Work, Christmas 2020, Winter Ops, and 2021 SKYWARN Training.
  • Correspondence: Club thank you letters were sent for donations received from Jerry Morse KB0NKH (January), and Eldon Reeves WØMQO Family (4/2021). A thank you letter was also provided to accompany a $250 donation to Gary Doucette, Crow Wing County Fair Association for use of the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds (3/2021).
  • Club membership roster and Gmail recipient list were periodically updated to current status.

Treasurer’s Report:

  • The Treasurer sent his report to the board showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.  At the Membership Meeting Doug reviewed membership renewals, income and expenses over the 4 month period of 2021. All bills are current and paid.

Membership Meeting Programs: 

  • The Vice President reviewed the April Club program. 

Digital and Emergency Communications:

  • John WØWY reported on the following:
  • CWC EOC: Per John Bowen, CWC ES, the new EOC facility is still in progress and our Club operating area is yet to be determined. Grant funds are reportedly available for antenna cabling when they are ready for our relocation at the new facility.
  • SKYWARN: Severe WX awareness drill VHF net called during the siren testing with several operators checking in.  New protocols were distributed to the Club with changes primarily in how we contact the NWS. They are moving away from having an amateur radio station and operator onsite. Future reporting to the NWS from net control stations or individual operators can be made by phone or through their new online chat room.
  • Al reported on the upcoming Armed Forces Day (AFD) Cross-Band Test, Friday and Saturday, May 7 – 8, in recognition of Armed Forces Day on May 15. The event is open to all radio amateurs The schedule of military/government stations taking part in the Test and information on the AFD message is available on the MARS website.
  • Lyle KØLFV discussed our Repeater Trustee position, and Mitch ADØHJs relocation out of the Brainerd area. Mitch has been a wonderful asset to the Club and we are looking for someone to fill this position with a technical skillset. Work remains for the completion of the Gull Lake repeater site, and it is hoped Mitch may be able to come up for a return visit to finish this summer.Upcoming BAARC Events
  • 2021 Field Day: Lyle KØLFV discussed possible Club Field Day activities at the CWC Fairgrounds this year. With several expressing interest in resuming this yearly event, he will make arrangements to use the site.
  • With warmer weather approaching, Lyle suggested we occasionally meet for a brown-bag breakfast at Lum Park on Saturday morning in lieu of our former semi-monthly restaurant breakfast meetings.
  • Tailgate Hamfest: This outdoor event has proved a good option to sustain Club income from sales of donated equipment. We will again plan to host this at the CWC Fairgrounds in August.

Old Business:

  • Generator purchase: The Board had previously approved and selected a new, more powerful generator for purchase and use during Club activities. It was discussed and decided to wait till we get a little closer to the next Club event which is Field Day at the end of June.

New Business:

  • 2021 Club Officer election: The November 2021 elections were postponed due to the Covid-19 suspension, and the current Officers and Executive Board agreed to continue until the next election could be held. Since our Club Bylaws direct us to hold an annual election in November, we will hold that at the November membership meeting.
  • Storage Container Work Day: Lyle reported that the Club storage container on the Brainerd Fire Department grounds needs to be reorganized with the high-quality shelving donated by Mitch ADØHJ. This will require removing the inventory of items and selecting surplus which could be sold or given to members. It was decided that just prior to the August Tailgate Hamfest would be the best time to do this.
  • Storage Container site cleanup: Terry KIØFW suggested we offer to do some cleanup of noxious weeds surrounding the container area behind the BFD equipment building.
  • Executive Board Meeting time: Ron KØGOP proposed a later meeting time in the immediate future. The 4PM time allowed time for a group meal but with restaurants closed there is a big gap until the 7PM Membership Meeting. It was agreed we will meet at 5:30PM for the May Board Meeting.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:52 PM.

THURSDAY-APRIL 29, 2021 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE STATION

At this first Membership Meeting since the Covid-19 suspension in March 2020, 21 members and guests enjoyed several interesting presentations by members:

Tom KDØMOM  Discussing DX and Cycle 25

John WØWY     Portable Power Supply Project

Ron  KØGOP     Building a Solder Filter Fan

Mark  KEØLFQ   Go Bag

Lyle KØLFV   Xiegu G90 SDR HF Transceiver (low cost transceiver)

—Respectfully submitted by Ron KØGOP, Secretary