JUNE 28, 2001

At the beginning of the meeting, Bill Wysock introduced Fried and Sandy Heyn (W6WZO and W6WZN respectively). Fried has been the Southwest Division Director for the ARRL for many years. His wife Sandy, is an assistant director.

After the introductions, Bill proceeded with the meeting, reserving the most of the time for Fried and Sandy.

Siegfried Janson reported that Goddard Space Center will give only one week notice, which could be a problem. He added that we should get interface with NASA.

Bill asked all members to review the By-laws for review at the next meeting.

Steve Craig reported that he got a refund for the filter and coax switch. The Club currently has $2847.46.

Bill went to the AEA dinner, no one from the 6th floor was there. He had one minute to speak about the ARC. He spoke to officers other clubs who reported that they have branch offices of their clubs in WCO.

Bill reported that he met with Jeff Crawford about the ICOM 735, which was shipped with a power supply. Now Jeff needs a ham shack and heÕll be in business.

Mike Worshum reported about a new VEC for the club. He is hoping to get more interest in the club, both here and outside.

Bill turned the meeting over to Fried and Sandy, who brought several publications that circulated for the club members to review. Fried spoke on a variety of matters, as follows:

• Offered news of the South West Division, which he reported has increased membership by 1.5%
• FCC is now giving support for enforcement; this came about because of efforts of ARRL
• Discussed the International Space Station
• ARRL has 13000 pages on its web site
• Fight for Frequencies is in good shape Ð focusing on VLF Concern is on 40 meters with broadcasters
• Announced that ARRL membership dues are increasing
• Discussed the convention on September 7, 8, 9 in Riverside. Sandy mentioned that there will be lots of good stuff including lessons on HAMSat.
• Showed video Ð Amateur Radio in Space (1985); about SAREX and Tony England (W¯ORE) astronaut and ham radio operator.
• Antenna bill was vetoed by Governor, will be introduced again hoping new governor will sign it.
• Another legislative issue is CC&Rs that prohibit antennas Ð new legislation not introduced because of controversies and lack of prospects for success
• For help with Jr. High School students to spark interest in ham radio, call Roselie White who has lesson plans for schools.

Meeting was adjourned. Club members thanked Fried and Sandy for their time and expressed appreciation for the information they offered our club meeting.

March 2000

The March 30, 2000 meeting was called to order at 11:30 in room A/1052 by President Victor Cortez (KD6YWS). The following members were also in attendance: Archie Buchanan (KD6DLH), Victor Cortez (KF6YWS), Steve Craig (KD6OVZ), Douglas Daughaday (W6DRD), Michael Gorlock (KF6YYV), Russ Gowin (N6QZV), Siegfried Janson (KE6AIF), Mary Kolakosky (KF6SAA), Robert Lacy (KR6DG), David Ping (KK6GH), Ron Plummer (K6GJN), Richard Pruit (N6QZU), Robert Sugino (KC6QJK), Frank Voit (K3FV), Mike Worchum (WB6K), Bill Wysock (N6UXW).

The following discussions took place:

Steve Craig gave the Treasurers Report -- The Club has $2492.83 with an outstanding unaccounted expense of $332.25 on October 28, 1999. Steve asked if anyone could provide him with information because he could not locate an invoice. Ed Warren identified the expense as 2 headsets purchased at JunÕs by Joe Barger. Several club members assured Steve that JunÕs keeps the clubÕs account records and will be able to provide the necessary invoice. Frank Voit said heÕd inquire the next time he went to JunÕs, which was to be soon. Steve requested that when any member purchased equipment, the member make a copy of the invoice and keep the copy in personal files, forwarding the original to Steve who will then cut the check.

Victor Cortez brief the club on the upcoming evacuation drill. He requested that all club members participate in the drill as part of the communication team with primary responsibility to establish a communication link between the building coordinator and the Emergency Management Communications Center (EMCC). He plans to evacuate the entire AGO. For those who did not attend any of the Floor Warden meetings, he recommended that they introduce themselves to the building coordinators for their respective buildings. He needs radio operators at each of the evacuation locations, who will transmit on 147.510. If alternative frequencies are necessary, Bill Wysock will initiate that during the drill.

On April 14, early, there will be an exercise of the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC). This will force the team to use the EMCC and to help them be aware of their role in other locations. Victor mentioned that Bill Wysock and Mike Worsham should get permission to use the security frequency prior to the exercise.

Bill Wysock indicated that DCS uses more than one frequency. He recommended that 146.535 be the alternative frequency. He also recommends that those who have dual band radios use the new repeater if it is up and running. He thought it would be nice to use the test pair frequency. Bill is going to be in the control center along with Steve Craig. Mike Worsham had noted to Bill that all the models are Kenwoods. He will program them to the simplex frequency.

David Ping announced that the repeaterÕs frequency is 448.880 output with 441.880 input. He thought the PL would be 67 Hz but would confirm that later. (PL is 107.2 Hz.) Since the last meeting, the antenna and coax are ready to install, heÕs got the power supply and the machining done for the cabinet. He also got the cable for the radio to power the audio. He still has to check the modulation and sensitivity. He hopes to be online in a week or so. He is planning to put some audio processing on the repeater, with a better compression limiter.

Mike Worsham noted that if the Aerospace repeater is not ready, the cityÕs repeater will work.

Frank Voit has the new book for all the tests Ð all in one. The books are about $10. He has cut the tech license class in _ as well as the novice class. The Extra license exam has added safety questions. He now has 8 students. Tests will be on April 6 and 20, 2000. He informed the club that he will also be doing the Extra exam, and it anyone is interested, contact Dick Pruit.

Bill Wysock said that the Kenwood 940, all mode, is now in his lab in A2 and ready to go. Frank Voit noted that if the 940 goes to A2, it will need a new antenna. Bill is releasing the other radio to go to A6. He also said that the 735 was checked on various modes. Bill wants to know where the VHF AEA analyzer is. We are still unable to locate it. The ICOM R47000 is sick now and in BillÕs custody. Don Taylor wants to go into it because he wants to use it as a spotting beacon. Bill recommended that we let Don have a crack at repairing it rather than take it to JunÕs where a repair would cost money.

Bill expressed concern about the location of the equipment we currently have and that we should be able to account for the clup equipment.

Steve Craig said he has a list Russell did when he made an inventory last year. The inventory list contains serial numbers. He mentioned that Albert has software for analyzers but never turned it over. Bill Wysock added that equipment recently purchased or donated must be added to the list, including the equipment provided by Archie.

Archie Buchanan picked up more equiment and offered it to Dave Ping for club use.

Siegfried Jansen provided a view graph for ARCSat. The final size of the satellite will by 7.5"x 3". Mike will do the machine work. There will be 9 cavities all together, dual Tx/Rx capabilities, 2 dipole antennas Ð VHF and UHF, and cell phone batteries (there is a problem with lithium ion batteries Ð they do not function below 0¼ centigrade). The circuitry will be laid out on circuit board (2"x2"x2") Ð designed to fit in a cavity. Siegfried is working on the transmitter, getting the computer working and dealing with both software and hardware. There will be _" thick wall to be used as radiation shielding; he must have enough mass to limit temperature changes. The satellite will weigh 1 kilo. The front panel will be 3.3 watts with an average power of 1.5 watts. He doesnÕt want a failure like we saw in other similar satellites.

Club recommendations were for Bill Wysock to take responsibility for the equipment, and build up the A2 radio shack next. The A2 shack users are to come up with a wish list.

Russell Gowin was pleased to receive club information by e-mail.

February 2000

The February 24, 2000 meeting was called to order at 11:30 in room A2/2079 by President Victor Cortez. The following discussions took place:

Archie Buchanan donated a 20 foot beam antenna and two elements. There was speculation that the antenna was a Mosely or high gain antenna. He needed help getting the antenna out of his van and up to the roof of A6. Several members agreed to help.

Steve Craig gave the TreasurerÕs Report Ð after recent expenditures of $2396.94, about $1200 remaining.

Dave Ping reported on the Aerospace repeater. He has been able to get most of the equipment necessary to get the repeater going, including a 440 machine, which he got for free. The crystals were installed and tuned up and it is putting out lots of power. He also has a spare radio, which he is tuning up. He still needs a 20 amps power supply Ð pulls 8 amps with 20 watts output. Ron Plummer offered to sell a 20 amp power supply for $60.

Dave indicated that the duplexer is ready to go, but he needs band pass filters for the receiver Ð about $80. Ron Plummer offered to donate one and Joe Barger mentioned that he had one available. Dave then discussed the antenna 4 exposed elements, but it is a little flaky. He will rebuild the wiring harness with 8-9 db gain. He also said a friend offered a PD201 antenna that needs modifications.

The controller we have is fine. It would be nice to have a Motorola squelch card, a pre-amp on the receiver (to come), and audio processing. He has coax with connectors.

Ron informed the members that he knows of a commercial guy form SJM Communications who is familiar with El Segundo, and who says that it is illegal to have a radio in an elevator room. This has never been brought up before. If we have to move it we can put it in weather proof cabinets (Dog Houses). He recognized that there are ambiguities.

Steve asked if Aerospace will be seeing building inspectors from the city or fire department. Vic indicated that only the fire department will be sending inspectors. He said not to worry about the building construction for a while because it has been put off.

Dave resumed saying that the there will be a test pair until we receive a coordinated pair.

ARC web page is now Intranet and off the AF server. Everyone is encouraged to use the web. Frank mentioned that we can now put stuff up for sale. Additionally, notices of FrankÕs class can go on line. Frank informed the club that he has 3 signed up for the class and is hoping for about 6 or more. Joseph recommended letting others know about testing. Next test is Mar.7 in A2.

Equipment needs to be moved from D8 to A2 Ð Bill offered to pick it up Ð SM 220 monitor scope.

Some Aerospace property going to the A6 site and Stephanie Ruiz needs to be notified.

Vic wants to get an article in the Orbiter and publish information about AerospaceÕs radio capacity.

Siegfried Janson briefed ARCSAT.

It will be bigger than double pico sat. Siegfried reported the recent launches of microsats Ð JAWSAT, OPAL, ASUSAT, FalconSAT, and OSC, noting that OPAL launches picosats. He informed the club that Stanford group made a lot of mistakes Ð adding that NORAD told them about the wrong satellite. STENSAT Ð a _ watt Ð is now dead.

AerospaceÕs pico sat worked but not for long. It was designed for 21 days but only worked for 3. Antenna was 50DPD with a 150 foot dish. ARCSAT increased in power to 3.3 w 3.5 and will be 3.5X8X1.5 with redundancy in the receivers, transmitters, and batteries. Contains VHF (_wave) and UHF (_ wave) antenna and will orbit at about 700 kilometers.

The microprocessor is still up in the air.

Steve Craig offered some layout software to assist in laying out the boards, and he can probably do it.

Vic asked Siegfried how much money he will need. Siegfried replied that he will need a few hundred dollars but not immediately.

Mike Gorlick informed the club that he is trying to do a PICOSAT2 as an amateur radio satellite because it eliminates the need for a ground station.

January 28, 1999

The meeting began at 11:31.

President Vic Cortez welcomed all members in attendance and had the new officers introduce themselves to the group. New vice president Bob Prager KO6CY and new technical advisor Dave Ping KK6GH greeted the club. Vic announced that this term as president marks his second time around, as he is a radio club past president. Vic described to the club some ATV antennas Dave had constructed for the EP program and also how those antennas helped in EP drills. Vic also thanked the outgoing officers, Mike Worshum WB6K and Russ Gowin N6QZV for their service last year.

Vic announced that he would like to have a better idea of the clubÕs planned spending for this year, and also what spending occurred last year. He will get in touch with our treasurer.

Even though it appears the corporation may continue to lease building D8 for the coming years, the club decided to go ahead and establish a station in the space alloted in A6. The club also agreed not to abandon the shack in D8. Initial ideas include keeping the HF capability D8 has, plus adding a new beam for the WARC bands. A6 would be built up with the satellite equipment from D8, a new HF vertical antenna, and an existing HF rig that is currently being repaired. It was noted by Frank Voit K3FV that A6 is not accessible in the event of a disaster, due to the hazardous chemicals housed there. The space in A6 should work well for instruction and practice sessions, as there is space for many to gather. It was agreed by the membership that vice president Bob Prager K06CY will coordinate the A6 shack effort. Bill Wysock N6UXW offered the capability of his truck for assisting the move of equipment. He also suggested the weekend HF swap nets as a possible source for equipment the club may be looking to buy.

Russ Gowin N6QZV was given approval by the club to procure an antenna rotor and mast for the ATV equipment at the A2 shack.

Russ asked for a volunteer to take over his duties as the clubÕs emergency communications coordinator. Bill Wysock accepted those duties and will now be carrying the Henry-1 security callsign.

Vic Cortez asked that the web pages be kept up to date with club news, and also that the club start publishing a regular ad in Happenings. Bob Prager will coordinate the ad. Vic asked that a classified ad section be initiated on the club web site. Christopher Taylor KC0ALT will take care of the web activities.

Archie Buchanan KD6DLH offered to club members space at his TRW swap meet table if they have anything for sale. Bill Wysock echoed this offer with his swap meet spot as well.

Vic Cortez discussed meeting topics for coming meetings, especially the fact that he would like to have a good turnout when speakers are brought in. Bill Wysock mentioned that there are several good videos available also that would work well at club meetings.

Steve Craig KD6OVZ asked the club if they were interested in having a summer weekend event again this year, given that last yearÕs event had such a poor turnout. The club generally expressed their support, so the issue may be pursued further.

Vic Cortez announced that he would like to try to have the next club meeting at the new shack location in A6, where there is meeting space outside on the roof.

The meeting ended at 12:35.

February 26, 1998

The meeting began at 11:40.

Bill N6UXW told the club his account of the wide area power outage experienced by AGO on 17-20 February, and the role amateur radio played during the emergency. Bill acted as net control from the W6AGO emergency communications station in the Aerospace Emergency Operations Center.

A core group of W6AGO amateurs made themselves available during the emergency. Some were called on to perform floor-by-floor checks in each of the buildings to make sure everyone was ok and that their needs were being attended to. Other operators not stationed on the main campus stood by in case they were also needed.

Additional perspective was provided by Jeff Bolton from the Environmental Safety Department. He was able to explain the failures of some of the generators that were in place for just such an emergency. Jeff also announced that there would be an emergency exercise scheduled in April related to earthquake preparedness. He is open to suggestions from amateurs regarding problem scenarios that could be used in the drill.

Vic Cortez KD6YWS, who is also in charge of the Floor Wardens emergency preparedness program at Aerospace, took some time to provide his comments on the event and suggest action for the future. He would have liked to have his floor wardens activated for the emergency, but that unfortunately did not happen. He encouraged all amateurs to not wait for a call in events like this--just immediately make yourself available. Vic would like to assign more security radios to some of the club amateurs, and have these operators responsible for activating other amateurs. He also mentioned that Safety is compiling a lessons learned document, and he will pass it along to the club if he can. Lastly, Vic announced that color coded hard hats will be distributed soon to the active amateur operators involved in the emergency preparedness program. All communications hard hats will be blue, with yellow going to floor wardens, and red going to building coordinators.

Club president Mike WB6K added his comments, including the lack of communication between AGO and the Air Force. It was pointed out that apparently given the way things work this can not be easily improved upon. Mike proposed that a club member be appointed to be in charge of EOC activities and equipment, to which vice president Russ N6QZV pointed out that he had been doing just that for 15 years. Mike also suggested that whenever a drill or actual emergency is going on and the EOC shack is activated, two amateurs should be present to handle the additional load at that location.

Russ N6QZV encouraged all club members to participate in the daily check-ins so that we will have an accurate list of the available operators each day in case of an emergency. The computer in the A2 shack is now connected to the network, so email can be sent and received from there. Russ asked Vic to please restore the PC assigned to packet operations at the EOC shack, as it has been inoperable for some time now.

Club director Frank K3FV reported that the A2 shack operated flawlessly during the emergency, thanks to a CNG backup power supply. Frank plans to start a Technician licensing class soon, more details to follow.

Mike WB6K reported that plans are coming along well for a multi-club picnic this summer. He has made contact with the clubs at TRW, Hughes, and Xerox, and they are all in favor of the event. He is working on speakers and other activities, possibly including a t-hunt, but this was discouraged by Steve KD6OVZ who suggested that there would not be enough space.

Discussion took place on whether or not Chevron Park is the best place to hold the picnic. No consensus was reached, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:35.

January 22, 1998

The meeting got started at 11:44.

President Mike Worshum WB6K addressed the idea of increasing club participation in amateur radio contests. He proposed possibly organizing times when club members would come in to one of the W6AGO stations and operate as W6AGO. He mentioned that club member Dave Kunkee K0DI is currently quite active during HF contests giving out points to other contesters as W6AGO. Mike will put something together on this and post it to the club mailing list.

Mike asked if our club was required to submit to the ARRL a schedule of our planned VE testing for 1998, as he had heard of this new requirement. Club Director Frank Voit K3FV informed the club that we don't have VE testing often enough to participate in the ARRL scheduling. The club agreed that we will not submit a schedule.

Mike reported briefly on the club board meeting which occurred on the 16th of January. An ATV beam antenna has been purchased and is on order currently for the A2 shack ATV setup. Mike offered to assemble the beam at his home when it arrives, and then transport it to A2.

Also at the board meeting, the idea of a number of club picnics (in addition to the end of year party), possibly at Isis park or El Segundo park. The idea was met with no objections, so it will be looked into further. The membership was agreeable to having the club pay for the food at the picnics, rather than a brown-bag or potluck approach.

Mike proposed the idea of the club buying take-out food for each monthly meeting, and providing it to members at cost. Each month one of the officers would be responsible for getting the food, and it would be from a different eatery each month. In order to implement this it was pointed out that an RSVP list would need to be made.

The board has decided to re-instate a raffle at the monthly club meetings, a practice that used to occur but hasn't in recent years. Tickets are $1, and the prize each month will be of moderate value, around $20-$50.

The D8 antenna party for Friday the 23rd at 10:00am was announced. Frank Voit K3FV pointed out that he knows of a large drill motor that could be used to drive the mast winch.

In order to improve attendance at monthly meetings, Frank suggested that each member be left a voicemail notice a day or two ahead of each meeting. Frank has done this in the past with a broadcast message, and he has volunteered to do this again if he is sent an updated membership roster. If you do not want to receive these messages Frank will leave instructions with the first message on how to remove yourself from his list.

Vice President Russ Gowin N6QZV proposed the idea of a casual and fun Field Day event up on Mount Gleason, at about 8000 feet. Mike WB6K said he proposed a club field day event last year and nothing happened. Instead he participated with TRW and Xerox in their Field Day event. He pointed out that the TRW club is much better equipped than W6AGO. It was suggested that a W6AGO event could occur some time in the summer, not necessarily on the official Field Day.

Secretary Christopher Taylor KC0ALT announced the new W6AGO web pages and mailing lists, and handed out a mini flyer detailing these new addresses.

Another topic from the board meeting was W6AGO members checking in to other area disaster preparedness nets. Mike WB6K started this with the TRW net on Wednesday. The board will gather info on area nets and pass that along to the membership. Russ will continue to ask for guest check-ins during the Tuesday 1130 net.

Russ N6QZV also proposed a joint picnic between all of the industrial clubs in the area. Mike WB6K commented that it would be quite a coordination effort, but will talk to some of the other club leaders and gather their opinions.

Treasurer John Peterson KF6LYG gave a financial report. Currently $600 has been budgeted for a video camera as part of the A2 shack ATV equipment.

Joe Barger N6KK talked through some issues with the D8 shack. He has plans to bring the shack up to date, including moving some equipment that is under-used currently. The satellite station is one of those items, so Joe would like to move that equipment (antennas, rotors, and amps) to the A2 shack and then install a 6m beam the club owns at D8. John KF6LYG asked Joe to come up with a list of things he might like budgeted for this work. Joe also asked if there is a company 486 around that could be employed in the D8 shack. Mike WB6K mentioned that he would like to get the club some logging software, especially for contest use.

Given current corporate plans for D8, there are probably two years remaining for the D8 shack. Russ N6QZV emphasized the importance of trying to get a penthouse shack built if any new construction is to occur to accommodate the D8 move. Rumors abound on this move, and Frank K3FV has heard there will be no new construction.

Mike WB6K announced that the club will soon adopt a 70cm simplex frequency in addition to the 2m frequency already in use. Mike is also looking for a repeater pair on 70cm, possibly taking over an existing operation (not forcefully, mind you - KC0ALT).

Russ N6QZV announced that the problems with the phone patch had now been fixed. There was discussion of setting up a phone patch on 70cm also. A patch is owned by the club for this, but the radio identified for this task needs some modifications before it can be used.

Dick Pruitt N6QZU was the winner in the monthly raffle, going home with a Radio Shack digital volt meter.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35pm.