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Tech Saturday Forum
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FLEX Radio : Configuration & Operation
This Tech Saturday session will cover the configuration and operation of the FLEX-3000 HF radio recently installed in the HF room, and its interfaces with fldigi, WSJT, and the PST Rotator interface. The Flex requires virtual COM ports and sound cards so we'll cover them as well.
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The goal of Tech Saturday events is to bring together hams with various levels of experience and expertise on a particular issue and to allow everyone to contribute that expertise for the benefit of the overall group. Previous Tech Saturday events have focused on topics like Nano-VNA test equipment.
Tech Saturday Forum sessions are held at the W2MMD Clubhouse on the first Saturday of the month following the Wednesday Night General Membership Meeting and are designed to be hands-on collaborative events focused on using the Clubhouse resources to demonstrate various aspects of Amateur Radio and related technical areas. Previous sessions have covered USB software-defined radios, Raspberry Pi and Arduino devices, satellite operations and other similar topics.
We would like to invite all of our new members as well as our veteran members to our Tech Saturday Forums to help answer any questions and discuss any and all issues the new members have come across as they progress through the Amateur Radio Experience.
The Discussion Theme is a QSO starting point - a way to initiate a conversation. All Tech Saturdays are an open QSO of all subjects of Amateur Radio interest.
All questions are welcome as well as a venue for hams to show off their latest ham radio projects or gadgets. Have a problem programming that HT, we can help! Not sure what radio or antenna to buy, we can help!
All Club Members who would like Clubhouse access to use its radio equipment would have to have some brief “Elmering” on the Clubhouse rules, such as using the alarm system, the A/C and heaters, the antenna system, and the radio equipment.
All are welcome - Hams and Non-Hams - Club Members and Non-Club Members.
Tech Saturday Forum sessions are held at the W2MMD Clubhouse on the first Saturday of the month following the Wednesday Night General Membership Meeting and are designed to be hands-on collaborative events focused on using the Clubhouse resources to demonstrate various aspects of Amateur Radio and related technical areas. Previous sessions have covered USB software-defined radios, Raspberry Pi and Arduino devices, satellite operations and other similar topics.
We would like to invite all of our new members as well as our veteran members to our Tech Saturday Forums to help answer any questions and discuss any and all issues the new members have come across as they progress through the Amateur Radio Experience.
The Discussion Theme is a QSO starting point - a way to initiate a conversation. All Tech Saturdays are an open QSO of all subjects of Amateur Radio interest.
All questions are welcome as well as a venue for hams to show off their latest ham radio projects or gadgets. Have a problem programming that HT, we can help! Not sure what radio or antenna to buy, we can help!
All Club Members who would like Clubhouse access to use its radio equipment would have to have some brief “Elmering” on the Clubhouse rules, such as using the alarm system, the A/C and heaters, the antenna system, and the radio equipment.
All are welcome - Hams and Non-Hams - Club Members and Non-Club Members.
Tech Saturday Forum : January 07, 2023
Tech Saturday Forum - January 7, 2023 - Happy 8th Anniversary
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
Troubleshooting with an Oscilloscope with Chris Prioli AD2CS
Another successful Tech Saturday Forum took place on January 7, 2023 as Chris Prioli AD2CS led an interactive training session on the proper use of modern oscilloscopes. Using the Siglent scope from the repair bench as an example Chris covered the basics of scope use, how to take measurements of signals from a scope, the use and calibration of test probes and how to use a scope to troubleshoot a non-functioning piece of equipment. Attendance was slightly lower than in previous months with about 16 members viewing at various points, but the smaller group facilitated greater individual involvement in the session.
Other members used different parts of the Clubhouse for meeting and discussions during the event. Sheldon Parker K2MEN and Jim Wright N2GXJ got together in the HF room to discuss their upcoming presentation at the February 1st General Membership Meeting, and Jim also used the test bench to build out a USB-connected foot switch for use with his Flex HF radio. Meanwhile Karl Frank W2KBF and I followed up on several issues related to Winlink and other emergency communications issues.
A fascinating ad-hoc discussion arose when Jerry Barnish K2EAB and Mike Thompson KG4JYA realized that they were both heavily interested in radio astronomy and proceeded to compare notes and make plans for building out capabilities for further research together. A great example of the benefits of the collaboration that’s facilitated by the GCARC and member activities at the Clubhouse.
The ARRL RTTY contest started at 1 PM and Courtney Smith KD2SPJ came down to the Clubhouse to make some RTTY contexts. RTTY has been largely absent from the ham bands over the past few weeks but it took up the entire digital band area above the FT8 frequencies during the contest as can be seen from the waterfall photo from the Flex radio below. After programming some contest macros in fldigi and setting up the log, Courtney settled in to operate the contest, working stations easily with the great HF equipment.
The next Tech Saturday Forum will be on February 4th, tentatively following up on Jim and Sheldon’s presentation on Flex operation at the General Membership Meeting, and will show how to use the HF room’s Flex 3000 for various types of operation.
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
Troubleshooting with an Oscilloscope with Chris Prioli AD2CS
Another successful Tech Saturday Forum took place on January 7, 2023 as Chris Prioli AD2CS led an interactive training session on the proper use of modern oscilloscopes. Using the Siglent scope from the repair bench as an example Chris covered the basics of scope use, how to take measurements of signals from a scope, the use and calibration of test probes and how to use a scope to troubleshoot a non-functioning piece of equipment. Attendance was slightly lower than in previous months with about 16 members viewing at various points, but the smaller group facilitated greater individual involvement in the session.
Other members used different parts of the Clubhouse for meeting and discussions during the event. Sheldon Parker K2MEN and Jim Wright N2GXJ got together in the HF room to discuss their upcoming presentation at the February 1st General Membership Meeting, and Jim also used the test bench to build out a USB-connected foot switch for use with his Flex HF radio. Meanwhile Karl Frank W2KBF and I followed up on several issues related to Winlink and other emergency communications issues.
A fascinating ad-hoc discussion arose when Jerry Barnish K2EAB and Mike Thompson KG4JYA realized that they were both heavily interested in radio astronomy and proceeded to compare notes and make plans for building out capabilities for further research together. A great example of the benefits of the collaboration that’s facilitated by the GCARC and member activities at the Clubhouse.
The ARRL RTTY contest started at 1 PM and Courtney Smith KD2SPJ came down to the Clubhouse to make some RTTY contexts. RTTY has been largely absent from the ham bands over the past few weeks but it took up the entire digital band area above the FT8 frequencies during the contest as can be seen from the waterfall photo from the Flex radio below. After programming some contest macros in fldigi and setting up the log, Courtney settled in to operate the contest, working stations easily with the great HF equipment.
The next Tech Saturday Forum will be on February 4th, tentatively following up on Jim and Sheldon’s presentation on Flex operation at the General Membership Meeting, and will show how to use the HF room’s Flex 3000 for various types of operation.
Work The ARRL RTTY Contest In January 2023
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF & Chris Prioli, AD2CS
The ARRL RTTY Contest is scheduled for January 7-8, 2023 and we hope that many Club members will take advantage of this “throwback” operating mode to see what ham digital communications used to be before Joe Taylor started developing the currently-popular modes.
RTTY (RadioTeleTYpe) is the SECOND oldest digital mode in ham radio (the oldest used a combination of long and short transmissions to send coded messages) and lacks many of the features of the current modes like error-correction and speed, so getting a RTTY QSO can be far more challenging than on FT-8.
So if you like challenges - or if you’re into vinyl records, film cameras, or other throwback technologies - get ready to operate that contest! Beginning this year only RTTY will be allowed, so don’t plan to cheat and use FT-8!
HF Station Will Be Operating
The HF station at the Clubhouse will be set up for this contest and will be available for local users to operate, so if you don’t have a home station come on down and operate W2MMD.
January 7, 2023 will also be a Tech Saturday session covering oscilloscope use that day, so there will be lots of ham-related content available.
Tech Saturday Forum : December 10, 2022
Tech Saturday Forum : November 05, 2022
SDR Angel At Tech Saturday
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
18 GCARC hams gathered at the Clubhouse on Saturday, November 5, 2022 to review an extensive program for software defined radios called SDR Angel. This program contains a large number of demodulators for various protocols such as packet, APRS, AIS, and ADS-B along with more advanced protocols such as radio astronomy and the new M17 open source digital protocol under development. For SDR radios having transmit capability such as the Hack-RF radio the program also offers transmit modules. This allowed us to set up a transmit station for M17 and packet on one computer and receive it on another, both computers running SDR Angel.
We were also able to use the mapping functionality to map and track ships in the Delaware River and also planes in flight. While SDR Angel is far too complex to learn in one sitting, the session provided enough background information for many of us to continue to explore its capabilities on our own.
Here is the download link for the SDR Angel software : http://bit.ly/3guXxiy
The goal of Tech Saturday events is to bring together hams with various levels of experience and expertise on a particular issue and to allow everyone to contribute that expertise for the benefit of the overall group. Previous Tech Saturday events have focused on topics like Nano-VNA test equipment.
The December 10, 2022 Tech Saturday will focus on 3D printing and design software.
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
18 GCARC hams gathered at the Clubhouse on Saturday, November 5, 2022 to review an extensive program for software defined radios called SDR Angel. This program contains a large number of demodulators for various protocols such as packet, APRS, AIS, and ADS-B along with more advanced protocols such as radio astronomy and the new M17 open source digital protocol under development. For SDR radios having transmit capability such as the Hack-RF radio the program also offers transmit modules. This allowed us to set up a transmit station for M17 and packet on one computer and receive it on another, both computers running SDR Angel.
We were also able to use the mapping functionality to map and track ships in the Delaware River and also planes in flight. While SDR Angel is far too complex to learn in one sitting, the session provided enough background information for many of us to continue to explore its capabilities on our own.
Here is the download link for the SDR Angel software : http://bit.ly/3guXxiy
The goal of Tech Saturday events is to bring together hams with various levels of experience and expertise on a particular issue and to allow everyone to contribute that expertise for the benefit of the overall group. Previous Tech Saturday events have focused on topics like Nano-VNA test equipment.
The December 10, 2022 Tech Saturday will focus on 3D printing and design software.
Tech Saturday Forum Field Trip To The RCA Heritage Program Museum : October 08, 2022
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Pictures by Anthony Cerami, N2OAC
- The first is a 1909 Victor talking machine. It was completely mechanically operated. No wires, no batteries no electric power. A diaphragm was located just above the bamboo needle. Sound travelled through a "pipe" connected to the speaker. Volume was controlled by placing a sock in the speaker. ("put a sock in it")
- The second is a 1925 battery powered Radiola. It came with a visible antenna and was battery powered. It was sold without the 6 tubes necessary for it to operate.
- The third is an early tv which spent most of its life in a Camden bar and was donated to the museum. Screen looks to be about 10".
- Number 4 may be familiar to some of us. It stacked 45 rpm records and played them automatically. We had one in the dorm when I went to college.
- The last is a summary of early Victor Talking Machine history.
Sheldon Parker, K2MEN
Pictures by Sheldon Parker, K2MEN
Field Trip To The RCA Heritage Program Museum @ Rowan University
This PDF has a map on where to park and other pertinent information
RCA_Museum_Field_Day.PDF
This PDF has a map on where to park and other pertinent information
RCA_Museum_Field_Day.PDF
One Saturday Morning…
By Chris Prioli, AD2CS
On a recent Saturday morning, the new test and repair bench at the W2MMD Clubhouse got some use by a relative novice at cable assembly. It all started the night before, when Alex Rodriguez KE2AAK, a relatively new Club member and student in the Amateur Extra class, happened to mention that he needed to make up a couple of coaxial cables from the supplies that he had purchased. I suggested that he come in the next morning, a Saturday, and assemble his cables at the Clubhouse.
Alex had ordered about a hundred feet of RG-213U coaxial cable and a set of twenty-four crimp/solder PL-259 connectors from DX Engineering (DXE). He had little or no experience in assembling these cables, but using the tools and equipment available on the Clubhouse test and repair bench, he was able to successfully assemble his coaxial cables under my direction. Also participating for the learning experience was Earl Moore KC2NCH.
Among the tools on the bench are a DXE coaxial cable gripper and a DXE coaxial cable stripper, both appropriately sized for the RG-213U cable, as well as cable cutting pliers and cable trimmer pliers. Of course, the tool complement also includes a DXE coaxial cable crimper with the die set for the RG-8U and RG-213U cables. The final piece of equipment necessary was the solder station, useful for soldering the PL-259 center pins.
With all of the needed tools and equipment on hand, we set out to teach Alex and Earl how to install the PL-259 connectors to the cable. The DXE cable gripper and stripper make short work of preparing the cable, stripping exactly the correct length of outer jacket, shield braid, and dielectric in two easy steps. Step one is to insert the cable into the “slicing” end of the stripper, and then squeezing the stripper closed while rotating it around the cable a couple of turns… until the sound of cutting cable ceases. Step two is to open the stripper tool and reverse it end-for-end on the cable, placing the cable into the “slitting” end of the tool. Then, while squeezing the stripper tool tightly closed and holding the cable securely with your other hand, simply pull the stripper tool straight off the end of the cable, taking the proper lengths of insulation, braid, and dielectric off cleanly.
With the cable end prepared, it is a simple matter to install the connector. Start by slipping the connector nut onto the cable, closed end first. Next, slip a connector ferrule onto the cable, and then peel off the remaining strip of outer jacket left behind by the stripper tool. This strip of jacket will already be slit and will come off very easily. Continue by slipping the connector body onto the end of the cable, inserting the center conductor into the connector pin and working the connector body tube under the exposed shield braid, pushing it gently as far as it will go to bring it up against the cable body. Note… DO NOT twist the connector into place, as doing so can cut the shield braid wires. Push the ferrule up along the cable to the connector body, slipping it up and over the shield braid. Then, using the appropriate crimping tool with the proper die set installed, crimp the ferrule tightly to the cable and connector body. Finish the installation by soldering the center pin to the center conductor of the coax, working inside the center pin tube only, being careful to avoid getting any solder onto the outside of the center pin. Clean off any rosin on the outside of the center pin for best connectivity and a professional finish. Repeat the process on the opposite end of the cable, and then check the cable for continuity and shorts with an ohmmeter. A properly assembled cable will show a direct connection from center pin to center pin, and no connection from the center pin to the connector body or shell.
Alex and Earl each installed a couple of connectors, including soldering the center pins using the Yihua 948-II solder station on the test and repair bench. The cables tested out correctly when measured using the Greenlee DM-510A handheld DVOM, also on the test and repair bench. Are we sensing a theme here yet? Let me spell it out… with the cable and connectors supplied by Alex, everything else needed to assemble the coaxial cables is available right there in the Clubhouse for all members to use! All that we ask is that you get “Elmered” on the tools and equipment if you are not already well experienced with them, both for your own safety and to prolong the service life of the tools and equipment.
The story is not over yet. Alex also had brought with him a power cable for his home radio, consisting of separate red and black wires about twelve feet long each with a four-pin Molex® plug at one end, and a pair of fuse holders near the opposite end, which had about an inch of insulation removed from each wire to accommodate being wrapped around the power output studs on his power supply. His power supply, however, also has Anderson Powerpole® connections available, which is what Alex really wanted to use. To that end, he had purchased a small quantity of 30 ampere rated Powerpole® terminals and some connector bodies.
We improved his power cable by taking out about six feet or so of length and installing the Powerpole® termination that he wanted. Of course, Alex had provided the connector supplies, not knowing that the necessary parts are stocked on the test and repair bench. Equally important, however, is the fact that the test and repair bench is also equipped with a proper Powerpole® crimper tool, which was needed to install his connectors.
We used some large-diameter heat shrink tube pieces to tie the red and black wires together at several points along their length. We also spliced the wires where we had cut out the excess length, properly soldering the splices and covering them with heat shrink tube as well. Shrinking the heat shrink tube sections was a breeze, literally, using the hot air supplied by the hot air reflow wand on the solder station. The heat shrink tube lengths are stocked on the test and repair bench.
The point of all of this is that this bench is really and truly well-equipped and supplied with the most common consumables used in our hobby. Come on out to the Clubhouse and check it out - and plan on using it for your next upgrade, repair, or modification task. After all… it belongs to all of us!
By Chris Prioli, AD2CS
On a recent Saturday morning, the new test and repair bench at the W2MMD Clubhouse got some use by a relative novice at cable assembly. It all started the night before, when Alex Rodriguez KE2AAK, a relatively new Club member and student in the Amateur Extra class, happened to mention that he needed to make up a couple of coaxial cables from the supplies that he had purchased. I suggested that he come in the next morning, a Saturday, and assemble his cables at the Clubhouse.
Alex had ordered about a hundred feet of RG-213U coaxial cable and a set of twenty-four crimp/solder PL-259 connectors from DX Engineering (DXE). He had little or no experience in assembling these cables, but using the tools and equipment available on the Clubhouse test and repair bench, he was able to successfully assemble his coaxial cables under my direction. Also participating for the learning experience was Earl Moore KC2NCH.
Among the tools on the bench are a DXE coaxial cable gripper and a DXE coaxial cable stripper, both appropriately sized for the RG-213U cable, as well as cable cutting pliers and cable trimmer pliers. Of course, the tool complement also includes a DXE coaxial cable crimper with the die set for the RG-8U and RG-213U cables. The final piece of equipment necessary was the solder station, useful for soldering the PL-259 center pins.
With all of the needed tools and equipment on hand, we set out to teach Alex and Earl how to install the PL-259 connectors to the cable. The DXE cable gripper and stripper make short work of preparing the cable, stripping exactly the correct length of outer jacket, shield braid, and dielectric in two easy steps. Step one is to insert the cable into the “slicing” end of the stripper, and then squeezing the stripper closed while rotating it around the cable a couple of turns… until the sound of cutting cable ceases. Step two is to open the stripper tool and reverse it end-for-end on the cable, placing the cable into the “slitting” end of the tool. Then, while squeezing the stripper tool tightly closed and holding the cable securely with your other hand, simply pull the stripper tool straight off the end of the cable, taking the proper lengths of insulation, braid, and dielectric off cleanly.
With the cable end prepared, it is a simple matter to install the connector. Start by slipping the connector nut onto the cable, closed end first. Next, slip a connector ferrule onto the cable, and then peel off the remaining strip of outer jacket left behind by the stripper tool. This strip of jacket will already be slit and will come off very easily. Continue by slipping the connector body onto the end of the cable, inserting the center conductor into the connector pin and working the connector body tube under the exposed shield braid, pushing it gently as far as it will go to bring it up against the cable body. Note… DO NOT twist the connector into place, as doing so can cut the shield braid wires. Push the ferrule up along the cable to the connector body, slipping it up and over the shield braid. Then, using the appropriate crimping tool with the proper die set installed, crimp the ferrule tightly to the cable and connector body. Finish the installation by soldering the center pin to the center conductor of the coax, working inside the center pin tube only, being careful to avoid getting any solder onto the outside of the center pin. Clean off any rosin on the outside of the center pin for best connectivity and a professional finish. Repeat the process on the opposite end of the cable, and then check the cable for continuity and shorts with an ohmmeter. A properly assembled cable will show a direct connection from center pin to center pin, and no connection from the center pin to the connector body or shell.
Alex and Earl each installed a couple of connectors, including soldering the center pins using the Yihua 948-II solder station on the test and repair bench. The cables tested out correctly when measured using the Greenlee DM-510A handheld DVOM, also on the test and repair bench. Are we sensing a theme here yet? Let me spell it out… with the cable and connectors supplied by Alex, everything else needed to assemble the coaxial cables is available right there in the Clubhouse for all members to use! All that we ask is that you get “Elmered” on the tools and equipment if you are not already well experienced with them, both for your own safety and to prolong the service life of the tools and equipment.
The story is not over yet. Alex also had brought with him a power cable for his home radio, consisting of separate red and black wires about twelve feet long each with a four-pin Molex® plug at one end, and a pair of fuse holders near the opposite end, which had about an inch of insulation removed from each wire to accommodate being wrapped around the power output studs on his power supply. His power supply, however, also has Anderson Powerpole® connections available, which is what Alex really wanted to use. To that end, he had purchased a small quantity of 30 ampere rated Powerpole® terminals and some connector bodies.
We improved his power cable by taking out about six feet or so of length and installing the Powerpole® termination that he wanted. Of course, Alex had provided the connector supplies, not knowing that the necessary parts are stocked on the test and repair bench. Equally important, however, is the fact that the test and repair bench is also equipped with a proper Powerpole® crimper tool, which was needed to install his connectors.
We used some large-diameter heat shrink tube pieces to tie the red and black wires together at several points along their length. We also spliced the wires where we had cut out the excess length, properly soldering the splices and covering them with heat shrink tube as well. Shrinking the heat shrink tube sections was a breeze, literally, using the hot air supplied by the hot air reflow wand on the solder station. The heat shrink tube lengths are stocked on the test and repair bench.
The point of all of this is that this bench is really and truly well-equipped and supplied with the most common consumables used in our hobby. Come on out to the Clubhouse and check it out - and plan on using it for your next upgrade, repair, or modification task. After all… it belongs to all of us!
NanoVNA Tech Saturday was a Success
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
More than 15 hams attended the NanoVNA Workshop at the Tech Saturday event at the W2MMD Clubhouse on August 6, 2022. Many of the attendees had already purchased and worked with those devices; others were in their early stages of learning and were able to pick up some ideas and tips. Chris AD2CS and Jon WB2MNF reviewed the basic function and setup of the devices and then started working through some antenna measurements. They showed how to trim a 70 cm antenna to frequency using the VNA to continually measure the SWR at the desired frequency as the antenna was shortened, and then evaluated several other types of antennas including the 2 meter vertical that Charlie Olinda, N2SRQ had brought. A collaborative effort among the attendees was successful in using the VNA to measure the length of an “unknown” piece of coax, and then the group reviewed the effect of various circuits on a “demo” board built to show off how various electrical circuits can be viewed on these devices. Finally Chris demonstrated the VNA Saver program that runs on a PC connected to the VNA and displays the VNA output on a larger screen.
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
More than 15 hams attended the NanoVNA Workshop at the Tech Saturday event at the W2MMD Clubhouse on August 6, 2022. Many of the attendees had already purchased and worked with those devices; others were in their early stages of learning and were able to pick up some ideas and tips. Chris AD2CS and Jon WB2MNF reviewed the basic function and setup of the devices and then started working through some antenna measurements. They showed how to trim a 70 cm antenna to frequency using the VNA to continually measure the SWR at the desired frequency as the antenna was shortened, and then evaluated several other types of antennas including the 2 meter vertical that Charlie Olinda, N2SRQ had brought. A collaborative effort among the attendees was successful in using the VNA to measure the length of an “unknown” piece of coax, and then the group reviewed the effect of various circuits on a “demo” board built to show off how various electrical circuits can be viewed on these devices. Finally Chris demonstrated the VNA Saver program that runs on a PC connected to the VNA and displays the VNA output on a larger screen.
Tech Saturday sessions are held at the W2MMD Clubhouse on the first Saturday of the month following the Wednesday Night General Membership Meeting and are designed to be hands-on collaborative events focused on using the Clubhouse resources to demonstrate various aspects of Amateur Radio and related technical areas. Previous sessions have covered USB software-defined radios, Raspberry Pi and Arduino devices, satellite operations and other similar topics.
The September Tech Saturday event will be held on September 10, 2022 (the day before the GCARC Hamfest) and will cover implementing VARA-FM and packet radio in Winlink and other applications on 2 meters.
The September Tech Saturday event will be held on September 10, 2022 (the day before the GCARC Hamfest) and will cover implementing VARA-FM and packet radio in Winlink and other applications on 2 meters.
Satellite/VHF Room Grounding Project - April 9, 2022
We had some pretty heavy turnout for the April 9, 2022 Tech Saturday Forum. While no specific program was offered, we none the less brought out the membership to see first-hand the work being done in the Satellite/VHF room at the west end of the building.
Sheldon Parker K2MEN took advantage of the fair weather to weed-whack around the building. A big THANK YOU to him for that!
Bill Mollenhauer N2FZ came in as a guest of Jerry Milden K2OOO, and dropped off his membership application while he was there!
We had some pretty heavy turnout for the April 9, 2022 Tech Saturday Forum. While no specific program was offered, we none the less brought out the membership to see first-hand the work being done in the Satellite/VHF room at the west end of the building.
Sheldon Parker K2MEN took advantage of the fair weather to weed-whack around the building. A big THANK YOU to him for that!
Bill Mollenhauer N2FZ came in as a guest of Jerry Milden K2OOO, and dropped off his membership application while he was there!
April 2022 Tech Saturday Forum - clockwise around the room, starting at the near left, is Lenny W2LJR, Mike K2MRP, Jon WB2MNF, Ron NR2B, Frank N3PUU, (unidentified), John K2QA, Al KB2AYU, John K2ZA, Carl KD2YIF, Bill N2FZ, and Jerry K2OOO. Photo taken by Chris AD2CS. Other members were present, but did not make it into the photos, including Charlie N2SRQ, John W2HUV and Sheldon K2MEN.
AD2CS & KD2YIF - Seen at the January 8, 2022 Tech Saturday - Members helping other members at the Clubhouse.
Tech Saturday Is For You!
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
The GCARC Tech Saturday event occurs on the first Saturday following the first Wednesday (the day of the GCARC General Membership Meeting) every month. Its purpose is to provide a forum for hams to discuss technical issues with other hams and to teach and learn about ham radio. It also provides the opportunity for GCARC members to become familiar with the many resources available at the Clubhouse and to get credentialed to gain entry to the Clubhouse and use those resources.
The November Tech Saturday event was a great success in achieving those goals with more than a dozen GCARC members attended at various times. Small groups worked together to program Baofeng and DMR radios or to figure out the best implementation of FT8. John Hill, W2HUV, showed off the HF station and described its remote operation, and several visitors got to work some great satellite passes and see some of the SkunkWorks resources in the VHF room. There was no discussion of personal medical ailments or expositions by the Heroes of Yesteryear about their accomplishments during the Eisenhower administration that have occasionally occurred in the past - instead it was lots of hams helping hams with technical issues.
The Clubhouse provides a great venue for these meetings, having a wealth of table space with seating and electrical outlets along with test equipment, power supplies and various antenna options. It appeared that many of the discussions were impromptu, although a few attendees had previously arranged to meet to work on specific issues. Even if there’s no planned program (as there wasn’t at this meeting) there was still plenty to do. And if you have a specific issue to discuss bring it along and someone will be there to help.
The next Tech Saturday Forum will be on December 4, 2021. The Clubhouse opens at 9:00am although many arrive somewhat later in the morning. Come on out, bring your questions or expertise and have an interesting morning.
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
The GCARC Tech Saturday event occurs on the first Saturday following the first Wednesday (the day of the GCARC General Membership Meeting) every month. Its purpose is to provide a forum for hams to discuss technical issues with other hams and to teach and learn about ham radio. It also provides the opportunity for GCARC members to become familiar with the many resources available at the Clubhouse and to get credentialed to gain entry to the Clubhouse and use those resources.
The November Tech Saturday event was a great success in achieving those goals with more than a dozen GCARC members attended at various times. Small groups worked together to program Baofeng and DMR radios or to figure out the best implementation of FT8. John Hill, W2HUV, showed off the HF station and described its remote operation, and several visitors got to work some great satellite passes and see some of the SkunkWorks resources in the VHF room. There was no discussion of personal medical ailments or expositions by the Heroes of Yesteryear about their accomplishments during the Eisenhower administration that have occasionally occurred in the past - instead it was lots of hams helping hams with technical issues.
The Clubhouse provides a great venue for these meetings, having a wealth of table space with seating and electrical outlets along with test equipment, power supplies and various antenna options. It appeared that many of the discussions were impromptu, although a few attendees had previously arranged to meet to work on specific issues. Even if there’s no planned program (as there wasn’t at this meeting) there was still plenty to do. And if you have a specific issue to discuss bring it along and someone will be there to help.
The next Tech Saturday Forum will be on December 4, 2021. The Clubhouse opens at 9:00am although many arrive somewhat later in the morning. Come on out, bring your questions or expertise and have an interesting morning.
Tech Saturday Forum - November 6, 2021
Tech Saturday, July 7, 2021
Remote HF Station Amplifier and Rotator Installation
Tech Saturday, October 10, 2020
W2MMD SkunkWorks
OK, I've Got My License - Now What???
Tech Saturday, February 8, 2020
Raspberry Pi Hardware/Software Training Class
Tech Saturday, January 11, 2020
RTL-SDR Hardware/Software Training Class
SDR Useful Links
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
Virtual Audio Cable : https://vac.muzychenko.net/en/index.htm : This is needed for all of the other programs. There are other similar programs, but this is the one that we know.
MMSSTV SSTV Decoder (free for hams) : https://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
WxToImg Weather Satellite Decoder (free) : https://wxtoimgrestored.xyz : UISS ISS and APRS decoder.
SoundModem Programs : http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/uiss.htm : Free but donation is requested.
Article on decoding NOAA satellite images using only the RTL-SDR radio and the cheap rabbit-ears dipole in the kit that we recommended. They use different software for the SDR radio and VAC, but the WxToImg program is the same. If you have that kit it’s certainly worth a try. NOAA passes vary in their elevation and consequent signal strength, but the occasional overhead pass can be very clear. Here’s the link : https://hackernoon.com/weather-sat-9620228789c8
John K2QA has set up a page on the Skunkworks website with the handouts and presentations from the January and February Tech Saturday sessions : http://skunkworks.w2mmd.org/tech_Saturday
By Jon Pearce, WB2MNF
Virtual Audio Cable : https://vac.muzychenko.net/en/index.htm : This is needed for all of the other programs. There are other similar programs, but this is the one that we know.
MMSSTV SSTV Decoder (free for hams) : https://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
WxToImg Weather Satellite Decoder (free) : https://wxtoimgrestored.xyz : UISS ISS and APRS decoder.
SoundModem Programs : http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/uiss.htm : Free but donation is requested.
Article on decoding NOAA satellite images using only the RTL-SDR radio and the cheap rabbit-ears dipole in the kit that we recommended. They use different software for the SDR radio and VAC, but the WxToImg program is the same. If you have that kit it’s certainly worth a try. NOAA passes vary in their elevation and consequent signal strength, but the occasional overhead pass can be very clear. Here’s the link : https://hackernoon.com/weather-sat-9620228789c8
John K2QA has set up a page on the Skunkworks website with the handouts and presentations from the January and February Tech Saturday sessions : http://skunkworks.w2mmd.org/tech_Saturday
Tech Saturday, October 6, 2018
Tech Saturday, November 5, 2016
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Matt N2EEE shows off his VHF/UHF SDR receiver. During Tech Saturday, we hooked it up to the Clubhouse's ALT/AZ satellite antenna, and used it to listen in on amateur satellite conversations in progress during a satellite pass over the W2MMD Clubhouse. |
Tech Saturday Forum - March 5, 2016
Frank Bratton, KD2HIK
Tech Saturday Forum continues to be a big hit out at our new W2MMD Clubhouse. On the first Saturday after the general membership meeting for March 4, 2015, we had a number of people come out and stop by, at least for a little while, in spite of the cold weather and snow still covering the grounds.
 John Zaruba, K2ZA
In the main room, John K2ZA had a chance to show off his Arduino project in process, and have some conversations around D-Star and System Fusion radios that people had brought in.
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Al Arrison, KB2AYU
In the VHF/UHF room, Al was hunting amateur radio satellites using computer control of the clubhouse’s alt/az antenna, clearly locking in on some voices from one bird during a favorable pass. Maybe next time he’ll make a 2-way contact. Stop on by April 4 to find out!
At the other end of the Clubhouse, in the HF room, the 10 meter band was found to be hopping with lots of stations from Europe in a contest able to be heard. Some of our ‘new to HF’ members got a chance to log some of their first trans-Atlantic radio contacts, with a little help from their fellow Club members. Were you one of them? It’s amazing what one can do with less than 100 Watts. What a great experience!
Even when not behind the microphone, we had fun trying to pick out the callsigns from the sideband signals we were hearing, and looking them up via QRZ.com on our cellphones. Care to give it a try? Thank you again Al for that Wi-Fi, and the internet extension out at the clubhouse. It sure comes in handy!
Jim Wright, N2GXJ
Even when not behind the microphone, we had fun trying to pick out the callsigns from the sideband signals we were hearing, and looking them up via QRZ.com on our cellphones. Care to give it a try? Thank you again Al for that Wi-Fi, and the internet extension out at the clubhouse. It sure comes in handy!
Jim Wright, N2GXJ
W2MMD Clubhouse
Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds
235 Bridgeton Pike (Rt 77)
Mullica Hill, NJ, 08062
GPS Heading : 39.717000, -75.209950
Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds
235 Bridgeton Pike (Rt 77)
Mullica Hill, NJ, 08062
GPS Heading : 39.717000, -75.209950
