At our February meeting, representatives from the Angeles Crest 100 Mile Ultramarathon demonstrated the radio gear they use to keep runners safe. The thirtieth annual AC100 will start on August 3, 2017 and continue through August 6 (Thursday through Sunday). Licensed hams are invited to volunteer at checkpoints along the route.
This video shows some amazing scenery that AC100 participants and volunteers can enjoy.
Visit AC100.com for more information.
Fldigi stands for Fast Light Digital modem application. It’s a free and open-source program that allows an ordinary computer’s sound card to be used as a simple data modem. (I’m paraphrasing Wikipedia here!) ARES Northeast has been spreading the word about Fldigi’s usefulness when other communication systems fail due to natural disaster or power outage. You can use it to transfer small files from your computer when the Internet is down.
SPARC’s own Oliver, K6OLI has created a guide to setting up Fldigi on a Windows PC. His step-by-step instructions, complete with screenshots, will get you up and running.
In addition, the following two videos come recommended by ARES NE director Gary Wong, W6GSW. If you are using Fldigi, consider dropping by an ARES activity day to compare notes with fellow SGV hams!
Fldigi: Learn How to Use It
Basic NBEMS Fldigi Setup
This weekend is the 2017 Palm Springs Ham Fest. If you go, be sure to take some pictures and send them to website@southpasradio.org so we can share them here.
Download and complete the linked form on this page to join SPARC or to renew your membership. If you have more than one ham in the household, fill out a separate form for each member, and please indicate on the forms who paid the membership dues.
Continue reading “SPARC Membership Application/Renewal Form”
At our January 4, 2017 meeting, SPARC president Bob Vanderwall WB6YJJ presented a video on the benefits of Winlink. Here is a simple definition of Winlink taken from its Wikipedia page:
Winlink is a worldwide radio messaging system that uses amateur-band radio frequencies to provide radio interconnection services that include email with attachments, position reporting, weather bulletins, emergency relief communications, and message relay.
The most common use of Winlink is sending email from an area where the Internet is unavailable. During an emergency that knocks out Internet access, Winlink can get a message to loved ones and other contacts. This powerful communication resource is an all-volunteer effort administered by a group called the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation Inc. Our Northeast section of ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) uses Winlink as part of its preparedness plans.
With a relatively small investment in equipment (typically an external sound card and free software such as Winlink Express), amateur radio operators can get up and running. Over the course of 2017, SPARC will continue to discuss how to set up and use Winlink at our monthly meetings .
This video by Rick Frost K4REF is a great introduction to Winlink. Rick has posted a series of videos on various aspects of the system on his YouTube page.
Once you’re ready to give Winlink a try, here are recommended node frequencies for the San Gabriel Valley:
VHF
145.050 MHz, 1200 baud
W6GSW-10 (Alhambra)
KA6ECT-10 (Pasadena)
W6SGB-10 (San Gabriel)
UHF
431.125 MHz, 9600 baud:
W6GSW-10
KA6ECT-10
