Happy New Year 2021
This Mendo Radio website is no longer active.
But, the information published here is still relevant and of interest to the ham radio community. The site still gets several visits each day, so I’m keeping the site up.
If you would like to contribute announcements, articles, or other information relevant to ham radio in Mendocino County (Ukiah, Redwood Valley, Willits, the coastal towns), please comment on this posting, and I will contact you.
73 and best regards,
KB6ZST
Kila the Magic Husky’s Ham Radio College
What?….Ham Radio Radio show on KPFZ 88.1 FM beginning Feb 15 at 1pm
Who? ….Kila the Magic Husky’s Ham Radio College, with her trusty sidekick, Ben WB5QAL.
Where? ….Radio Show on KPFZ 88.1 FM Listener Supported Broadcast Radio
When?….Every Monday afternoon from 1pm till 2pm, beginning February 15, 2016
Why?…. Because people need to really know the material, not just study exam questions.
Listen to a live link here
I intend to have guests and anecdotes and amusements from 1:00pm till 1:30pm then from 1:30pm until 2:00pm every Monday I will teach:
A refresher on the Metric System
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electricity
Electronics
Radio Theory
Antenna & Transmission Line Theory
Wave Propagation Theory and the Ionosphere
International Radio Law and FCC Part 97 Rules and Regulations
WARS Techincal Seminar – October 24th
WARS will be presenting a seminar at the LDS Church in Willits starting at 10:00am till about 2:00pm, October 24, 2015. Topics covered will be more in depth answers that have been brought up on the new Technical Net on Countwide Tuesdays @ 7pm. All HAMs are welcome to attend.
Installing a tower (an uplifting experience) includes a discussion about Don KJ6ZVR & Joyce KJ6ZVS’ experience and a review of tower safety procedures and equipment
DC power connectors – a discussion of options, with a focus on Anderson power poles. As part of this, Mike KC6MGM will provide AND install power pole connectors on radios or power cables brought to the meeting.
RF connectors discussion of types of connectors available and how to choose the right connector for the job. To include hands-on demonstration of how to install common connectors.
Local VHF bounce paths an update on some unusual ways to get your signal around to different parts of the county
A discussion of back up power requirements: learning how to figure out what is needed to power your rig during a power outage.
If time permits, perhaps a segment on basic antenna and feedline measurements.
Contact Tim WB9NJS with any questions you’d like addressed or better yet ask your question on the Countywide Tech Net Tuesday night at 7pm so that everyone can benefit from the discussion.
Mendocino Countywide Health Care Drill
Amateur radio operators are needed for a countywide emergency communications exercise. This exercise, scheduled for Thursday May 21, is intended to tie together hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities across the county. Over 20 facilities, in 9 communities in Mendocino County have been invited to participate. 30 to 35 volunteers may be needed to adequately cover the facilities that are expected to participate. May 21, 2015 is coming up quickly so calendar the date and plan to lend a hand.
Many of you participated in similar drills over the past few years, and Tim WB9NJS, would appreciate your support again this year. If you did not participate in a previous exercise, please consider joining in the 2015 drill. This exercise is an excellent opportunity to develop your emergency communications skills, while becoming more familiar with your local health care facilities.
This year Mendocino County Health and Human Services (HHSA) has asked to extend the time frame of the drill to provide additional time to exchange messages. The exercise is scheduled to start at 10:30 AM and could run for up to 3 hours, depending on volunteer availability. This means volunteers should plan to report to their assigned facilities between 9:00 and 9:30 AM. Volunteers who are unable help for the entire period are still encouraged to participate, as facilities will be allowed to delay their start time.
The exercise will consist of using standardized forms and the ARRL radiogram format to exchange information between the facilities and an EOC in Ukiah. The option of using digital messaging will be included this year, if enough operators who are appropriately trained and equipped are available.
If you are interested in volunteering for this exercise, please contact Tim, either by WB9NJS email or by telephone at (707) 972-9388.
February WARS Meeting
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) will hold a meeting on Saturday, Feb 21, 2015, at 11:30 am, at Old Mission Pizza in Willits. All hams and their families are welcome to attend. This is a great time to visit with old friends, or meet face to face with folks you have only ‘met on the net’. The club will buy the pizza and you buy your drink(s) and anything special like a sandwich or salad bar. Mike Stephens, a local wildlife biologist and owl specialist, will be speaking on “Radio Technology Used for Studying and Surveying Wildlife”. He will be talking about the tracking of Spotted Owls and Marbled Murrlets using RADAR (in a van) for studies deep in the woods. Mike will also have photos and sample radio transmitters for inspection.
WARS “Digital” Seminar
The WARS seminar, Oct. 18, 2014, was very successful with a room full of enthusiasts coming out to hear all about digital radio history, modes and how to use them in this day and age where cell phones seem to have taken the place of radio.
Tim WB9NJS, explained just what is digital, as well as the common digital modes. How does one work with digital modes when their transceiver doesn’t speak digital? CW is the original digital mode and the timing that constitutes a dit, rather than a dah.
Radio Teletype or RTTY was one of the first digital modes authorized for amateur use following WWII and Tim gave a wonderful history of how that evolved from using an elect o-mechanical teleprinter as a terminal to now using a personal computer as a terminal, and it’s sound card in place of a modem. Tim’s RTTY station from 1978 was heavy, bulky and very noisy and today is replaced with a laptop.
What’s needed to get started? Well, acoustically coupled you would need just a computer with a sound card, a digital communication program and a transceiver. Optionally an interface can be placed between the computer and transceiver.
Joyce KJ6ZVS, demonstrated fldigi and flmsg, the programs primarily used on Digi-Net Tuesday evenings on the county wide repeater system, using acoustical coupling. Noting that there is a learning curve and sometimes patience as well as persistence is what makes the practice successful.
George K7WWA, gave a presentation on packet radio, the history, what it was used for and where it is today. Hook up an ordinary PC, a Kantronics radio modem, and your radio then you can send and receive e-mail, transfer files and monitor remote operations. George demonstrated APRS by tracking Nick KI6RIT, as he was returning from his latest trip and then showing that there was a historical record available as he tracked a trip he had made earlier this year.
Tim and Joyce finished the afternoon with a demonstration of SSTV, showing how with a computer and a software program, pictures can be sent. Using Slow Scan and taking a snap shop of an emergency/disaster scene could then be sent to an EOC showing exactly what is happening in real time. Len WA6KLK, commented that Kenwood had a radio equipped with a camera before cell phones.
The seminar was attended by a CERTS team as a communication activity, this helps keep them certified. They were excited about the possibilities of digital communications and could see the advantages of precise and accurate messaging. Several asked about classes to become licensed in amateur radio, and about taking the necessary test(s).
Interestingly enough, 40 percent of those attending were ladies showing that the hobby is not primarily just interesting to guys. We had attendees that made the trip from areas including Gualala, Laytonville, Ukiah, Lake County, as well as the extended Willits area.
A thank you goes to Jim W6JRC, for returning from Pacificon with commemorative centennial coins that were donated to the raffle, and the new HRO catalogs.
WARS Seminar- Oct. 18, 2014
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) will hold a Seminar on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 10:00 am to about 2:00 pm, at The Mormon Church south of Willits. This seminar will be geared mainly towards all things digital. Would you like to know more about the different digital modes? What equipment is needed (or not necessary)? Why try digital modes, are there pluses, and what is the purpose? Digital and HF bands, is it really very effective? What is the purest form of digital?
All HAMS or anyone interested in amateur radio are welcome to attend. More information about speakers and topics will be posted as it is available.
2014 VOMARC Hamfest
Saturday April 26th VOMARC (Valley of the Moon Amateur Radio Club) held their annual Hamfest, which included an indoor/outdoor swapmeet, exam session, breakfast, drawings for door prizes and demonstrations.
We arrived at almost 8am on the dot and business was already brisk at the swapmeet with many attendees returning to their vehicles with their new found treasures. Attendance; both sellers and buyers appeared to be down as compared to a year ago, probably because of the forecasted weather. However, while it was really cool at 8am, by 10 the air had warmed nicely and the day was gorgeous. There were good buys to be found and I enjoyed digging through various boxes of parts looking for the elusive pieces and parts I want for my spectrum analyzer project.
Breakfast, as it has been in the past, was plentiful and delicious with lots of people moving around and stopping for casual conversations. We enjoyed a leisurely meal in a relaxed atmosphere where we met and talked with Hams from outside our local area, made new friends, exchanged information about radio equipment, accessories, and programming. WARS members that attended were Bill KK6HZU and his XYL Debbie, Len WA6KLK, Don KJ6ZVR, and me.
This is the 3rd VOMARC Hamfest that I have had the pleasure of attending and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in a fun day, it’s never too early to mark your 2015 calendar for the 4th Saturday in April. It is the perfect spot and time of year to enjoy a beautiful drive out to Sonoma, find the buy you never expected, possibly take an upgrade exam, and have a meal, all hosted by friendly members of the local radio club.
LCARS Operations Day
Do you want to learn about Ham Radio? Have questions?
Having issues with your ham radio?
We have the answers!
Bring your radio and the manual for it and we will have the people there to help you!
Lake County Amateur Radio Society Operations Day May 3, 2014 10:00 am to 3:00 Location: Lucerne Community Church in the Fellowship Hall 5870 East Highway 20 in Lucerne, CA 95458
All levels of Ham Radio Operators are welcome! Licensed or not!
For further information, contact Kristine (KI6YYW) via e-mail � ki6yyw@gmail.com
May 17th WARS Pizza Meeting
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) will hold a meeting on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 11:30 am, at Old Mission Pizza, Willits in lieu of our spring seminar. All hams and their families are welcome to attend. This is a great time to visit with old friends, or meet face to face with folks you have only “met on the net”. The club will buy the pizza and you buy your drink(s) and anything special like a sandwich or salad bar.
A speaker is being sought and will be announced shortly. We will also take ideas for activities that members are interested in for future meetings so, bring your ideas and be ready to share with the rest of us.
Dues for 2014: $15.00 each or $22.50 for two in a household are now due and payable, either at the meeting or by mailing a payment to:
WARS, PO Box 73, Willits, CA 95490.
Donations are always appreciated.
Annual St Patricks Day Luncheon
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) has a social lunch coming up Monday March 17, 2014 at the Willits Senior Center, 1501 Baechtel Rd. Plenty of Corned Beef and Cabbage will be served along with lots of great conversation and fun. $6 ($5 for seniors) and parking is limited, so it is suggested that arrival time should be no later than 11:45.
Announcement: WARS Meeting Feb 15, 2014 in Willits
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) will hold a meeting on:
Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 1130 am, at The Old Mission Pizza in south Willits.
The club will buy the pizza. You buy your own drink(s).
We will have a speaker and will take ideas for activities that members are interested in for future meetings.
Dues for 2014: $15.00 each or $22.50 for two in a household are now due and payable, either at the meeting or by mailing a payment to: WARS, PO Box 73, Willits, CA 95490. Donations are always appreciated.
In the meantime, Wednesday evenings, check into the Willits local simplex net, 146.445 at seven and then the county wide net at seven thirty 147.390 (plus offset with a PL of 103.5). The Walking Repeater net gets started at about eight on 145.555 simplex.
Thursday evenings at seven the YL net, for ladies only is held on 147.390 (the county wide linked repeater system) followed at seven thirty by the Swap net, a good place to sell/trade or just give away unused radio equipment or make your “wants” known.
Pass the word to other hams that you think might be interested in attending.
Joyce KJ6ZVS
Boonville Bite Hard road race (cyclists) 6/29
The Bite Hard is fast approaching and I could use a few more HAMs to drive a support vehicle behind a group of riders. This is a short stint compared to slower century rides. If I recall from last year, we had 5 staggered start groups with the pros in front and every other vehicle carried medical support. Easy peasy as it’s once around and you stay with your pack (or the majority of your pack if they stretch out).
About Bite Hard Boonville Road Race… (from their website)
The Bite Hard Boonville Road Race is a race encompassing some of the finest tarmac in Mendocino County. The race winds through valley’s of vines, redwood shaded mountains and coastal Highway 1.
The Bite Hard is a fundraiser for Cycked (www.cycked.org), Anderson Valley’s premier bike advocacy group. Cycked is working hard to bring a 30 mile bike path from Boonville to the coast at a cost of over $25,000,000!!!
The Bite Hard is sponsored by Bite Hard Cider, Boonville’s premier cider house. Offering several varieties of cider and pressed right here in Boonville this drink is sure to become a favorite post-ride/race beverage!
The Bite Hard Road Race is promoted by and permitted through AntiGravity Cycling
They hope to get about 200 riders, but it might be a few less. The course is tricky regarding radio coverage so we used 2 repeaters and Chuck kept an ear open in case we needed relays.
All went very well – no issues (other than 1st year organization quirks), no injuries.
Please contact me if you can help!!
73 ~ m
Volunteer Opportunity – Mendo Rally
Hello All: The 2013 Mendocino Rally will be held on two days on two different courses, July 20-21 at the locations shown in the map links. (The courses are final. There may be some changes in the number and locations of radios.) If you plan to come please register directly at http://www.rallydata.com
Your old log-in info will get you in. If you are new, you need to register. Sign up for Saturday, Sunday, or both. Planning is coming together and we need to know who is coming. Please advise in the comments section if you only have a hand-held radio, and also if you have dual band with 440 capabilities because we may be requested to provide radio support for the timing crew.
Here is an outline of what’s up:
Saturday, July 20:
Walker Ridge Road in eastern Lake County. This is about 16 miles long. The course begins immediately off Hiway 20, easy access. It is 66 miles and 1.5 hours from downtown Santa Rosa, CA. It will be run twice in each direction.
Google Map link is https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205644825606633376501.0004dc87efd866e235221&msa=0
Sunday, July 21:
South Mountain OHV area in the mountains east of Ukiah. This is about 15 miles long and will be run twice in each direction. Cars will be starting in Lakeport instead of Ukiah. However, we will have access from the Ukiah side, same as last year, which is much easier for people coming up Hiway 101.
Google map link is https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216600368620911388418.0004a3bf1dd60612c8771&msa=0&ll=39.053318,-122.98233&spn=0.232484,0.653687
Sunday, July 7, 2013: Live practice and drill will be held at 10:00 AM at Youth Community Park, 1700 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, CA, across from Piner High School. New radio operators are urged to attend, and all are welcome. We will review and practice the procedures that are unique to Rally radio operations. We will also do event sign-in with wrist bands, the Comm packet, and releases to sign so you do not have that hassle on rally day. We will also have a Comm meeting Friday night at the Headquarters Hotel where you can sign-in, and Saturday morning.
Headquarters Hotel: Rally HQ will be the Best Western El Grande hotel in Clearlake, CA. 15135 Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, California, 95422-8106. Reservations, CALL 1-800-780-7234 Their Website is http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/CA/Clearlake-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-El-Grande-Inn/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=05433
A Travel Lodge is nearby, at better prices. Travelodge Clearlake, 4775 Old Highway 53, Lakeshore Dr and Old Highwy 53, Clearlake, CA 95422
Phone: 1-707-994-1499 Website is http://www.travelodge.com/hotels/california/clearlake/travelodge-clearlake/hotel-overview
There will be a Friday night welcome party and a Saturday night Awards party. Already we have car entries from Oregon, Washington, Utah and Colorado, as well as an inquiry from Ireland.
Attached is the Passage Log procedures sheet. New Hams must know and understand this procedure. Logs for the event will be provided in the Comm packet when you sign in for the event. Reply to me direct if there are any questions about anything. I will keep you advised as things progress. A formal Comm plan will be out the week before the event.
Thank you to all for volunteering. This should be fun.
Mendocino County Ham Radio Nets
If you’re new to ham radio in the Mendocino area, there are several weekly VHF amateur radio networks that are worthwhile. Most (but not all) of the nets are held each Wednesday evening. There are local city-area nets followed by a county-wide linked-repeater net at 7:30PM. That’s followed by a county-wide simplex net, Walking Repeaters, at around 8:00PM.
The up-to-date list of Mendocino area nets can be found at McARCS Net Page.
WARS – Willits Amateur Radio Society – May 2013 Meeting
WARS (Willits Amateur Radio Society) will hold a meeting on:
Saturday May 18, at 1130 am, at The Old Mission Pizza in south Willits.
The club will buy the pizza. You buy your own drink(s).
We will talk about what we have been doing, and a few of the things we plan to do. We will take ideas of things to do that members are interested in.
Lake County hams have some upcoming events and we will pass the word about them as soon as we get additional information.
In the meantime, besides this e-mail, check into the local Willits simplex net 146.445 at seven pm on Wednesday nights. Also the county wide net on 147.390 plus offset with a PL of 103.5. This is on Wednesday nights also at seven thirty pm. Also for information, there is the Walking Repeater net, about eight pm Wednesday nights. This is on 145.555 simplex.
Pass the word to other hams you think might be interested in attending.
TNX Len WA6KLK CEO WARS 2013
Mendo Radio 