Category Archives: Colorado

This Spewed Out of the Internet #17

Posted on by

The summer is flying by and it has been difficult to keep up with the blog. Here are a few things that just spewed out of the internet.

This week there is a nasty wildfire burning west of Boulder which has already consumed 92 structures. (Take a look at some of the photos here.) We have gotten used to the occasional wildfire in the west, some big, some small. This one seems to have spread rapidly and damaged many homes in a short time. And its not over yet. And yes, the local amateur radio community is actively helping out.

K3NG writes about a situation concerning a public service event. He makes some really good points about the amateur radio role in such events. Sometimes I see radio amateurs working events and not really providing much value. This gives us some on-the-air practice but that may not be enough to justify participating.

The Southgate ARC has an item about keeping the AM mode alive. To me, AM definitely means ancient modulation, clearly approaching the Duty-To-Die phase. Please end the life support on this mode and let it slip away. It really will be better for everyone.  (OK, I suppose these guys are just having fun…hard to knock that. But they could do it with half the bandwidth. )

Back to the future with a reworked Commodore 64. I could see getting one of these PCs.

Here’s a good article from unplggd on emergency preparedness from a tech point of view (but not necessarily amateur radio). It’s worth a read.

Those Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulbs are gaining in popularity. I believe they are an ecological time bomb because of their mercury content. See this article for more information. Oh, and if they aren’t designed well, they tend to radiate radio frequency interference.

73, Bob K0NR

Ham Radio Two-Day License Class – October 16 & 23

Posted on by

Amateur Radio Technician License Class

Monument, Colorado
Saturday Oct 16 and Saturday Oct 23 (8 AM to 5 PM)
Location: Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Station 1
Sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Radio Association

The Technician license is your gateway to the world-wide excitement of Amateur Radio …

  • Earn your ham radio Technician class radio privileges
  • Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam right in class on the second day
  • Multiple-choice exam, No Morse Code Required
  • Live equipment demonstrations
  • Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 Meters and higher
  • Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Colorado
  • Find out how to participate in emergency communications

There is no cost for the class (donations accepted)

However, students must have the required study guide:

Gordon West Technician Class guide, 7th Edition $20.95

And pay the FCC Exam Fee: $15.00

Advance registration is required (no later than Oct 10th, earlier is better!)

To register for the class, contact: Bob Witte KØNR

For more information on amateur (ham) radio visit www.arrl.org or www.wedothat-radio.org

2010 Colorado 14er Event

Posted on by

The Colorado 14er Event will be held on August 8 this year. This is the premier mountaintopping event for amateur radio. The basic idea is to have fun making ham radio contacts from the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado.

Actually, we’ve started to see some of the 14,000 ft peaks in California on the air, too! Very cool. Rumor has it that some of the New Mexico hams might be active on the highest summits in that state (none are above 14,000 feet though). I don’t know whether the Kansas folks are going to brave the extreme conditions on Mount Sunflower this year or not. (That’s the highest spot in Kansas.)

Some of these stations will be on HF, activating Summits On The Air (SOTA) peaks.

For more information see:

The 14er Event Web Site

The Ham14er Yahoo group

I hope to work you during the event.

73, Bob K0NR

ARRL Field Day in Monument

Posted on by

This weekend is the ARRL Field Day, the major ham radio operating event in North America. Here in Monument, the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association and the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Radio Association will operate from TLMF Station 1. Details are on the PPRAA web site.

The “Get On the Air” station is perfect for new hams that want to try out HF. Everyone is welcome to stop by, operate, chat or just observe.

73, Bob K0NR

This Spewed Out of the Internet #15

Posted on by

It’s time to do one of those miscellaneous collections of drivel that spews forth from the interwebnet pipes. Some of this might even be important!

Some upcoming events: ARRL June VHF QSO Party and the Colorado FM Sprint, on the weekend of June 12th. The FM Sprint runs concurrently with the ARRL contest but only on Sunday afternoon. This is a good chance to get on the air with very basic equipment and have some fun.

The ARRL Field Day is coming up on June 26th and 27th. This is arguably the biggest on-the-air amateur radio event in North America.

I was playing around with setting up an SMS text messaging system for callsign lookup. The idea is that you send a text message (containing an amateur call sign) with your mobile phone and get the FCC or QRZ info back. In the meantime, I found that this problem has been solved by Callsign By Text. Very nice, check it out.

Female radio amateurs should check out Chick Factor International. It looks like a fun group.

I picked up a DV Access Point (DVAP) for D-STAR. This is a neat little device that provides flea-powered D-STAR access on 2 Meters by plugging it into a PC with internet connection. The South Yorkshire Repeater Group has a good description of the product. So far, this thing works really well.

By the way, the South Yorkshire group has a really good web site…interesting and timely information. Although they are in the UK, I find it relevant to US ham radio activity, too.

The Technician Class License question pool will be updated as of July 1, 2010. Our next Tech Class in Monument will be in October, so we’ll be updating the classroom material before teaching that class. It is clear that more technical content is being added to the question pool, which I think is a good thing. See KB6NU’s posting on the topic.

From The Complete Waste of Time Department, the FCC once again dismissed a petition from K9STH to change the amateur radio station identification requirements. Look, the FCC doesn’t see a problem here (and neither do I) so save yourself the trouble.

The FCC is seeking comments on the proposed new rules concerning emergency communications.  I took the time to file a short comment, basically saying that the FCC is on the right track but they should remove the reference to “government-sponsored drills”. Any legitimate emergency communications drill should be included, regardless of who sponsors it. The ARRL made similar but more detailed comments.

– 73, Bob K0NR

Announcing the Colorado FM Sprint

Posted on by

The Colorado FM Sprint is a short and simple VHF contest that runs in parallel with the ARRL June VHF QSO Party. Basically, it’s a chance to have some fun on the VHF bands for not-so-serious contesters.

Sponsored by:  Colorado ARES and the Colorado VHF Group (KØYB)
Direct any questions to k0yb@qsl.net

This contest is held concurrently with the ARRL June VHF QSO Party, with compatible rules and operating procedures. The purpose of this contest is to:

·        Promote the use of FM VHF/UHF simplex

·        Provide an opportunity for radio amateurs to test the limits of their stations using FM VHF/UHF and to experiment with ways to improve their stations

·        Practice deploying portable and mobile operation as a means of identifying effective locations for temporary relay stations

·        Provide a simple and enjoyable radio contest experience (“Have fun!”)

Time:

Sunday, June 13, 2010; 1200 to 1600 Mountain Time (1800 to 2200 UTC)

Objective:

To work as many stations as possible using FM simplex on the 146 MHz, 222 MHz and 440 MHz bands in as many different VHF grids as possible.

Frequencies:

Operate on FM simplex frequencies consistent with the Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs (CCARC) band plans with special emphasis on using ARES designated frequencies.

(Consistent with the ARRL Rules, 146.52 MHz is not allowed to be used in the contest.)

Suggested Frequencies:

2 Meters: 146.58, 146.55, 146.49 MHz

222 MHz: 223.5 MHz

440 MHz: 446.0, 446.025, 446.100 MHz

Do not operate on repeater frequencies or 146.52 MHz, the National Simplex Calling Frequency.

Remember to be a considerate operator and share the frequency with other operators.

Contest Exchange

To complete a contest QSO, you and the other station must copy each other’s callsign and 4-digit Grid Locator. You may optionally exchange Name and ARES District.

Note: These are an abbreviated set of rules…the complete rules and FAQ are at http://www.qsl.net/k0yb/Colorado_FM_Sprint.html

73, Bob K0NR

2009 June VHF QSO Party Results

Posted on by

arrlnewlogo-transThe results of the June VHF contest have been published online and in the December issue of QST. I operated from our cabin in DM78, near Trout Creek Pass with temporary antennas up for 50 MHz and 144 MHz (3-element Cushcraft Yagi on 50MHz and a 2M9 on 144 MHz)  It was mostly a two band effort in the low power single operator category, with a few additional contacts on 440 MHz FM.

VHF contests are mostly a regional competition since the scores depend so much on adjacent operating activity. Here’s the scores for the Colorado Single Operator Low Power category:

# Call Score QSOs Mult Class Section
1 N0POH 73,225 419 145 A CO
2 K0COM 38,532 322 114 A CO
3 N0HF 29,718 254 117 A CO
4 K0NR 28,197 238 117 A CO
5 N0YE 14,112 154 56 A CO
6 KB0YH 13,855 163 85 A CO
7 W0EPC 7,812 126 62 A CO
8 WB5PJB 6,050 97 55 A CO
9 K0CS 4,928 88 56 A CO
10 K0UK 1,316 47 28 A CO
11 KC0VFO 1,140 53 19 A CO
12 W0PSS 621 26 23 A CO
13 AB0SF 440 22 20 A CO
14 N0HIO 352 22 16 A CO


Congrats to Wayne N0POH for leading the Colorado Section (and the Rocky Mt Division).

My 28k score is less than the 39k I scored in 2008 (See Awesome June VHF Contest).  I have shifted my focus in the contest to picking up new grids, especially on 144 MHz. I qualified for VUCC on 6M, 10 GHz and Satellite years ago but have never confirmed the required 100 grids on 2 Meters. If I was after the best contest score, I’d be trying to add higher bands to the portfolio, especially 1.2 GHz.

73, Bob K0NR

Colorado QSO Party Results

Posted on by

colorado-flagThe results of the Colorado QSO Party have been posted on the PPRAA web site. I had previously written about this, but I never got around to posting my score after the contest.

Here’s the email I sent to the various club email lists:

The CO QSO Party succeeded in getting me back on the HF bands. I operated from our cabin in Park County with 100 Watts to a half-size G5RV in the trees. I also had 50W to a 2M yagi (2M9) antenna. Only worked WA7KYM in Wyoming on 2M SSB and he was not working the contest. I did pick up a few contacts on 2M FM, which was fun. All contacts were on phone.

I spent a considerable amount of time on 40M but it did not yield much. The exchange of “name” was quite natural on phone and added to the laid back flavor of a state QSO party. All in all, a very fun time.

At times, there were 4 contests running near 14.250 MHz: CoQP, Hiram 140, All Asean DX and another one I did not identify. Lots of “CQ Contest” and lots of confusion 🙂

Band    QSOs    Pts  Sec   Mul
   7       3      6    1    1
   7       1      2    1    0
  14      70    152   31    0
 144       5     10    3    1
 144       1      2    1    0
 420       1      2    0    0
Total      81    174   37   2
Score: 6,786


I placed 3rd in the In-State Low Power Phone – Single Operator category, behind Dan W0RO and Brian N5ZGT. A highlight during the contest was working my good friend Denny KB9DPF in Fort Wayne on 20 Meters. It has been years since we had made contact on the HF bands.

Thanks to the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association for sponsoring this contest.

– 73, Bob K0NR

D-STAR Presentation at MARC

Posted on by

dstarThe interest in D-STAR continues to grow in Colorado. I have responded to a request to talk about D-STAR at the Mountain Amateur Radio Club (MARC) meeting on Wednesday night. It will be a basic introduction to the mode/technology along with a demo of D-RATS. I don’t think I am an expert on the topic so I asked Elliot KB0RFC to assist. Between the two of us, we have enough experience with D-STAR to handle the topic well.

The MARC club is a fun group, so stop by if you get a chance!

Bob Witte (KØNR) and Elliot Linke (KBØRFC) will be presenting a program and demonstrating the basics of D-Star, the new amateur radio digital mode that can be used for both voice and data, at our MARC Meeting at 7 pm this Wednesday, Sept. 16th, at the Woodland Park Library. I hope you will make plans to attend!

See you then!!!

73 Wes KØHBZ

Mountains, Radios and the Goats

Posted on by

Steve (WG0AT) has done it again with a great video of the Colorado 14er Event. Take a look at the saga of two guys and two goats scrambling their way to the top of Mount Humboldt (with the exclusive GoatCam technology). This new adventure features Peanut and Rooster, the brain power behind the Old Goats Hiking Team. This video captures the spirit of the 14er event, the premier mountaintop radio event.

For more goat hiking videos, see http://n0b-14er.blogspot.com/

73, Bob K0NR

D-STAR is On Line in Monument

Posted on by

One of our local radio groups has put a 70 cm D-STAR repeater on the air here in Monument. Here’s the announcement from Elliot KB0RFC:

The W0TLM B repeater and gateway are on the air in their new PERMANENT home in monument near hwy 105 and I 25, coverage reports are needed. All gateway functions are operating please feel free to link to the repeater, or just call around.

The repeater is a joint effort between the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire radio association, the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department Communications Auxilary, And the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District. The purpose of this repeater is  to support emergency communications in northern El-Paso County. we will do what we can to create an environment conducive to training and support for actual emergency events.

We run a net on 447.725- 100.0hz tone every Monday night except the last Monday of the month where we have our monthly meeting at Tri-Lakes Fire station 1. All are welcome We hope to be participating in the CO-D-STAR net soon. W0TLM++B and W0TLM++G are on 446.8875- please check it out!

Please email any questions to kb0rfc@arrl.net
Elliot Linke
KB0RFC

I got a chance to try D-STAR out from a remote perspective when I was out in the San Francisco Bay area. I got on the W6YYY repeater in Oakland on 440.03750MHz and chatted with Elliot KB0RFC back in Monument. This is way  cool!

OK, you may be thinking “I can do that with EchoLink or IRLP”, which is true (and that is also way cool). The benefits of D-STAR are still emerging, but one big difference is that each transmitted packet has callsign routing. One feature that I see as useful is the callsign squelch mode. I can keep my radio squelched expect for people specifically calling me. Other advantages of the “all digital” network are starting to surface, so stay tuned on that.

There are several D-STAR repeaters popping up in Colorado. The group leading the way is the Colorado D-STAR Association in the Denver area. The Cheyenne Mountain Repeater Group has a system on the air in Colorado Springs, currently in a test phase (limited coverage) on 446.9125 MHz (KC0CVU B). A group in Boulder is also working on a system but I am not sure of the status of that effort.

New technology, new learning, new fun.

73, Bob K0NR

Pikes Peak Operation – 2009 Colorado 14er Event

Posted on by

We rounded up the usual collection of suspects to operate from Pikes Peak in the Colorado 14er Event. Our crew included me, Joyce K0JJW, Ken WA6TTY, Stephen KZ0Q, Steve KD0BIM, Stan WA0Z and Matt KC0LBA.

Since Pikes is a “drive up” mountain in an event where most radio operators hike in, we tried to compensate by covering as many bands as possible. We had 4 stations on the air:

  • 2M FM
  • 50 MHz (mostly SSB, some FM)
  • 222 MHz FM, 440 MHz FM
  • HF (20 Meters – Mostly SSB, some CW)
Antenna tear down: Bob K0NR, Stephen KZ0Q and Steve KD0BIM
Antenna tear down: Bob K0NR, Stephen KZ0Q and Steve KD0BIM

This had to be the best weather for the event in years, with no one reporting being chased off the summit by approaching storms. This is odd considering the stormy weather patterns we have seen this year.

Most of the 2M FM contacts used callsign KD0BIM, everything else used the club callsign K0YB.

Summary of Pikes Peak Log:

Band      QSOs    14ers          Comments
146 MHz    83       13    Best DX: K4S Mt Sunflower and N0KQY in Kansas
50 MHz     21        1    Only 14er: KQ6EE on Elbert
222 MHz     3        1    Only 14er: KQ6EE on Elbert
440 MHz     7        3
HF (20M)   17        1    Only 14er: N0B on Humboldt
Total:    131       13


We operated for about 4 hours, averaging about one QSO every 1.8 minutes. Pretty good rate for this event, based on past experience.


We clearly missed some of the 14ers that were on the air. Based on my count, there were 16 summits activated during the event:


Elbert, Massive, Grays, Antero, Torreys, Quandary, Evans, Princeton, Yale, Bross, Pikes, Humboldt, Bierstadt, Redcloud, San Luis, Huron


Thanks to everyone that came out for the event!


73, Bob K0NR

					

		
		
	

				
					
	

		

							
Colorado 14er Event – August 9th

			
			                

                    Posted on   by                                      

					


		 		

			
I woke up yesterday to the idea that it really is August 1st and that July is now history. I understand how that happens… I just don’t know how it happens so freeking fast!  If August is here, then it is time for the premier mountaintop ham radio event: The Colorado 14er Event.


What is that, you ask? It is ham radio guys having fun in the mountains, where Height Above Average Terrain takes on a new meaning.  


Amateur Radio operators from around Colorado will be climbing many of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains to set up amateur radio stations in an effort to communicate with other radio amateurs across the state and around the world. Radio operators with 14er climbing experience who plan to climb a 14er should log their name and intended peak at the HAM 14er Yahoo group.


I will be operating from the summit of Pikes Peak with a crew of other ham radio operators, using club callsign K0YB.


Last year we had a California operator (N6IZ) get on (yes, they have mountains there, too) and work one of the Colorado summits (N0B), for the first 14er-to-14er interstate QSO. See the goathiker (WG0AT) video for the full story:


 


We expect to have some California 14ers on the air again this year. Not only that, the K4S team in Kansas is planning to ascend the highest point in the state: Mount Sunflower at 4039 feet !


This is too much fun.


   73, Bob K0NR

					

		
		
	

				
					
	

		

							
Summits On The Air Video

			
			                

                    Posted on   by                                      

					


		 		

			
I’ve been thinking a bit about “Trail Friendly Radios” for VHF in preparing an article for QRP Quarterly. I came across this video about choosing radios for use in the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program. SOTA is a fun program from Europe that has found some interest in North America. The basic idea is an awards program that encourages operations from the various summits in a region. This has some similarity to the Colorado 14er Event and its associated awards.


Anyway, here is the video by Richard G3CWI:







					

		
		
	

				
					
	

		

							
Flag Pole Radio Tower

			
			                

                    Posted on   by                                      

					


		 		

			
img_23341I have gotten into the habit of taking photos of interesting radio sites. This all started as part of my general tendency to visit mountain summits to play ham radio. It turns out that for some reason, there are quite a few radio installations in high spots. Hmmm, imagine that.


So I started taking photos of the more interesting ones. One thing lead to another and I now have a photo collection of lots of different towers, antennas and radio sites. Fortunately, my spouse thinks this behavior is cute…other people find it a bit crazy.


So I am driving west on Highway 24 and I see this really big flag pole at Lake George, CO. It just doesn’t look quite right— a bit too fat. I drive closer to get a better look and, sure enough, it is really a cell site with an antenna disguised as a flag pole. (This is at the US Forest Service work camp. )


Clever design, I think.


73, Bob K0NR

					

		
		
	

				
					
	

		

							
One More Hamcon Colorado Reminder

			
			                

                    Posted on   by                                      

					


		 		

			
From: Steve Williams KØSRW <k0srw@earthlink.net>

Date: Tue, May 12, 2009 at 9:48 PM

Subject: [Committee] Email for your clubs!


HamCon Colorado 2009 kicks off in just over 2 weeks, May 29-31, 2009 in stunning Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park is the gateway to one of our nation’s most treasured prizes, the incomparable Rocky Mountain

National Park.


Through May 14th, save $5 from the walk-in price!  Visit our on-line registration page at www.HamConColorado.org.  It’s easy, it’s fast and it’s secure!  While registering, be sure to sign up for our Saturday luncheon, our Saturday evening banquet, and our Sunday morning breakfast!  All three feature great food, superb friends, and

outstanding speakers!


Registration goes up $5 on May 15th.  And, on-line registration closes altogether on May 20th at 10 PM MDT.  You can always register at the event for only $20, but we won’t have any more luncheon, banquet or

breakfast seats available then.


Don’t miss out, register now!


We’re also pleased to announce our Grand Prize, an ICOM IC-706MKIIG with a remote kit!  If you registered before March 1st, 2009, you’re in our Early Bird Prize drawing for a brand new Yaesu FT-8900 with a

remote kit!  And, we’ve even got a Yaesu VX-7 as our Special Bonus Prize.


You won’t want to miss out on the more than 35 technical sessions covering just about every ham radio topic you can think of.  Check out the Conference Schedule page at www.HamConColorado.org for more information on these!


More prizes!  HamCon Colorado 2009 is delighted and grateful that more than 115 prizes have already been donated by a large cadre of wonderful manufacturers, vendors and organizations.  Take a look at

the Prize Donations page at www.HamConColorado.org.  Even if you’ve got bad luck, you’re bound to see it turn for the better at HamCon Colorado!


Visit with your favorite manufacturers, stores and clubs!  They’re all listed on our Exhibitors page at www.HamConColorado.org.


Need more?  Ok, stop by our Silent Auction where you’ll bid against each other for great radios from Yaesu:  an FT-950, an FT-857D, a VX-7R, and two FT-2800s!  These radios are completely factory refurbished, factory packed, and factory tested.  They come complete with a 90 day factory warranty.  You’ve not seen auction starting prices like the ones we’ll have on these beauties!  Cash and PayPal

only please!!!  This will be a lot of fun!


There’s even more:  a VE Session, and a massive W1AW/Ø operation (sponsored largely by ICOM and Heil Sound) where you’ll truly be on the other end of the pileups with some excellent equipment!  Try sending morse with your left foot in our hilarious QLF contest, and practice your skills in our dastardly CW Pileup contest, or our outdoor transmitter fox hunt.  If you’ve never been to an ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony, now is definitely the time!


There’s something for everyone at HamCon Colorado 2009, and we sure hope to see you in Estes Park, May 29-31, 2009!


73,


Steve Williams, KØSRW

k0srw@earthlink.net
					

		
		
	

				
					
	

		

							
Getting Ready for Summer!

			
			                

                    Posted on   by                                      

					


		 		

			
hamAs I sit here looking out the window, I see snow piling up on the back deck. Yep, spring time in the Rockies with a winter snow warning on Easter. It seems like a good time to take a look at upcoming amateur radio events this summer.


Here’s my starter list, with a definite bias towards Colorado, VHF, mountaintopping and radio contests:


Hamcon Colorado ( AKA the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention) in Estes Park – May 29-31.  This is a wonderful event that comes to Colorado once every three years. As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great vacation spot, so don’t miss it!


ARRL June VHF QSO Party This is The Big One for VHF activity – June 13-15. June usually has very good propagation on 50 MHz, so we’ll usually have a band opening or two on 6 Meters during the contest. If you are new to VHF contesting, see the article How to Work a VHF Contest.


ARRL Field Day– June 27-28. We are still not sure if this is a contest or not but the truth is you can make it whatever you want it to be! Arguably the most well-known and publicized amateur radio event. See my previous post.


CQ Worldwide VHF Contest – July 18-19. This is The Other VHF Contest during the summer, sponsored by CQ Magazine. This contest is gaining in popularity and is focused on the two most popular VHF bands: 6 Meters and 2 Meters.  Hey, CQ, if you want people to take this contest seriously update the web site with the 2009 rules! 


The Colorado 14er Event – August 9.  Focused on operating from the summits of Colorado’s 14,000+ foot mountains, this is The Premier Mountaintop Radio Event.   Check out the web site for full details….if you aren’t up to the mountaintop operating, then set your goal on working as many summits as you can from a more convenient location. Join the ham14er yahoo group to discuss and learn about the event.


The Colorado QSO Party – Sept 5-6. This contest is a fun event that focuses on activating the various counties in Colorado. Consider setting up mobile or portable to activate a rare one or two!


73, Bob K0NR