ATN WINTER NEWSLETTER 2002
ATN WINTER NEWSLETTER 2002
On the Air To Everywhere
On the Air To Everywhere
Now Serving Arizona, California, Nevada & soon New Mexico
Now Serving Arizona, California, Nevada & soon New Mexico
ATN WINTER MEETINGS:
ATN WINTER MEETINGS:
Arizona: Sunday January 19 at 10:00 AM at the Radioshack.com Store Conference Room. Address is 1300 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ talk in 146.43 MHz simplex & 448.4 MHz ATN Repeater on White Tank Mt. PL 103.5 Hz.
Arizona: Sunday January 19 at 10:00 AM at the Radioshack.com Store Conference Room. Address is 1300 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ talk in 146.43 MHz simplex & 448.4 MHz ATN Repeater on White Tank Mt. PL 103.5 Hz.
California: Saturday February 16 at 12:00 PM following the Cal Poly Swap Meet and ATN Breakfast at Bakers Square, Indian Hill exit on I-10. The meeting location has changed this year; Moody WQ6I & Norma N6MMF have invited us to their large home for the meeting. Address: 1384 Oxford, Claremont. Indian Hill off ramp between the Hwy 57 and I-15 on I-10 (just 2.5 miles north of the breakfast). Go north on Indian Hill, turn left on Colby (one short block north of Foothill Blvd.) then turn right on Oxford. Talk in 146.43 MHz simplex & 1286.15 MHz ATN Repeater on Santiago PL 85.4 Hz.
California: Saturday February 16 at 12:00 PM following the Cal Poly Swap Meet and ATN Breakfast at Bakers Square, Indian Hill exit on I-10. The meeting location has changed this year; Moody WQ6I & Norma N6MMF have invited us to their large home for the meeting. Address: 1384 Oxford, Claremont. Indian Hill off ramp between the Hwy 57 and I-15 on I-10 (just 2.5 miles north of the breakfast). Go north on Indian Hill, turn left on Colby (one short block north of Foothill Blvd.) then turn right on Oxford. Talk in 146.43 MHz simplex & 1286.15 MHz ATN Repeater on Santiago PL 85.4 Hz.
The winter meetings is your opportunity to participate in system technical discussions, ATN polices, renew your dues (California & Nevada currently $75 sent to WA6SVT) & (Arizona currently $35 but may change because of increased site rent, send to WB7UBB). Come participate and meet your fellow ATVers. Many of the ATN management and trustees attend both winter meetings. 73s and see you at the meetings.
The winter meetings is your opportunity to participate in system technical discussions, ATN polices, renew your dues (California & Nevada currently $75 sent to WA6SVT) & (Arizona currently $35 but may change because of increased site rent, send to WB7UBB). Come participate and meet your fellow ATVers. Many of the ATN management and trustees attend both winter meetings. 73s and see you at the meetings.
ATN NEWS ARIZONA:
ATN NEWS ARIZONA:
The Usery-White Tank link is up. The first contacts were made Wednesday 7/7/02 by K7AED on the White Tank repeater and by K7GGG and W7GHC on the Usery machine. The video quality is excellent. Thanks everyone for your hard work in getting the link up.
The Usery-White Tank link is up. The first contacts were made Wednesday 7/7/02 by K7AED on the White Tank repeater and by K7GGG and W7GHC on the Usery machine. The video quality is excellent. Thanks everyone for your hard work in getting the link up.
As some of you know, Tom KE7QK, has stepped down as president of AATN. We all wish to thank Tom for the many hours, in the past 2 years as President, he has devoted to promoting ATV in general and AATN in particular. We are growing all the time and much of that growth has been due to Tom's efforts in getting the word out.
As some of you know, Tom KE7QK, has stepped down as president of AATN. We all wish to thank Tom for the many hours, in the past 2 years as President, he has devoted to promoting ATV in general and AATN in particular. We are growing all the time and much of that growth has been due to Tom's efforts in getting the word out.
The trustees have appointed Harold Sibert K7AED as president of Arizona ATN.
The trustees have appointed Harold Sibert K7AED as president of Arizona ATN.
We are planning or actively working on several exciting projects so here goes. The trustees (with help from some of the members) are working on a portable ATV repeater to take to hamfests and demos. This repeater could also fill in for one of the club repeaters in case of a catastrophic failure.
We are planning or actively working on several exciting projects so here goes. The trustees (with help from some of the members) are working on a portable ATV repeater to take to hamfests and demos. This repeater could also fill in for one of the club repeaters in case of a catastrophic failure.
It's not too early to begin planning for the Scottsdale Springfest and Flagstaff Ft. Tuthill hamfests. The plan is to have a fully functional ATV station set up at both hamfests in addition to balloon video in co-operation with the AZ Near Space Research folks and other stuff like a tower cam or RC car camera we will finalize plans as things progress.
It's not too early to begin planning for the Scottsdale Springfest and Flagstaff Ft. Tuthill hamfests. The plan is to have a fully functional ATV station set up at both hamfests in addition to balloon video in co-operation with the AZ Near Space Research folks and other stuff like a tower cam or RC car camera we will finalize plans as things progress.
At the Scottsdale hamfest we will have one operating station and at the Tuthill hamfest we plan on using the portable repeater with two stations set up at the hamfest.
At the Scottsdale hamfest we will have one operating station and at the Tuthill hamfest we plan on using the portable repeater with two stations set up at the hamfest.
We will need people to man the demo stations at Ft. Tuthill and Scottsdale and be available to assist in people using the hamfest station. Some of the people interested may not be hams so we will need control operators. If you are not going to the Scottsdale hamfest and will be available to work people who wish to make contacts on the hamfest station let me know. If you would like to bring any or all of the equipment needed to set up one of these stations by all means let Harold know. There will be a sign up sheet at the club meeting on the 19th of January.
We will need people to man the demo stations at Ft. Tuthill and Scottsdale and be available to assist in people using the hamfest station. Some of the people interested may not be hams so we will need control operators. If you are not going to the Scottsdale hamfest and will be available to work people who wish to make contacts on the hamfest station let me know. If you would like to bring any or all of the equipment needed to set up one of these stations by all means let Harold know. There will be a sign up sheet at the club meeting on the 19th of January.
We are also building a portable antenna assembly that will mount in the back of a pickup to facilitate rapid setup and teardown at demos, hamfests and such. The goal is to be able to promote ATN at other amateur radio clubs with a minimum of fuss and work. If you belong to a club that would like a demo (they need not be hams) let K7AED know and let’s work it out. We need to recruit more members and promote ATN/ATV whenever we can. We believe that our largest potential for new members is the group of relatively "new" hams that may have not have heard of ATV.
We are also building a portable antenna assembly that will mount in the back of a pickup to facilitate rapid setup and teardown at demos, hamfests and such. The goal is to be able to promote ATN at other amateur radio clubs with a minimum of fuss and work. If you belong to a club that would like a demo (they need not be hams) let K7AED know and let’s work it out. We need to recruit more members and promote ATN/ATV whenever we can. We believe that our largest potential for new members is the group of relatively "new" hams that may have not have heard of ATV.
ATN NEWS CALIFORNIA:
ATN NEWS CALIFORNIA:
Moody WQ6I & Norma N6MMF warmly invite the membership to our home for the California Winter ATN meeting. We have been busy traveling the last few months and want to thank all the ATN volunteers who helped on the many ATN projects this fall.
Moody WQ6I & Norma N6MMF warmly invite the membership to our home for the California Winter ATN meeting. We have been busy traveling the last few months and want to thank all the ATN volunteers who helped on the many ATN projects this fall.
ATN NEWS NEVADA:
ATN NEWS NEVADA:
Geoff KB7BY has access to another radio site. The site is Angel Peak at over 9000 feet north of Las Vegas. This site covers north into central Nevada and portions of St. George Utah in addition to most of the Las Vegas Valley.
Geoff KB7BY has access to another radio site. The site is Angel Peak at over 9000 feet north of Las Vegas. This site covers north into central Nevada and portions of St. George Utah in addition to most of the Las Vegas Valley.
ATN NEWS NEW MEXICO:
ATN NEWS NEW MEXICO:
ATN has ventured into New Mexico: Earl N8TV, Darleen KB7HPN & Jean-Luc K1ATN have moved to Mountain Air New Mexico from Phoenix. Earl wasted no time in finding a mountain top repeater site on Capia Peak 9992 feet about 20 miles
ATN has ventured into New Mexico: Earl N8TV, Darleen KB7HPN & Jean-Luc K1ATN have moved to Mountain Air New Mexico from Phoenix. Earl wasted no time in finding a mountain top repeater site on Capia Peak 9992 feet about 20 miles
northwest from the Campbell's new 150 acre ranch QTH to install a new ATN Repeater. Earl and family are working on forming a New Mexico chapter of ATN more news to follow in the near future.
northwest from the Campbell's new 150 acre ranch QTH to install a new ATN Repeater. Earl and family are working on forming a New Mexico chapter of ATN more news to follow in the near future.
REPEATER NEWS:
REPEATER NEWS:
Blueridge CA:
Blueridge CA:
Gary K6IOJ & Mike WA6SVT finished the tower camera equipment.
Gary K6IOJ & Mike WA6SVT finished the tower camera equipment.
Mike and Dave KA6DPS installed the camera this fall on top of the tower.
Mike and Dave KA6DPS installed the camera this fall on top of the tower.
Capia Peak NM:
Capia Peak NM:
Earl N8TV is working on a written site agreement and has a verbal ok to install an ATV repeater later this spring. Coverage is central New Mexico from its 9992 foot elevation.
Earl N8TV is working on a written site agreement and has a verbal ok to install an ATV repeater later this spring. Coverage is central New Mexico from its 9992 foot elevation.
Oat Mt. CA:
Oat Mt. CA:
The repeater is working well. Mike WA6SVT and Ted K6TED cleaned up the site (weed patrol) and changed the air filters and minor adjustments at the site.
The repeater is working well. Mike WA6SVT and Ted K6TED cleaned up the site (weed patrol) and changed the air filters and minor adjustments at the site.
Mt. Lemmon, AZ:
Mt. Lemmon, AZ:
The Tucson Mount Lemmon repeater is now on the air. Thanks to Brian WB7UBB, Harold K7AED, Mike WA6SVT, Ward WB7VVD, Wes WB7WES for the time and effort spent in getting this machine on the air.
The Tucson Mount Lemmon repeater is now on the air. Thanks to Brian WB7UBB, Harold K7AED, Mike WA6SVT, Ward WB7VVD, Wes WB7WES for the time and effort spent in getting this machine on the air.
Mt. Palomar, CA:
Mt. Palomar, CA:
Bill KB6MCU & Dave K6QL have been working on the power output problem with the repeater. Mike WA6SVT & Bill KB6MCU worked on the link between Palomar and Santiago and made some significant improvements.
Bill KB6MCU & Dave K6QL have been working on the power output problem with the repeater. Mike WA6SVT & Bill KB6MCU worked on the link between Palomar and Santiago and made some significant improvements.
Mt. Potosi, NV:
Mt. Potosi, NV:
The site has been down due to the power company replacing several miles of buried power line. Geoff hopes power will be restored soon.
The site has been down due to the power company replacing several miles of buried power line. Geoff hopes power will be restored soon.
San Gorgonio, CA:
San Gorgonio, CA:
Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS installed a new power supply and the rebuilt ATN controller. Merv KO6E donated a 434 MHz preamp to improve receive performance. The repeater has a consistent signal now and is fully linked to Santiago Peak. Mike traveled all the way down the Coachella & Imperial Valleys and the repeater can be used mobile all the way down to the Mexican boarder and east along I-8 to 15 miles west of Yuma Arizona.
Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS installed a new power supply and the rebuilt ATN controller. Merv KO6E donated a 434 MHz preamp to improve receive performance. The repeater has a consistent signal now and is fully linked to Santiago Peak. Mike traveled all the way down the Coachella & Imperial Valleys and the repeater can be used mobile all the way down to the Mexican boarder and east along I-8 to 15 miles west of Yuma Arizona.
Santa Barbara, CA:
Santa Barbara, CA:
Rod WB9KMO & Paul W6VLM have done maintenance on the repeater, preparing for the 2.4 GHz back link to Santiago and weed abatement. They have installed a SSTV simplex repeater on 145.75 MHz FM. The SSTV system is on a 4 element beam pointed down the coast to allow stations along the coastline to work the SSTV repeater. Instructions to use the SSTV simplex repeater: send a 1750 Hz tone for 5 seconds then send your SSTV picture. When you unkey your picture is returned. We recommend the Scottie-S2 mode. If you send the 1750 HZ tone and no SSTV, the last picture received is returned. Mike WA6SVT is working on the back link transmitter and has installed the link receiver at Santiago.
Rod WB9KMO & Paul W6VLM have done maintenance on the repeater, preparing for the 2.4 GHz back link to Santiago and weed abatement. They have installed a SSTV simplex repeater on 145.75 MHz FM. The SSTV system is on a 4 element beam pointed down the coast to allow stations along the coastline to work the SSTV repeater. Instructions to use the SSTV simplex repeater: send a 1750 Hz tone for 5 seconds then send your SSTV picture. When you unkey your picture is returned. We recommend the Scottie-S2 mode. If you send the 1750 HZ tone and no SSTV, the last picture received is returned. Mike WA6SVT is working on the back link transmitter and has installed the link receiver at Santiago.
Santiago Peak, CA:
Santiago Peak, CA:
Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS have found the intermittent transmitter problem, the IPA is temperature sensitive and a replacement amplifier has been ordered. Microflect hangers have been installed to replace the 20 year old rusted steel hangers. About half the hangers were donated by Gary K6IOJ. The 2.4 GHz link receivers have been upgraded two channels of audio to facilitate command and control between ATV repeaters and last weekend Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS installed a GE voter system to vote Blueridge, San Gorgonio & Santiago Peak receivers & the clearest audio is transmitted from the 1286.15 MHz repeater output. We also fond the problem with the ATV repeater output flicking and the IPA was intermittent. A new IPA is on order. Bill KB6MCU donated a six brick 1250 MHz power amplifier for Santiago. Thank you Bill!
Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS have found the intermittent transmitter problem, the IPA is temperature sensitive and a replacement amplifier has been ordered. Microflect hangers have been installed to replace the 20 year old rusted steel hangers. About half the hangers were donated by Gary K6IOJ. The 2.4 GHz link receivers have been upgraded two channels of audio to facilitate command and control between ATV repeaters and last weekend Mike WA6SVT & Dave KA6DPS installed a GE voter system to vote Blueridge, San Gorgonio & Santiago Peak receivers & the clearest audio is transmitted from the 1286.15 MHz repeater output. We also fond the problem with the ATV repeater output flicking and the IPA was intermittent. A new IPA is on order. Bill KB6MCU donated a six brick 1250 MHz power amplifier for Santiago. Thank you Bill!
Usery Mt., AZ:
Usery Mt., AZ:
Brian WB7UBB in the past year with the help of several members has made significant upgrades to the Usery repeater. It has had a Signal Strength overlay board installed that is controllable on 146.43 100 Hz PL open for all members to use, an 8 ft grid dish with associated link gear to link to White Tank, A lower loss filter for 434 MHz, a the video module for the ID screens was changed out with one that was calibrated for 1V Peak to Peak. Now all sources that are feeding the video AGC circuit are the proper level and the ID screens are nice and bright. Usery also changed the 2 GHz input from 2421.5 to 2441.5 to match the CA/ATN repeaters. . Thanks to Louis W7LMW for his assistance in building bandpass filters for the repeater. Beth & Brian KB7WPJ and WB7UBB continue to donate over $100 per month for the site rent.
Brian WB7UBB in the past year with the help of several members has made significant upgrades to the Usery repeater. It has had a Signal Strength overlay board installed that is controllable on 146.43 100 Hz PL open for all members to use, an 8 ft grid dish with associated link gear to link to White Tank, A lower loss filter for 434 MHz, a the video module for the ID screens was changed out with one that was calibrated for 1V Peak to Peak. Now all sources that are feeding the video AGC circuit are the proper level and the ID screens are nice and bright. Usery also changed the 2 GHz input from 2421.5 to 2441.5 to match the CA/ATN repeaters. . Thanks to Louis W7LMW for his assistance in building bandpass filters for the repeater. Beth & Brian KB7WPJ and WB7UBB continue to donate over $100 per month for the site rent.
White Tank Mt., AZ:
White Tank Mt., AZ:
Ward WB7VVD is installing some additional equipment at White Tank including a video AGC amplifier, a processor amplifier and additional video inputs so the link to Usery and the White Tank tower cam can both be operational at the same time. Speaking of the White Tank tower cam if you haven’t seen it yet the picture is great (especially at night). When Ward releases the camera to general use, members will be able to control it through the White Tank ATN voice repeater. Work on the Usery to White Tank link continues. The path losses were greater than anticipated on the 2 gig return link to White Tank necessitating equipment changes including a larger dish on White Tank. Nancy & Ward KD7GXY and WB7VVD continue to donate the site rent for White Tank (over $50 a month).
Ward WB7VVD is installing some additional equipment at White Tank including a video AGC amplifier, a processor amplifier and additional video inputs so the link to Usery and the White Tank tower cam can both be operational at the same time. Speaking of the White Tank tower cam if you haven’t seen it yet the picture is great (especially at night). When Ward releases the camera to general use, members will be able to control it through the White Tank ATN voice repeater. Work on the Usery to White Tank link continues. The path losses were greater than anticipated on the 2 gig return link to White Tank necessitating equipment changes including a larger dish on White Tank. Nancy & Ward KD7GXY and WB7VVD continue to donate the site rent for White Tank (over $50 a month).
Mt. Wilson, CA:
Mt. Wilson, CA:
The previous independent repeater K6KMN on Mt. Wilson has been sold to ATN.Merv KO6E made a large donation to help purchase the repeater. Doug will continue as trustee till he retires from work next year as a Broadcast TV Engineer. The repeater will stay at its present location & will be linked in the near future to Blueridge. The Mt. Wilson repeater trustee & users are welcomed to the ATN family. Later this spring the antenna system will be overhauled to improve performance and lighten the loading on the TV tower, we will need some volunteers for this project.
The previous independent repeater K6KMN on Mt. Wilson has been sold to ATN.Merv KO6E made a large donation to help purchase the repeater. Doug will continue as trustee till he retires from work next year as a Broadcast TV Engineer. The repeater will stay at its present location & will be linked in the near future to Blueridge. The Mt. Wilson repeater trustee & users are welcomed to the ATN family. Later this spring the antenna system will be overhauled to improve performance and lighten the loading on the TV tower, we will need some volunteers for this project.
The ATN Trustees and management want to thank all of the members who donated items, designed and built items, helped at the sites. It is your efforts that greatly help make ATN the network that it is. ATN is the worlds largest & successful ATV repeater club thanks to your help and support of the membership.
The ATN Trustees and management want to thank all of the members who donated items, designed and built items, helped at the sites. It is your efforts that greatly help make ATN the network that it is. ATN is the worlds largest & successful ATV repeater club thanks to your help and support of the membership.
Please let Harold K7AED know if there is anything that you would like to address or hear about in this newsletter or the updates. Harold will try to get ATN club updates out to everyone on a regular basis.
Please let Harold K7AED know if there is anything that you would like to address or hear about in this newsletter or the updates. Harold will try to get ATN club updates out to everyone on a regular basis.
The newsletter is a collaboration of the ATN trustees, ATN management and the joint efforts of editing from Harold K7AED & Mike WA6SVT. ATN is providing this newsletter via email, it is vital to keep ATN informed of your current email address if you want to receive the two yearly newsletters and now the regular updates from Harold K7AED.
The newsletter is a collaboration of the ATN trustees, ATN management and the joint efforts of editing from Harold K7AED & Mike WA6SVT. ATN is providing this newsletter via email, it is vital to keep ATN informed of your current email address if you want to receive the two yearly newsletters and now the regular updates from Harold K7AED.
THIS IS THE LAST NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE by snail mail.
THIS IS THE LAST NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE by snail mail.
If you do not have email, then please send two S.A.S.E. to the AZ or CA newsletter editor for the two yearly newsletters.
If you do not have email, then please send two S.A.S.E. to the AZ or CA newsletter editor for the two yearly newsletters.
The monthly updates are only available via email and the ATN webpage. Thank you for helping us keep you informed!
The monthly updates are only available via email and the ATN webpage. Thank you for helping us keep you informed!