FARC Monthly Meeting – 18 MAR 2013

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At the March Monthly Meeting 18 MAR 2013

At the monthly meeting in March, the vacant Vice President slot was filled. 2013 officers are listed on the “About” page with some history of the club.  Numerous items were discussed after the business meeting was concluded in an open discussion of the direction of the club for the future.

Upcoming events, locations for Field Day 2013, VEC activity, and other items of interest such as training, and some administrative focus for EMComms consolidation in Frederick County. If you have ideas, now is the time to let them fly.

 

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Quest For Fire?

We are looking for writers, presenters, interesting articles, how to’s, and just about anything related to the hobby.

All members can submit articles or information that they would like posted to this site in two ways.

1. They can log in and post directly by clicking on “Posts” and add new.

2. Or you can submit the text and any media (photos, videos, and the like) to administrator@frederickarc.org

Everyone always has something to say at the meetings, but for everything else, the silence is overwhelming.  It’s time to take a shot at making this work for the membership.  Submit something interesting… 🙂

 

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Presentations Requested – Always Interesting

In an effort to make the monthly Frederick Amateur Radio Club meetings more informative and enjoyable, we are looking for folks to give a 20-45 minute presentation to the club on something that they know well. You don’t have to be a Ph.D. in electronic engineering or even hold an amateur license, just have something of interest to present to our membership.

Individuals who would be willing to speak on a ham related topic at one of our monthly meetings are encouraged to contact us. We meet on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM at the Independent Hose Company on Baughmans Ln.

Here is a compiled list of all ideas for possible presentations that has been received.

 

– Introduction to HAM Radio – Digital modes – Satellite communications
– Controlling your radio remotely – Stealth antenna designs – Ham radio and the internet
– Emergency Power Systems – Proper Station Grounding – EME
– DXpeditions – Mobile installations – General Computer Usage and Maintenance.
– Useful Open Source Software. – Networking Basics. – Basic soldering skills
– APRS Usage – Operating QRP both @ home/field – TNC Computer and Radio Integration
– Amateur Television – Antenna modeling tools for Dummies
– Workshop. How about a kit-building session where we all make something like a Tuna Tin transmitter
( http://www.amqrp.org/kits/ )
– Theory and operation of simple tube radios (let us understand our roots)
– Presentations about what ham radio was like in the 30s – 50s, from some experienced ham family members
– Ham uses for the Raspberry Pi ( www.raspberrypi.org ), a $40 credit-card sized computer than runs Linux
HSMM-MESH – Rolling Multimedia Network for mobile event, real time video and audio coverage.

 

We are looking for more ideas, so if you are willing, we are inviting you to share your knowledge.

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SkyWarn Classes & Information

Skywarn is an excellent opportunity to provide a positive input back into the community. It is providing useful information to fill in the blanks as related to the current technology shortcomings.

There are gaps in what technology can discerne, when it comes to weather.  You will get some excellent background training, and help to provide some “Ground Truth” to what they think may be happening.

If you are an Amateur Radio Operator, all the better, as you are likely familier with observations, procedure, and attention to detail.  SkyWarn is what we collectively make it, fun to participate in, and provides a good deal of information to the NWS.

A training class is required to participate, and it does allow additional information to flow in the event of severe weather. Training is provided several times a year in multiple locations. This is a good way to give something back and participate in something that can benefit the community you live in. HAM Radio Operators are well liked in this community.

Here are the local classes for the Washington/Baltimore area: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/skywarn/classes.html

 

Latest Frederick, Maryland, weather conditions and forecast

 

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