EAST ALABAMA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Welcome to our Club Website. We're happy that you are here!
EAST ALABAMA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Welcome to our Club Website. We're happy that you are here!
EchoLink® Is Up And Running!!!
This is a big important announcement. EchoLink® is now up and running on the 147.060 repeater in Beauregard.
More information in the "News Spot" section below, and we will discuss this at our next meetings.
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
Check back here often to stay aware of upcoming meetings, events, or other important dates related to The Club or ham radio activities.
Subscribe to the Club Calendar on Your Mobile Devices:
EchoLink® on Beauregard Repeater 147.060
Thanks to Richard - WB4BYQ, the EchoLink® system has been activated on the Beauregard Repeater.
EchoLink® is familiar to many of you, but for those who have not used it in the past, you will be excited to see the significant functionality afforded by this application. EchoLink® uses streaming VOIP technology to enable linked repeater stations and EchoLink® users to communicate over the internet. The application can be used through a computer or mobile device. The application if free, so the price is right! We will discuss this further in the Club meetings, but in the meantime, download the app (available on Apple App Store and Google Play) and give it a try. The repeater you will be looking for to connect to the 147.060 repeater is WB4BYQ-R. Also, below are a couple weblinks that are informatives:
EchoLink®: Everything You Need to Know (WIKI Article)
Clairmont Skyland Radio is Moving From Gainesville GA to Toccoa GA
We have been in touch with Mr. Bill Waller of Clairmont Skyland Radio in Gainesville, Georgia. Mr. Bill's shop has serviced many radios for Club members and others in our area over the years. Clairmont Skyland is moving soon to Toccoa, Georgia which is a bit less than 50 miles northwest of Gainesville. They will keep the same phone number. Their new address will be 296 W. Currahee St. Toccoa, Georgia 30577. Please make a not of this, plus Clairmont Skyland's website is linked on our Resources & Weblinks page.
Caution - Beware of Reverse Polarity Connection to Ham Radio
Even the best among us have seen the sparks fly when incorrectly using jumper cables on an auto battery. Hopefully, that resulted in little or no damage, but connecting your radio or other electronic device with polarity reversed could result in considerable damage and could "let the smoke out" of your equipment. Some modern radios have reverse polarity protection in the form of a diode installed in series in the supply line (preferably a Schottky diode is used to minimize voltage drop and battery consumption. Remember question 6B02 from your Extra exam?). Some, however, do not. Anderson Powerpoles incorporate reverse polarity protection features. Additionally, and more importantly, using measures at the power source (e.g., the battery) is simple and good.
See this great example provided by a Club Member of how he protects against reversed polarity at the source! Link to Photo.
Be Safe and Prepared During Extreme Heat
If you are outside this summer, whether it is a ham related field event or for any other reason, take measures to help minimize the risk of becoming overheated.
The American Red Cross has published this Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist: LINK
Tech Talk
Monthly topics from the technical side of things:
January, 2025: Antenna Resonance and Bandwidth
February, 2025: Near-Vertical Incident Skywave, or “NVIS” Antennas
March, 2025: Understanding Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)
April, 2025: The Art of Soldering
May, 2025: Which Coaxial Cable Should I Use
June, 2025: How the Sun Affects HF Radio Propogation
July, 2025: Understanding the Smith Chart (Video)
CLICK HERE FOR TECH TOPICS FROM THE PAST
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