Picuris Peak/San Antonio Mtn Report

This past weekend the Rocky Mountain Ham Radio (RMHAM) 5-GHz microwave network was expanded to now include a link between Picuris peak near Taos, NM and San Antonio mountain. The two mountains are now connected to the rest of the RMHAM network via a microwave link to a VPN entry point in Taos. RMHAM’s microwave network utilizes point-to-point links on Part 97 spectrum, providing megabit class IP connectivity to mountaintop sites throughout Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. In addition to the microwave installation between Picuris and San Antonio mountain, the Taos Amateur Club (TARC) installed a UHF DMR repeater on Picuris. An Icom G3 UHF D-STAR repeater, donated to TARC by RMHAM, was also installed atop San Antonio mountain. Both systems tied into the RMHAM microwave network, the Taos Amateur Radio Club’s DMR and D-STAR repeaters are accessible to/from the rest of the world. All hams are invited to use these systems. The Picuris peak DMR repeater is configured with the following talk groups:

The San Antonio mountain D-STAR repeater is configured with the following settings:

• 442.075MHz (+5.00 MHz)

• RPT1: KF5PFO B

• RPT2: KF5PFO G

Rocky Mountain Ham Radio and the Taos Amateur Radio Club are 501(c)(3) registered non-profit charitable organizations. If you would like to learn more about these organizations or support their missions through a tax deductible financial contribution, please contact RMHAM-NM president Brian Mileshosky N5ZGT (bpmiles@gmail.com) or Taos ARC president Michael Kittredge, NM5MK, migueldetaos@aol.com.

Rocky Mountain Ham Radio website: https://www.rmham.org

July Meeting Agenda

 Taos ARC Monthly Agendas

July 8, 2020 Agenda

1. Roll Call

2. Minutes ( on line)

3. President’s Remarks

4. Treasurer’s Report

5. LEPC

6. Old Business: EchoLink, 5 01 c(3), Future testing, Techs studying

7. New Business: SAM Visit 7/7 Picuris

June Meeting Agenda

TAOS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting Minutes: June 10,2020

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Mike Kittredge, via the Picuris Repeater, “Taos (Picuris Mountain) 147.120+, 67.0”.

Attendees: Mike Kittredge, Glen Romero, Shelia Shortell, Karen Stoldt, Jane Futch, Brian Williams, Tim Henson, Phillip Anseth, JJ Jamison, Dave Johnson, and Greg Medina.

Voted to accept the May 13, 2020 minutes, motion to accept by Tim Henson , second by Brian Williams.

President’s report:

-10M is open now for HF.6M opens this summer for best transmissions. 501c3 non-profit status suspended and then reinstated, with much thanks to Tom Trojinar work sorting this out. Testing is this Saturday. Tim H reports approximately 8 candidates inquired.

Repeater report:

-Brian reported that the San Antonio Mountain (SAM) equipment (antenna and solar panel) are ready and he will be going up the mountain soon to install the equipment. -The Picuris equipment is ready, but will not be installed until The Rocky Mountain Club is also ready to have their hardware installed on Picuris.

Other: -After this weekend’s (6/13) test, the next test is 11/14/2020. -Mike has an antenna for Shelia.

Treasurer’s Report: -Glen Romero stated there is 2,409.45 in the account.

New Business: -Discussion rotating the 4th Wednesday, 7PM net control function so others could gain the experience. Tabled for future discussions. -Tim H announced a member is setting up an HF station and will need antenna tuner.

Motion to adjourn (approximately 18:30) by Brian Williams, second by Shelia Shortell.

Next Meeting: 7/8/2020 6pm Next Net: 6/24/2020, 7pm

Upcoming April Meeting Agenda

Taos ARC April 8, 2020 Agenda

Note: meeting will be online on the radio.

• Meeting Formal Radio Net

• Roll Call

• President 's Report

• LEPC Report

• Treasure's Report

• Old Business: 501c(3) approved! and June testing

• New Business: Donations, solicitations, applications, and etc.

We are now a non-profit!

Huge news!

We have recently received notice that TaosARC is now officially a non-profit, 501(c)3.

This is very helpful for our organization because now we can get donations of money, goods, and services that are tax deductible for givers.

Please see the official letter below, and let us know if you have any questions!

RECOMMENDED CLEANING AND DISINFECTING GUIDELINES FOR OUR RADIOS

Motorola Solutions Technical Notification (MTN)
 
TITLE: Recommended general Motorola Solutions radio, body-worn camera and accessory cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
 
TECHNOLOGY: Motorola Solutions Radio, Body-Worn Camera and Accessory
 
SUMMARY:
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Motorola Solutions is providing recommended cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for our radios, body-worn cameras and accessories based on our current and best understanding of radio hygiene. Per global health authorities, removing germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces lowers the risk of spreading infection. Using chemical disinfectants may kill germs that remain on surfaces after cleaning, which further lowers the risk of spreading infection.

Information from the WHO website: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
Information from the US CDC website: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
 
General Cleaning:

• Apply 0.5% detergent-water solution with a cloth, then use a stiff, non-metallic, short-bristled brush to work all loose dirt away from the device. Use a soft, absorbent, lintless cloth or tissue to remove the solution and dry the device.

• Make sure that no solution remains entrapped near any connectors, cracks or crevices.

Disinfecting:

• Devices may be disinfected by wiping them down with over-the-counter isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) with at least 70% alcohol concentration.

• When cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, the alcohol should never be applied directly to the device. It should be applied to a cloth, which is then used to wipe down the device.

• The effects of certain chemicals and their vapors can have detrimental effects on plastics and the metal platings.

Do not use bleach, solvents or cleaning sprays to cleanse or disinfect your device.
 
IMPORTANT:
Motorola Solutions, Inc. is unable to, and did not, determine whether any particular cleaning product is effective in removing specific foreign substances (including viruses) from the device, nor whether any disinfectant will remove all germs or viruses. However, the above cleaners, disinfectants and processes have been approved for use by Motorola Solutions, Inc. related to their less degrading effect on the physical device. Please consult the chemical manufacturers’ documentation for specifics on cleaning product efficacy with regards to foreign substances (such as viruses).
 
For assistance with this bulletin please contact your MSI Technical Support Center:
In NALA https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/support.html
In EMEA https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_xu/support.html
In Asia http://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_xp/support.html

For a downloadable version of this document, click here.

It’s never too late to upgrade! Next exam - March 7

TaosARC will be hosting our next exam on March 7 from 10:00-12:00 at the Taos County EOC. We hope many future hams will come and wish them good luck!

The Latest Story from ARRL:

George “Buck” Miner, K6RFE, of Sun City, Arizona, has been an active ham since earning his first license in 1956, upgrading to a General-class license 10 months later. It wasn’t until January 26, however, that he upgraded to Amateur Extra — at the age of 94.

Miner began losing his sight at a young age and became totally blind when he was 27. That never slowed him down, however. Over the intervening years, he repaired TVs and sold, repaired, and installed two-way radios. He even managed a 200-acre ranch on the northern California coast, where he fished and dived for abalone.

Miner was a local celebrity, too, producing and hosting a live radio show in Eureka, California — “Chuck Star and his Rambling Guitar” — on which he told stories, sang, and played guitar. To survive living alone, he learned to cook for himself and has produced several “Buck’s Miracle Kitchen” YouTube videos that humorously demonstrate how he cooks without sight.

Miner has written several books, including an autobiography, My Darkness under the Sun. He’s also composed hundreds of songs, including “CQ Boogie,” and he continues to play his guitar and sing for fun and profit. — Thanks to Bob Ringwald, K6YBV

November Testing

Exciting news!

Testing for new Hams and those wanting to upgrade licenses should resume in November.

Dave Raskin, W5TYL, our Contact Volunteer Examiner has renewed his W5YI certification.

Testing to beheld Saturday November 23’ at 10:00 AM.

Testing will be held at the Taos County Emergency Management Center, 6 Miranda Canyon Rd. See map to meeting location . Please RSVP to taosarc@live.com to be certain of a test. Fee is $14.00 check to Taos ARC.

RadCom Basics now out

The September 2019 edition of RadCom Basics is now at rsgb.org/radcom-basics.

In this edition—

• Welcome to the latest edition from Lee, G4EJB, RadCom Basics editor

• How and why the HF bands come alive in autumn

• Using digital repeaters

• Moving up

• Glossary of terms

To read the articles, you’ll need to sign in with your RSGB Membership Services account.

To join the RadCom Basics mailing list and find out as soon as a new edition is available, log into Membership Services, go to Update Preferences, and click the Subscribe link next to RadCom Basics.

Originally published at https://rsgb.org/main/blog/front-page-news/2019/09/27/radcom-basics-now-out/.

New Club Officers, 2019-2020

We are excited to announce our 2019/2020 Officers! They were elected during the monthly meeting on 9/11/2019.

Michael Kittredge, President, NM5MK

Tim Henson, Vice President, W5TNM

Glen Romero, Treasurer, KF50SB

Tom Trojnar , Secretary, KF5RKM

Another First for TaosARC!

Yesterday, November 15, 2014, at approximately 16:15 hours the first known 33cm band QSO took place in Taos between Lew Baker, K5LEW and Brian Williams, NB5R on 913.000MHz simplex using Alinco DJ-G29 handheld radios at 1.5W. Lew and Brian were each operating from their home QTH, in Llano Quemado and Lower Las Colonias, respectively. Both stations reported 599 signals while standing outside. As expected on that frequency, signals degraded when operating from indoors.

This is the latest band to be activated in the Taos area, following TARC’s objective of utilizing as many of the available amateur bands as possible. We have to “use them or lose them” as has been proven in the recent past when the FCC took away half the 1.25m (222MHz band) amateur allocation a few years ago. The ARRL is engaged in a never-ending battle to keep and protect our valuable radio spectrum which is under constant attack from commercial interests. You can help by using as many bands as you can, and by supporting the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund.

So far, TARC members are using the following bands:

80m-10m (HF), 6m, 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, and now 33cm. The new microwave backbone passing through Taos will use the 5.6GHz amateur band.

For a complete, detailed listing of all US amateur bands, see the ARRL Band Plan.

73,
Brian Williams, NB5R

On the Mountain Top This Week...

TaosARC members were busy on both Picuris and San Antonio Mountain this week.  Thursday there were teams on both mountains, and a lot of cross-communication to test the results of the work.

Brian Williams and Greg Medina were leading the work on Picuris.  They were updating the solar grid that powers the joint-use radio facility there.  John Wheatley and Jim Kimmons were on San Antonio Mtn. working on the “76” repeater and attempting to get the Santa Fe linked repeater system up and running.  Unfortunately there is some problem on the receiver side that will require another trip.

John and Jim, expecting a solitary and quiet visit, actually experienced a busy mountain top.  They arrived to find two contracted installers about to put a dish on our tower.  After some careful examination of the photo they had, it was determined that they were supposed to be working on another tower just 20 or so yards away.  They were glad to be caught early.  Then while getting the work done, a surprise visit by a couple of people from the Forest Service showed up.  They were verifying installations and ownership, so there was a short interruption to answer questions.

Here’s a shot from the top of San Antonio Mtn.  Click it to view the high resolution image which can be enlarged again for printing if you want.

View from Picuris

It’s not work to maintain the Picuris repeater.  Not when you get views like these!