An update on the cabinet project.  Back in November we showed some photos of the new repeater cabinet.  As you may be aware, the existing cabinet on Mt Veeder has become too small.  The addition of WiFi and DStar will require larger quarters. The refurbished cabinet has been delivered to W6BIS and he has been busy filling it up.  In addition to the existing equipment, DStar and WiFi, the cabinet will also house a 2-meter repeater. This should be very interesting.  We estimate the change out will take at least of couple of days so when the project starts everything will be off the air.  Your patience will be appreciated.  At the meeting, Ron joked that we will need "10 guys" to wrestle the new cabinet down the hill to the tower pad.  Actually a couple of guys and a small boom truck would be preferred.  Anyone have a boom truck?
See what we've been up to.

Several SARS members participated in the second annual St Helena Fire Safety Day on October 14th. See the photos here

The new SARS Constitution and By laws are nearly ready for ratification.  After numerous changes, the Officers believe that they are ready for final approval.  Members, please review them and be prepared to vote for or against their acceptance at the next meeting.

 KG6SNO announced the 2nd All-County Fox Hunt coming up in December.  This hunt is quite different from the Tuesday night hunts.  For the All-County hunt there is a coordinator who assigns 2-person teams and directs them to various locations.  Note that the coordinator does not have any more idea where the fox is hiding than the hunters do, but as the hunt progresses, the hunters report any reading they get and the coordinator builds on that for additional directions.

At the last hunt we were not able to hear the fox from the start point.  Each team headed for a high location where it was hoped better reception could be found.  Our team first went to the Oakville grade overlook and heard nothing.  From there we were directed to Howell Mountain road where we stopped and had a listen at the intersection with Ink Grade Road.  At this point we got a faint signal with just enough strength to give us a bearing which we reported to the coordinator.  At the Same time, KE6O and KG6OQH were closing in from the South and also got a reading which put us all pretty close.  Great fun, good practice and yes it burns gas.  I put on nearly 100 miles all together but what the hey!  N6XN

Here's a reproduction of the announcement:

2nd All-County Fox Hunt

Saturday

December 8th, 2007

Start Time: 0800hrs

Approx. End Time: 1300hrs

Teams will be decided at  the meet up location of Napa High School the morning of the event.  Radio operators will be paired with Search and Rescue volunteers and explorers.

 

The Napa County lines will be the limits...Anything else is fair game, so be prepared!!

 

(*Event to take place in rain or shine*)

Links from the past:

From Previous Newsletters Tips for Operating Repeaters Box Radios: The Mercury Project The Pilot's Creed: In Memory of Bill Hampton ARRL EastBay Newsletter OCARC coax calculator Search the FCC ULS Battleship Iowa SARS Scrapbook Home Brew Fox Hunt Yagi RF safety and station evaluation

Nearby Amateur Radio Clubs Valley of the Moon ARC NBARA-K6LI Vallejo Benicia RACES

Next Month: A new Question

Space Weather