For those who missed the holiday party last night, I read a posting from the TELECOM Digest entitled "Camelot on the Moon" by Don Kimberlin, who was a telecommunications engineer working for IT&T when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of the Apollo XI mission landed on the moon.  Don's article talked about the difficulties encountered making sure that the data, voice, and video feeds from the moon could be received and processed back here on earth.

For those interested, I went looking today for the original posting to the TELECOM Digest and found it in the archives, which you can read here:  https://telecomdigest.net/archives/history/camelot.on.moon-july.69

There were also several replies to this posting that are included in several succeeding digest issues... they can be found here:  https://telecomdigest.net/archives/back.issues/1994.volume.14/vol14.iss301-350 (NOTE, there are fifty issues of the digest on this page, encompassing several hundred posts... you'll have to search for "Camelot" to find the specific replies).

Sometimes, we take for granted the amazing resources we have available through the Internet today.  We have essentially unlimited access to historical documents, recorded voice and video, photographs, and an abundance of information.  Most of us have a small device that we can carry in a pocket or purse, that can be held in the palm of your hand, and that can provide access to all of this information.  Not only can it give you access to this data, it can be used to instantly communicate in voice, video, or text with people all over the world.  Think back to 1969 and realize that it was only 53 years ago.

As amateur radio operators, we enjoy using our equipment and capabilities to communicate with others.  Perhaps we take it less for granted as we have had to study and understand some of the technologies and physical principals that make it possible to do so, but when you sit and think about it, it really is miraculous what we can do.

As we continue our journey into the future, I hope we all remember how we got here and the challenges faced by those who came before us.  The future is bright, my friends... as bright as we make it.  Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!

NOTE:  The telecom digest appears to be offline and not accessible.  Fortunately, the digests and posts are still available on archive.org.  The Camelot on the Moon article can be found here:  https://web.archive.org/web/20230128192710/https://telecomdigest.net/archives/history/camelot.on.moon-july.69 and the digest archive can be found here:  https://telecomdigest.net/archives/back.issues/1994.volume.14/vol14.iss301-350

October 22nd one day Technician class at BYU.

The class will be from 8:30am and end at 5:30pm with a break for lunch at 1pm.

The class is very intensive due to time constraints but around 80 percent of the students get their license that day.  If you are not ready to take the exam the day of the class you may take it later.

The class is free.  The exam given in the afternoon is $14.

To sign up email uvhamtest@gmail.com

If you just need to take an exam you are welcome to come to just do that in the afternoon.  There is always an exam session the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm at BYU.

The FCC now charges a  fee of $35 to apply for an Amateur radio license.  This applies to new licenses, renewals and vanity applications.   The FCC license application fee is paid to the FCC.  You still pay the usual fee $14 to the VE team to take the exam.

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Multi-session classes are the best way to learn to get a license or upgrade.  If your time is limited or you are a quick learner a one day class will work especially if you will study on your own a little bit before the class.

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**  Note  You must have a Technician class license before you may take the exam for General.  You must have a General license before you may take the Exam for Extra Class.

 [Editor's comment, you must take and pass the Technician test before taking the General test, and you must pass the General test before taking the Extra test.  You do not have to wait until you receive your Technician licence before taking the General exam... just have passed the test.  It is possible to take all three tests the same day.  -KD7ZWV]

For classes available in other States check here:

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

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If you hear of any other classes being taught in Utah please email uvhamtest@gmail.com so I may share it.

If you or someone you know is having difficulty attending a class and wish to get a license please email me for links to free high quality study materials you can get online to study on your own..

If you have a license and wish to get deeper into the technical side or just get on the air to talk there is a new general interest Ham radio club in Utah County.

uvarc.club  (no  http://  is required just type “uvarc.club”  into the address bar of your browser).

Steve NV7V

As was mentioned on the last Sunday Net, we received a feedback form on the web site last week from Kathy Ackford, who is a youth services librarian for studymap.org.  Kelly has been using some information from our web site in support of a class she has been teaching 10-14 year old students about radio.

One of Kelly's students, a young man named Dylan, has been doing research on radio along with his father.  He found a link with some great information on the history of car radio.  While this is oriented towards broadcast radio (not amateur radio), it is still quite an interesting read and includes a timeline of how car audio has developed over the decades.

If you are interested, Dylan's link is here:  https://www.titlemax.com/articles/the-history-of-the-car-radio/

Note that I have scanned this link for malware and found it to be clean, but I have not traced all of the links within this page.  Remember your computer security and make sure your browser and system patches are up to date!

FYI, Dan (N7XDL) purchased an Alinco 1.25m single band radio from a swapmeet and is willing to sell it for the same price he bought it for... $50.  This is a great radio that will work well on our club repeater and can be used as either a mobile or base station (with a suitable power supply).  It would also make a decent addition to a go-kit setup.

If you are interested in buying this radio from Dan, please contact him directly.  If you need his contact info, use the contact form on the web site and I'll get it to you.

Not your typical meeting on the "Revenge of the Fifth," but some interesting and useful information for our basic topics class this month.  We started with a review of the Shakeout and SAFE Neighborhood programs, along with our analysis of the club's participation in the Shakeout.  We followed up by moving into a discussion on preparedness, including reviewing Murray City Fire Department's resources.  Finally, we finished by watching a video produced by the Bountiful Emergency Preparedness group where they analyzed the Marshall fire in Colorado and discussed what is right and wrong about our emergency kits.  Several really good factors on preparedness were presented.

Here's the recording of the first part of the meeting:

Here's the recording of the Bountiful CERT presentation:

And here are some links as mentioned in the meeting:

• Great Utah Shakeout
• SAFE Neighborhood Program
• Murray Fire Dept. Emergency Preparedness Links
• Emergency Handbook (PDF)
• JIT Kit Survey Results

Once again, it is time for the Great Utah Shakeout!  This annual event is primarily geared towards local government and businesses to talk about, evaluate, and test their response to a large earthquake event.

The event will be taking place on this coming Thursday, 21 April 2022, and the simulated earthquake will happen around 10:15-10:21 AM MDT.

What are we doing as a club?  We have distributed a signup form for people interested in participating in the event, but as it is a work day, a lot of our members will be unable to participate.  Given the lack of interested people, we are just asking people to familiarize themselves with the club eComms Protocol, which details the actions that should be taken in the event of an actual emergency.  If you can, also please visit your S.A.F.E. Neighborhood location (i.e. your local elementary school) and check in with the staff there to make sure they know where their S.A.F.E Neighborhood J.I.T. (Just In Time) kit is, what it's for, and how to access it.  It would also be a good idea to review your own personal 72-hour kit (or check out the recommended items for a 96-hour kit from the S.A.F.E Neighborhood program).

Don't remember what the S.A.F.E. Neighborhood program is?  Review our class on it.

Remember, the action items for Thursday (if you can) are to turn on your radios at 10:15 AM on the 21st.  Tune in to the club repeater at 223.96 MHz (PL 103.5 Hz) or the ARES assigned simplex frequency for Murray City at 147.600 MHz (no tone).  See the eComms Protocol page for details and the standard load channels.  Join the net if there is one in operation or start it if no one else is there.  Some time during the day, visit your S.A.F.E. Neighborhood school and ask them if they know where their J.I.T. kit is and what they are supposed to do with it.  Ask to see it!  Report your findings.

Last week at our Basic Topics class, we went over a few mobile radio installations and talked about some of the tips, tricks, and gotchas when installing your radio in your vehicle.

I mentioned that I would be posting a Youtube playlist with a bunch of videos on mobile installs, so here it is!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkqvd9ZKOJr0sFPYic26FP9UAygtRp9B

As I find more videos that fit this list, I'll add them.  If you have a video (or more than one) that you think should be on this playlist, add it as a comment below or send it to me via e-mail and I'll put it on.

What is ARES?

ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, a project supported by the ARRL to facilitate extending emergency services to our communities.  ARES is divided into Sections and smaller groups, and our own local groups is called the Salt Lake County ARES (or SLCo ARES).

Our own Dan (N7XDL) is the new EC (Emergency Coordinator) for SLCo ARES.  He has asked that the following information be posted on the MARC web site.

Time Reporting

The ARRL used to provide a mechanism for reporting volunteer hours associated with ARES via their ARES Connect utility.  This tool has been discontinued, but ARES members still need to be able to report their time to the ARRL.  SLCo ARES is using a Google Form to input the information.  The form can be found here:  https://forms.gle/KhPgJm4rqLMDKEw38 (note, this is a new version of the form as of 3 September 2022).

Please enter your data PRIOR to the last week of the month, every month, so that the data can be compiled and submitted to the ARRL before the end of the month.

Standard Load and Radio Configuration Files

SLCo ARES has spent a great deal of time working on the Standard Load.  While individual clubs will be maintaining their own versions of it, the basic template is maintained by SLCo ARES.  They are also setting up a repository of standard load files and radio configuration files.  These files will be stored in a Google Drive (at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N5DF663VUrLslCVH4nj1glAFu5acBKc0?usp=sharing) for general access.

Please send any standard load files you have or have generated in any format (ideally CSV, RT Systems files, or CHIRP radio image files) directly to Dan (N7XDL) or Rian (KF7QGY) for inclusion in this repository.  NOTE, we are not including Dan's or Rian's e-mail addresses here to help limit their spam exposure... if you do not have their e-mail addresses, please use our Contact Form to ask for them and we will be happy to let you know.  You can also find their e-mail addresses on QRZ.com.

Load files should be named according to the following standard to simplify classification:  <Make>_<Model>_<Date>.<Format>.  For example, a CSV file for a Yaesu FTM-400 DR mobile radio that was produced on 7 July 2021 would be named Yaesu_FTM400DR_070721.CSV, while a CHIRP image for an AnyTone AT-5888 UV III produced on 21 June 2021 would be named AnyTone_AT5888UVIII_062121.IMG.

WinLink Training

ARES recently sponsored an introduction to WinLink.  The presentation and associated chat text are available at the following links:

Presentation:  https://youtu.be/bl4aFN-sJjY

Chat Text:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQBXnpiZxArKo5erTpLv8KmdAYelkYXF/view?usp=sharing

There will also be a four week training series starting in August.  You do NOT need to be an ARES member to attend.  The training will be provided over Zoom and is being coordinated by Oliver (K6OLI) from the Los Angeles Northeast District ARES in conjunction with Utah ARES.

In order to attend, you must first sign up at https://forms.gle/affxfCuNij7K7fMu6.  Once you have signed up, you will be added to a mailing list to receive the Zoom link(s).  The first session will be on 30 June 2021 at 7:00 PM MDT.  If you have any questions, please contact the Utah Section EC Tyler (N7UWX).  (Again, use our contact form if you don't know Tyler's e-mail address.)

And Finally...

We held elections for the board positions at the club meeting last night.  If you were not there, you didn't get a vote.  We also experimented with Zoom-casting and recording the meeting in the new location at the fire department.  It seemed to go well.

Newly elected board members are the following:

• President:  Gordon Anderson (KE7LWB)
• Vice-president:  Jan Peterson (KD7ZWV)
• Treasurer:  Sherwood Preece (KF7YCT)
• Secretary:  Brad Olson (KJ7RPV)

In addition, several other positions and people were proposed:

• News Letter Editor:  (proposed) Karen Kezerian (KC7NQP)
• News Letter Staff:  Ragnar Bjorge (N7LCR), Dan Lundwall (N7XDL)
• Web Master(s):  Jan Peterson (KD7ZWV), Max Walker (KJ7WLV)
• Training Committee:  Dave Carr (KH7IHU), Jens ??, Stan Lawrence (KE7SL), Dan Lundwall (N7XDL), Ragnar Bjorge (N7LCR), Jan Peterson (KD7ZWV)
• Activities Director:  TBD
• Net Control Coordinator:  Brad Olson (KJ7RPV)

A recording of the meeting is included below: