Noise Suppression (Part II)

B. IGNITION RADIATION SUPPRESSION requires the use of resistor spark plugs, feed-thru capacitors and distributor suppressors. Of prime importance is a properly adjusted ignition system. The following steps will serve as a guide:

1. Spark Plugs: Install resistor spark plugs or Belden IRS cable.

2. Distributor Cap: Install suppressor resistor or IRS cable between distributor cap and ignition coil.

3. Generator: Install a 0.5 mfd coaxial capacitor (Sprague #48018 or equivalent) at the "A" terminal of the generator.

4. Alternators: Require no attention except when diodes become defective.

5. Ignition Coil Primary: Install a 0.1 mfd coaxial capacitor (Spargue #48P9 or equivalent) in the lead from ignition switch to coil. Keep capacitor close to the coil terminal. Brighten the metal around the coil mounting bracket to engine block, apply grease and brighten mounting screws.

6. a. Regulator Field Terminal: Connect a 39 ohm resistor in series with a 0.01 mfd Ceramic capacitor between the Field terminal and ground.
b. Armature Terminal: Insert 0.2 mfd coaxial capacitor (SPrague (48P18 or equivalent to ground.
c. Battery Terminal: repeat b.

7. Guages: Install 5.0 mfd, 200 volt capacitors from terminals to ground.

8. Wheels and Tires: Inject special graphite powder into the tires available at automotive parts suppliers.

CAUTION: Do not connect any capacitor alone from the Field Terminal of the generator to ground. Read 6a carefully.

Be careful when you do any modifications.

Noise Suppression (Part I)

This information was handed out at the DCART meeting. It has some good noise suppression techniques for mobile stations.

The FS-3023 Gated Noise Limiter is very effective in the reduction of noise, but this alone is not effective against all the different noises in a mobile installation.

A. BONDING: The use of 1 inch copper braid to interconnect parts of the automobile that can radiate noise such as the following:

1. Hood to firewall
2. Rear bumper to body and chassis
3. Tailpipe to body
4. Either side of muffler to body and chassis
5. Chassis to body in several places
6. Ignition coil to firewall

When braid connections are made, be sure to clean the metal "bright" and coat with grease before tightening the connection. This will prevent contact corrosion, which is the chief cause of noise.

A very good method for locating noisy fixtures is to put the FS-3023 into operation and connect a 25 foot length coaxial cable to the antenna connector on the rear of the FS-3023. The other end of the coaxial cable should hav ethe center conductor showing for about 1/2 inch. This bare end of the coax will serve as a "noise probe" to all parts of the automobile (except for the electrical system.) A large increase in noise will indicate a noisy section. This section should then be bonded and rechecked. Continue this process until a substantial reduction of noise is achieved.

REMEMBER! Ungrounded metal parts can radiate noise.

Ignition radiation suppression will be in the next post.

Why are amateur radio operators called hams

The reason Amateur radio operators are called "hams" is lost to history. The Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club has written an interesting essay speculating on the theories of "why radio operators are called hams" at this link http://www.w7eca.org/whyham.htm.

There are only two theories that the Ham radio operator community agrees that could be the reason for this nickname.

Read the rest of this article at this link.

Field Day at the Nevada State Railroad Museum

Would persons and clubs in the area like to take this on? If so, please contact Tom KE7NCJ (contact information below.)

There is a possiblity of setting a "Field Day" at the Nevada State Railroad Musiem (Carson City) over Labor Day weekend (one, two, or all three days). Labor Day is Monday September 3, 2007.

The operation could be set up in the original Wabuska depot or out in the Ted Gibson Park. There is also a possibility to set up a mobile in a 1906 caboose.

The Museum staff has asked for an estimate of participants and operating days before granting permission. The hours of operation will be from 10:00 to 16:00 (non-military types 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Also any Elmers in the Carson City area need to look over the site to see if there is enough area for antennas. Please keep in mind that there will be lots of small children (and seasoned children) running around.

The depot will be locked at night. There is no night security.

If you are interested contact Tom T KE7NCJ. Phone: (775) 256-7291 evenings
Email: ke7ncj@arrl.net or smokey@pyramid.net

How-to Become a Ham Radio Operator

So you want to be a Ham. Good choice. When you have earned your license, you could become involved in emergency communication, radio frequency direction finding, moon bounce, contesting, or any number of radio spectrum experimentation. One of the developers of the GPS tracking system is a Ham.

See the rest of this article at this link.

DCART August 20th 2007

Douglas County ARES will hold our monthly meeting Monday, the 20th, at Firestation #2 in Gardnerville. 1830LT.

Suppose you were called out tomorrow morning, told to set up shop in your front yard, communicate on 147.27 and keep count of traffic passing your location. Do so for 30 minutes.

Good show, you say. Grab the trusty HT, 147.27 is already set in memory, the battery is fully charged and you're set to go. Set it on low power, grab a glass of Tea and out the door you go. The Rubber Ducky will do just fine. Whataguy, I'm serving the public interest.

Oops, the phone rings again. Change of plans. You're now directed to Woodfords for a prolonged stay of unknown duration and will be the primary contact between Douglas County and Alpine County. 147.27 is primary, with 146.655 as backup. Get there quick! Goodbye!

Lessee, Woodfords is in the trees and there are multiple hills all around, aren't there? Is "prolonged stay" longer than my HT's battery life? Geez, will my HT even work there? Use the mobile in the car and maybe, just maybe, I'm out there long enough to wear down that old battery. Besides, then I'm harnessed to the car and can't move around. I've heard stories about guys out there with HT's. They could hear OK but transmission didn't get through. 146.655? Wonder if that has a PL?

What was that phone number? Think I'll call back and say I've had a relapse.

Sound plausible?

The Douglas County ARES session for the 20th will be a compendium of equipments (several of them) used to address communications under various circumstances and needs. One size does NOT fit all!

Please bring along your "radio go kit" for somebody else to benefit from. Others will bring theirs for you to benefit from.

Otto has a pouch that has a neck strap and allows him to move around with ease. You can take a look at it. Robert has an 8800, mounted so he can put it in his car, on a table, or on the ground. Dale has his set so he can bring each piece along, collect them as needed and end up operating right quick. You can take a look at these. I've got a setup in a tackle box that seems to work OK, and will be glad to share the pros and cons. Bring yours and let the rest of us learn from you.

We'll start the session promptly with a demo of the mobile repeater. It'll be set up and operational. We'll all get hands on experience with this unit. Then we'll move inside to look over everybody's radio go kit, ask questions and get ideas.

Bring the radio outfit you'd take to Woodfords! Questions? Maybe NCS will allow time for a bit of discussion on this Mondays net - the 13th at 1830.

"Douglas County ARES - serving the public interest"

USA ARDF Championships near Lake Tahoe in September

Here's an opportunity to spend a weekend in the mountains of California
and immerse yourself in international-rules on-foot transmitter
hunting. Registration is now open for the Seventh USA Championships of
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), which take place September 14 -
16, 2007 near South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border. The
best radio-orienteers in the USA will be there, but the courses will
also be open to anyone at any radio foxhunting
skill level, with or without a ham radio license.

The competition courses for this event will be in the same forests
where the United States Orienteering Federation held its 2003 national
championships of classic orienteering. The maps are excellent. The
forest area is open again
after the June wildfire, and our course areas appear to be undamaged.

South Lake Tahoe is 35 miles from Carson City, Nevada, 64 miles from
Reno, Nevada and 117 miles from Sacramento, California.

The championships get under way on Friday with practice and equipment
testing sessions, followed by a meeting for orientation and rules
review. The two-meter foxhunting contest will take place on Saturday,
after which all will
gather for a banquet in the evening. Sunday's schedule includes the
80-meter contest and an awards ceremony, timed to end in mid-afternoon
to accommodate those who must hurry home.

Event headquarters will be at Camp Concord in the El Dorado National
Forest, near Mount Tallac. An inexpensive package including two nights
of lodging in the rustic cabins and five group meals is being offered
to event registrants.
Camp Concord is fully accredited by the American Camping Association,
but for those who would prefer more amenities, several motels are
available within three to five miles.

National ARDF Championships are for individuals only. No teaming or
assistance on the course is permitted. Participants are divided into
five age categories for males and four age categories for females in
accordance with standard IARU rules. Medals for first, second and
third places will be awarded in each category on each band.

Even if you have never competed in an ARDF event before, you will be
welcomed at the USA Championships. USA's best radio-orienteers are
expected to attend, and they are always helpful to newcomers. To
provide even more learning
opportunities, there will be an ARDF training camp nearby on September
12 and 13.

The registration form and more information is at
along with a photo page of Camp Concord. Please pass this announcement
on to local transmitter hunters and ham clubs. See you there!

Joe Moell K0OV
USA ARDF Coordinator
homingin@aol.com
www.homingin.com
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc@arrl.org

DCART (Douglas County) Events

DCART Radio Nets for August: 8-6, 13 and 27 at 1830 hours on 147.27 (PL123)

DCART formal meeting on August 20 at Firestation #2 (1225 Douglas Avenue in Gardnerville) at 1830 hours.

Everyone is welcome.