Comm-Center Report as of June 5th, 2008
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 02:19:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jay Nugent
Reply-To: ARROW-RedCross@yahoogroups.com
To: ARROW-Red Cross
Subject: [ARROW-RedCross] Comm-Center status report as of Thursday June 5th
Greetings,
We continue to make progress in the Red Cross Comm-Center. Since the
last report a number of things have been done:
==============================================
o The PC on the right-hand (HF) desk is running Win-XP and is
attached to the Ethernet and has Internet access
o The PC on the left-hand (Packet) desk is running Kubuntu and is
attached to the Ethernet and has Internet access
o We have been issued email accounts: radio1 and radio2@wc-redcross.org
o Added a loaner Kenwood AT-180 Antenna Tuner (wb8tkl) for the HF rig
o Installed the MFJ "Can-tenna" dummy load on the DUM position of the
tuner
o Removed the loaner Midland 2-meter rig & 9612 TNC and now use the
QMN node's 2-meter rig & KPC-3 TNC for the Packet station
(RedCross.Washtenaw. AMPR.org)
o Placed two pads of RADIOGRAM forms in the Comm-Center
o Added additional hand tools to the tool box (THANKS to K8GEO!!)
o Placed various Grid Square, HF & VHF/UHF Band Plans, ITU & CQ DX
zone maps, and Frequency Allocation charts, on the walls
o Installed a multi-shelf unit on the back of the right-hand desk (HF desk)
o Tested the existing 1000 VA UPS's and found all four 18ah batteries
were not taking a charge and would need replacing (at $50 each)
o Created a website to collect Comm-Center information such as:
-- Document the ARROW/RedCross working relationship
-- Station Manager contact information
-- Links to pictures of previous work parties (archiving our
history)
-- Link to a "Wish-List" of items we would like to acquire
(many items have been "claimed" to be provided later)
-- (eventualy) link to the SOU between the Red Cross and the
ARROW
-- The URL is: www.nuge.com/~wb8tkl/redcross
o Added two new Assistant Station Managers, W8FSA and KD8GWX.
The lineup is as follows:
-- ARROW/RedCross Liasion & Station Manager: Jay Nugent WB8TKL
-- 1st Ass't Station Manager & WC8RC Station Trustee: Jeff Zupan W8SGZ
-- 2nd Assistant Station Manager: Clark Wierda N8CBW
-- 3rd Assistant Station Manager: Mark Goodwin W8FSA
-- 4th Assistant Station Manager: Michelle Roderick KD8GWX
(Michelle's primary duties are to the Red Cross, secondarily to
provide building and Comm-Center access)
-- *ALL* Station Managers have proximity card access to the
building and know the Comm-Center lockbox combination
o Created an AOL AIM account "w8pgw" account for Instant Messager
(it could be handy)
o Placed one of two log books in the Comm-Center (one for WC8RC and
one for W8PGW)
o Tested the Motorola 47.42 MHz base station power output:
-- Using a 2-30MHz 250watt slug == 80 watts forward / 0 reflected
-- Using a 100-250MHz 100watt slug == 60 watts forward / 1 ref
-- Sorry, didn't have the "correct" slug for this band but I
think we can safely say this base station delivers
approximately 70 watts toward the antenna (and replacing it
with the 110 watt Motorola mobile would not gain us more
than a couple db and would not be worth the effort)
o Re-adjusted the Astron RM-35M 12-volt power supply for 13.2 volts
(was set for 13.7 and the meter was mis-calibrated and HAD read 14.5)
o Placed new ring lugs on all 12-volt power leads (no more bare wires
twisted together)
o Placed the 12-volt lead-acid deep-cycle battery (donated by N8SBE -
THANKS!) in a plastic battery box and attached it to the Astron
power supply
-- It will now properly float at 13.2 volts (no bubbling or
off-gassing) and will provide instant and automatic battery
backup should the AC mains fail.
-- But there is *NO* low-voltage dropout at this time, so *LONG*
outages without the generator will cause the battery to
discharge (Packet 2m rig & TNC are on 7x24)
-- The Astron supply is not affected by having the 12v battery
directly across its output and starts up fine when AC mains are
powered on
-- BONUS! The voltmeter on the Astron indicates the battery
voltage when the Astron is turned off
Things that still need to be done (not all-inclusive):
======================================================
o Still need LED Hi-Intensity lamps (qty 2) that can be attached to the
12-volt supply (light when the AC mains are down)
o Still looking to replace the right-hand desk with one that doesn't
have "knee-knocker" file drawers underneath
o Still looking for a replacement 2-meter rig (w/PL) so N8AMX's rig
can be returned to him
-- Would like to have *TWO* dual-band rigs (eventually)
o Install UPS's - Have purchased two 300va UPS's. One tests good,
while the other appears to have a bad battery that won't take a
charge
o Properly fuse the 12-volt deep-cycle battery
o Install a proper grounding lug (1/2" cable) on the antenna patch
panel
o Acquire and install an Ethernet hub or switch (so the JNOS and 3rd
PC can be connected - as well as any laptops that may be used)
o Install "Outpost" on the WinXP PC & configure to talk to the JNOS box
o Acquire 2 mouse pads
o Configure Linux PC to use the "radio2" email address
o Replace too-short RS-232 cable (from JNOS to TNC) with a longer DB-9
to DB-9 cable (20-feet)
o Properly display the 47.42 MHz station license
o Properly display the WC8RC station license
o Properly display the W8PGW station license
o Post Red-Cross org chart and contact information
o Post ARROW "Station Manager" org chart and contact information
o Fix (re-hang) the 75-meter dipole
o Replace temporary 4-element 2m beam (on Packet) with an omni at a
higher location on the tower
Other projects we are working on:
=================================
o Sign the SOU (publicity event for both organizations)
o Develop the Station Manager job/duties description document for the
ARROW (if the Board-of-Directors feel this is still needed)
o Develop Communications training class for RedCross and Amateur
Radio staff
-- This will cover how and when to use the 47.42 radios, when
to use business band radios, and when and how to use the Hams
-- Targeting completion this month (June) so that Michelle's
DAT Team members can be our first victims...errr...students
-- Familiarize the Hams how to conduct Shelter communications and
what the Shelter Managers will expect/need of them
o Discussing/Developing a possible "Simulated Emergency Test"
involving one or more Shelters
-- This would test Red Cross staffs skills as well as test the
Hams ability to provide communications and work with the Red Cross
-- The Communications training course would be a pre-requeset
-- Perhaps do this on Saturday October 4th in conjunction with
the ARRL national Simulated Emergency Test "S.E.T." ???
-- If done on S.E.T. weekend, several other Red Cross chapters
would be staffed and Comms tests could be performed
-- The State EOC (SEOC) will be staffed on that day as well
o Need to install HT chargers in the FAST and DAT vehicles
o Need to install the remote control unit (Red telephone) in Corey's
office for the 47.42 base station
o Planning the installation of 5 additional coax runs in the 2nd
conduit between the Comm-Center and the base of the tower
o Planning the installation of the Tri-Band HF beam and rotor atop
the tower
o Planning the installation of an additional 2m/440 "stick" and
perhaps a scanner antenna (discone)
o Tune and install a 6-meter ground-plane at Corey's house for 47.42MHz
o Re-hang the 75-meter dipole (to the lightpost)
Stuff to pick up at the Monroe Hamfest (Sunday June 15th):
==========================================================
o Qty 4, 2-inch SO-239 bulkhead (thru) fittings (for antenna patch
panel)
o Qty 2, 12volt 7ah sealed lead-acid batteries for the 300va UPS's
o Female lighter plug with 12-gauge cords (one or more)
Did I miss anything??????
Thanks!
--- Jay Nugent WB8TKL
o ARROW/RedCross Liasion & Station Manager
o Washtenaw AEC - NTS Liasion & Packet Operations
o Chair, ARRL Michigan Section "Digital Radio Group" (DRG)
[www.MI-DRG.org]
o Michigan AMPRnet IP Address Coordinator