Category: Technical

Meshtastic is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices using LoRa technology. At the July 2024 KARC meeting, we had a presentation by David Waller, KG7NCV. David is deploying the Meshtastic network in the Mesa, AZ area. Information on this project is described here:

Meshtastic.org

Catalog of Meshtastic equipment

At the August 2024 KARC meeting, Matt Lunati, N7OEI, described his recent activity with the Meshtastic network and demonstrated a small (2.0″ width) Heltec network transceiver. It connects via bluetooth to a phone or tablet, and provides access to the mesh network.

The presentations at the monthly meeting held on June 11, 2024 provided interesting and useful information on emergency preparedness. The presentation material is provided here:

Ready – Set – Go presented by Deputy Kirby Coppedge of NCSO

Emergency Communications presented by Kevin Parmenter, KG5Q

Frequency List compiled by Earl, AD7EO

At the July 2021 meeting, Kevin Parmenter KG5Q, Dennis Mills WA7ZZT, and Guy Walters K7KGW made a presentation on the Starlink satellite-based internet service. This new service is coming out of beta testing and offers greatly improved internet service for rural communities. To view this presentation, click here.

At the June 2021 monthly meeting, Rick Paquette W7RAP, the ARRL Arizona Section Manager, made a presentation on the status of ham radio and ARRL activities. Click here to view his presentation.

On 2/24/21 Bill Turley KJ7GYH and and Mike Lackey KB7VMG came over and helped Jim Mortensen W7AZY put up a 35’ pole  for a horse fence inverted V dipole antenna.  Jim used the quad to pull the pole up and the other three of us walked the pole up and helped secure the lines.  This took place during 20 mph winds!  Thank you Bill & Mike! Here are a few pictures:

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At the November 2020 meeting, LeDair Dixon, KF7UBT, made a nice presentation on his go box, solar panel, and antenna. Here are a few pictures from the meeting.

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Here are a few pictures from the soldering class held on March 14, 2020. The class took place at Randy Beecroft’s “Hangout” in Linden.   Dennis Wilkes was the instructor and gave a presentation on basic soldering practices and then the participants took home a digital clock they assembled.

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Soldering-Class-Flier

The 11^th running of the Arizona QSO Party is October 12 & 13, 2019. A record number of logs were received last year. Plaques will be presented to all category winners. The Arizona Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly awards will be presented to the top New Contesters. Create the ARRL-AZ QSL for working the Arizona Section Manager W7RAP. Detailed participation certificates can be created by all entrants. The Bonus Station this year is W7A. Results will be published shortly after the logs due date of October 23. Join the party, make some contacts, and have ham radio fun in the AZQP! Check the Arizona QSO Party website www.azqsoparty.org for up-to-date information on awards, activated counties, multiplier abbreviations, resources, logs received, results and more.

Randy s go bag inventory.

1. Good sturdy pack large enough for all items.
2. Icom IC7000 all band all mode radio.
3. 66 foot RG8X coaxial cable
4. 20 foot RG8X coaxial cable
5. 12 inch RG58 patch cable
6. Radio power cable with alligator clips
7. LDG AT100 antenna tuner
8. Radio to tuner interface cable
9. 9:1 unun impedance matcher
10. 85 feet of #20 wire for antenna
11. 17 feet of #20 wire for counterpoise
12. Shelter tarp
13. 200 feet 550 cord
14. Bedroll
15. Insulating ground pad
16. First aid kit
17. Toilet kit and any medications you might need
18. Cooking utensils
19. 2 -32oz. Water bottles
20. Food for several days (make it heat and eat ie. MRE or backpacking food)
21 Fire starting kit and/or stove
22. Head lamp and/or flashlight
23. Extra batteries
24. Adventure Medical space blanket
25. Notepad and pencils
26. Multitool
27. Knife
28. Jacket and raingear
29. Extra socks
At the truck I will have 5 gal. of water and more 12 volt batteries and a solar charging panel
These are just suggested items. You can tailor your bag to your personal needs.