Charles County Amateur Radio Club

The CCARC meeting this month was presented by Bob (KB3KOW) and Jeff (KB3SPH) and was an introduction to some various digital modes to include FT8, JS8Call, VarAC and finaly Easypal.

Instead of having radios set up, Jeff and Bob made use of the audio cards on the laptops and ran normal audio cables between the two PCs. One of the audio cables was on a splitter with a speaker attached so that the audience could hear what each mode sounded like.
The first program was WSJT and a demo of FT8. The goal here was to show how automated the process is once someone responds to a CQ. We answered questions as the demo progressed, but one question was “so, you can’t do any chatting on this mode?” which was a good lead into the second program.

JS8Call was used to demo the ability to do weak signal ‘chatting’ between two stations using the JS8 protocol, which is similar to the FT8 protocol. We exchanges some short notes back and forth much as same as sending an SMS message between phones.

We then moved on to VarAC. This software makes use of the VARA sound card modem and allows you to connect directly to another station and transfer files, chat and even leave ‘v-mail’ in the event the other operator is away from their keyboard. We also demonstrated the potential to be able to relay messages between two sites but using a third site as the temporary staging area.

Finally, we tested EasyPal. This is a digital Slow Scan TV (SSTV) software that allows the transmission of some good quality pictures, however, as we were able to show, much like digital TV, it’s either there or it isn’t and if enough packets of information is lost during transmission, nothing shows up on screen like it would using an analog program like MMSSTV

On July 25th, 4 members of the CCARC visited the Senior Center located in LaPlata. Bob (MW3M) had coordinated with the center to provide a short talk on ham radio to any one who may have an interest. We had two people attend the discussion to learn more about local events the CCARC participates in and other ways of getting ‘radio active.’

The brief provided by Bob can be downloaded by clicking HERE

The meeting started with President Bob giving a short presentation on the VoA museum, Bethany Station, obtained from his recent trip to Dayton as well as some pics from his visit to the velocity center, located in Indian Head, for a stem event.

The main presentation was presented by Jeff (KB3SPH) on the topic of Fox Hunting. His topics covered different types of fox hunts, different techniques, mapping your bearings and the different gear that could be used during a fox hunt.

In addition to using the above devices, Jeff also demonstrated a phone app called SigTrax. Not only will it show your current location, but also allow you to set a bearing line with the goal of being able to triangulate the fox.

He also showed various antennas that can be used, including a tape measure yagi, a small directional antenna and a moxon antenna made out of poster board and copper tape:

Good luck to everyone playing in the fox hunt on Sunday (today).

A bit late getting this updated and no pictures 🙁

During this meeting, Bob, KB3KOW, described his home Echolink node set up and how he leaves Echolink turned off until needed, however, he often forgets to start it up before leaving home, so he investigated ways of automating the process.
He is currently using an app called “Trigger Command (Triggercmd)” which allows you to ‘trigger’ different commands on your computer. In this case he configured a trigger to start the Echolink program, but now how to trigger the ‘trigger’ if not at home.

Luckily the TriggerCMD is intergrated into “If This Then That (IFTTT)” web site. In this case, he made use of the ability of send an email, with a specific subject line and body, to the IFTTT system. When the email received and processed, IFTTT then makes a connection to the TriggerCMD on his computer and starts the Echolink programming running.

So far it has been working about 90% of the time with a few glitches, but overall it has been successful.

A number of club members met up tonight to work on building the ARRL radio kit. Breaking out their soldering irons and cookie sheets (to protect the table tops), they got started with mounting the components and melting the solder

In order to test their work, Charles (AA3WS) had set up a low power transmitter playing music:

Based on each individual’s reaction, it appears there was a fair amount of success with the construction.

At the end of the meeting, we were treated to an awesome ‘Show and Tell’ by Ben, who gave us a presentation on his NOAA radio system:

The first meeting of 2023 was well attended 10 members and 3 visitors. The first presentation was by Charles (AA3WS) who showed two kits for building during a club event.

The Radio kit is considered to be a beginners kit but despite the number of components, is fairly easy to assemble. The club voted to start working at the next meeting on the ARRL radio kit, so look forward to some pictures from that event.

Jeff (KB3SPH) showed his Alpha Antenna dipole/endfed:

Pam (KB3SWS) showed a copy of “Prepare with Pedro”, a disaster preparedness activity book (magazine) available the American Red Cross. More information can be retrieved from the following URLs:

Prepare with Pedro | Ready.gov

American Red Cross – Pedro

On Saturday, April 24, 2021, members of the Charles County Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) and the St. Mary’s County Amateur Radio Association (SMCARA) combined their time, talent and radios during the 4th Annual STEAM Day at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, MD.  More than a dozen vendors and exhibitors shared their displays and activities both inside the museum and outside on the flight line with the families who attended the event, which featured various aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).

CCARC member Jeff – KB3SPH, set up a Kenwood D710G dual band radio, which was powered by a deep cycle battery, which he kept charged with his 100 Watt Renogy solar panel.  CCARC member Pat – KB3UYZ, was stationed at his QTH, and available to speak to guests via Jeff’s rig, through the N3PX repeater.  The antenna was a Diamond X-50 mounted on a Buddipole tripod and mast system.  

Bob – KB3KOW, also with CCARC, did multiple digital radio demonstrations with his rigs.  He used a UC-1374-531 VHF APT Weather Satellite Antenna (WXSAT), which collected real time weather satellite data in the Southern Maryland area, and then displayed it on a computer monitor.  Bob also demonstrated how to send messages via WinLink Packet.

Bob and Pam – KB3SWS, from CCARC, also conducted a mini Fox Hunt at the site.  Instead of hunting for a “fox,” Pam created a different version, during which guests learned how to “Track a Shark-Cat.”  The young trackers used a small receiver and a loop antenna, provided by Bob.  Pam created displays that explained Radio Direction Finding (RDF), as well as the Shark-Cat and two decoys, a Spider-Cat and a Dragon-Cat.

In addition to the RDF displays, Pam provided a display about radio’s “First Voice,” Reginald Fessenden, as well as signs and information about CCARC and ARRL.  

Working on behalf of SMCARA, Chris – KB2SKP and Rachel – KF7AWC demonstrated the compact digital “Go Kit” that Chris built.  Chris set up a “Slinky” antenna, which could be adjusted for different frequencies, depending on how much, or how little, the loops of the Slinky were stretched apart.  Rachel explained the various electrical and electronic parts of the Go Kit to the guests.  She also told them that amateur radio operators are able to send “Health and Welfare” messages during emergencies, when other modes of communication, such as cell phones, are not available.  Bob demonstrated the concept by sending a text via radio to a guest’s cell phone.

Jon – N3AK, who is also a member of SMCARA, did another digital demonstration, during which he showed guests what music “looks like.”  When music was played via radio, it was then translated into various visual graphs on a monitor, via a Cubic SDR program.

CCARC member Bill – W8BL, visited the radio clubs’ displays, in addition to manning the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland booth.  Joe – KB3HNP, from CCARC, also attended the event.  Both of them gleaned new ideas from the displays, including options for solar power and transporting HT radios.

Other hams on site during the day included Steve – KA3WAP of SMCARA, Pete – WA3UMY, the SMCARA Vice President, and Joe – N3KWA.  Rob – N2OMC, a CCARC member and the SMCARA President, worked behind the scenes as the liaison between CCARC, SMCARA and the STEAM Day points of contact.   

Article written and submitted by Pam – KB3SWS

For photos of the event, go to:

On Dec 23rd, 2020, members of the CCARC met at The Old Fisherman’s Park on Cobb Island to hold a special event to commemorate the testing conducted by Reginald Fessenden, who, in 1900, conducted the first successful transmission of voice over radio.
The weather turned out to be very supportive of the activity with clear skies and temps in the mid 50’s.
We had two stations on the air. Bill (W8BL) set up a 20 meter vertical using a trailer hitch mount and Bob (NW3M) set up a 40 meter vertical using a tripod and extendable mast system.

Charles, AA3WS, also set up a small ‘hamfest’ of items including those from the estate of SK Art, AA3RT.
By the end of the event, only 8 contacts made, but an excellent event none the less. Keeping COVID restrictions in place, it was an excellent opportunity to meet up with other club members face to face and catch up. BZ to Michelle, N3YRZ, for the coordination in getting the event set up.

On Dec 23rd, during the Cobb Island special event both NW3M and KB3KOW conducted some D-ATV testing. Bob (NW3M) was stationed at the Old Fisherman’s Field on Cobb Island and ran the transmitter. We had a live video feed going to the TX side, running about 6 watts and feeding an omni directional 440 ground plane.
Bob (KB3KOW) then set up his ‘RX’ side which included the D-ATV demodulator, a small HDMI monitor and his mag-mount antenna. As he headed across the bridge, the mag-mount wasn’t working, so he swapped to a 440 Yagi and then proceeded to visit random points in the surrounding area trying to get a good sync and picture.
Based on the above picture, we had success at these five area. The distance for each was:
Test #1: 1335 Ft
Test #2: 2109 Ft
Test #3: .69 miles
Test #4: .67 miles
Test #5: 1.78 miles
More testing to follow….

The monthly CCARC meeting was conductd on 4 Dec via Zoom. The main topic of the meeting was a brief introduction to the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting system, also known as WSPR (pronounced as Whisper). This included where to get the software, how to see the results via the WSPRnet web site and general usage of the program.