KDØCL
West Bloomington 147.090+ Tone: None Central Bloomington Analog/Fusion 443.175+ DCS: 165
2020 Field Day Logo Revealed
Field Day is always held on the 4th full weekend in June — 27-28, 2020.
The 2020 Field Day information packet and promotional materials will be posted at http://www.arrl.org/field-day as soon as it is finalized.
ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3-GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment Deadlines
01/24/2020
At its January meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors instructed the League’s FCC counsel to prepare a strong response to protect amateur access to spectrum in the 3 GHz range. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket 19-348, the FCC proposed to relocate all non-federal operations, including amateur uses, to spectrum outside the 3.3 – 3.55 GHz band. The Commission anticipates auctioning this spectrum to expand commercial use of 5G cellular and wireless broadband services, if agreement can be reached on relocation of — or sharing with — the federal incumbents that operate in the same band. Publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register on January 22 established deadlines of February 21 for comments and March 23 for reply comments.
The FCC has requested comment on the uses radio amateurs make of the spectrum and appropriate relocation options. Complicating matters is the fact that radio amateurs must consider the possibility that the immediately adjacent 3.1 – 3.3 GHz band is included in the spectrum that Congress has identified for similar study. FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, in a December statement, referenced the fact that the lower band may also be considered for non-federal reallocation, potentially limiting relocation possibilities.
Amateurs make substantial use of the 3.3 – 3.5 GHz band that would be hard to replicate elsewhere, and they have filed more than 150 comments before the designated comment period even began. Among users looking at options are those who use this spectrum for Earth-Moon-Earth (moonbounce) communication, mesh networks, experiments with communication over long distances, radiosport, and amateur television. A portion of the band also is designated for use by amateur satellites in ITU Regions 2 and 3 (the Americas and Asia/Pacific).
A report is due by March 23 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) evaluating the feasibility of having federal users share all or part of the 3.1 – 3.55 GHz band with commercial wireless services. This report is required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. The results of the NTIA report will impact how much spectrum ultimately may be re-allocated for auction to wireless providers.
ARRL urges amateurs who comment to inform the FCC about the uses they make of the 3 GHz spectrum. Short comments and longer statements may be filed electronically. Visit the FCC “How to Comment on FCC Proceedings” page for more information. Commenters should reference WT Docket 19-348.
February 4th Meetings in the McLeod Conference Room on the 1st Floor
The February 4th Bloomington AUXCOMM and Bloomington Amateur Radio Association (BARA) monthly meetings will be held in the McLeod Conference Room on the 1st Floor.
Bloomington AUXCOMM starts at 7 P.M.
BARA starts at 7:30 P.M. Matt Holden KØBBC will be the featured speaker. He is the ARRL Dakota Division Director and will give an update on the proceedings of the January meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors.
2020 Club Officers
President Matt Holden KØBBC
Vice President Fred Steinhaus ACØFS
Secretary Brian Gaffney KNØWN
Treasurer Bill Mitchell AEØEE
Thank You Bill, Toddy (Martha), Dan and Steve for your years of service to the club.
Technician License Study Class
Get started in a fun hobby where you can communicate around the world or across town. This class is sponsored by the Maple Grove Radio Club – a service oriented club serving the Northwest suburbs by providing assistance to public safety, hospitals, parades, fun runs, bike tours, and antique car runs to mention a few.
This is a study class where we will assist you with your learning. That means that
you are expected to study between classes.
When: Monday’s starting February 10th. Class usually runs ten weeks. Class time 6:45 – 9:15 pm
Where: Life Assembly Church, 6900 West Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Cost: $20 registration fee due first night of class. You will also need to purchase the ARRL text book which is
titled The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, Fourth Edition for about $29. We have a limited number of manuals available for sale.
Details will be emailed to you after you register for the class.
To Register or get answers to your questions: Email registration@mnyarc.org
Please include your name, Address, and phone contact information as well as your email address.
The Technician License exam will be offered on the last night of class, April 13th, for an additional fee of about $15.
To learn more about the Maple Grove Radio Club, please visit: www.k0ltc.org
December Meeting: Note Location
The December 3 meeting of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Association will take place at 7:30 PM at Davanni’s Pizza at 86th and Lyndale in Bloomington. Note that this is a different location than the rest of our monthly meetings, but is the regular location for our December meetings.
Officer elections are coming up. If you would like to nominate yourself for any of the officer positions (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), please be in touch with Dan (KE0OR). He can be reached at [his callsign]@arrl.net
November Meeting 11/12
Due to the municipal election on Tuesday November 5th (see election info here), the BARA monthly meeting has been rescheduled to the second Tuesday of the month (11/12) at 7:30 PM in the McLeod Conference Room at Bloomington Civic Plaza. Same time, same place, different week.
Transmitter Hunt Practice Saturday 9/21
Weather Update
Despite rain in the morning, the activity is go for a 1:00 PM start time.
Details
There was a lot of interest in the hidden transmitter hunt last week. At our monthly meeting, there were requests for a program on the final few meters of searching, covering both theory and practice. Accordingly, at 1:00 PM CDT on Saturday, September 21st we will have a hidden transmitter hunt (2-meter) practice session in Tarnhill Park (98th St. and Little Rd.) in Bloomington. The practice session will focus on on-foot techniques and relatively simple equipment. Bring what transmitter hunting equipment you have; there will be some extra gear available for use.
This is a fair-weather activity, and a final go/no-go decision will be made by 7 AM CDT on Saturday 9/21 and propagated on the BARA website post for this event.
Techniques
- Built-in attenuator
- Polarization
- Third (and other) harmonic hunting
- Slight frequency offsets
- Body fade
- Triangulation
- Hunting with an omnidirectional antenna
- Step attenuators (PDF)
- Offset attenuators
Frequencies:
- 146.565 MHz transmitter
- 439.695 MHz 3rd harmonic
- 293.130 MHz 2nd harmonic
- 147.090 MHz (+600 kHz, no tone) voice repeater
Updates:
Go/No-go weather decision has been made, activity is go for 1:00 PM start time.
Hidden Transmitter Hunt Thursday 8/29
Overview:
With a stretch of nice weather in the forecast, it’s time to dust off the transmitter hunting gear! This Thursday (8/29/19), the Bloomington Amateur Radio Association will be hosting a transmitter hunt, beginning at 6:30 PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza from the parking lot on the west side of the building (near the southwest entrance).
The field of play will be the City of Bloomington, bounded on the west by US HWY 169, to the north by I-494, and to the south and east by the Minnesota River.
Format: Two hidden transmitters; one 500 mW to 1 W, the other 10-20 mW and in the general vicinity of the stronger transmitter. The transmitters will be on alternate 1-minute transmit windows.
Accessibility: A vehicle will be required for finding the transmitters, but at-home operators (in Bloomington and possibly surrounding municipalities) with omnidirectional or directional antennas can still contribute with coordinated hunting (see Resources below for tips from WB4APR). On-foot hunting is expected to take up to a mile of walking on sidewalks, dirt/grass paths, or over cut grass.
Difficulty: This is intended to be a beginner-friendly event, and those without directional antennas are encouraged to take part in a coordinated hunt (see Resources below). With sunset at 7:56 PM, the event will be complete around 8:00–8:15 PM.
Frequencies:
Two hidden transmitters: 146.565 MHz FM
Safety and administrative: 147.090 MHz, +600 kHz, no tone, analog FM (KD0CL VHF repeater)
Coordinated hunting: 443.175 MHz, +5 MHz, DCS 047 (TX and RX), analog FM (KD0CL UHF repeater; repeater is Yaesu C4FM capable, but please use analog for this event)
Resources:
Homing In, and specifically this page on first-time hunting techniques and equipment.
Bob Bruninga’s (WB4APR) Direction Finding Tips for those with Omnidirectional Antennas.
K6KN’s Presentation for SFARC on Transmitter Hunting.
Map:
Parks, roads, and lakes of Bloomington (PDF).
Contact:
Bill; AE0EE[at]arrl.net
Updates:
8/26/19 0105z: Added K6KN presentation link.
8/26/19 1846z: WB9CFN looking for teammate.
8/28/19 1652z: Added printable map of Bloomington.
8/29/19 1746z: Corrected UHF repeater frequency, 444.375 443.175 MHz.
8/29/19 2105z: Updated printable map to be more grayscale friendly.
Further updates will be added to this post on the BARA website.
Skywarn training March 30th Fire Station One
This Saturday is Skywarn Training. This class is being held at Bloomington Fire Station #1. Class starts at 9:00am. Here is the link to sign up:
Spotter Class – 9am – 1pm
Bloomington Fire station one is located at 10 W 95th St, Bloomington, MN 55420