Amateur Radio Station
W6AWS
Orangevale, California
Amateur Radio - My addiction!
"73" de W6AWS
LATEST NEWS:
Bandswitch Repair
Yaesu FL-2100b:
05/31/09
With a Saturday Afternoon to myself for a change, I decided to dive into this project. The amp is nearly "mint" physical condition, and operated perfectly on all available bands except 80m. It appears the previous owner made a switch from 40m to 80m under power. The 80m portion of the switch was "fried". I was able to acquire a NOS Yaesu bandswitch, and initially put it up on QTH.com for trade with switch and some additional $ on an AL-811 amp. Lot's of offers, but way less than I thought. Maybe I'm a dreamer. Anyway, I removed the ad and decided to just "Get er Done". Actually, the worst part was dismantling the amp. The bandswitch replacement was relatively easy. All of 20 minutes on that process. 2.5 hours on the project with most dismantling and cleaning the chassis and checking other components. With all said and done, I have a perfectly working FL-2100b now! Even checked into my 80m net and fired her up! Good clean signal reports from the other stations. Next project with be to ad an additional fan as this amp runs notoriously HOT!
Now thats UGLY!!!!
New Switch in Place. Nice and Shiny Inside too!
Station Upgrade:
05/23/09
After 2 excellent years of using my Kenwood TS-830s, I decided to clean out the shack of extra stuff, and see about upgrading. Initial plan was to get a Kenwood TS-450s/AT. However, Ebay did me right with the final auction values, and I was able to jump to a "Mint" Kenwood TS-850s/AT. What a nice radio. So for now, the TS-830s is getting a rest.
4:1 BALUN PROJECT:
05/15/09
Just completed a 4:1 Current Balun project. Using a 2.25" K Type Ferrite, I wound 8 turns of #14 Thermaleze with Teflon Tubing. All in all for my first attempt, it works well. This allows me to use the MFJ-994b autotuner with the Cobra Ultralite Jr. Should be good to 3KW (more than I need by far).
W6AWS on APRS:
03/28/09
I just finished building my GPS unit for the TinyTrak3. I used a Axiom Sandpiper 2 GPS unit purchased on ebay and installed the GPS and all necessary components (5v regulator, DB9, and connectors) in a metal box. What a neat set up.
I am using an Alinco DJ-180 HT set on 144.390 with the TT3 and GPS for my mobile APRS station. Follow the link below and see my latest location.
http://findu.aprsfl.net/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=w6aws-9
Thanks to Bill N6EF for all the information and encouragement! I intend to do a home APRS station connected to a weather station. Stay tuned for that project.
California International Marathon:
12/14/08
On December 7th, 2008 Vince KI6NHP and I worked the California International Marathon providing radio communications to one of the Medical Aid Stations. It was great to get out early and promote Amateur Radio to the public. Many people asked what we were doing, and were amazed at how well "linked" all 20 Aid stations were via Ham Radio.
Clarksburg Fun Run:
11/12/08
Sunday November 9th, 2008 I was part of the River City ARCS team that provided check point communications for the Clarksburg Fun Run. It was a great time and always fun to operate with my fellow club members and Hams! I look forward to doing this for many years to come. I would encourage all Hams to volunteer to work these types of events. It is very rewarding.
California QSO Party 2008
07/13/08
N6NA Operated the California QSO Party from Alpine County, California. Operators were L-R:
Andy Stephens W6AWS
Vince Cracchiolo KI6NHP
Robert Lupo KG6SKA
Bill Mungaven N6EF
We had a great time and made alot of contacts. Although it rained all day Saturday, we were warm inside the cabin. 2 stations (1 SSB and 1 CW) were operating 100w and accomplished a score of 45,765 points. We used 1 Buckmaster OCF Dipole at 65' and 2 verticals. Setting up in the rain was an experience for sure! For our first attempt at a County Expedition, we are pleased. Look for us next year!
Clubs I am affiliated with:
River City Amateur Radio Communications Society
N6NA
Western Placer Amateur Radio Club
K6PAC
North Hills Radio Club
K6IS
Sacramento County RACES
Bandswitch Repair
Yaesu FL-2100b:
05/31/09
With a Saturday Afternoon to myself for a change, I decided to dive into this project. The amp is nearly "mint" physical condition, and operated perfectly on all available bands except 80m. It appears the previous owner made a switch from 40m to 80m under power. The 80m portion of the switch was "fried". I was able to acquire a NOS Yaesu bandswitch, and initially put it up on QTH.com for trade with switch and some additional $ on an AL-811 amp. Lot's of offers, but way less than I thought. Maybe I'm a dreamer. Anyway, I removed the ad and decided to just "Get er Done". Actually, the worst part was dismantling the amp. The bandswitch replacement was relatively easy. All of 20 minutes on that process. 2.5 hours on the project with most dismantling and cleaning the chassis and checking other components. With all said and done, I have a perfectly working FL-2100b now! Even checked into my 80m net and fired her up! Good clean signal reports from the other stations. Next project with be to ad an additional fan as this amp runs notoriously HOT!
Now thats UGLY!!!!
New Switch in Place. Nice and Shiny Inside too!
Station Upgrade:
05/23/09
After 2 excellent years of using my Kenwood TS-830s, I decided to clean out the shack of extra stuff, and see about upgrading. Initial plan was to get a Kenwood TS-450s/AT. However, Ebay did me right with the final auction values, and I was able to jump to a "Mint" Kenwood TS-850s/AT. What a nice radio. So for now, the TS-830s is getting a rest.
4:1 BALUN PROJECT:
05/15/09
Just completed a 4:1 Current Balun project. Using a 2.25" K Type Ferrite, I wound 8 turns of #14 Thermaleze with Teflon Tubing. All in all for my first attempt, it works well. This allows me to use the MFJ-994b autotuner with the Cobra Ultralite Jr. Should be good to 3KW (more than I need by far).
W6AWS on APRS:
03/28/09
I just finished building my GPS unit for the TinyTrak3. I used a Axiom Sandpiper 2 GPS unit purchased on ebay and installed the GPS and all necessary components (5v regulator, DB9, and connectors) in a metal box. What a neat set up.
I am using an Alinco DJ-180 HT set on 144.390 with the TT3 and GPS for my mobile APRS station. Follow the link below and see my latest location.
http://findu.aprsfl.net/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=w6aws-9
Thanks to Bill N6EF for all the information and encouragement! I intend to do a home APRS station connected to a weather station. Stay tuned for that project.
California International Marathon:
12/14/08
On December 7th, 2008 Vince KI6NHP and I worked the California International Marathon providing radio communications to one of the Medical Aid Stations. It was great to get out early and promote Amateur Radio to the public. Many people asked what we were doing, and were amazed at how well "linked" all 20 Aid stations were via Ham Radio.
Clarksburg Fun Run:
11/12/08
Sunday November 9th, 2008 I was part of the River City ARCS team that provided check point communications for the Clarksburg Fun Run. It was a great time and always fun to operate with my fellow club members and Hams! I look forward to doing this for many years to come. I would encourage all Hams to volunteer to work these types of events. It is very rewarding.
California QSO Party 2008
07/13/08
N6NA Operated the California QSO Party from Alpine County, California. Operators were L-R:
Andy Stephens W6AWS
Vince Cracchiolo KI6NHP
Robert Lupo KG6SKA
Bill Mungaven N6EF
We had a great time and made alot of contacts. Although it rained all day Saturday, we were warm inside the cabin. 2 stations (1 SSB and 1 CW) were operating 100w and accomplished a score of 45,765 points. We used 1 Buckmaster OCF Dipole at 65' and 2 verticals. Setting up in the rain was an experience for sure! For our first attempt at a County Expedition, we are pleased. Look for us next year!
Clubs I am affiliated with:
River City Amateur Radio Communications Society
N6NA
Western Placer Amateur Radio Club
K6PAC
North Hills Radio Club
K6IS
Sacramento County RACES
My name is Andy Stephens and I live in Orangevale, a suburb NE of Sacramento, California. I am 45 years old and married 20 years to my bride Kim. I am also the proud dad of two wonderful children. Son Joshua (9) and Daughter Jordan (5). Amateur Radio is not just a hobby for me, it is an ADDICTION! I enjoy light contesting and the occasional "Ragchew" on 40 and 80 meters. Recently I have enjoyed some decent DX on 20m. I am also an Extra Class VE. One of the things I enjoy about Amateur Radio is the great friendships I have developed with other "HAMS". You will not meet a more friendly group of people.
Thanks to my wife Kim for her understanding of this affliction called "Ham Radio".
Thanks to my wife Kim for her understanding of this affliction called "Ham Radio".
I am currently serving my second term as President of N6NA, the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society (RCARCS) www.n6na.org in Sacramento. Please visit the N6NA website for meeting information. If you are ever in the Sacramento area the first Tuesday of the month, please come and join us for our Monthly meeting. We also meet for informal club breakfasts on the 3rd Saturday of the month after the RCARCS sponsored VE session. Please email me for location if you are in the area. We would welcome you joining us!
With the recent elimination of the Element 1 portion of the Amateur Radio License process we have an excellent opportunity to expand the participation in our great hobby! Whether or not you agree with the decision by the FCC, we as Amateur operators should embrace the opportunity to increase the participation in the HF portions of the bands. Element 1 was a "stumbling" block for many excellent/quality operators. The arguement that HF will now become "11 meters" is unfounded (as the last several months have proven). Take the time to encourage the Technician Class operators to upgrade so they too can experience the fun of their first DX contact.
***Don't forget to sign my GUESTBOOK!***
Hope to work you on HF!
73,
Andy (W6AWS)
With the recent elimination of the Element 1 portion of the Amateur Radio License process we have an excellent opportunity to expand the participation in our great hobby! Whether or not you agree with the decision by the FCC, we as Amateur operators should embrace the opportunity to increase the participation in the HF portions of the bands. Element 1 was a "stumbling" block for many excellent/quality operators. The arguement that HF will now become "11 meters" is unfounded (as the last several months have proven). Take the time to encourage the Technician Class operators to upgrade so they too can experience the fun of their first DX contact.
***Don't forget to sign my GUESTBOOK!***
Hope to work you on HF!
73,
Andy (W6AWS)
