The latest events ...
You can find some of the latest events around the club here.
Refurbished spare repeater operates at DB0SJ
The repeater hardware placed on October 14th 2013 was functioning properly and fairly satisfactorily, as we could hear from various user comments. For the duration of this test phase it was placed only provisionally. For the permanent use, it is now being checked again. Combined with surge protection, power supply and diplexer it will then be mounted in a 19-inch chassis. Since Nobember 19th 2013 the replacement relay DB0SJ in operation again, by what it was officially declared as our spare repeater. It was overhauled for temporary use and has a new control system, so that the gating is possible with a simple carrier now. The receiver has a new EPROM, the frequency stability is thus given again. Until the final completion of the new hardware, the spare repeater will operate.
Call sign DB0DUX for Hamnet node assigned
On November 12th 2013 the license certificate to the Federal Network Agency for the Hamnet node has arrived, so far been used only for test purposes at DL0DX. The assigned call sign is DB0DUX. Thus, the Hamnet node is now working in regular mode. The first link to DB0DZ works on 5.745 GHz with a bandwidth of 10 MHz.
DB0SJ with new hardware
On October 14th 2013 we proudly are allowed to bring our new acquired repeater in operation at the place of DB0SJ. The new repeater will respond on simple gating and puts a discreet roger beep at the end of each transmission. Initial reports have confirmed that the new hardware works well.
New radio for the repeater. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)
DB0SJ with temporary replacement
Due to a requirement of the Federal Network Agency, the current channel spacing of the 70 centimeter repeater DB0SJ now needs to be changed from 25 to 12.5 kilohertz. Unfortunately, this modification is not possible to do at the site of DB0SJ. Therefore, on the morning of August 7th 2013 the transceiver was temporarily replaced by a lended radio of a friendly local club. At the same time, the cable and antenna were examined and measured. The lended radio must be activated with a brief 1750 Hz tone. Unfortunately, the receiver of the repeater espects the activation tone about five kilohertz above the normal input frequency (after reports of a friendly OM, it is on 431.204 MHz). After that, the receiver works on the usual frequency. We a now trying to convert the already some years old Icom transceiver IC-RP4020 to the new grid. The exchange was carried out by Dieter (DL6EZ) and Andreas (DC4AB), as always, with the friendly support of the building technology of the skyscraper of German annuity assurance (previously LVA).
Power supply and lended radio as repeater replacement. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)
DL0DX connected to the Hamnet
After a bit of preparation, the club station DL0DX was connected to the amateur radio network Hamnet on May 11th 2013. For this a 5.8 GHz connection was established between DL0DX and the 2.4 kilometers away DB0DZ (for the beginning only for testing purposes). This means that all services offered in the Hamnet can now be used with every PC standing in the club station. In the future, a user entry for interested radio amateurs is planned.
Annual general meeting 2013
The annual general meeting of the R01 was on February 21st 2013. The protocol was reported by Holger (DL5KUT). This year, once again the election of the board of management was on the agenda, the election officer was Manfred (DH9EO). Dieter (DL6EZ) was re-elected as chairman with 17 valid out of 18 votes, Andreas (DC4AB) was concordantly re-elected as deputy chairman of the local club. Michael (DL5JS) is still the cashier, Vladimir (DL7PGA) will continue the QSL placement.
Green cabbage dinner 2012
On December 20th 2012 we joined the last local club evening of the year with our green cabbage dinner. As in recent years, the chef of our local club's restaurant knew again to serve up delicious green cabbage with plenty of sausage, smoked pork slices and meatballs. Fortunately, once again we were allowed to welcome many members and friends of the local club and even some guests from the neighboring local clubs.
Not much remained from the delicious green cabbage. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)
CW field day 2012
During the weekend of June 2nd and 3rd 2012 the local club R01 successfully participated in the 24 hours CW part of the IARU region 1 field day with the callsign DL0DX/p from its field day location at the Bergischen Landstraße (Zum Winnenberg). Operators were Ron Roland (DL1EAL), Rudolf (DL1EHR), Michael (DL5JS), Holger (DL5KUT) and Dieter (DL6EZ). In addition Andreas (DC4AB), Mirko (DM1EM) and Manfred (DH9EO) participated on mounting and dismounting. During the mounting and the rest of Saturday there was bright sunshine. In the early hours of Sunday it started to rain, which continued during the dismounting. At the end of the contest over 1000 connections were logged.
Field day location during mounting of the antenna mast. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)
New antenna for repeater DB0SJ
Since Monday, December 12th 2011 at 9 o'clock pm the signal strength of the 70 cm repeater had completely fallen down. On the morning of December 19th 2011 Dieter (DL6EZ) and Andreas (DC4AB) were at the Tower of the German Annuity Assurance, the site of the repeater, to locate the reason for the signal drop down. Measurements of the antenna showed a very bad standing wave ratio of 1 to 3. Strong vibrations in the antenna, caused by a storm front drawn on Düsseldorf on the evening of December 12th 2011, have probably caused the damage. At four degrees Celsius and 125 meters over ground Dieter could mount a proactive brought new antenna (Diamond VX30: two times 5/8 lambda for 70 cm, no radials, 5.5 dBi gain). After this the standing wave ratio was at 1 to 1.3 and the emissions of DB0SJ could be heared well again.
Dieter (DL6EZ) mounting a new antenna for DB0SJ. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)
Traditional green cabbage dinner 2011
Like the years before many members and friends of the local club met this year for the traditional green cabbage dinner on the December local club evening. To the delicious green cabbage plenty German Mettwursts (smoked sausages), rissoles and smoked pork chop slices was dishes up. Following that it was chatted far into the late evening.
Pleasant anticipation while the green cabbage was served. (Photo: Andreas, DC4AB)