SMU Organizations Faire August 18th
• ARRL Walter Cronkite ham radio recruiting video promotion tapes (backups) setup for demonstrations (ready, July 2004)
• ARRL Ham Radio Is Everywhere powerpoint presentation converted to VHS video for demo table (ready, July 2004)
• SMU radio club videos on constructing a 440 Mhz beam antenna video and meeting videos on VHS (ready, July 2004)
• Hughes Trigg Student Center "West Bridge" outdoor table site (requested filed late July 2004)
• three panel poster board setup promoting SMU Amateur Radio Club (thanks to club president Lance Fisher) (early summer 2004)
• Ham-Com 2004 photos and Field Day 2004 promotional posters setup (thanks to Robert Monaghan, summer 2004)
• Museum Ships Special Event Award Certificate (from mid-July 2004) filing requested (July 2004)
• ARRL handouts and brochures (100+) available for handouts and recruiting (requested from ARRL, May 2004)
• loaner VHS/TV monitor + 50 foot extension cord available to play videos (new loaner from Robert Monaghan)
• Yaesu FT-1500 plus rubber duckie and 12 volt power supply (ICOM) for demonstration of 2m repeaters (available at W5YF)
• to do: club equipment videotape, showing equipment, HF, VHF, ATV station in use, library, etc. (for early August 2004)

Student Senate Relations
• update officers and advisor forms, authorized signature forms, get on officer mailing lists
• officer(s) to attend Mandatory Organizations Meeting(s) (esp. Treasurer)
• attend Crane Leadership Conference (required for Ham-Com 2004/5 funding)

August 14th (2004) Antenna Party:
• install 8 band 1,500 watt Hy-Gain AV-640 vertical antenna (40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m) [order in processing August 2004]
• install 80 meter dipole antenna (green #12 wire, W2AU balun, insulators) [items on hand, summer 2004]
• install Ham-M rotator on pipe mounting, 2" aluminum 12' pipe - for 2m beam, 440 Mhz beam, 1.2 Ghz beam [on hand, summer 2004]
• video some of the above for club promotion videos and club meeting reviews, and amateur TV programs [tape available, ready for production]
• check on tower, 40m inverted vee dipole, G5RV antenna, 2m/440 Mhz vertical, etc.

Satellite AZ-EL Antenna Project:
• test Kenpro AZ-EL antenna rotator (on order from Larry Johnson, July 2004)
• adapt on-hand KLM 8 wire rotator control boxes for Azimuth and Elevation rotator control [two used 8 wire control boxes on hand, July 2004]
• build circularly polarized 2m and 440 Mhz antennas for satellite rotators (using Kent Britain's designs) [to do, Spring 2004]
• install in existing tower mounting section in roof corner near station [to do, spring 2004]

Yaesu FT736R repairs:
• investigate using digital modem port with audio level shifted microphone as interim fix (Bob M.'s idea)
• locate source of local repairs, audio boards (Texas Towers Inc. guys say no local repair sources?)
• if repairs not feasible, send rig off to repairs (3-4 month delays predicted), cost $250-300+?

Packet Radio Stations:
• expand existing ICOM 781 HF packet/RTTY/CW setup with KAM+ TNC and miniPSK software (free download to CDROM)
• add Yaesu FT1500 2m VHF packet capability on second radio port of Kam+ TNC (need 6 pin mini-DIN to FT1500 and 9 pin DIN to Kam+)
• update and adapt VHF satellite tracking Paccomm PSK-1T modem to work with FT736R thru digital control port etc.
• request internet access for new pentium-II donated computers and upgrade computer setups and software

Emergency Powered Communications UHF Repeater Project
• UHF emergency communications repeater donated to SMU amateur radio club (value $1,200+) which can be recrystaled to 440 Mhz band use
• repeater planned siting is at SMU Ford Stadium, largely to take advantage of emergency power there
• formal repeater frequency allocation on 440 Mhz. faxed to coordinator and is in processing (summer 2004)
• UHF LMR-400 coax run (about 120-150 feet in established roof cable run track) needs to be setup (coax, connectors on hand)
• we will need to purchase a 440 Mhz antenna setup and mounting bracket hardware etc. for roof top site

Homebrew and QRP (low power) Transmitter/Receiver Construction Projects
• possible tie-ins with IEEE construction projects (our advisor Dr. Gosney does both groups ;-)
• construct and demo PIXIE-2 QRP transceivers (1 watt HF crystal controlled transmitter/receiver at 13.6 volts)
  [aside: PIXIE-2 QRP transceiver kits (2) on hand thanks to Robert Monaghan]
• adapt RCA RF sweep Generator WR50A to use VFO output with one Pixie-2 QRP xcvr kit (on loan thanks to Robert Monaghan)
• low power QRP antenna wattmeter (1-10/1-100 watt rf wattmeter available, thanks to Robert Monaghan)
• Ramsey SR-1 shortwave receiver kit (on order, July 2004, thanks to Robert Monaghan)
• Degen 1103 SSB/AM 0.1-30 Mhz shortwave receiver (on order, July 2004, thanks to Robert Monaghan)
• electronic construction magazines and books (on loan to club library, thanks to Robert Monaghan)
• repair/rebuild 20m QRP transceiver (manual acquired summer 2004 by Robert Monaghan)
• add to existing 12 volt gel cell battery setup and nicad chargers; more batteries etc.

Very Low Frequency or VLF Receiver Project (8/2004 update)
• VLF receiving "up-converter" Jackson Harbor kit project on order (8/2004) by Robert Monaghan (from 10-300 Khz 10-10.3 Mhz)
• upconverter 10.000 Mhz crystal can also serve as a reference oscillator and marker generator crystal when not in use on VLF
• $10 upconverter board provides coverage on any shortwave receiver (covering 10-10.3 Mhz) of VLF 10-300 Khz band
• this band is not fully covered, even on our ICOM 781 shortwave station transceiver
• Loop antenna design, using shielded phone line cables, for directional receiving antenna capability

Very Low Frequency VLF Beacon Transmitter (8/2004 update)
• Transmitter project (1 watt maximum power limit under FCC Part 15 rules with 50 ft antenna) - homebrew design
• automatic morse code keyer - to be built around BASIC STAMP programmable board using 9 volt p/s (loaner from Bob Monaghan)
• 50 foot (maximum) length antenna plus capacitive top hat and loading coil - using roof top grounding radials (homebrew at SMU)
• unlicensed operation on 160-190 khz (1700 meter band!), so station call sign will be "SMU"

Emergency and Field Portable Backup Power Systems
• needed for local demonstrations of amateur radio (e.g., in front of Hughes Trigg Center, in tents etc.)
• emergency power to enable field use of VHF/UHF and shortwave radio systems, minimum 300+ watts
• goal for a 300 to 500+ watt small AC/DC generator for field use in recharging batteries (e.g., on Field Day in June)
• emergency backup deep discharge 13.6 volt batteries for operations at SMU station (e.g., power failure at SMU or in Dallas)
• emergency portable batteries for extended operation of handheld 2 meter FM handi-talkie units in field emergencies
• extended power unit (8.4 volts) for Canon ZR60 mini-DV camera and recorder for extended recording at events
• battery power system for 20 meter 5 watt QRP transceiver for emergency power operations and Field Day use

Field Day June 2005
• setup dual chargers for 12 volt gel cell batteries and QRP rig use during field day (see above QRP projects)
• setup "first timers" station using backup radio transceiver (HF/VHF?)
• purchase used/new AC and 12 volt DC generator for portable emergency power requirements
• setup and demo amateur radio on campus using emergency power setups (recruitment, PR etc.)
• alternative communications modes - amateur TV, laser communications by light (CW, modulated?) etc.
• get logging software and portable PC (sidewalk sale?) to simplify operations
• build antennas and easy setup station layouts, test before field day ;-)

Club Library Expansion
• major expansion of club library resources (thanks to loan of 100+ books and magazines by Robert Monaghan)
• addition of video resources, including ARRL promotion videos
• Amateur television in radio controlled model airplanes (5) video on order (July 2004)
• formal request to SMU Fondren Library subcommittee to purchase ARRL DSP video class and related ARRL videos (summer 2004)

Possible Club Meeting Topics:
• Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio - (Robert Monaghan, featuring Degen low $ SWL receivers from China..)
• amateur radio and high altitude ballooning (Lockheed Martin radio club speaker contact)
• new ECHO OSCAR-51 amateur radio satellite operations (local AMSAT coordinator)
• amateur television from remote controlled airplanes (video on order from Mesquite TX, speaker?)
• QRP low power amateur radio projects and construction (with IEEE and Dr. Gosney?)
• Technician Licensing "boot camp" - get licensed, build antennas, operate VHF FM and ATV station experience

Future Projects
• requested via advisor to SEAS dean to acquire microwave dishes on roof of Caruth Engr. Bldg for earth-moon-earth microwave work

Projects for Spring 2004:

Radio Station Move
• link 2 new donated computers to SEAS network [SEAS networks disclaims support for SMU clubs. ;-(]
• investigate Internet remote access radio station setup [feasible with analog converter on digital phone line]
• setup MINIPSK software to decode CW, SSTV, RTTY, Packet, FAX... [software downloaded, CDROM, tested, CW problematic in noise]

Antennas
• purchase satellite antennas from remaining club dues and gear sales budget (144 Mhz, 450 Mhz, 1.2/2.4 Ghz) [2m, 70cm, 1.2 Ghz beams acquired as of 2004]
• install satellite antennas on X-Y dual rotator tower on existing corner tower mount " [used Kenpro AZ-EL rotator on order, July 2004]
• install new 80m dipole, reroute 40m dipole, reset G5RV antenna away from standing water on roof etc. [80m balun and #12 wire for Aug. 2004 setup, 40m rerouted, reset G5RV in 2004]
• student senate capital funds for vertical antenna (e.g., WARC bands not available due to lack of HF antennas) [successful request in summer 2004 for AV-640 8 band 1500 watt vertical]

Radio Transceivers
• Repairs to audio on Yaesu FT736R (approved Jan. 2004) from club dues budget funds [repairs on hold due to donation of UHF emergency communications repeater funding]
• fixed 2m 5/8ths wave antenna - design, build, mount on roof for 2m loaner transceiver (thanks to Gene W3UA) [FT1500 donated by Gene S. - Thanks!!!, 2m/440 Mhz vertical in use summer 2004]

Radio Receivers
• request SMU Student Senate funds for wide band HF/VHF/UHF monitoring transceiver for emergency and SWL operations [on hold, SMU emergency center has VHF/UHF monitors...]
• tie above receiver to sound card equipped PC for decoding RTTY, AMTOR, Packet PSK, CW, SSTV, FAX and other modes [icom 781 HF tied to Kam+ modem/TNC in 2004]

Portable Operations
• Replace battery on IC2GAT (shorted cells) and charger with new battery for 2m operations [we have 12 volt gel cell; Joe Rodgers tested batteries, bad, need replacing $40/set]
• consider purchase of 2m/450Mhz dual band portable radio for satellite operations with handheld dual band antenna
[aside: we are now looking for a lightweight version with cross-band capability that we can put in our 75th anniversary balloon project as well as use with ECHO OSCAR-51 satellite and our newly donated UHF 440 Mhz emergency powered repeater project... Any donors? ;-) ]

Organizations
• MOM mandatory organizations meeting (president Lance Fisher and interim Treasurer Bob Monaghan) [done, also Crane Leadership Conference by Robert Monaghan]
• February 2004 - budget proposal and defense per MOM for 2004-5 year [aside: successful, our budget was increased circa 50% over past year to ~$750/yr]
• Post January 2004 club meeting, act on capital fund requests for projects (antennas, monitor radio..) [capital funding summer 2004 for 8 band vertical approved]
• Internet remote access radio - SMU Student Senate special funding project request [on hold pending possible donation of internet accessible radio and computer access]
• ARRL national organization - pay club fees from 2003-4 SMU Student senate budget (check with advisor on dates, forms) [done May 2004 thanks to club president Lance Fisher!]

...

Projects for Spring 2003

The bad news is that our remaining funds from equipment sales and dues won't cover all the needed station upgrades. Capital funding from SMU's Student Senate can at best cover only a few small station upgrade projects (e.g., our $350 club budget for 2002/2003 school year, versus over $3,000 requested). So we are forced to cut costs to try and spread out funds to cover many needed projects. As one example, we are refurbishing older antenna rotators (circa $150 up) rather than buy new ones, despite 20+ years of all-weather operations. The few hundred dollars saved by these repairs can fund a number of projects, but at the expense of delaying our VHF/UHF antenna upgrades.

What is most striking to me about the list of projects below is the number of small projects which can be done for around $100 or less. This is good news, but it is also frustrating. We are 90% of the way there, but are held up by $50 or $100 expense items from achieving major station upgrades. See listing below for many examples. Fortunately, we continue to receive some donations, such as the 1.2 Gigahertz dish antenna and downconverter and transceiver module needed to help put us on the microwave bands for amateur radio satellite UHF operations.

We have also held off on major station facilities upgrades, such as the desired Amateur Television station. This ATV transmitter is an example where perhaps $250-350 for a 35 element UHF ATV antenna, ATV transmitter and TV camera would put us on the air with amateur television. So close, but still too far for our limited funding. I am going to put in a capital request on behalf of the SMU amateur radio club to see if we can get this funding in the Spring 2003 semester.

We are looking forward to completing several major projects, most notably our VHF/UHF satellite antenna system, during the Spring 2003 semester. Along the way, we hope to get active on amateur television and digital packet operations too. With the biggest cost items out of the way, smaller cost upgrades to antennas and station facilities will enable us to add new capabilities to our station in the near-term future. With the exhaustion of the monies raised from our old station equipment sales, we will have to rely on donations and SMU Student Senate funding resources and club dues in the future.

HF Antennas

Our multiband 80-10m trap feedline dipole has been problematic, partly due to low height above the roof's lightning ground and standing water near the feedline. One proposal is to put up some aluminum poles (from Radio Shack) and see if this improves operations to an acceptable level. A second proposal is to setup a separate 80m/40m trap dipole with balun and aluminum standoff poles. My recommendation [Bob M.] is to do both ;-) - but orient these multiband trap dipoles at an angle to each other in an X-shaped fashion. This dual axis paired antenna approach will provide directivity on an East-West axis now lacking with our primarily North-South axis antennas (along the long dimension of the building roof).

We need to consider adding WARC band capabilities for the 30m, 17m, and 12m bands. One option is to put up a WARC bands vertical, or possible a 20/17/15/12/10m trap vertical antenna to provide long distance DX operations on these bands. The current temporary 40m dipole can be trimmed to use as a 30m dipole, assuming we have the dual 80-10m and 80/40m trap dipole setup.

While our ICOM IC-781 transceiver can operate on the 160m low-band, we don't have antenna capability on this band - yet. We would like to look into a vertical antenna, possibly a spirally wound 1/4 wave antenna on a fiberglass or PVC core, along with roof mounting and tie-ins to the roof grounding system. By using a coil tap setup, we can use a physically shortened antenna with reasonable efficiency on this band. A second desirable option would be to add coils or taps for 80m and 40m operations too. This HF vertical antenna would provide a very low angle of radiation (unlike our dipoles), enabling us to more efficiently work long distance contacts (DX) on these bands.

The current Tokyo HG-2000 antenna tuner is only on loan. So I [Bob M.] think we should avoid relying on having it available. Secondarily, I would prefer as simple a setup for newcomers as possible. The simplest setup is simply switch to an antenna and operate, rather than having to setup an antenna tuner for each band segment. HF wire antennas are relatively cheap at $25-50 (EBAY), even adding in cost of aluminum or PVC standoff poles.

VHF/UHF Antennas

The current plan is to setup a sturdy roof-mounted dual rotator mounting. To reduce costs, we hope to refurbish and reuse our older antenna rotators and control boxes for this project. But we are still looking at over $800 estimated cost for the roof mounting and minimal hardware, plus the costs of rotator repairs (circa $150+). Besides the two beam antennas, we will mount the newly donated 1.2 Gigahertz downconverter between the two beam antennas.

We have an existing 2m/450Mhz vertical antenna which can be used for local repeater access, including possibly a control uplink to the AB5IG Amateur Television (ATV) Repeater. We also have an ATV receiving antenna dish and downconverter, which needs to be refurbished on the next roof top antenna party. It would be optimal if the AB5IG transmitter and M-squared ATV transmitter could be acquired before our next antenna party, so this ATV installation could all be setup and tested.

Speaking of roof-top antenna parties, the concerns following Sept. 11 (9/11) attacks makes it very much more difficult to get access to the roof for working on antennas. Several layers of permission and notifications are required, well in advance. Locked access doors and roof access ports have to be unlocked by campus security. So there is a premium on having all the people and required equipment, including enough backup items like spare baluns and wire or rope to beat Murphy's Law. Otherwise, it can be some weeks before a new antenna party can be scheduled and arranged.

Digital Operations

Our Kamtronics Plus TNC (terminal node controller) is being setup to operate with our HF ICOM IC-781 shortwave transceiver. The Kamtronics plus TNC can work AMTOR, G-TOR, PacTOR, and similar data modes, as well as radioteletype (RTTY) and morse code (CW) reception. The Kamtronics plus also has a second data port for operating a VHF packet system, with a 128 Kb mailbox memory capacity (expandable to 512 KB). Other modes like WEFAX (weather FAX) and NAVTEX navigation resources can also be added if needed.

We would like to upgrade our portable capabilities with a dual 2m/450Mhz hand-held or portable handi-talkie. This setup would also give us much greater capability for emergency operations handheld, as well as stand-alone satellite operations. Reportedly (per QST Reviews), our IC-2GAT can be modified to work packet radio (7 watts) on 2m, or it could be used as a portable unit (e.g., antenna parties, events) and 2m repeater monitor. The IC-2GAT could also be used for controlling the AB5IG ATV repeater, given its touch-tone pad for control signaling.

We now need to install and build up the cabling needed to interface these units with their radios. Updated software and manuals may be needed as part of this project. A related issue is the club station computer upgrade. We are currently using a hand-me-down 120 Mhz PC with multiple 540 Mb hard disks - too little space and memory to use with current Microsoft operating systems and applications. So we plan on dedicating this 120 Mhz computer to packet operations and special modes like SSTV, RTTY, and CW reception.

This club computer upgrade requires a faster computer with enough memory and hard drive space to run Windows XP and MS-OFFICE applications. Since the University has a software site license, we can simply get the OFFICE suite ($12.95 CDROMS) and other site licensed software (e.g., McAfee's antivirus programs). We would like to add image editing software for a digital camera (on loan), and a scanner, so we can add to our website as needed. We are hoping for another University hand-me-down, with a sidewalk sale scanner.

Equipment Needed & To-Do List Spring 2003

HF station
• antenna switch (or neater mounting box for the one we have??) ($20?)
    Joe R. has plan to use antenna switch plus coax patch panel for very flexible setup...
• mic plug adapter for silver eagle microphone (needs 8 pin connector mods) ($5?) - adapter in hand, TBD
• morse code hand key - done 12/2002
• headphones - found one set 12/2002

HF Antennas:
• rework the 40m - done - now working with SWR 1.2:1 12/2002
• 80m dipole - needs balun, cable, radio shack poles to keep off roof? ($50?)
    trap dipole for 80/40m - would also permit running current 40m dipole at right angles N-S & E-W
• possible vertical antenna? 10-12-15-17-20m?
• possible WARC dipoles for 30m band? 17m?
• ARRL Antenna Book $30 & ARRL Wire Antennas $14 More Wire Antenna Classics $14 Vertical Antenna Classics $12

VHF/UHF satellite antennas:
• Joe will have to fill us in on what he needs and $$ for X-Y antenna roof mountings approx $800
• we have rotators off on repairs, dual rotator control boxes - repairs approx $100-150
• we need to build the 450 Mhz antenna now in the box, 2m beam is built - TBD next antenna party (with above)
• we can mount a microwave receiving dish antenna for satellite work
  [Dick Raitt has donated 1.2 Gigahertz dish and downconverted to us - Thanks!! - TBD antenna party
• small 2 meter beam on our Radio Shack rotator for local work (IC-2GAT) [$20]

VHF/UHF station
• on order - microphone and manual - on order; due 1/2003
• headphones

Digital satellite station:
• cables for Kantronics+ TNC to ICOM - done
• Cables from Kantronics+ TNC to IC2GAT for local VHF packet network use
• IC2GAT 2m 7watt H/T - modification to PTT for VHF packet network use
• cables for PacComm PSK-1T TNC to Yaesu FT736R VHF/UHF rig for satellite work
• software for satellite prediction and TNC digital operation modes (AMSAT, KA9Q?)
• Digital Satellite guide AMSAT $15 and ARRL Satellite Handbook $22 and ARRL Satellite Anthology $15
• ARRL HF Digital Handbook $18 and Practical Packet Radio $16 and Packet - Speed, More Speed Applications $15

Satellite Station Software:
• orbit prediction software
• C++ development environment for AMSAT project (check SMU CSE/EE dept resources)

RTTY/CW/SSTV computer display:
• software to run PC soundcard ($50-100?)
• cables to soundcard from HF rig

ATV station:
• PSU power supply unit - done 12/2002
• TV/VCR (Tony says $119 at discount store)
• transmitter - 75mw ATV video/audio - $75-100
• ATV 22-35 element M^2 antenna - $200 plus s/h
• ATV color camera - used $50-100?
• cabling video/audio to XMTR
• power supply for XMTR (12+ volts etc.)
• IC-2GAT to generate the tones to control ATV repeater?

Shortwave SWL station:
• Tony is checking about possible long-term loaner unit
• otherwise radio shack digital SWL receiver ($200+)

VHF/UHF scanner:
• Gomi wants to see this for emergency coordination ($150+?)
  [possible to ask student senate capital funds for this?]
• IC2GAT can handle limited range of 134-178 Mhz FM scanning

Insurance:
• Review and Update ARRL club insurance policy to reflect station upgrades

Educational Resources:
• Books - AMSAT satellite handbook, ARRL articles, RSGB books etc. as above
• Booklets - AMSAT Digital satellite users guide ($15) etc.
• TV/VCR for playing videotapes, taping ATV off-the-air, club events videos...

Miscellaneous
• On the Air Sign (Tony?)
• logbooks for each station - done 12/2002
• QSL cards and postage and envelopes
• promotion stuff like cardboard display, color photo prints
• Radio shack weather radio (Bob can supply this if wanted?) - done 12/2002
• digital camera or film camera for events (Bob can supply") - done 12/2002
• Dry-erase markers (and screws to mount bulletin board on door
• videotapes (for how to use radios demo tapes?)
• zip disk for backup of user files
• $12.95 for CDROMs MS-office software - dept. discount
• CDROM burner drive ($50 at sidewalk sale) to backup PC files etc.

Past Station Upgrade Projects (2001-2002:

1. morse code training program software (DOS) - done
2. station PC software upgrade (local printer) - done
3. get and setup morse code key and electronic key - done
4. mailout VHF/UHF alt/az rotators for refurbishing - scheduled Oct 2nd and done
5. shack clean-up, item storage, new chair(s) - scheduled Oct 2nd and done
6. Club History Project - review resources, videotape Luther(?) - Oct 2nd - in progress
7. repair/sell older club gear for upgraded VHF/UHF station - in progress (Joe R.) [done]
8. amateur fast-scan television receiving setup - done
9. SB220 amplifier intermittent fix - status? (fixed)
10. IC-211 checkup - done/sold

Antenna Farm Upgrade Projects:

1. install 80m/40m/20m/15m/10m trap antenna - done [marginal, replace?]
2. remove/repair Mosley TA-33Jr Triband HF beam (20m/15m/10m) - done (see above)
3. remove defective antenna tower rotator and support - done (see above)
   
4. repair satellite alt-az dual rotators - to do
5. install satellite dual band antennas on alt-az dual rotators - to do
6. install Rohm tower top on matching baseplate - to do - done - Thanks! Joe
7. install refurbished triband beam on new/repaired rotator - to do - done
8. install replacement coax for UV damaged coax - circa 800+ feet - to do - done
9. install amateur television dish and rotator for ATV - to do
10. ....

Club Operating Projects:
1. Work W1AF special events station (Oct 2/3) [done]
2. assist in operating Millenium K2M station (Dec 31/Jan 1, 2000) [done]

Email suggestions, updates, comments, links, and glitches to fix - Thanks!