FRRL Article Archive
2008
March Foxhunt - Caught in its Lair!
The FRRL held its second Transmitter Hunt of the year on March 30th. This interesting self-portrait of Joe AB9OU and the fox antenna was taken at Oswego East High School, the location of the hidden transmitter. Using cross-band repeat, Denny W9HI was able to transmit from a room inside the school building on UHF and have his signal be repeated on VHF through the FT-8800 mounted in his wife's car, parked in the lot outside. More info and pictures, here.
FRRL D-Star Showcased at Superfest
Young Hams Hunt FRRL Fox
The W9BHB ham club, pictured above, is still going strong. Originally organized in support of an ARISS contact over a year ago, the Boulder Hill Elementary School (Montgomery, IL) kids continue to be fascinated by ham radio and communications technology. Each semester there is a nearly complete change-over in 4th and 5th grade students who participate. On Tuesday, March 18th, FRRL club members including John AG9D, Dorwin K9DHK and Greg N9CHA assisted the young hams in a transmitter hunt. The club members used a 3 element Yagi and switched attenuator, a foil-covered tube attenuator, and a Doppler array to find a small hidden transmitter.
New Hands-On Format for FRRL Meetings
Over 60 FRRL members and a guests attended the March 2008 club meeting held at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora on Tuesday, March 11. This meeting marked the first in what will hopefully prove to be a more hands-on format for the membership.
The March meeting offered a PL-259 connector installation session hosted by Mike K9FE (pictured above); a demonstration of PSK31 software by John AG9D and Bill NF9D; and a demonstration of various DF antennas and off-set attenuators by Dick AH6EZ.
FRRL Transmitter Hunt March 30th
The Fox is back, by popular demand! Instructions for chasing the Fox can be found, here.
FRRL Repeater Repaired
Our FRRL repeaters are going to be relocated into another building soon, but maintenance continues. FRRL Repeater Chairman, Dick AH6EZ is shown here re-flowing the solder pads on the 2 meter repeater Squelch Gate Board. Noise and poor audio levels were being experienced by the users of the machine. The problem was isolated to this board on February 16th. After the repairs, the audio issues were resolved. The move from our current location into an adjacent building will be taking place in April or May. This move is to accommodate the tower owners desire to build a much more substantial radio building at the base of the tower.
Mike K9FE Hosts Linux Workshop
Several FRRL members took part in the Mike K9FE's recent Linux workshop.
2008 FRRL Winter Banquet Pictures Posted
Photos of this popular annual club event are available, here.Kermit W9XA FRRL's 2007 Ham of the Year
FRRL President Greg N9CHA (L) presents Kermit W9XA (R) with the FRRL's 2007 Ham of the Year Award.
FRRL at the WCRA Mid-Winter Hamfest
FRRL members took part in the WCRA Hamfest. Read more, here.
FRRL Fox Hunt Freezing Fun
20 FRRL members took part in the frigid (sub-zero) transmitter hunt. Read more, here.
A team made up of Tom AB9IN, Joe AB9OU and Bill W9WRS had a very impressive Doppler array mounted to the back of their van.
FRRL Digital Workshop
The FRRL Digital Workshop was a huge success, with several club members attending! Read more, here.
FRRL Club Member, Bart KC9FQA and others assemble their Buxcomm Rascal digital interface kits at the Digital Workshop held on the 12th of January.
2008 Winter Kids' Day
The Kids' Day event was supported by the FRRL Next Gen Hams group. Read more, here.
The Next Gen Hams hunt down the elusive FRRL 2M "fox".
FRRL DStar Forum
Read about the FRRL DStar Forum, here.