FRRL Article Archive
2008
October Fox Hunt - A Blast!
An FRRL transmitter hunt was held on Sunday afternoon, October 26th. Tom N9CBA (the fox) is shown above hiding in the underbrush of Bliss Woods Forest Preserve near Sugar Grove. Just after the hunt, a blast of snow and rain pushed through the area. Click here for a summary and pictures of the event.
Scarecrow Special Event 2008 Fun for All
Beautiful fall colors, several antennas in the air, coax cables run every which way, the smell of roasting pork chops on the grill, and 21 ham radio operators milling about and making Q's! The 2008 Scarecrow Festival Special Event Station on Saturday, October 11th was a lot of fun to attend! Frank AA9FR, Charles KC9DAO and Tobi K9TCD are shown above working the 40 meter station. Click here to read more. Click here to see more pictures.
FRRL Board's 1st Meeting at Rasmussen College
October 7th, 2008. The FRRL Board of Directors met for the first time at the new home of the club, Rasmussen College. The new facility is well suited for meetings and various club functions. Pictured above is the 2008 FRRL BOD. Back row, L to R; Director Chris Farley KC9IEQ, Director Dean Holste KC9EOQ, Past President Dick Illman AH6EZ, Secretary Bill Stamps W9WRS, Director Bart Bartkowiak KC9FQA. Front row, L to R; President Greg Braun N9CHA, Vice President Charles Penninger KC9DAO, Treasurer Larry Shaw W9OKI, Director Tobi Davis K9TCD.
FRRL Hams Recognized at ARRL/TAPR DCC 2008
Kermit W9XA and Mark WB9QZB were recognized for their contributions in planning this years ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference held at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village. This was the 27th annual DCC. Programs in digital HF voice, software defined radios, APRS, rig control software, D-RATS and the DV-Dongle were just some of the technically stimulating forums presented. The event was so successful that TAPR elected to return to our area next year!
Mid-American Canoe Race, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008
More than 200 entries went down the 6-mile course from the VFW in Batavia to the Prisco Center in Aurora. FRRL volunteers provided communications support--read more, here.
Soggy Fun at Fest
Special event station W9H was on the bands during the 2008
Huntley Fall Festival in Huntley, IL. Members of the Fox River Radio
League set up two stations, one on 20 meters, the other on 40 meters
and operated for about 8 hours, Saturday, September 13th. Joe AB9OU and
Bill W9WRS were this years co-chairpersons. Photo by: AB9IN
Click here to see additional photos and story.
But Does It Work?
John AG9D is shown with his newly constructed 20 meter EH antenna. After several club members met for breakfast on Saturday, September 6th, Greg N9CHA, Bill W9WRS decided to help John build this unique antenna. Made from #14 house wiring, 2" PVC pipe, aluminum flashing, various screws and some coax, this design was quickly put together. The results? A 59 from a Danish station. But, does it work? Stay tuned.
First Illinois D-Star Net
Wednesday evening, October 1st, at 7:00 pm the first Illinois D-Star Net was held between the Fox River Radio League and the North Shore Radio Club D-Star users. Click here for more information.
Kermit W9XA Works ARRL 10GHz contest
FRRL member Kermit W9XA is shown here with his "portable" 10 Ghz CW/SSB station. The antenna, amplifiers, transverter and CW keyer all fit on a tripod for portable operation. During his activity on Sunday August 16, for the first weekend of the ARRL 10Ghz contest, Kermit's best DX was with Zack, W9SZ, of Champaign, Illinois who was located in grid square EN50RL - on a ridge halfway between Bloomington and Champaign Illinois; a distance of 165 Km. Signals reports were exchanged at 20db over S9. W9XA also reported QSO's were easily made between his station and Ron, W9ZIH who is located in Malta, Illinois and Gary W9/K3SIW who was portable at Plato Center, Illinois.
2008 Field Day - Fun for All
Who is that in that tree? It's Neil KB9RFX! The FRRL held their Field Day activities at the FOP Lodge in Sugar Grove on June 27th, 28th and 29th. Over 90 members attended this year's event. On Saturday afternoon a wave of rolling thunderstorms hit the site. The 40 meter CW station needed to be moved quickly because the tent they were in was getting battered badly by the high winds. Several club members jumped in and got the station relocated to the Lodge. Neil climbed a nearby tree to help elevate the newly run feedline over the entrance drive way. More info, here. Pictures from the 2008 Field Day, here.
Amateur Extra Study Seminar
Here's a group picture from the June 14th study session.
3rd Annual Kendall County "Sweetness" Run/Walk
Connie Payton thanks the FRRL and Kendall County ARES volunteers for supporting the communications effort at the 3rd Annual Kendall County "Sweetness" Run/Walk held in Yorkville. The event was coordinated by Bart KC9FQA on behalf of the FRRL. Dirk W9QA Kendall County ARES EC coordinated with the event organizers and developed the communications plan. Overall ten ham operators assisted with the June 7th 8K and 5K run/walk.
See more pictures, here.
Repeaters Relocated June 7 by a Large Work Crew
In a world record time of about 4 hours, both of our repeaters were dismantled, moved between buildings, and reassembled. Read more about "what's new" with our repeaters, here.
John Spasojevich, AG9D Presents Forum at Dayton Hamvention 2008
ARISS Mentor and FRRL member John Spasojevich, AG9D is seen here listening and laughing along with the Boulder Hill Elementary School Ham Club on March 8, 2007 after a successful contact with astronaut Sunita Williams KD5PLB. John attended this year's Dayton Hamvention by invitation from the ARRL's Education Services Manager, Debra Johnson K1DMJ. In front of a large crowd, John provided details during his forum regarding the W9BHB club, how it was founded and the activities the elementary school kids enjoyed. He provided answers to many teachers' questions while visiting the ARRL Booth. Congratulations John!
FRRL Provides Communication for 2008 MS Walk
Michelle KC9HDB (far right), FRRL Coordinator for the 2008 MS Walk is pictured above communicating with event staff on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Several FRRL members offered their communication services to cover the route which follows the Fox River from St. Charles, through Geneva and Batavia's Windmill Park. The weather was absolutely fantastic! Thanks to all who helped make this public service event a huge success. More pictures and info, here.
Third FRRL Foxhunt June 1, 2008
Come join us for a fun afternoon of foxhunting and df skill honing
at the next FRRL foxhunt on Sunday, June 1, 2008, 1-5 PM.
More details, here.
Oswego Big Mouth Adventure Race
On April 12th, several members of the FRRL and ARES groups supported the first Oswego Big Mouth Adventure Race hosted by the Oswegoland Park District. Event Chairman, Phil W9XAN gathered and organized the radio volunteers and assigned them to several check points around the 17 mile course. Three person teams had to run, bike and complete various physical and mental challenges along the route. Participants shown in the picture above are answering a mental challenge. Race officials admitted after the event that they could not have run the race so smoothly without the assistance of the radio amateurs. More info and pictures, here.
Building Crystal Radio Kits
The W9BHB Ham Club starting building their crystal radio kits on April 8th.
The Boulder Hill Elementary School kids found that winding a coil takes patience...
and a lot of help to keep the fine wire from getting tangled! FRRL members;
John AG9D, Dorwin K9DHK and Greg N9CHA as well as two teachers assisted the
kids with the project.
April FRRL Meeting
Nearly 70 members of the FRRL attended the April meeting on Tuesday, the 8th
at the Prisco Community Center. Denny W9HI is pictured above showing off the
new Icom IC-7000. Mike K9FE brought HF station equipment including
grounding examples which he explained to members. Kermit W9XA demonstrated
the D-Star Gen2 Gateway system, with internet access provided by Dave N9CTO.
The Buddiepole system, as well as an excellent program on the Kenwood
SkyCommand system was presented by Dick AH6EZ.
2008 Membership Rosters Arrive
Did you pick up your copy of the FRRL Membership Roster? Earl N9FNX did at
the April club meeting on the 8th. Rosters will be passed out again at the
May 13th meeting. Hamfest tickets were also distributed during the April meeting
and will be passed out again in May. Remember, an electronic version of the
Roster is available in the Files section of the FRRL YahooGroups available
to members only.
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.