Wait what? Last month’s Ham and Eggs attendees received a USB key packed with tools and software for Winlink, JS8Call, and VARAChat. Perfect timing, there is training posted at ARES-SC.org that will take you through Winlink A-Z. More details are below:
NOTE: This is will a late evening event, it is posted to be a 7 pm PST time, making it 10 pm for the east coast.
The Columbia SKYWARN Team assists the Columbia National Weather Service with Ground-Truth weather observations during severe or dangerous weather. The Columbia NWS forecast area covers much of South Carolina and is divided into August/CSRA, Midlands, and Eastern Midlands.
The Columbia SKYWARM Team holds NETS and Virtual Training/Meetings weekly and monthly. More Information can be found at the Columbia Amateur Radio Club Calendar
Founded in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN Spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite, and other data, has enabled the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods. SKYWARN Storm Spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather minutes that can help save lives.
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damage. The National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN with partner organizations to obtain critical weather information. SKYWARN is a volunteer program with 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather Spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. Although SKYWARN Spotters provide essential information for all weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, and more than 1,000 tornadoes. (Information courtesy of the Columbia NWS)
Interested in learning more, have questions, or want to sign up for training-Newsletter-meetings?
Community Emergency Response Team – CERT Training – STARTING Tuesday, October 10 at 6 PM at the Richland County EOC.
This is the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team Class. This training is scheduled for three consecutive Tuesdays & Thursdays in October. We have openings and need additional participants to register with Sharon Long by the close of business on Wednesday, October 4, to avoid canceling this training.
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is now a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador.
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is excited to collaborate with NOAA/NWS to help strengthen our nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and climate events. If you would like more information, please visit the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador Frequently Asked Questions. And if you need any additional information, email WRN anytime at [email protected]. You can also find WRN on X (previously Twitter) @WRNAmbassadors.
Please read message below from club president Jim Lathan W4JLP:
President……….. Jim Lathan
Vice President… Paul Finan
Secretary……….. Wes Munn
Treasurer……….. Amanda (aka, the Oklahoma Kid) McKinnis
Trustee………….. Gary Anderson
Director……………. Clay Reynolds
Director…………….. John Kiselica
I want to express thanks to all those who accepted their nominations. Also, nominations will continue to be taken up until voting time at the November meeting. Anyone needing to use Absentee Ballets needs to contact [email protected] and request a ballet. They will receive a ballot with instructions.
Remind that voting is for active membership. Payment can be made online or in person at the next club meeting.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/upcoming-club-election-nominations/
A few years ago, I decided to upgrade my PC. In researching, I found a mini fan-less PC that runs on a 12v wall wart. After researching my software wouldn’t have any issues I purchased and installed the software I use.
The only issue I had was that even with my off the shelf UPS system the PC would reboot during bad weather. I investigated and found the wall wart was susceptible to power line transits.I thought about using one of my ham radio power supplies, which I thought was way over kill.
Searching the internet I found that battery operation was preferable. But then again it was much more than I needed. Then on “YouTube” I found them using an oversize AA with a voltage of 3.7v. This is actually called a 18650 cell as the designated size. What was impressive was the different capacities viable on “Amazon”. These cost from $2.25 in multiples and capacities from 2000mah to 9900mah
More research indicated I could build a DIY UPS with no switching time and a fairly large run time. Since the most time I have been without power has been less than 1 hour. So I sat down and worked out a wiring diagram. The schematics program I use is called “Fritzing”. Here is a link to the webpage for the software. https://fritzing.org/
Here is the parts list, cost supplier.
12v 18650 UPS BOM
QTY
Label
Part Type
Unit
Part Number
Supplier
1
Case
Enclosure
$18.99
Blue Metal Enclosure.7 x 4.33 x 3.1 inch
Amazon
1
120vac to 12vdc
S-350-60 Power Supply
$12.98
12v @ 5amp
Amazon
1
5.15V Out
Generic female header – 2 pins
$1.44
Terminal Binding Post Spring Clip 2-Way
Amazon
1
AC1
AC Power
$1.83
Inlet Module Plug Socket Power Entry
Amazon
3
Bat1
18650 Battery
$5.97
3.7v @ 9900ma
Amazon
1
C1
Electrolytic Capacitor
$0.35
470uf
Amazon
1
D1
Rectifier Diode
$0.05
1N4007
Amazon
1
DS2Y-5-DC5V1
DS2Y-12-DC12V
$1.00
HK19F-DC 5V-SHG Signal Relay
Amazon
1
LED1
LED
$0.04
3mm Green (570nm)
Amazon
1
R1
Resistor
$0.05
470kΩ
Amazon
1
S1
Push-button
$0.53
Momentary (NO)
Amazon
1
TP1
BMS Li-ion Charger
$0.64
3S 12V 10A 18650 Lithium Battery Protection Board
Amazon
1
U1
Buck converter
$3.24
Mini-360 Step-up DC-DC
Amazon
1
VM1
Voltmeter
$2.16
3 digit LED (2 wire)
Amazon
Total
$49.27
Here are a couple of pictures of the finished unit.
The Future-
Since I also operate a couple of Raspberry Pi’s 24/7, I am refining the schematic with a couple of changes and will build one for 5v.
Mike- N7ETA (Extra Terrestrial Amateur)
Do you have a project you would like to share on our webpage?
If so please send a brief write-up with info, pictures and any other information to the webmaster, John W4SFX at [email protected]
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/12v-ups-for-mini-pc/
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is now a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador.
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is excited to collaborate with NOAA/NWS to help strengthen our nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and climate events. If you would like more information, please visit the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador Frequently Asked Questions. And if you need any additional information, email WRN anytime at [email protected]. You can also find WRN on X (previously Twitter) @WRNAmbassadors.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/columbia-amateur-radio-club-is-now-a-weather-ready-nation-ambassador/
This program is designed to promote amateur radio to the masses, helping eliminate a possible entry barrier by providing new hams with everything they’ll need to get on the air at a very reasonable price. Jumpstart Packages will be provided to new hams who meet eligibility requirements.
New hams who have recently obtained their first license from the FCC may apply for a welcome package. Applicants must apply within six months of the license grant date per the FCC records.
The eligible ham must have a QRZ user account and be able to log in and apply for the program. Certain types of identification, including a photo ID, will be required. This information is not shared or exchanged with any party and is used only to validate eligibility under this program. Additional shipping charges may apply when shipped outside of the contiguous 48 states.
This program is available exclusively to USA-licensed amateur radio operators.
