BARS September Breakfast

On Saturday, September 7, 2019 BARS members Ron, Herbert, Harrold, Dallas, Harry, Mike and Bill gathered for breakfast at the Country Pride Restaurant in the TA Truck Stop in Troy, IL.  We had a pleasant breakfast and conversation.  Ron brought in his "Chinaspot" for show-n-tell as his latest foray into DMR radio.  Harry brought in a board he's modifying as a 10 GHz preamp.

We also talked about the upcoming second round this month in the ARRL 10 GHz and Up contest.  Our plans are to have Ron activate a scenic overlook at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, IL EM48rx and overlooking a western swath of St. Louis county and all of St. Charles county in Missouri.

After the breakfast, while standing in the parking lot, Mike pulled out his IR detector mounted behind a lens and feeding a Radio Shack audio amp he could detect the light inside the restaurant while standing outside.  Ron pointed it at a distant sign across the parking lot and we could clearly hear the light emitted from the signage.  A fun experiment.

                                   Harry's WA0CNS modified 10 GHz preamp 

                      Mike N0OBI's IR detector mounted in a lens and his Radio Shack audio amp

 
          Mike N0OBI and Bill W0ETR at the TA Truck Stop in Troy, IL.  Note the TA struck stop sign behind Mike N0OBI.  His IR detector was able to detect the emissions from that sign!

BARS February Breakfast

On Saturday, February 23, BARS member converged for our monthly breakfast at Country Pride Restaurant at the TA Truck Stop in Troy, IL.  It was great seeing everyone.  It also offered us a chance to stretch our legs and to shake off some winter cabin fever. 

Table top discussion wasn't too technical, but we did discuss some 2 meter antennas and our weekly Thursday evening 2 meter SSB net on 144.200 at 7:30 pm.  It is growing in popularity with area hams!  We also discussed our upcoming 10 and 24 GHz tests to be held next month at Stone Hill Winery in Herman, MO.  Ron and Herbert are going to test our AF4JF's latest board to control an Elcom Synthesizer.

November BARS Breakfast

Today, Sunday 5 November, five BARS members met at the TA Truck Stop restaurant in Troy, IL for our monthly breakfast.  Our December meeting will involve lunch at a winery in St. Charles County.  Herbert, AF4JF, Harold, KD9SG, Bob, N0IS, Zack, W9SZ and Ron, KO0Z.  Besides breakfast, today's gathering involved getting project ideas regarding 24 and 47 GHz.  Zack brought both of his systems.  Herbert is already on 24 GHz and well on his way towards 47 GHz.  Ron is still working on putting his 24 GHz station.  It was good seeing everyone this morning.

                                                       Herbert's 3.4 GHz transverter

                                                Nicely machined pipe cap filters                                            

                                         Herbert's 2.3 GHz transverter even though the pcb states 3.4

                   Pictured left to right:  Herbert-AF4JF, Harold-KD9SG, Bob-N0IS and Zack-W9SZ

                                   

                                                   W9SZ's 24 GHz transverter

                                                               24 GHz filter
                                                    

                                                              Zack's 47 GHz dish antenna

                                                             47 GHz dish feed

                                             Herbert-AF4JF and Zack-W9SZ in Troy, IL

                                                             Troy, IL water tower

                                            Troy, IL TA Truck Stop restaurant...Good food

BARS May Meeting

Sunday, May 21, TA Restaurant in Troy, IL six BARS members attended breakfast.  From left to right, Harold,KD9SG; Dallas, WD9IVD; Mike, N0OBI; Rich, N0PQU and Herbert, AF4JF.  Ron, KO0Z is behind the camera.  We discussed the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, safely viewing the Sun, a little contesting strategy for the upcoming ARRL 10 GHz contest and our next meeting at the Egyptian Hamfest on Sunday, June 11.  Instead of breakfast, we are planning a lunch meeting at Uncle Linnies in Pontoon Beach after the hamfest.