[KitBuilders] OpenTrackers have arrived! (Round1)

[Peter Gamache]

I just got a delivery - a little box full of 20 OpenTracker kits!  For 
those who want to build their project solo, you're welcome to contact me 
anytime to pick up your tracker.

Peter Gamache - KC0TFB (usually on 444.1+114PL during weekday drive time)
720 Overton Dr NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Home: 763-571-8878  Cell: 612-369-0717

For those who want to participate in a group build, we can do that, 
too.  I'm tentatively planning to crash the Northern Lights radio event, 
below, but I need to talk to N0NAS to see if he can handle an extra 
dozen or so kit builders.  If that doesn't work out, we'll find another 
location (perhaps my house, we'll see).

Please reply to me off-list and tell me which you'd like to do: DIY or 
group build.  I seem to remember there were a couple folks who wanted me 
to build their kit for them, but I don't remember who said that, so 
please remind me.  I'm willing to do that for a reasonable price.

If you participate in the group build, please bring your own soldering 
equipment:
* Soldering iron 15-25watt, preferably grounded.
* Desoldering equipment (iron, bulb, sucker and/or braid)
* Solder (60/40 or similar ROSIN CORE, not acid core - Kester 44 is ideal).

If you wish, you may bring other equipment. Small hand tools (pliers, 
tweezers, screwdrivers, etc) will be provided by me.  You may also wish 
to bring a "helping hands"-type device to hold the board as you work on 
it (these can usually be found at Ax-Man for under $5).

Here's the announcement that Dean Blosberg forwarded to the ms-scram 
list.  I'm waiting for N0NAS to say whether we're welcome here or not.

> The next packet & radio workshop will be Sunday April 1. It seemed
> appropriate. I'll be there at 9AM, but you can come when you are ready.
> As usual we'll go till around 6PM or whenever we run out of people and
> projects.
>
> We had a very good turn-out for the last workshop. At least 2 dozen
> people came and went, with about a dozen there at all times. We kept
> busy all day and had several people bring their D-STAR radios and even
> had a D-STAR repeater to look at. I expect we'll have another D-STAR
> VHF-UHF repeater at the April workshop and I hope to have a 1.2G data
> repeater there as well. I do expect to have the spec-an with tracking
> generator available this time so we can check antennas and filters for
> 1.2GHz.
>
> The purpose of the workshops is to help people who are interested in
> packet radio and other digital modes, or just plain need a little help
> with a computer or radio related project. The great thing about the
> work shop i s that we all help each other.
>
> I provide some of the more exotic test equipment that might be needed,
> you bring your project, the parts you'll need, and small hand tools. I
> usually bring an oscilloscope, frequency counter, signal generator, RF
> power meter, dummy loads, and a spectrum analyzer. The spec-an is great
> for checking receivers and transmitters. If you need to work on anything
> above 1GHz, please let me know in advance.
>
> The location is 1177 Century Ave North (55119) at the Maplewood East
> County Line Fire Station #1 about 1.5 miles north of I-94. Century Ave
> is the same as Highway 120 and it is on the east side of the 3M Center
> complex. If you found the Tailgate Swapfest site, you just continue east
> to Century Ave and then go north to the fire station.
>
> If you want a map, Google search for:
>     1177 Century Ave N, 55119
> If you look for the 80 foot tower on the roof, it will be hard to miss.
>
> Park in th e lot on the north side of the building. We'll be using the
> training room in the north-east corner of the building. We'll probably
> use the side entry door, the one without a door knob. Pound on the
> door and we'll let you in.<g> The alternate entry will be the east side
> doors nearest the flag pole but I'm not going to guarantee anyone will
> hear you there....
>
> If anyone does need to do a little drilling or solder some wires, I'll
> put a table out in the garage bay for that. The difference is the
> concrete floor. I really don't want any burns or scratches in the tables
> or solder and metal bits in the carpet of the training room. If we mess
> it up I don't get to use the facility again.
>
> I'll have the coffee pot running and I'll probably bring some cookies or
> rolls. Feel free to bring more treats. There are pop machines in the
> station and a Holiday gas station store a block away. Bring your own
> lunch or go out to eat. Usually we o rder i n a pizza. We have Internet
> available and cable TV to help keep kids entertained.
>
> I hope to see you there! The next workshop after April 1 is
> undetermined, but probably in early May. I'd also like to remind you
> that the NLRS Aurora 2007 conference is April 28 in White Bear Lake. If
> you are interested in weak signal, SSB, UHF+ and microwave, or building,
> this is a great gathering. Registration is usually at the door. Follow
> the link below and look under Club Meetings for more info.
> http://www.nlrs.org/
>
> 73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.