TSRC Infrastructure and Experimental Projects – Stuff we’re building

Radio kits in SKB cases – IC-7300 shown.

TSRC has plenty of projects underway – see one that interests you? We always need help, and it’s a great way to learn new skills or add your own to the effort.

NEW – Pico Balloon Science Experiment

Small, globe-circling Mylar balloons with flea-power digital HF radios and instrumentation. Don KB1VP is the man behind this one. Just getting started.

The New Support Trailer is Under Construction

It’s a 7’x16′ all-aluminum Nitro cargo trailer with an RV side door and drop-down rear ramp. It will haul many of the club’s “toys” and provide space for an additional operating position for Field Day or large public service events. Right now, the Trailer Committee is working to design and build the interior fixtures and plan the modifications and installation. When done, it will have: 

  • 7′ workbench with parts and tool storage drawers
  • On-board battery and charger/power supply
  • AC power center
  • Bright LED lighting inside and out
  • Carpeted interior walls, painted floor panels, both sides
  • Storage for multiple HF beams and VHF/UHF verticals
  • Shelves for radio equipment cases, test gear, APRS trackers, etc. 
  • 2 NMO antenna mounts
  • Forward and aft cable entry ports
  • Folding tables and chairs
  • 10’x15″ canopy
  • Both AB-577 military towers
  • Cables, push-up masts, sandbags, portable lighting, and more
  • Room for a generator and fuel
  • Exterior graphics will be similar to the existing Communications Trailer’s Take a look at the current floor plan design (not to scale and in constant flux – hey, it’s a design-build!) (If you have a 2″ drawbar hitch and electric brake controller on your full-size pickup or SUV, AE1H would like to hear from you!)

Communications Trailer Upgrades and Maintenance

It’s 15 years old! Doesn’t seem that long. We’re doing some maintenance and upgrades to make it more functional and to overcome some limitations. We’re also planning for eventual replacement.

  • DC power wiring up-sizing to eliminate voltage drop with high-power radios
  • New better-shielded coax cable to the operating position’s connection boxes
  • Oil undercoating to slow frame rust
  • Corrosion repairs
  • Replaced the old white-board with a new magnetic one
  • Carpet repairs and cleaning
  • Upgraded network and WiFi mesh network capability
  • Permanent antenna patch panel to replace old “temporary” panel
  • Battery box, master disconnect
  • Long-term (we hope!) planning for a larger replacement trailer

Contact Al, AE1H for more information.

Field Deployment Kits

As a result of several large equipment donations, we’re also now building some task-specific kits, such as one for Summits On The Air (SOTA) and US Islands activations, and a Winlink Pactor 3 go-kit. Do you have any ideas? Contact Dave WA1ZCN. (pix of current HF kits at left)

Related File Downloads (PDF)

HF Radio Comparisons – 2017
VHF-UHF Radio Comparisons – 2019

Burden’s Hill Repeater Site

Work continues on a third linked repeater site in Strafford, VT on 147.345+, 136.5 Hz. It has excellent coverage in the Upper Valley and well into Vermont, and linked via our half-duplex 222 MHz system. Contact Dave N1HAC, TSRC Repeater Manager.

Repeater System Upgrades

The old GE Mastr II repeaters in use on Moose Mt. and East Corinth are in need of replacement due to an increase in maintenance needs. We’re in the process of acquiring and modifying newer Mastr III repeaters. At the same time, we’ll be installing a new S-Com 7330 repeater controller to replace the aging and somewhat funky Link RLC-2 on Moose Mt. Contact Dave N1HAC.

Tower Trailer

Our venerable old military tower trailer is in need of some maintenance and paint, and a bit of body work. We’re hoping to get a body shop to fix the fenders. Rust clean up and new paint are next. Contact Al, AE1H.

Amateur Radio License Test Prep

In conjunction with the CVFMA (www.cvfma.org) we’re planning to offer one or more Tech license classes and exam sessions soon. We’re also training up some more Volunteer Examiners (VEs). Contact Ray WA1ORT for more information.

Digipeater/iGate Expansion

To better support local public service events like The Prouty, Vermont 100, Vermont 50, Covered Bridge Half-Marathon, and others, we’re building out the network of APRS site. If you’d like to host either a digipeater or iGate station, get in touch with Steve W1HS to see if your site is would be useful.

HF Beam “Portable-izing”

We have two HF and one 6m beam to make fully portable, which makes setup and tear down far easier. This involves permanently attaching boom saddle-blocks, slitting element ends and adding thumb-turn hose clamps, etc. If you’ve seen our portablized Moseley Mini-33A beam, you’ll know what the goal is. Hopefully we’ll get a crew of three or four together this spring, pandemic permitting. Contact Dave, WA1ZCN.

Mesh Networking Kits

Steve W1HS has been putting together a deployable Amateur Radio 5 GHz mesh network based on the AREDN standard. This will be used at Field Day to connect logging computers, and can be used for public service events or ARES emergency operations. He would love to train other members to operate and expand this system.

Inventory Management System

With club-owned equipment at locations all over the Upper Valley region, we needed a better way to keep track of and identify everything, and Adam KC1GDW created it. Now, we just need to implement it. Contact club Secretary, Scott KC1LDI.

Download the Valley News 2017 Field Day article here.