Ok Radio and TNC talk to each other fine, pc and TNC talk fine.

The 232's tuning display shows full lit even with radio turned off and pc turned off.

So it must be a TNC issue.  How do I drop the level?  It has nothing to do with the external knob on the front or the FSK Level on the back.  It must be an internal pot that's turned up too high.

All I want to do is run PACTOR 1 for HF MARS on this TNC.  Even though the TNC is an older model its been upgraded to 7.2 and even has the 2400 baud add on in it.

Help?

Ron, KL7YK

Anchorage Mobile to Jamaica (4900 miles), Dominican Republic (4700 miles), Yugoslavia (5200 miles) or New Zealand (7088 miles)...guess the Kiwi's win that.

Ford Pickup, FT-857D, 100 watts USB, Hustler TriBand Coil Setup.  20 meters.  Just worked Jamaica in fact this week.  Booming into Anchorage all week.  One huge pile up to him from Asia and my itsy bitsy mobile made the trip.  I love this hobby!


Ron, KL7YK

Thank you for joining the program.  The statement about the changes is very appropriate.  New materials have been sent out and the Road Ahead 101 process will help catch everyone up to where the Chief Army MARS is taking us.

The MARS Program is changing focus, not direction.  We are expected to be functional emergency communicators.  That means we have to get certified by FEMA by completing the required FEMA Courses.  Those will help the MARS member understand how emergency operations work.  This is not your dad's MARS Program anymore.  The Road Ahead 101 training will insure no one is left wondering what it is they are expected to do.  We are a volunteer organization, the MARS Program lives or dies by the participation of the volunteers.

There are still a few misguided folks who think their tax dollars are being spent on MARS.  Not true, never was true.  95% of the MARS Operators operate their own equipment and cover their own expenses.  Most of that remaining 5% are Active Duty Military stations which would exist with or without the MARS Program.

So be proud to part of the program. We provide emergency support for many different organizations, both federal and state.

Be Proud, Professional and Ready!

Ron Keech, ALM7AK
SMD Alaska Army MARS

Well we operated and had a blast!

596 QSOs, 116k points, 46 States and 7 Provence's.

Multi-Single at 500 watts.  Worked 15, 20 and 40 meters.

Looking forward to CQ WW WPX the end of March!

This was the best performance to date for the Elmendorf Amateur Radio Club.  Thanks to everyone who worked us!

Ron Keech, KL7YK

Curt,

I am a retired AF 274XO as well, And I also tried to get on board with AF Mars after I retired.  No joy in Alaska.  There was simply no AF Program here.  So I joined Army MARS which is active here.  After some time of building the Elmendorf AFB Club Station back up I tried to get anyone to reactivate or join AF MARS up here,  no takers.  So the Club Station is now affiliated with Army MARS.  Not saying the AF Program does not exist it is simply not nationwide anymore.  I see quite a but of AF MARS related info for the East Coast or the South East.
But out West it is very quiet on AF MARS.  Navy/Marine and Army are on the other hand very active.  
So if you or anyone else gets frustrated by the lack of the AF Program to welcome you, contact the Army or Navy/Marine MARS folks.  If you get the cold shoulder from them let me know, I will light a fire under someones shorts!

Ron Keech, KL7YK
State Director Alaska Army MARS - ALM7AK
President of the Elmendorf Amateur Radio Club - KL7AIR

"Remember it's a hobby, not a religion"

Unit works fine for Packet but I can't get it to work for APRS.

Typical setup, laptop tnc radio.  Is there something about the KPC-2400 that is NON-APRS capable?

I have used PK-232's, several MFJs and other Kams without issue.

Ideas?


Ron Keech, KL7YK
Anchorage

Finally I have a confirmation.  Winter 1948 Call Book lists KL7AIR on Elmendorf Field (now Elmendorf AFB).
Appears the original Trustee was KL7LG Roland Akre.

Thanks for the information I have been getting from all over!

Still would like to document any OSOs from 1948 or later.  KL7AIR is on EQSL and LotW if that helps.

Ron Keech, KL7YK

I have been told that the KL7AIR call appears in the 1951 edition of Amateur Call Book.  Pushing our history back another 2 years.  Also have a report that the station was in operation in 1949!

If you have call books from 45-50 please take a look and see what you can find on KL7AIR.  We are getting close to the real start of KL7AIR.  Thanks to everyone who has responded.

Ron Keech, KL7YK

Take a look at "http://www.mods.dk", they have most fix actions for the mod available there.  As with all things related to modding a radio, if in doupt get an experienced hand to do it.

In 80% of the cases its a simple mod, clip a wire, remove a diode, short or unshort a solder pad.

Enjoy!

Ron Keech, KL7YK
ALM7AK SD Alaska Army MARS

Additional information has been found and there is a logged contact with KL7AIR in 1953.  Since KL7AIR was never issued to any function outside of Elmendorf AFB that makes the call and the series of clubs over the years 55 years old at least.

Still looking for more background, thanks to everyone who came forward to fill in the gaps!

Ron Keech, KL7YK
Pres. EARS

Ok, been here before.  I live in an antenna challenged area (HOA).  So I did what you want to do.  I laid a G5RV flat on my roof.  The building is just long enough to accomidate the antennas length and is a-framed so the antenna is on the peak of the roof.  Non conducting materials, no a/c ducts and such.
Yes there are nails, but since the antenna is not 5 feet wide you really don't involve many nails in the near field.
This antenna has been up there for 4 years, I use it Summer or Winter (meaning several feet of snow cover it).  I have worked 19 states and a dozen countries from my stealh setup using 100 watts or less.  I operate Digital modes, phone and CW.  Only RFI issues I had were some RF was tickling a computer speaker setup in an ajancent townhouse, simple coil xied that.  The building a is 4 plex townhome, 3 neighbors are directly under the antenna.  But since the roof is raised and peaked, non conducting and otherwise hidden, no issues of note have arisen.
I even have an old Dentron Amp that I crank up to about 300 watts from time to time and no one is the wiser.  I did a walk around RF Field strength check and it seems the roof actually is an RF null.  So no dangerous RF bouncing into anyones home.
Would it work better if skybound? Sure it would, do I have that option?
Nope.  
Do I feel like I am less of a Ham as a result?
Nope.  
I said I would get on the air and I have, unlike those who say "I can't" and never try.  When I feel the need to be a big gun I always have the option of the local club station for contesting and such.  But normally I enjoy the comforts of my own home and station.  I am in Anchorage Alaska, the bands are less than stellar yet I can work all over the Pacific Rim. Into Europe and the Med.
So, do not let the nay sayers and smart arses stop you from trying.  It's not about working the world for most Hams, it's enjoying the hobby with others who enjoy casual conversation. Remeber too that when the bands come back, you will sound as good as 90% of the other stations on the air.  When the conditions are good a coat hanger works!  

It's a hobby, not a religion.

Ron, KL7YK
Anchorage AK

Thought I would pass along, several recent HF Nets have produced visitors from the lower 48!
One recent evening Idaho, Oregon and Washington State were represented on our HF Net.

So Propagation is looking better all the time!

Stick it out, it will get better and we look forward to hearing from our lower 48 counterparts!


Ron Keech, ALM7AK
SD Alaska Army MARS

Excusing the typo on the contest name, CQ WW of course is the correct name.

We did operate and had a blast!  15 and 20M were wide open!  We ended up working over 350 contacts on 40, 20 and 15m as well as a odd collection of some 17m contacts thrown in for grins.

While we had limited operators (3) we managed to work up about 45,000 points (before screening by CQ Mag)!

Looking forward to Nov Sweeps 08!


Ron, KL7YK

I recently got word that there has been a "radio club" on Elmendorf since 1956!

The current "club", The Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society (EARS) only dates back to 1996 and the KL7AIR call dates back further I am being told.

I would like to actually verify these tidbits.  If you have any call books from before 1996 please take a look and see what you can find on KL7AIR and it's association with Elmendorf AFB Alaska.  If nothing else maybe you can tell me when the call was first seen as it relates to the base.  Perhaps if there had been any previous Amateur Calls assigned to a Military Amateur Recreation Station on Elmendorf you might pass that along.

If you find you have any QSL Cards from Elmendorf from before 1996 I would really appreciate seeing them.  Get them digitally copied on a scanner and email the club!  If you have a silent keys collection of QSL cards and find one for Elmendorf and can part with it the club will pay for the postage.

I eventually want to create a History of Elmendorf Amateur Radio to pass along to the Military Hams that will join us down the road.

On behalf of the former, present and future Military Hams thank you for your consideration.

Email - Club@KL7AIR.US or KL7YK@ARRL.NET

Ron Keech, KL7YK
Pres. EARS

The Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society EARS is planning again this year to participate in these two events from the club station KL7AIR.
This year we add digital modes to the mix so will be loking for possible spots on HF as well.

Listen for us on 20-40 and 80 meters and if 15-17 opens up maybe there too.

Looking forward to seeing our old friendsand any newcomers to the contest!  Get on the air and operate!

Ron Keech, KL7YK
Pres. EARS KL7AIR