What About Grounds ?

There are times when a good RF ground is impossible to achieve at many ham station locations. A good RF ground is difficult to attain. If you use a standard 8' copper ground rod, with a good solid connection, even that has a few ohms of contact resistance, even more in some cases with poor soil conditions. In many, many cases shorter ground rods are used because of the difficulty in getting them driven into even good soft soil. In most cases, practical ground installations require many feet of ground wire between the station equipment location and the actual ground point, usually outside the staion. With stations that are located on second and third floors of a home, the ground wire itself can becomes a radiator of RF energy and becomes part of the problem it was ment to help solve.

A long ground wire can be several wavelengths especially at VHF frequencies. It actually becomes a "long wire" antenna. Keep in mind that a good station ground will cure some transmitter (RFI) problems, by - 1.) Placing the chassis of the transmitter or piece of equipment at a low-impedance reference point. - 2.) By changing the problem location "hot spot" as it is called and placing it further away from the suscepatble piece equipment!

Keep in mind that grounding is NOT a cure-all for ever type of (RFI) problem that can come along. I have found in most cases the shorter the ground system, usually the better off you may be. ( Joe Dozpat WA3UVP )

What is a TC & TS's ?

Technical Coordinator (TC) and Technical Specialists (TSs) are ARRL field volunteers who help provide support and guidance when need to amateurs in their Sections. They should be contacted at the beginning of every RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problem. Most TCs prefer to be called before tempers have flared and a situation has become difficult.

How To Locate Your ARRL Section TC

First check your current copy of QST. Find the Section Manager's (SM) name for your ARRL Section. Ask the SM for the name and address of your TC. You may aslo check the ARRL Web Site @ www.arrl.org/section to find the Section web page and the necessary information. Another alternative to get the information is to call ARRL HQ or email a message to Field and Educational Service.

So What Do They Do ?

Technical Coordinators are volunteers. As such, they each have certain capabilities and areas of understanding about Amateur Radio Technology. The following are general guidlines for TCs.

The Technical Coordinator:

1.) Supervises and coordinates the work of the Sections Technical Specialists (TSs).

2.) Encourages amateurs in the Section to share their technical achievements with others through the pages of QST, at club meetings, hamfests and conventions.

3.) Promotes technical and experimentation at VHF/UHF and with specialized modes, and works closely with enthusiasts in these fields with in he Section.

4.) Serves as an advisor to radio clubs that sponsor training programs for obtaing amateur licenses or upgradeed licenses in cooperation with the ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator.

5.) In times of emergency or disaster, functions as the coordinator for establishing an array of equipment for communciations use and is available to supply technical espertise to government and relief agencies to set up emergen communications networks, in cooporation with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator.

6.) Refers amateurs in the section who need technical advise to appropriate TSs.

7.) Encourages TSs to serve on RFI and TVI committees in the Section for the purpose of rendering technical assistance as needed, in cooperation with the ARRL OO Coordinator.

8.) Is available to assist local technical program committees in arranging suitable programs for ARRL hamfests and conventions.

9.) Conveys the views of Section amateurs and TSs about the technical contents of QST and ARRL books to ARRL HQ. Suggestions for improvement should also be called to the attention of the ARRL HQ technical staff.

10.) Works with the appointed ARRL TAs (Technical Advisors) when called upon.

11.) Is available to give technical talks at club meetings, hamfests and conventions in the Section.

In addition to the above duties, TCs and/or TSs in a given ARRL Section often serve as advisors for radio frequency interfence (RFI) issues. Since RFI can drive a wedge into neighborhood relations, it is freqently a TC/TS with a cool head who resolves such problems. TCs and TSs may also be asked to serve with other ARRL officials or represent the ARRL at technical symposiums in industry. They may serve on CATV advisory committees, or advise municipal governments on technical matters relating to Amateur Radio Service.

Meet The ARRL EPA Technical Staff

Technical Coordinator - Joe Dozpat WA3UVP (Northumberland County)

A. TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS:

1.) Tim Barefoot AA3BJ ( York)

2.) Bill Beck K3ARR ( Northumberland )

3.) Bill Begley AE3J ( Delaware )

4.) Dennis Cooper K3NVI ( York )

5.) Doug Crompton WA3DSP ( Bucks )

6.) Ted Freedman K3KSA ( Lancaster )

7.) John Holmes N3IGA ( Northampton )

8.) Jim Ibaugh AA3C ( Lancaster )

9.) Roger Jordan W4RFJ ( Delaware )

10.) Stephanie Koles WX3K ( Monroe )

11.) Dan Mc Monigle N3IXQ ( Delaware )

12.) Bob Rex K3DBD ( Chester )

13.) John Rymell N3PFF ( Lycoming )

14.) Weller Schulz K3OQF ( Carbon )

15.) Dennis Silage K3DS ( Delaware )

16.) Bill Taylor N3TR ( Chester )

17.) Jim Stauffer KA3RMM ( Montgomery )

18.) Ed Russell W3ZHW ( Schuylkill )