Author Archives: kb3plx

What about during a windstorm?

Posted on March 12, 2014 by kb3plx

Tonight’s high winds provided a good opportunity to see how the network holds up. Result: the dishes definitely sway enough to affect signal (from +3 dB better than normal to -3 dB worse), but data rates have been consistent. The … Continue reading →

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5 GHz and Directional Antennas

Posted on February 21, 2014 by kb3plx

Here’s the part 15 wifi spectrum as seen from a directional antenna at one of our sites. The strong signal at 5800 is some part of Towson University’s wifi network, about a mile away, directly in the path of this … Continue reading →

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BRATS 5GHz Links and WB3DZO Fully online!

Posted on December 16, 2013 by kb3plx

K0RYX, N3GXH, and KB3PLX spent a few hours on a chilly, icy roof adjusting the aim of one of the dishes, and a few more hours inside tweaking settings, before finally getting everything set just right. Our 9.4 mile wifi … Continue reading →

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Meeting update!

Posted on November 4, 2013 by kb3plx

Be sure to attend the Monday, Nov 11, 2013 meeting at 7:00 PM at the Pikesville Library for a demonstration of the new 147.030 repeater network! Learn what the new messages mean! See how we’ll be cutting down interference/noise! See … Continue reading →

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SK – John Wingert K3TAY

Posted on November 4, 2013 by kb3plx

John, K3TAY, passed away last month after a long illness. There will be a short memorial service for John on November 7 at 1300EST at the Garrison Forest Veteran Cemetery. John’s amateur radio friends are invited. John is survived by … Continue reading →

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BRATS Host Successful Jamboree on the Air

Posted on October 20, 2013 by kb3plx

On Saturday, October 19th, the BRATS and the Arrowhead district of the Baltimore Area Council/Boy Scouts of America worked to introduce over 50 Scouts and their families Amateur Radio. There were smiles all around from the Scouts, their parents, and … Continue reading →

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BRATS Infrastructure

Posted on September 29, 2013 by kb3plx

As a part of the 147.030 repeater project, the BRATS have built a high-speed wireless network across our sites in Baltimore. Here’s N3GXH climbing his tower to set up a 1.3 mile link: We currently have links of 1.3, 9.4, … Continue reading →

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BRATS HamFest a success!

Posted on July 22, 2013 by kb3plx

The 2013 BRATS Hamfest was held on a beautiful sunny day this past Sunday.  Despite some challenges posed by the fairgrounds and some issues caused by another event, the BRATS adapted and kept everyone safe and happy. A special thanks … Continue reading →

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Link established: 9 miles

Posted on July 18, 2013 by kb3plx

The BRATS successfully created a 9 mile wifi link between a receive site and the transmit site. We hope to have the new repeater operational for a test this weekend, and a demonstration site available at the Hamfest.

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Progress!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by kb3plx

Come to the next BRATS meeting, Monday, May 6, to find out what Ed is aiming, and what it means for the future of BRATS!

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