N.E.W.S. Group VHF-SHF club July 11 PICNIC:
Knights of Columbus pavilion, Enfield, CT (20 mi N of Hartford)
featuring:
BARBECUE - 11:30am to 2:00pm grilled Dogs and Burgers etc.


Just a reminder the Saturday July 11th NEWS group club Picnic
will be held outdoors at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion on
Washington Rd in Enfield, CT. This is a covered Pavilion, so it's
Rain of Shine. The tentative agenda is:

10:00 - 11:30am Set up and gab
11:30am - 1:30pm Lunch
1:00 - 3:00pm MDS 10GHz, 24 GHz, and play with higher bands if you have it
3:00 - 3:45pm NEWS Group meeting, elections

President's Report:
This next meeting is our NEWS picnic meeting. Come
one come all and bring your 10 GHz, 24 GHz, and
systems to test them against your friends’ rigs. Good
friends, good food and good listening.
73,
Dick, WA2AAU

Weather forecast prediction is for a sunny, mid 80's day.
This is a good time to show off your latest project, socialize,
and informal tailgate swapping and selling is encouraged as well.
You don't have to be a member to attend although we encourage
you to sign up if you're not.
Anyway we must be doing something right because no-one's ever complained.
The bulk of our activities usually run from noon til about 4pm.
See our July NEWSLetter.

N.E.W.S. MDS and ERP Testing

At the annual N.E.W.S. picnic, we will do MDS (Minimum Discernable Signal)
and ERP testing on 10 GHz, 24 GHz and.
To test for MDS, we set up a distant signal source. After everyone has
a chance to peak up on the signal, the signal level is reduced one dB
at a time - when you can no longer hear it, then you have found the MDS
for your system. You decide how well it works, and whether you can hear
as well as Don and Dale. As a doublecheck, the frequency is moved a
few KHz, then the signal level is increased one dB at a time. If you
weren't kidding yourself, you should be able to find it at the same
level as before. Usually, it takes a few more dB to find a signal.

Finally, we also check relative ERP, transmitting one at a time and
recording the relative power received at the distant point.

Last year's results were pretty good, with many participants on 10 GHz,
several on 24 GHz, plus a couple of higher frequency stations for show.
This isn't a competition, just a chance to check out the gear with
friends around to help. Most folks had 10 GHz stations that worked
pretty well, while a few found problems to fix before the 10 GHz & Up
contest in August. Not only do we know our equipment works, but also
that there will be some other good stations to work.

I-91 exit 48 onto Rt 220 East (Elm St). 
Bear left at fork onto Shaker Rd. 
At 9th traffic light from exit 48, 
turn left onto Washington Rd., K of C 1 mile on left.
-
Lost going that way? Try this: 
I-91 exit 49, go south on Enfield St Rt.5
Drive 1/2 mile, take a left on Brainard Rd. 
Drive 2 miles, take right on George Washington Rd. 
K of C picnic area will be on the right.