Nov. 21: DroneScan3D, with Rudi Wiedermann, K7RAW, and John Portune, W6NBC
Our monthly meeting on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m., will feature Rudi Wiedermann, K7RAW, and John Portune, W6NBC, who will discuss the DroneScan 3D system.
The Dronescan system, invented by Rudi, was developed to enable ham radio operators and others to measure the field strengths around an antenna or other RF source in three dimensions.
This allows users to measure the actual performance of an antenna against the theoretical output reported by antenna modeling programs such as EZNEC, so they can make changes to improve the antenna’s behavior.
The system includes a highly sensitive, low-noise, logarithmic receiver/amplifier, mounted on a drone, that captures and reports an antenna’s RF electrical field strength in dBV as the drone moves around the antenna. The output can link to a user’s phone over WiFi to produce readings on a dashboard.
A companion device, AutoKeyer, can be used to remotely control a transmitter, both while the DroneScan is in use as well as to key a transmitter in ordinary use or for measuring SWR and RF output power.
Rudi, first licensed in 1967, upgraded to Amateur Extra in 2006. He lives in Las Vegas, is active in both the Las Vegas and Henderson amateur radio clubs, and hosts the Antenna Whisper channel on YouTube.
John, who has spoken at W6SD meetings several times about antenna designs, will collaborate with Rudi in the presentation.
Our General Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 pm, usually in the LAPD West Valley Station Community Room, at 19020 Vanowen St, Reseda, CA 91335. (Click for a map or set your GPS to: 34°11’34.4″N 118°32’55.4″W.) Please park behind the library.
(Exceptions to this schedule include our Holiday Dinner in December, and occasions when the room is required for use by police officers.)
Meetings are hybrid, with attendance also available via Zoom. See our Zoom links page.
Make Your Reservation NOW for the W6SD Holiday Lunch on Sunday, Dec. 7!
Our luncheon will be at Bucca di Beppo Restaurant, 17500 Ventura Blvd. in Encino, on Sunday, December 7, starting at 11 a.m.
You MUST reserve in advance — we cannot accommodate last-minute walk-ins!
Click here to make your holiday luncheon reservation.
W6SD Wants To Help Hams Affected By the Southern California Wildfires
Are you one of the Los Angeles-area hams affected by the January, 2025, wildfires, or do you know one of these hams? W6SD wants to help.
Our club has radios and other equipment we can provide to help you get back on the air. We know this won’t undo the damage and devastation that these fires caused, but hope this support can help you get back on the air and involved in our hobby. To learn more, click here.
W6SD Weekly Social Get-Togethers
W6SD holds monthly speaker meetings on the third Friday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. We also hold informal social get-togethers every Monday morning via Zoom.
Many members meet for breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings at the Denny’s restaurant at 16575 Sherman Way, west of the Van Nuys Airport. All are welcome.
Join Our Mailing List
If you are not receiving email alerts about W6SD, or would like to have these messages sent to a different email address, please use this link to join our email list.
We respect your privacy; we do not share email addresses with any other organization, and all of our messages include a link that enables you to unsubscribe or update your email preferences.
W6SD – The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
ARRL Affiliated Club #1684
Founded in 1946, The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (SFVARC) is open to anyone interested in Amateur Radio as a hobby. The Club is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League and the Los Angeles Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, Inc.
San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 5472
West Hills, CA 91308
info@w6sd.com
Interested in joining W6SD? Whether you are brand new to the hobby of ham radio or are an Extra Class expert, you are welcome here. Click here for information.