VP Says – July 2025

This month, during our July 11th meeting, we will have one guest speakers, Tim Tenopir KN6JGB, who will be discussing and demonstrating his bicycle’s UHF/VHF antenna setup. He will also provide extensive technical information about current and emerging weatherproofing technologies for protecting connectors from corrosion, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and installation procedures with samples. Thirdly, Tim will be demonstrating a homemade air cannon for installing line antennas such as dipoles, etc. in trees and other high-tie structures. Tim will provide plans for construction of the air cannon and conduct workshops at future club events such as picnics, etc. as designated by the club Board of Directors.

Tim’s educational background is in materials and mechanical engineering, having an A.S. in Metallurgical Technology from Don Bosco Technical Institute, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal State University Long Beach and a Master of Science Degree in Applied Mechanics with Materials Secondary from Cal State Northridge. He is employed as a Senior Scientist for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division and has been working there for 46+ years. The science and engineering bug hit Tim early, when, at the age of 17, he worked at Rockwell International in Downey as part of the Don Boso Technical Institute A.S internship program and was responsible for all the metal chemical processing systems for the construction of the Space Shuttle. Tim is a Board-Level certified coating inspector, manager/developer/founder of the NSWC PHD Command Materials Lab Complex and National Radar/Ordnance Materials Consortium. He is registered with the Marquis Who’s Who which highlights the lives of notable individuals across various fields in the United States, serving as a resource for researchers, journalists, and others seeking information about top individuals in their respective career fields. His career spans not only the US Navy, but encompasses significant engineering support for several foreign navies and government allies in the materials related engineering disciplines, including Italy, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, and Australia. Tim has received several other awards, such as the Naval Sea Systems Command top scientist and other accolades from multiple government agencies. Tim has an active social and volunteer social life, serving as the Treasurer for the Oxnard “Noontimers” Lions Club and Foundation and the Lions International District 4-A3 for many years, English usher coordinator at his parish (Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church), counselor for radio and other engineering related merit badges in the Boy Scout program as well as serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and District Commissioner, is heavily involved with the YMCA of Greater Whittier Camp Arbolado for 57 of its 100 year history as camper, counselor, director and other roles, and active in the American Legion in which he served as the bus chaperone person responsible for getting high school students safely to and from the Boys and Girls State events in Sacramento. He currently holds a technician ham radio license but wants to study and obtain his general license level. He has been active with the Ventura Amateur Radio Club for about 5 years, helping in various areas and committees. Tim loves everything Irish (he is half Irish by blood), the outdoors, science and fantasy, scuba diving, folk music, traveling to foreign countries, and chilling out with HAM radio.

After Tim’s presentation, we will have a refreshment break followed by a review of the K6MEP Field Day 2025.

2025 Field Day Review

Field Day was on June 28-29 with the set-up starting at noon on Friday June 27^th at Oxnard College at the corner of South Rose Avenue and East Bard Road West of parking lot B.

Dave and I want to give a big thanks to everyone that participated in our Field Day event this year! We had lots of operators and support people this weekend, good weather, and we think the bands even cooperated! Dave will be putting our score together and will review it and many of the Field Day photos at our July 11^th club meeting.

If you logged your contacts on paper, please email Dave a scan of your log sheet and email it to him this week. Of course, if you already handed him your paper logs, thank you!

73,

Robert Shank KM6RSS Vice President, VCARC