The Voice Coil - Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association

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The Voice Coil
President's Corner
August 2014
Volume 52, Issue 8
ARRL Centennial
Issue
Inside this Issue
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
816
President's Corner
MVARA info
Ham Humor
Hamfests
Meeting Information
Upcoming events
Swap and Shop
Amateur radio news
Operating News
Corn Roast
July Meeting Minutes
Fine print
Digital Version:
ARRL 100th Pictures
Expanded Contest Corner
30 Minute Project & More
Newsletter of the
Mahoning Valley
Amateur Radio
Association
Established 1919
Northeast Ohio can be
proud of its new directions and
goals. We've got a national
political
2016,
C'mon convention
Spring! I'veinhad
more
Manzel
with
the
Browns,
andthe
than enough winter. At least
the return
of Lebron
to
DX
has been
good. (IJames
worked
the
Cavs.
Along
with
those
several new countries, many in
events,
the MVARA
be
the
technician
portioncan
of 10
equally
proud
as
we
continue
to
meters).
rebuild and grow.
As we shift, hopefully, into
Over recent
years
warmer
weather
it the
also gives a
membership
had
taken
a slightto
chance to think about changes
drop,
but
has
recently
our amateur stations, antennas,
rebounded.
We and
havemaybe
some new
battery
back-up
members
as
well
as
others
who
entering a few contests.
have returned after several
years’
absence.
club again
-Is
it finally
timeThe
to finally
has moretothan
60 members
and
upgrade
computer
logging?
continues to grow. Like the rest
of northeast
Ohio, we
-Put
up an antenna
for are
six meters
resourceful
with
a
proud
history
before the sunspot cycle goes
and
a
great
future.
The
same
is
away.
true for the MVARA as we
approachsome
our 100
year gear and
-Maybe
portable
anniversary
in 2019!
antennas
so we
can, as small
groups, go portable and
Many members
are stepping
participate
in weekend
classesupor
and
help
see
the
club
grow
and
activities.
expand. We had another
fantastic
field It
day,
weuswere
able
-Be
an Elmer.
does
no good
to be
help
severalof
local
events, of
to
theatkeepers
multitudes
and
our
classes
contributed
to not
amateur radio knowledge and
adding
several
new
hams
in
share it with new operators. the
valley. We're now planning for
Ohio forget
State Parks
on the Air,
Don't
SKYWARN.
Thea
mix of QSO
partyrepeater
and Field
146.745
W8QLY
is the
day.
A
Saturday
afternoon
primary link for local severe
event at Lake Milton is always
President's Corner
Several great programs
are planned for the rest
PageThe
1 August
of the year.
CORN ROAST is ane of two
club social events that
good, but adding amateur
radio
Remember..LISTEN,
Listen,
and
makes
it
a
lot
more
fun.
listen some more. Just because
you don't hear activity doesn't
Several
great
are or
mean
there
isn'tprograms
a squelched
planned
forprogress.
the rest of the year.
silent
net in
The August corn roast is one of
two club
social
that busy
Mike
K8PRR
hasevents
been very
allow all
ofwe
us to
getinteresting
together,
making
sure
have
share
great
food,
laugh,
programs at our meetings.and
He
have
a
fun
time.
also suggested we take some
warm Saturday morning, have a
Grillers-in-Chief,
short
class and thenDean
buildand
some
Doug,
with
supervision
antennas. By late morningbywe
Chefs,have
Art and
should
themJack,
builtwill
andmake
in
sure
there
will
be
plenty
of as
operation. This would be fun
corn,
dogs. The
well
as burgers
showingand
members
or rest
of
us
need
to
supply
a
variety
interested visitors how quickly of
side dishes
and
something
can
bemunchies:
built and how
salad,
cookies,
cole slaw,with
potato
far
you can
communicate
it.
salad, beans, or whatever. The
location
has changed
slightly
Many
members
expressed
an
this
year
and
moved
to
a
interest in upgrading from
different pavilion,
still at
technician
to generalbut
class
Boardman
Park.
license. We would be more than
happy to conduct such a class, or
It'scan
been
an exciting
year, and
we
point
you to several
we're having
fun,can
let's
it
websites
and you
dokeep
home
up!
self-study. In either case we can
also provide Volunteer
-Wes, W8IZC
Examiners
for a testing session.
It's your club, what would YOU
*Next Meeting: Corn Roast,
like
to see us do ?
Thur. August 14, Hofmaster
Pavilion, Boardman Park.
2014 Officers
President: Wes Boyd, W8IZC
Vice President: Mike McCleery,
K8PRR
Secretary/Webmaster: Dave Salmen,
WB8IBA
Treasurer: Frank Sole, WB8YHD
Trustees: Andy Brincko, WA8ZLK
Mark Haverstock, K8MSH
Dave Brett, KD8ZNF
Dave Fairbanks, N8NB
Newsletter Staff: Mark Haverstock,
K8MSH, layout/publishing; Dave
Brett, KD8ZNF and Nancy Brett
KD8QNY, distribution; Joe Vasko,
N8SEJ, Newsletter Committee
Chairperson /Editor
Awards Manager: Dave Fairbanks,
N8NB, 330.759.6993, 4770 Logan
Ave. Youngstown, OH 44505
The Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio
Association, Inc, meets the second
Thursday of every month. Location
and time are subject to change. Dues
are $20.00 per year, $25.00 for family
membership. A pro-rata discount for
first time membership is available as
well as special student discounts. See
MVARA.org website for details and
an application form.
The club call is W8QLY; equipment
operated under this call includes a two
meter voice repeater at 146.745 (-600,
110.9 PL).
For License Classes and V.E.C.
Contact Committee Chairman Jerry
Viele, W8JV (330-534-1394)
MONDAY NIGHT NET operates
every Monday at 9:00. PM on 146.745
MHz.. Primary Net Control - Art
Burnett, KB8UNJ.
SKYWARN NET - First Wednesday
of the month at 8:30 PM on 146.745
MHz as weather warrants.
ARES NET- First and third Mondays
of each month at 8:30 PM on 146.745
MHz, prior to the Monday Night Net.
the 50s Club
to 60s, with
Ham
Humor: Ham
Radio
inintermittent
Hot
Defrosting
in
showers during the entire
Water after “Honest Mistake”
weekend. When we arrived
Orlando
early Saturday, we went directly
to the tailgate area, since there
If you’ve had
your
fill of
wasgroup
a break
the rain.
Most of
BEAVER
DAM,
Wisconsin
– A local
of in
amateur
radio
Northeast
weather,
thinkback to the
vendors had
operatorsOhio
will not
be invited
nextoutdoor
year’s fundraiser
fortarps,
the
about
the Orlando
tents or other shelters in place to
localadding
heart association.
HamCation to your calendar in
keep their wares dry, and provide
The
Dial
Spinners,
a
ham
radio
club
based in rural
Catoosa
County,
February.
temporary
shelter
for those
volunteered for event communications
duringthe
last
week’s “Walk It,
braving
rain.
Run
It
or
Bike
It”
fundraiser.
(Participants
gather
pledges
per mile
The Orlando Amateur Radio
fromorganizes
donors and
walk, run or bike
the course.)
Shortly
after the
Club
themay
HamCation
A prolonged
shower
around
5K
event
started,
things
took
a
bad
turn
–
literally.
Amateur Radio and Computer
11:00 sent many into the large
Show in Orlando, Florida, which
commercial buildings or outdoor
“Alexander
Feldman*
had
the
course
mapvendors,
and thatwho
was had
probably
our
is held at the Central Florida
food
numerous
first mistake,”
club
president
O’Happerstam,
radio
Fairgrounds.
Thesays
event
hosts
an Thomas
sheltered
tables where ayou
could
amateur
veteran.
“He
was
responsible
for
guiding
the
lead
car
the
estimated 12,000 visitors, only
sit and have a sandwich orand
snack.
initial
participants
in
the
right
direction.”
second to the Dayton Hamfest.
As you can see in the picture
You
can
get
your
hamfest
fix,
above, course
umbrellas
and ponchos
While the group of 15 volunteers manning
checkpoints
were
while
the
rest
of
the
family
visits
were
standard
equipment
for
chatting on a local repeater about lunch plans and the “code /no
the
othercontroversy,
Orlando attractions,
most visitors.
code”
Feldman inadvertently
guided everyone onto the
such
as
Universal,
Sea
World,
wrong street. And then another. And then another. And then another.
Thinking about a trip south next
DisneyWorld, which are all
year?
HamCation
within
a 30
minute
drive.
“When
it was
all said
and done,” adds
eventThe
organizer
Jane will be
held
Februarycloser
13-15to
next
year.
Brookhaven, “our 5k event turned into
something
20k.
Updated
information
is
available
This
year’s
event
was held
People
were
dropping
out like flies and we had to call in extra
at therunners
HamCation®
website,It
February
andup
9 (Friday
vehicles 7,
to8pick
the stranded walkers,
and bicyclists.
www.hamcation.com
and also on
through
wasn’t Sunday)
pretty. It with
evenover
made150
the local Beaver Free Press newspaper.”
Facebook, and on Twitter:
commercial vendor booths, 400
@hamcation.
For
his
part,
Feldman
says
he’s
not
exactly
sure what happened…but
indoor swap tables, and the
has antailgate
idea. area in the
largest
-K8MSH
southeast US, to show and sell
“I think I was holding the map upside down,” says Feldman who has
amateur radio equipment, parts,
a history of navigation mistakes. In 2006, Feldman intended to drive
computer hardware and software
a group of hams to the Big Badger Hamfest in Madison, but ended up
and other interesting items. Most
in Racine. He also completely missed Field Day one year because he
of the big names in the ham
“just couldn’t find the damn thing.” The ARRL Centennial
world, such as Kenwood, Icom,
"W1AW WAS" operations that
Elecraft
were present,
along
Brookhaven
says there
maywith
be a silver lining to the embarrassing
are taking place throughout 2014
many
of the
other vendors that
incident,
though.
from each of the 50 states will
also appear at Dayton every May.
relocate
at 0000per
UTC
on–– we
“Because of Mr. Feldman’s course and
our pledges
mile
raisedtemperatures
a lot more money
While
were than usual!”February 26 (the evening of
February 25 in US time zones),
hovering around zero up north,
*Editor’s
Note:
Feldman’s
grandfather
portrayed
himself
as the to
from
Michigan
and Florida
Orlando temperatures ranged in
famous “Wrong Way Feldman,” whoWashington
was featured
in TWO and
(W1AW/7)
Gilligan’s Island episodes.
Kansas (W1AW/0). During 2014
By WBØRUR, on the scene
CQ W1AW
### www.hamhijinks.com
Page 2
W1AW will be on the air from
Meeting
Programs
every
state (at least
twice) and
from most US territories, and it
Thanks to Frank, Mark, Wes and
will be easy to work all states
others who shared their classic
solely
by contacting
W1AW
ham equipment,
pictures,
and
portable
operations.
memories for boat anchor night.
Hope you recognized some of the
Inrigs.
conjunction with the 100th
anniversary of the ARRL, the
ARRL
Centennial
August
Meeting:QSO
CornParty
Roast
kicked
off
January
1
for
a
yearat Boardman Park.
long operating event in which
participants
accumulate
Septembercan
Meeting:
Andy
points
andwill
winbeawards.
The event
Brincko
presenting
a
program on Electromagnetic
Pulses and their effect on radio
communications.
Suggestions-ideas for future
club programs? Please contact
VP Mike K8PRR.
is open to all, although only
ARRL members and appointees,
elected officials, HQ staff and
W1AW are worth ARRL
Centennial QSO Party points.
Working W1AW/x from each
state is worth 5 points per
contact.
To earn the “Worked all States
with W1AW Award," work
W1AW operating portable from
all 50 states. (Working W1AW
or W100AW in Connecticut does
A blast from the past--classic
hamfor
radio
rigs.
not count
Connecticut
Hamfest Calendar
August 2, 2014 - Columbus Hamfest/Ohio Section Conference, Aladdin Shrine Center
3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43085. Website: http://www.columbushamfest.com
Talk-In: 146.970 (PL 123.0) Contact: Jim Leonard, WD8MRT, 37-B Noble Terrace Springfield, OH
45504. Phone: 614-264-8566. Email: wd8mrt@arrl.net
August 17, 2014 -Warren ARA's Annual Hamfest & Computer Show, Trumbull County Fairgrounds,
899 Everett-Cortland Hull Road, Cortland, OH 44410. Website: http://www.w8vtd.org Talk-In:
146.970- (PL 100) / 443.000+ (no PL) Contact: Jacqueline Williams , N8JMW, PO Box 809 Warren,
OH Attn: Hamfest. Phone: 440-636-2806 Email: warrenhamfest@gmail.com
September 7, 2014- Butler County Amateur Radio Association SwapFest, Unionville Fire
Department - 102 Mahood Road - Unionville, PA 19375 - Website: http://www.w3udx.org - Contact:
Rick Melton , N3VKM - 214 Criley Road Cabot, PA 16023 - Phone: 724-287-8134 - Email:
N3VKM@arrl.net
September 7, 2014- Findlay Radio Club - Findlay Hamfest, Hancock County Fairgrounds - 1017 East
Sandusky Street - Findlay, OH 45839 - Website: http://www.w8ft.org - Contact: Bill Kelsey, N8ET c/o Findlay Radio Club PO Box 587 Findlay, OH 45839 - Phone: 419-423-3402 - Email:
n8et@woh.rr.com
September 28, 2014 - CLEVELAND HAMFEST AND COMPUTER SHOW, Cuyahoga County
Fairgrounds - 164 Eastland Road - Berea, OH 44017 - Website: http://www.hac.org - Contact: Glenn
Williams , AF8C - 513 Kenilworth Road Bay Village, OH 44140 - Phone: 440-835-4897 - Email:
af8c@arrl.net
Page 3
Swap and Shop
1---HY-POWER 40m dipole: 68-ft, #12 solid copper wire w/grey
insulation==new
2---BUCKMASTER
OCF-4 band w/300-watt
balun, 67-ft==still
works
at
their downtown location.
Antenna
Decision
3---HUSTLER 2m 5/8-wave (mobile) w/radials (base)==new
4---ALPHA DELTA DX-EE multiband (40/20/15/10) dipole w/coil,
40-ft==new
5---2m Double-J Pole===new
On February 4 the Village of
6---3-rolls [each 100-ft black 5/16-inch double-braid
Dacron
Swanton filed
a notice of appeal,
polyester==new
appealing the decision of the
7---1-roll [100-ft black 3/16-inch double-braid
polyester]==new
FultonDacron
County
Common Pleas
8---RG-8X coax cable, 40-ft
Court in the case of Wodtke v.
9---G5RV Tru-Talk Window Antenna byVillage
WA2NAN-built,
102-ft
& is
of Swanton.
Thewire
case
34-ft 450-ohm ==new
the first court case that we are
10-HAMGADGETS MK-1 Master Keyeraware
w/CDof&involving
AC-adapter
application of
11-DX ENGINEERING Maxi-Core 4:1 Balun
Ohio’sBAL200-H11CT,
new antenna 10kw
12-RIGBLASTER Advantage TNC (jumper-wired
legislation,device
H.B.for
158ICOM-7200)
(129th
13-VIBROPLEX Vibrokeyer Single Paddle
Deluxe
version==new
General Assembly).
If you are interested in any item, I would be glad to quote a price.
The Trial Court ordered
Contact Ken at ckt66000@att.net or kc8y@arrl.net
the approval of an application to
the village by Gary Wodtke,
WW8N,
forwith
approval
an
Planar 19 inch VGA/ Digital Computer
Monitor
built-inofspeakers,
PL190M-BK, $35. Removed from service,
worksvariance.
great. Cosmetically
9+
antenna
The Village
out of 10. Includes power supply and VGA
cord.the
Digital
and standard
denied
application
and VGA
inputs.
Mr. Wodtke appealed that
decision to the Fulton County
Village
of Swanton
AT&T 854 Commercial
Quality Four Line
Phone,
$40.Court.
TestedThe
on aCourt
single
Common
Pleas
line system--works. Some minor wear; cosmetically 8+/10. Includes manual,
ruled in Mr. Wodtke’s favor and
Appeals
modular cord, AC power supply.
the Village is now appealing that
order.
Contact Mark, K8MSH, 330.758.4669, mh@zoominternet.net
These items are
also listed on eBay, so they are subject to prior sale.
In the docketing statement filed
with
the Court of Appeals the
For sale – two pairs of wall mounting brackets for antennas, mast pipes, etc.
Village
(4” clearance for roof overhang.) One pair
is usedasserts
but stillfour
verypotential
operable while
issues
to
be
argued
in &
the$5appeal,
the other pair is in the box new. I’ll accept $10 for the new pair
for the
used – or best offer for either pair. Mikeincluding
– K8PRR,whether Revised Code
Section 5502.031, enacted by PL
tmogrady@zoominternet.net
110
H.B. 158, is constitutional and
Here is a sampling of used equipment available
(no shipping charges
whether itlocally
was constitutionally
and no taxes, that’s a good thing!) through
Frank in
– WB8YHD.
applied
this case. Frank has a
couple of estates he’s liquidating for the families and some of his own gear. If
you’re interested email him for the entire list (what you see here is not even a
quarter of what is on the “big list”) at younghotdog@yahoo.com
The battle continues . . .
Alpine HF screwdriver mobile ant $125.00
Bird Model 43 watt meter no slugs $150.00
(continued page 15)
Code key loose 2 $5.00
Code key loose 2 $5.00
Devry Institute VTVM $5.00
Heathkit ocilloscope calibrator IG-4505 $40.00
Page 4
Upcoming
Events
Ohio State Parks On
The Air Contest
(OSPOTA)
Saturday, September 6, 2014,
from 1600 UTC to 2400
UTC. There are 74 Ohio
State Parks. Make a day of it
and join us in the fun!
Visit a beautiful Ohio State
Park and have some
Amateur Radio Fun at the
same time! MVARA's group
will be setting up at the
picnic area in Lake Milton
State Park.
Nets
Mahoning County
ARES Net
8.30 PM first and third
Monday each month on the
W8QLY Repeater 146.745.
Mahoning County
Skywarn Net
First Monday each month,
8:30 pm on 146.745 repeater
Changes to Part 97 Rules
Amateur Radio
News
The FCC’s recently announced revisions to
the Part 97 Amateur Radio rules governing exam
credit to former licensees, test administration, and
emission types went into effect on Monday, July
21. In a wide-ranging Report and Order (R&O http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_B
usiness/2014/db0609/FCC-14-74A1.pdf) released
June 9, the Commission announced that it would
grant examination credit for written elements 3
(General) and 4 (Amateur Extra) to holders of
“expired licenses that required passage of those
elements.” The FCC will require former licensees
falling outside the 2-year grace period to pass
Element 2 (Technician) in order to be relicensed.
The Commission declined to give exam credit to
holders of expired Certificates of Successful
Completion of Examination (CSCEs) or to extend
lifetime validity to CSCEs.
ARRL Initiates Online Practice Exams
The ARRL has launched a new online
resource that allows users to take randomly
generated practice exams using questions from
the actual examination question pool. ARRL
Exam Review for Ham Radio™ is free. Users do
not need to be ARRL members. The only
requirement is that users must first set up a site
login (this is different and separate from any
ARRL website login the user may have).
“The ARRL’s online Exam Review is designed
to help license examination candidates review
their progress as they study,” said ARRL
Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "As
you complete a chapter or section of a license
manual, you can turn to the online program to
review all of the related questions taken directly
from the examination question pool. After
answering each question — right or wrong — the
correct answer is shown, and a page reference to
the license manual is displayed for further
review."
The FCC also embraced the use of remote testing
methods, allowing volunteer examiners and
volunteer examiner coordinators “the option of
administering examinations at locations remote
from the VEs.” The National Conference of
Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) in
2002 endorsed experimental use of
videoconferencing technology to conduct
Amateur Radio testing in remote areas of Alaska.
The Commission dropped its earlier proposal to
permit two VEs to administer exams; the
requirement remains at three VEs. The
Commission did not spell out the “mechanics” of
remote testing, however, which it said would
“vary from location to location and session to
session.” VEs administering examinations
remotely must grade such examinations “at the
earliest practical opportunity,” rather than
“immediately,” as the current rule for
conventional exam sessions requires.
This, of course, is not the only online test
examination service available, but it adds still
another dimension to the ARRL services
available to amateurs and people studying for an
Amateur Radio exam.
--From ARRL
Scott Yonally, N8SY Returns as Ohio Section
Manager
Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY
has been elected to a full two-year term as
Section Manager. His election to the office was
uncontested; therefore, he is declared elected.
Scott had been appointed effective January 1,
2014 to succeed former Ohio Section Manager
Frank Piper, KI8GW who resigned to meet
increased work demands. Scott has been doing a
fine job in managing ARRL operations in the
Section. His new term in office begins October 1.
It will end September 30, 2016.
The FCC also adopted an ARRL proposal to
authorize certain Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) emissions in the Amateur Service. The
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau in 2013
granted an ARRL request for a temporary blanket
waiver to permit radio amateurs to transmit
emissions with designators FXD, FXE, and F7E,
pending resolution of the rulemaking petition.
(Continued page 6)
Page 5
Operating News and Information
Dave Fairbanks N8NB
August is a good time to work on your antenna projects before the big contests in the fall and there
are some good contests to check out your setup. During the Ohio QSO party on August 23rd and
August 24th you can be the sought after station. The NAQP on August 16th and 17th is a great place to
hone your phone contest skills and pick up some needed states for WAS.
Just click on the plus sign to the left of the contest for more information about the following contests.
Source is http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html.
August 2014
+ NCCC Sprint Ladder
+ TARA Grid Dip Shindig
+ 10-10 Int. Summer Contest, SSB
+ European HF Championship
+ North American QSO Party, CW
+ ARRL August UHF Contest
+ RSGB RoPoCo CW
+ SARL HF Phone Contest
+ ARS Spartan Sprint
+ NCCC Sprint Ladder
+ WAE DX Contest, CW
+ Maryland-DC QSO Party
0230Z-0300Z, Aug 1
0000Z-2400Z, Aug 2
0001Z, Aug 2 to 2359Z,
1200Z-2359Z, Aug 2
1800Z, Aug 2 to 0559Z,
1800Z, Aug 2 to 1800Z,
0700Z-0830Z, Aug 3
1300Z-1630Z, Aug 3
0100Z-0300Z, Aug 5
0230Z-0300Z, Aug 8
0000Z, Aug 9 to 2359Z,
1600Z, Aug 9 to 2400Z,
Aug 3
Aug 3
Aug 3
Aug 10
Aug 10
(Continued page 9)
Amateur Radio News (continued)
Corn Roast
That waiver becomes permanent on July 21.
The Commission made “certain minor, nonsubstantive amendments” and corrections to the
Amateur Service rules.
--from ARRL
The MVARA annual Corn Roast will be
Thursday August 14th in Boardman Twp. Park, It
will take place at the Hofmaster Pavilion. This is
located right in the middle of the park near the Kids
Town Play area. All members, non-members and
their families are encouraged to attend! We will eat
dinner at about 6:30 pm, but you can arrive anytime
after 5:30 pm to help shuck the corn.
As in the past the club will provide the hamburgers,
hotdogs, corn, beverages, and table settings. Those
attending are asked to bring a covered dish or
dessert to share (DON'T FORGET TO BRING A
SERVING SPOON OR FORK FOR YOUR
Got an idea for an article? Want to share club
DISH!!). If you have any questions please contact
news and events? How about writing a short 30Dean DeMain (W8YSU) @ 330-788-4271 or Eminute project idea? Your submissions to the Voice
mail w8ysu@arrl.net
More
is available
Coil
areinformation
needed to keep
this one of at
thehttp://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html.
best club
newsletters in Ohio.
Directions will be available on W8QLY 146.745/R
beginning @ 5:00 pm.
Send your articles to:
MVARAVoiceCoil@gmail.com
Hope to see you all there!
Page 6
Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio
Association Monthly Meeting
Thursday July 10, 2014
Youngstown Public Library Youngstown, OH
Pledge of Allegiance
Acknowledgement of Guests
Monthly minutes
Treasurer's Report
�Monthly and Quarterly reports have been
emailed to members
�Discussion was held reference bank fees
�Motion: To combine all M.V.A.R.A. Bank
accounts into one single bank account at PNC
Bank. This motion was made by Treasurer
Frank S. WB8YHD and 2nd by Art B.
KB8UNJ. Motion passed
Committees
�Website - Dave S. WB8IBA, nothing new
�Newsletter- Mark H. K8MSH - Thanked
everyone for sending in photos of Field Day.
Keep sending in photos and articles
�Repeater - Art identified the individual using
packet on the repeater
�VE- Testing a week from this Thursday at the
YSU location
�Programs - Mike K8PRR- August: Corn Roast;
September: EMP Presentation; Oct: Matt
Welch; Nov: To Be announced; December:
Christmas Party
�Awards and Contests - Dave F. N8NB - WRTC
2014 this weekend: www.wrtc2014.org
�Corn Roast - Dean Location: Hoffmeister
Pavilion in Boardman Park; Bring a covered
Dish.
�Motion: Funds for Corn Roast made by Dean
D. W8YSU and 2nd by Jerry G. KC8EFO.
Motion passed.
Field Day
�Thank you to operators, helpers,
donations, food, coffee pot, etc
�Score: 8050, second best since 1987
�We had approx. 20 visitors and 40 club
members.
Old Business
�Andy, B. WA8ZLK thanked everyone for
participating in Special Olympics
�Dean D. W8YSU, thanked everyone for
participating in Poland Fire Parade. He
could use 4/5 additional operators for next
year
New Business
�Wes B. W8IZC, showed everyone the new
banner. We are looking into pricing for a
new banner. It was mentioned that the club
call sign be placed on the logo
�Dean D. W8YSU, New Middletown
National Night Out. Tuesday August 5th.
Volunteers needed. Contact Dean for more
Information or to volunteer.
Swap n Shop
�Frank S. WB8YHD, 30 meter quad for sale.
Contact Frank for more info
�Dave F. N8NB, has a number of items for
sale. Contact Dave for more info
50-50 Drawing
�Winner: Joe V. N8SEJ. Amount won:
$ 20.00 donated to the Emergency
Communication fund.
Tonight's Program: Mike, K8PRR Presents:
MVARA Time Machine
Field Day
�Thank you to operators, helpers, donations,
�Thank you to operators, helpers, donations,
food, coffee pot, etc
Page 7
food, coffee pot, etc
�Score: 8050, second best since 1987
�Score: 8050, second best since 1987
�We had approx. 20 visitors and 40
The VOICE COIL is the monthly publication of the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (MVARA) and is
intended to present news, issues and opinions of interest to MVARA members and the Amateur Radio Community. We
encourage contributions of articles, letters to the editor, etc. and welcome newsletter exchanges with other clubs from around the
country and around the world. Permission is granted to reprint material contained herein as long as proper credit is given to this
newsletter and the author. Ideas for and contributions to the VOICE COIL should be submitted to:
MVARAVoiceCoil@gmail.com
Submissions must be received no later than the 24th of the month prior to the month of issue, unless otherwise specified.
Submissions should be in MS Word format or ASCII text. Material received after the deadline will be used in the next month’s
VOICE COIL if it is still current and /or news worthy.
The VOICE COIL is published by the MVARA. All material contained herein is considered the opinion of the author and not
necessarily that of the MVARA. No responsibility for accuracy is assumed by the editor or newsletter staff. Typos are included
for the entertainment of those who enjoy looking for them and should be reported immediately to any nearby MVARA
member :-)
MVARA MEETING LOCATION (CORN ROAST):
Location Change - Hofmaster Pavilion
Boardman Township Park
(State Route 224, Near Tanglewood Blvd.)
6:00 PM Thursday August 7TH, 2014
Pictures from ARRL
Centennial
Page 8
Operating News and Information (continued)
Operating News and Information (continued). There are some good DX stations
with
planned
operations
coming
on the air in July0030Z-0230Z,
as the following
listing
+ NAQCC
Straight
Key/Bug
Sprint
Aug
13 shows.
+ NCCC Sprint Ladder
+
SARTG2014
WW RTTY Contest
2014
Fiji
3D2ML
+
ARRL 10
GHz and Up Contest
Jul01
Jul02
+ North American QSO Party, SSB
+ ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY
+ NCCC Sprint Ladder
2014
2014
+ Hawaii QSO Party
Dodecanese
SV5
Jul01
Jul07
+ Ohio QSO Party
+ NCCC Sprint Ladder
+ SCC RTTY Championship
+ YO DX HF Contest
2014
2014
Corsica
TK
+ SARL HF CW Contest
Jul01
Jul13
0230Z-0300Z, Aug 15
0000Z, DXW.Net
Aug 16 to 1600Z,
Aug
By RM2A
fm17Beachcomber I
RM2A
0600 local,
Aug 16fm
to (OC-121);
2400 local,HF;
AugCW
17 SSB
20140526
1800Z, Aug 16 to 0559Z, Aug 17
1800Z-2359Z, AugBy
17OK6DJ as SV5/OK6DJ
fm
Rhodes (EU-001, GIOTA
0230Z-0300Z, Aug 22
DKS-006,
MIA MGD-028,
VA3RJ
0400Z, Aug 23 to 0400Z, Aug 25
OK6DJ
20140327 WLOTA 0045); HF; holiday
1600Z, Aug 23 to 0400Z, Aug 24
style operation; QSL OK via
0230Z-0300Z, Aug 29
Buro or direct
1200Z, Aug 30 to 1159Z, Aug 31
1200Z, Aug 30 to 1200Z,
Aug as
31 TK/F1MDT; 40
By F1MDT
ATDX
F1MDT
1400Z-1600Z, Aug30
3115 12 10m; RTTY PSK
20140610
JT65
Byfollowing
RM2A fm
Upolu
I (OC2014 are 2014
ATDX as the
There
also some interesting
coming on
the air in August
listing
shows.
Further
Samoa DX stations
5W0ML
RM2A
Jul03
Jul07
20140526
097);
HF;
CW
SSB
information on these operations and others can be found at the website: http://www.ng3k.com/index.html.
2014
2014
Bahamas
2014
Aug01 2014
Aug04 St Pierre &
Miquelon
Jul05
Jul15
2014
2014
Aug01 2014
Aug10
2014
Jul05
Jul19
Crete
Corsica
2014 2014
2014
2014
Tonga
Guadeloupe
Aug01 Jul17
Aug14
Jul07
2014 2014
2014
2014
Aug02 Jul11
Aug04
Jul08
Easter I
Jersey
FP
C6
SV9
TK14CC
By KV1J as FP/KV1J fm
N0TW as 80-6m;
C6ATW and
MiquelonBy
I (NA-032);
N0TW
N0TW KV1J
WM2W
as
C6AMW;
SSB
CW
RTTY;
QRV
for DL-QRV for
20140706
LotW
20140213 DX RTTY
10-10
Summer
and IARU HF QSL Party
contests; QSL also OK via
By ON6DSL as
KV1J direct
SV9/ON6DSL/p fm Pigianos
Kampos
(EU-015,
ON6DSL
ON6DSL
By F8BBL;
80-6m;
mainly GIOTA
Buro 425DXN
20140625
KRS-005,
MIA MGC-005,
CW, some
SSB + digital;
LotW
20140620 QSL alsoWLOTA
OK via 1400);
F8BBL,SSB; QRP;
holiday
style operation
REF Buro
or direct
By 40-10m;
G4BUO fm
HF;
By F5LMJ;
CWTongatapu;
SSB
A35UO
ATDX DXW.Net
TO5MJ
LotWG4BUO
+ digital;CW;
QSLholiday
also OKstyle
via operation;
20140718
20140520
exact
dates unclear
F5LMJ and
eQSL
CE2NTTWJ2ODXW.Net
XR0YNTTLotW
ByasCE2NTT;
40-6m; SSB
GJ
By WJ2O
GJ/WJ2O/m
Direct20140425
20140704
2014
Jul08
2014
Aug02
2014
Jul08
ByfmJA3FVJ
NanuyaJA3QWN
Balavu JA3TJA
2014
DXW.Net By RM2A
Fiji
3D2ML
RM2A
Jul12
20140526 I (OC-156);
JF3PLF
JH3FUK
HF; CW SSB fm OC-002
(OH29ln); 160-6m; SSB FM
2014
JF3PLF
Christmas I
VK9EX
LotW
By K2QBV
Rarotonga
I QSL also
Aug08
CWfm
RTTY
PSK31;
2014
K2QBV20140301
South Cook Is E51QBV
K2QBV
(OC-013);
holiday
style
OK via JF3PLF, Buro or direct
Jul21
20140604
2014
Jul10
2014
Aug06
2014
Jul10
2014
Bermuda
VP9
OH1VR
Jul13
2014
Bermuda
VP9
LotW
Aug11
20140617
CW fm
contest;
QSL
also OK via
By E51AND
Mauke
I (OC2014
E51AND
425DXN
K9GY
direct
South Cook Is E51AND
083); SSB
+ slow
CW; 100w;
Jul13
Direct
20140607
2014 2014
2014
2014
Oman
Aug07 Jul13
Aug11 Cayman Is
Jul12
operationand Club Log
By OH1VR
as OH1VR/VP9;
ATDX
By K9GY
as K9GY/VP9; fm
20140610 HF; CW
VP9GE QTH; QRV for WAE
K9GY
43 foot vertical
w/ Omani
30 radials
By Royal
Amateur
A43MI
ZF1A
Radio Society fm Masirah I;
ATDX OPDX
K6AMA47RS
By K6GO
NA6MB
K6ZH;
20140721
HF;
CW SSB
+ digital; QSL
20140619
OK via Buro or direct
Page 9
By JQ2GYU JJ2VLY fm Tinian
2014
Aug10
2014
Aug15
2014
2014
Aug10
Aug28
2014
2014
Jul12
Jul15
2014
2014
2014
Aug12 2014
Aug22
Jul13
Jul13
2014
2014
2014 Jul24
2014
Jul13
Aug16
Aug24
2014
Jul15
2014
Aug23
2014
Jul18
2014
Sep01
2014
2014
Jul16
Jul22
2014
2014
Aug25
Sep15
Mariana Is
NH0J
respectively;
JJ2VLY160-6m; QSL
ZF2GO and ZF2NA via
ByZF2NH
IZ2DPXvia
fmK6ZH
NA-103
K6GO,
(WLOTA 1475, FK86vs); 160DXW.Net
Montserrat
VP2MPX
IK2DUW
By WJ2O
as GU/WJ2O/m;
20140520
6m; SSB;
QSL OK via Buro or
WJ2O
Guernsey
GU
LotW
QRV
for
IARU
Contest,
direct
20140425
SOAB LP
By AI5P as J3/AI5P; 40-10m;
DXW.Net
Grenada
J3
AI5P DXW.Net By RM2A fm Vitu Levu I
20140716
mainly CW; wire antennas
Fiji
3D2ML
RM2A
20140526 (OC-016); HF; CW SSB
By AC8W as A35AC, KC8CO
By W7GJ
as KH8/W7GJ;
as A35CO,
KN8R as A35LJ,
American
425DXN
KH8
See Web
mainly
6m
EME,
possibly
N8LJ as A35TR; 160-10m;
OPDX
Samoa
Tonga
A35
See Info 20140301 also SSB CW
20140714
SSB CW RTTY; QSL A25TR
via K8AQM,
all others
bia
By E51AND
fm Mitiaro
I (OCE51AND
425DXN
K8ESQ
South Cook Is E51AND
083); SSB + slow CW; 100w;
Direct
Trinidad &
Tobago
St Pierre &
Miquelon
Chagos
9Y4
Aland Is
Fiji
OH0
3D2
2014
Jul22
Tanzania
5H1NE
2014
2014
Aug26
Sep02
2014
2014
Jul25
Jul30
Mariana Is
Greenland
AI5P
FP
Home Call
VQ9XR
LotW
2014
2014
2014 Jul26
2014
Jul19
Aug26
Sep02
2014
Aug06
LotW
also QRV
Jul 9-1380-10m;
as
I (OC-086);
CW SSB
JQ2GYU
ZF2GO,
ZF2NA,
20140708
RTTY;
QSL ZF2NH
also OK via
KH0
OX
20140607
43 foot
w/9Y4/AI5P;
30 radials40Byvertical
AI5P as
OPDX
10m; mainly
By OE5OHO
as CW; wire
20140721
antennasand OE3GEA
FP/OE5OHO
fmDiego
Miquelon
OE5OHO as FP/OE3GEA
By N7XR fm
Garcia;
20140614
I
(NA-032);
40-10m;
mainly
high power; SteppIR BigIR,
DXW.Net
CW; wire
antennas;dipoles;
holidayQSL
20140724
Spiderbeam;
style operation
also OK via NN1N
By IW5ELA
as OH0/IW5ELA;
By AC8W
as 3D2AC, KC8CO
40-10m;
mainly
CW;
100w;
as
3D2CO,
KN8R
as 3D2LJ,
IW5ELA
IW5ELA
vertical;
holiday
style
N8LJ
as
3D2TR;
160-10m;
DXW.Net
See Info 20140606 operation; all QSOs will be
20140708
SSB CW RTTY; QSL 3D2TR
confirmed
via Buroall others bia
via K8AQM,
K8ESQfm Zanzibar (AFBy IW2NEF
ATDX
20140603
032); By
HF;OZ0J
SSB;as
call
sign
KH0/OZ0J
fm
requested
Saipan I (OC-086, USi
DXW.Net
OZ0J
NI002S,
1333,
By DB5MH
asWLOTA
OX/DB5MH
20140620
DXW.Net
QK25uf);
80-6m;
CW
+ digital;
fm Sukkertoppen I (NA-220);
20140525
QSL
OK
via
OZ
Buro
or
QRP; spare time operation direct
IK2DUW
RSGB IOTA Contest (Jul 26-27, 2014) Check here for pericontest activity too.
2014
Jul26
2014
Aug08
Antigua
2014
Jul27
2014
Jul31
Palau
2014
2014
Cocos Keeling
V29SH
T88DF
VK9EC
By VE6SH fm NA-100; HF w/
focus on 20 17 12m; QSL
also OK via VE6SH direct
LotW
ATDX
20140611
LotW
By JH2DFJ; 160-6m; slow
CW, SSB RTTY SSTV
ATDX
WSPR JT65A; QSL also OK
20140623
via JARL Buro or direct +
eQSL
LotW
Page 10
JF3PLF
By JA3FVJ JA3QWN
Jul29
2014
Jul31
Aug02
20140301
2014
Aug05
By NB3MM as 4W/NB3MM;
30-12m; mainly SSB, some
ATDX
CW and PSK31; vertical;
20140616
QSL OK via Buro or direct,
also via YB3MM direct only
Timor Leste
4W
IZ8CCW
JA3TJA JF3PLF JH3FUK fm
OC-003 (NH87jt); 160-6m;
SSB FM CW RTTY PSK31;
QSL also OK via JF3PLF,
Buro or direct and Club Log
Further information on these operations and others can be found at the website:
http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxo.html.
ARES Monthly
ARES were honored to present the events
forums. My ARES forum was modified to
include the ARRL and explain its benefits to
our hobby. I shared the floor with Ohio
Director Scott, N8SY. ARES also had a table
at the event and we also assisted with the
Amateur radio exam session.
Well the Mahoning Valley ARES gang is back
from the ARRL's 100th anniversary event in
Hartford. KD8NZF and KD8QNY arrived on
Thursday, July 17, and were able to attend most
of the ECOMM forums and events.
WB8YHD and W8IZC joined them on Friday,
July 18th, and by then most forums were
technical or club related.
As always, we want to remind local hams to
be prepared and stay prepared for
emergencies. In the last few weeks we have
had several small tornadoes but we were lucky
that none were severe.
We spent time with Mike Corey NI1U (ARRL
Emergency Preparedness Manager) and
watched FEMA director KK4INZ and ARRL
President N3KN sign the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) that will enhance
cooperation between the League and FEMA in
the area of disaster communication.
Many of us attended a EMA class on Damage
Assessment and will be presenting the same
class to area clubs and amateurs in the next
few weeks. We have several SETs soon, and
many of us are planning to operate for Ohio
State Parks on the Air. Anyone interested,
drop me a e-mail (W8IZC@ARRL.NET) and
c'mon out to Lake Milton and join us !
We not only signed petitions, but assisted with
others signing, “The Amateur Radio Parity Act
of 2014” — HR.4969. The measure, introduced
in the US House of Representatives with
bipartisan support in late June, would call on
the FCC to apply the “reasonable
accommodation” three-part test of the PRB-1
federal pre-emption policy to private land -use
restrictions regarding antennas.
The previous weekend we attended a local
hamfest and members of Mahoning County
Page 11
Ham Humor: Big Changes
By WBØRUR, on the scene
Longsville says in the future, clubs must
download a 4.5 terabyte logging and scorekeeping app, submit a pass code request from
NRRL, and run Linux Red Hat version 2.8 on
a 8GB ram desktop computer.
NEWINGSTEAD, VT — In a controversial
decision, the National Radio Retransmission
Legion (NRRL) will no longer accept Field Day
score summaries on paper beginning next year.
Additionally, uploads to the NRRL computer
must be made with a Level 4 VPN secure
connection similar to those used in the
NORAD Command Center.
The organization had no choice, says NRRL
Director of Contests and Promotions Dr. Johnson
Longsville.
“We know it’s a bit of a difficult process for
most clubs to get this set up,” says Longsville.
Coming To Field Day
“This year we received over 1,200 hand written
log entries,” says Longsville. “And about 80% of
them are illegible.”
The contest director says it’s not poor hand
writing which creates the issue, but food.
“This year we saw it all. One club entry was
complete with smeared apple pie and Cool Whip.
Another included BBQ sauce. One club even
submitted an entire chicken salad sandwich with
their entry…and the mayonnaise ran all over the
bonus point section. Completely illegible.”
Longsville provides this breakdown of “foreign
particulates” submitted with entries.
“But it’s still easier than setting up Logbook of
the World.”
### HamHijinks.com
Thirty Minute Projects:
Replacing a 12v Lamp
Sometimes, replacing those “grain of wheat”
or other tiny bulbs used in side or backlights
for meters and other devices can be a real pain.
They’re hard to find and some come in unusual
sizes. I recently read about a ham who
contacted Astron to replace a light in a power
supply meter, only to be told he needed to
replace the entire meter–which involved some
significant cash.
My Yaesu rotor box dial backlight died last
week, and I dreaded the thought of trying to
get a suitable replacement. Then I remembered
a solution from repairing my Autek WM-1
wattmeter about two years ago. Use an LED.
1. Coffee and or creamer stains: 462
2. Cherry pie (or other fruit) filling: 276
3. Mustard/ketchup/alternative condiment: 194
4. Bacon grease and fried egg: 143
5. Fosters Beer: 1
Page 12
Longsville says in the future, clubs must download
a 4.5 terabyte logging and score-keeping app,
submit a pass code request from NRRL, and run
Linux Red Hat version 2.8 on a 8GB ram desktop
Just about any white LED will do if it
physically fits in the same location as the bulb.
If you’re the creative type, you may want to try
some of the other colors available as well:
green, blue, or yellow. If the supply voltage for
the bulb is DC, all you should need is a resistor
to limit the current. If the bulb is run on AC,
then a silicon rectifier (such as a 1N4004,
Radio Shack #276-1103) will need to be
(Continued pg. 14)
More ARRL Centennial
Pictures
Have a Mic? Need a
Connection Diagram?
G4WPW's website is probably the most
comprehensive and up-to-date Internet source
for ham radio microphone-to-radio wiring
information.
Eleven years in the making, G4WPW has
compiled information from a long list of
providers, including the big (such as ICOM,
Trio/Kenwood and Yaesu), the old (Collins,
Drake, Hallicrafters and Heathkit) and others.
Although this is a British website, it covers
information useful to just about any ham
anywhere.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/date.ht
ml
Ham Radio in the Movies
Contact, (1997--Drama) Based on a novel
written by Carl Sagan. Female ham operator
(Jodie Foster) controls the Arecibo
radiotelescope, where she picks up an
extraterrestrial signal. Now that's some serious
DX! Movie trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi250
9177369/?ref_=tt_ov_vi
Page 13
30 Minute Project (continued)
included in series with the LED and resistor.
More Dayton Pictures
I chose the Radio Shack #276-017 high brightness white LED for the project, since they were cheap and
readily available at the store. The supply voltage for the lamp in the rotor box was DC, so no rectifier
was needed.
First you need to know the LED voltage drop to determine the value of resistor needed. Different color
LEDs have different voltage drops. Generally, it is safe enough to assume 1.7 volts for non-highbrightness red, 1.9 volts for high-brightness, high-efficiency and low-current red, and 2 volts for orange
and yellow, and 2.1 volts for green. Assume 3.4 volts for bright white, bright non-yellowish green, and
most blue types. Because the original bulb runs off 12 volts, you will have to install a dropping resistor
in series with the LED. The white LED I used requires 25mA of current and has a forward voltage drop
of 3.3 volts.
Using Ohm’s law: R=V/I where R is in ohms, V is in volts and I is in amps.
V is equal to how much voltage the resistor must drop. In this case 12-3.3= 8.7V. So now we know V
(8.4) and I (.025 amps). Doing the math: R= 8.7/.025 = 348 ohms.
The closest off-the-shelf value is 360 ohms. Close is okay–see what you have in your parts bin. One tip
is to install the resistor into the anode (positive) end of the LED--usually the longer of the two leads.
Why? It will work equally well on either lead, but it serves as a marker for the anode end which makes it
easier to wire–and avoid getting the wrong polarity.
I checked the rotor circuit where the original bulb was located using a digital VOM and determined
which leads were positive and negative. Then I built a temporary test circuit using some jumper leads.
The light seemed a bit harsh, so I went with a higher value–430 ohms, which seemed to look good. I
then soldered the LED/resistor combination and added shrink tubing over the leads to avoid shorts. I
placed the assembly right on the edge of the plastic dial, soldered the leads in place, and used a drop of
hot glue on the bulb to secure it in place.
Here are some helpful tips:
--If you’re replacing several lights on the same unit, use LEDs from the same source for ALL the lights,
small color differences are VERY noticeable if you use one batch of LEDs for the meter, and another
batch for the dial.
–To help diffuse the light better, carefully sand the surface of the LED with 220 grit sandpaper before
you install.
--Mark, K8MSH
+
_
Page 14
1414
Swap and Shop (continued)
Code key loose 2 $5.00
Code key loose 2 $5.00
Devry Institute VTVM $5.00
Heathkit ocilloscope calibrator IG-4505 $40.00
Icom IC 2KL Linear & supply $550.00
Icom IC AT500 Auto Ant Tuner $255.00
MFJ Mod 948 Versa Tuner II ant tuner $50.00
Motorola RRA4914B cell ant $10.00
PC desktop, monitor & keyboard repair $40.00
Drake R4C txcvr with MS4, AC4, DC4 $400
Kenwood TR-9000 all mode 2m w/BO9 base &
PL tone unit $185
Kenwood TS-60 all mode 6m $400
Ten Tec Argonaut II $325
Kenwood TM-241 2m mobile $70
DSI 3550 freq counter $30
Benjamin 24 hour 12” analog quartz clock $15
Kent Single Paddle Morse key $85
Realistic Pro 2005 scanner $30
15 meter cubical quad antenna built by Lightning
Bolt Antennas in Volant Pa. make an offer
Remember, this is just a sampling of what’s
available. Email for the entire list to get all items.
younghotdog@yahoo.com
(Swap and Shop items will appear for two consecutive
issues of the Voice Coil. Sellers may renew for additional
issues or update information by contacting us at
MVARAVoiceCoil@gmail.com )
ARRL 100th Anniversary
Annual Convention
By Frank Sole – WB8YHD
The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) threw a big
100th Anniversary party July 17-19th 2014 and we were
all invited. Four Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio
Association (MVARA) members made the 500 mile
trip to Hartford Connecticut on their own dime and
joined thousands of Hams from across the country and
around the world for 3 days of learning, socializing and
ham radio fun.
Nancy and Dave Brett, KD8QNY and KD8NZF were
the first to leave on Wednesday the 16th with their
trailer in tow stopping halfway across Pennsylvania for
a night. Frank Sole, WB8YHD, and Wes Boyd,
W8IZC, departed
th
early Thursday the 17 missing the first day of the
Convention but meeting up with the Bretts at the
early Thursday the 17th missing the first day of the
Convention but meeting up with the Bretts at the
Convention on Friday morning. All agreed the trip
was worth it.
The convention consisted of 3 days of seminars,
commercial displays and ARRL displays, along with
banquets, awards and speakers, some of which were
one of a kind put together specifically for the ARRL’s
100th Anniversary. The seminars were top notch and
there were plenty of them. Starting at 9 a.m. each day
and finishing at 4 (with a break for lunch) there were
7 seminars to pick from each hour. The topics offered
and the world class presenters made the choice
difficult. Technical forums from antennas to digital
voice methods were plentiful. Forums on growing
your local club, ham radio history, education,
QSLing, the FCC and much more kept us hopping.
We took plenty of notes.
The commercial exhibits were pretty good too with
all the usually participants and some you don’t see
too often like the Collins radio van and lots of vintage
radio gear. It was a great place to collect lots of
information on the latest and greatest along with
seeing the old stuff up close and personal. It wasn’t as
big as Dayton but it was good. The ARRL section of
the display hall represented every aspect of the
organization that has represented Amateur Radio so
well for 100 years. There is much more to our ARRL
than meets the eye. Believe it. The ARRL staff
showed off our organization proudly and
professionally and answered every question and gave
out tons of information.
The crowd was another positive. Hams from all over
the country and from many corners of the globe all
talking about the hobby we love and enjoying stories
and comparing notes. Everywhere we turned there
was something to learn, do or experience.
Another positive was the visit to W1AW. What a
station! Actually, there are 8 stations and numerous
other technical operations from nightly code, traffic
and RTTY to digital systems, D-Star and satellite
communications systems. All these operations in a
small, non-descript little building in Newington
Connecticut just across the lawn from the ARRL
(Continued pg. 16)
ARRL Headquarters was another highpoint to our visit. Our
PageARRL
15 dues do so much for so many Hams. There are so
many departments we lost track, all doing something to
support our great hobby. The pride of our staff both
Headquarters building. We were on a tight schedule to
get back home so we didn’t get to operate, but there
were many visitors just like us that did.
ARRL Headquarters was another highpoint to our visit.
Our ARRL dues do so much for so many hams. There
are so many departments we lost track, all doing
something to support our great hobby. The pride of our
staff both professional and paid was very evident in all
that they did and do. Everywhere we went from the
testing lab (where all those equipment tests are run) to
the editing desks of QST, service to ham radio was
priority number one.
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