Vol 23 No 3

The Open Feed Line
A Publication of the Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance (MARA)
Volume 23, Issue 3 - Friendship, Community Service & Advancement of the Hobby – July-Sept -2014
“Field Day 2014!”
Here comes fall!
(Above, putting the Yagi together)
It was that time of the year, when “Field-Day”
season came upon us. You know, when we
talk, plan and check out wire and ropes in the
hopes that all will go together great.
“It did!” the top photo is of putting together the
Yagi, and the bottom one,the Yagi mounted.
We held the FD at the Madison Square
Sportmans club
. 5321 7 Mile Rd NE
Belmont, MI 49306
(More photo on page 5)
Wow, wasn’t it just yesterday when we were
all so tired of shoveling snow and wondering
where to put it? And then, the hot, humid
summer with storms bringing branches down
and power lines too. Our repeater site was
without power for about 4 hours or so. We’re
working on an emergency power source in
case that ever happens again. We must
remember that S.A.T.E.R.N. uses our
repeater to facilitate their canteen wagon and
to maintain communications between their
respective units. But we were saved from
lightning strikes. So now we anticipate the
Last of the large Ham Radio Swaps, and of
course, “Build Your Burger” fund raising
event. It is never a dull moment in an active
Radio club!
Just because the sun goes down a little
earlier than before, doesn’t mean we stop
working. We have several repeater projects to
complete. Our members have expressed a
desire to learn the RIGHT way to solder,
using both the lead and non-lead solder. We
may offer a General-Extra class sometime
this coming winter. Morse code lessons are
still being investigated. And let’s not forget the
“Mara after Christmas dinner party”. Starting
in the very next Newsletter, we’ll be
introducing our newest members and share
some information about the older members.
Yup, you can tell fall is upon us.
Visit our web page www.w8usa.org
See you there!
1
The Open Feed Line
The Open Feed Line is published
quarterly. It is the official journal of the
Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance, or
MARA for short.
MARA, an American Radio Relay
League affiliated club, was created to
provide opportunities for friendship,
community service, increasing technical
knowledge, and upgrading our skills in
the hobby of Amateur Radio.
You may freely reprint any material in
the Open Feed Line, but please credit
the Open Feed Line, the original author,
and the original publication, if given.
Everybody is encouraged to submit
original articles on topics relevant to the
hobby of Amateur Radio to the editor.
The deadline for submission is the end
of January, April, July, and October, and
the newsletter will be published within
the following month.
Publisher
Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance
Post Office Box 670
Comstock Park MI 49321-0670
Visit our website- http://www.w8usa.org
E-mail us at- w8usa@arrl.net
Editor
Richard M. Ranta K8JX
812 Graceland NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
E- mail- rranta@sbcglobal.net
Membership Information
Annual dues to MARA are $20.
Family memberships are an additional
$5. Persons aged 70 and over - $20.00.
Membership is free to students under
21. Memberships expire on December
31st, and club dues are due on January
1st. MARA membership is open to all
interested persons.
Please send change of address
information
and
membership
applications to the club secretary.
MARA Club Officers
President
Barton Bechtel N8XQH
6155 Horstmeyer RD
Lansing, MI 48911
Vice President
Larry Dells KC8KVR
2778 Northville Dr. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525
616-363-8235
LLDGRD@netscape.net
Secretary
Mike Eilers K8OOK
2531 Westwinde St NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
616-363-4998
Treasurer
Jerry Wittkoski W8MSK
1025 Kendalwood St. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49505
616-363-6146
K8ook@comcast.net
jeromeW551@aol.com
Appointed Positions
Awards Manager
Larry Dells KC8KVR
2778 Northville Dr. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525
616-363-8235
Club Trustee
Richard M. Ranta K8JX
812 Graceland NE
Grand Rapids Mi 49505
616-361-5975
LLDGRD@netscape.net
rranta@sbcglobal.net
Membership Director
Mike Eilers K8OOK
2531 Westwinde St NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
616-363-4998
K8OOK@comcast.net
Education Director
Larry Dells KC8KVR
2778 Northville Dr. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525
616-363-8235
LLDGRD@netscape.net
Bereavement Director
Jerry Wittkoski W8MSK
1025 Kendalwood St. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49505
616-363-6146
Field Day Chairperson
Barton Bechtel N8XQH
6155 Horstmeyer RD
Lansing, MI 48911
jeromeW551@aol.com
Net Director
Richard M. Ranta K8JX
812 Graceland NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
rranta@sbcglobal.net
Webmaster -- ERIN AMMONS KD8NSU
Great Lakes Award
Send inquiries regarding the Great
Lakes Award to the Awards Manager
Larry Dells KC8KVR c/o
MARA
P.O.Box 670
Comstock Park MI 49321-0670
E-mail- LLDGRD@netscape.net
6155 Horstmeyer RD
Lansing, MI 48911
Webmaster@W8USA.ORG
Club activities
MARA holds their weekly 2-meter Net, every Thursday, at 8 PM on the
MARA W8USA repeater, 145.230 MHz -600Khz PL. 94.8. MARA holds
their monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30PM, at
the Plainfield Township Fire Dept. Training Building, located on the SW
corner of 5 Mile RD and Plainfield Ave NE, in Grand Rapids. This site is
handicap accessible.
All are welcome to attend our meetings.
Visit our web page www.w8usa.org
2
Build Your Burgers April 2014
When a club keeps putting on an event,
year after year, there must be a reason
for it. Besides raising funds for our clubs'
operation expense for the year, we do it
because it’s FUN!
Some of our returning guests are
focused on one main dish:
Here, Jack, AB8ND, sits as close as he
can get to the desert table.
Above, Left to right Tom N8DGD, Jim
KI8JD and Steve K8VOL. It’s good to
visit and chat about what’s been going
on.
And who can blame him. Yum.
Here Jerry, W8MSk is helping out with
the chips while Dan N8NIJ, is serving up
burgers. YUM
We try and offer the same variety at
each event. I think we’ve been
successful!
Field Day 2014
Below are some of the photographs
from the Field Day we held at the at the
Madison Square Sportsman’s club.
The crew get in line for the grub.
If you look really careful, you’ll notice
that the crew is looking UP, in the sky.
Gale N8GS brought his Quad-Copter
and took videos of our Field Day. You
can view them on our web site.
There’s nothing like stringing up dipoles.
It’s fun for all! Right?
One of the greatest pleasures of
attending Field Day: relaxing and having
something to eat. YUM.
A blazing good fire to cook our meal on.
But it wasn’t all eating and making
contacts. Mike Hood KD8JB thought it
would be nice if we were all on the same
page when it came to tying knots. On
the next 2 pages is everything you
want/need to know about knots!
Ham Equipment Estate sale
Revised
On August 31, 2013, our friend and fellow
Ham and Mara member, Bill Zaidel
N8VWI passed away. Below is a listing
of his rigs and some miscellaneous
items. These will all be available at the
GRHAMFEST this coming Saturday.
Kenwood TH 781 2/440 handi
Yaesu YS-500 SWR Meter
2mhz to 520 Mhz
Coax Switche
AMERITRON AL 811 H
800 watt linear amplifier
YAESU G500A elevation rotator.
Control box only-no rotator.
FLEX Radio 5000A
With dedicated computer and 2 (TWO)
flat screen monitors.
ASTRON 50 AMP Power Supply
YAESU FT- 857D remote able
MFJ 993B AUTO Tuner
Transceiver Control head mounts on
radio or dash.
Daiwa SWR Meter
Kenwood TS-60All mode 6 meter radio
Yaesu FT-2400 2-Meter radio
D-104 Mike
Electronic keyer, without the paddle.
There are a few antennas still installed.
Fluke meter 7500
Fluke77 multi-meter
Build Your Own
Burger
Friday October 17th
2014
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
$6.00 For All
Burger , Chips, Coleslaw, Coffee and Dessert
At 5th St. Hall
Located on the Northwest Corner of
5th and Davis Sts.Grand Rapids, MI
49504
Visit our web page www.w8usa.org
GRAHamfest 2014
Grand Rapids Area Hamfest
Saturday, September 13
an ARRL Approved Hamfest
The Home School Building
5625 Burlingame, SW
Wyoming, MI 49509-9702
Annual Electronics, Ham Radio, Shortwave
CB and Computer Equipment, Trains, Airplanes
or just about anything with an electron in it !
Swap Meet / Flea Market
Opens at 8 AM
Ends at 1:00 PM
Seller Setup: Friday 7- 9PM, & Saturday 7AM
(Vendors only prior to 8AM)
Indoor and Outdoor Sales
ARRL VE Session - 10AM
QSL card Field checking
Concessions available on-site
Admission: $6 at the door
K-12 students free admission
See: www.w8dc.org
for updates, maps, directions and
additional information.
General questions:
KC8NKA 616-531-6218
Table reservations:
W8QZ 616-791-9411 (evenings)
or streyle.j@comcast.net
Deadline for guaranteed reservations
(paid in advance): Sept. 4
Make checks payable to:
G.R.A.R.A.
Paid table requests rec’d after August 26
will be held at the door. Tables unclaimed
after 8 AM are available first-come, first
served! Reservation form and payment to:
John Streyle W8QZ
1487 Maderia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Talk-In: W8DC on 147.26+ (94.8HZ PL)
Table Reservation Form
Description
Qty.
Ext. amount
6’ table along wall / WITH access to electricity
(check for availability—limited quantity) @ $10 ea.
6’ table no electricity @ $5 ea.
Total
—
Table rental does not include admission to the swap. No charge for tailgate space(s),
except: a hamfest admission ticket is required for each person
Name / Callsign
Phone (optional)
Email * (req’d for table confirmation)
Address
City, State, Zip
See other side for map & directions
GRAHamfest directions
From the West:
Take M6 East / Lansing to exit 5 / Byron Center Ave. Turn left onto Byron Center
Ave., drive 0.8 mi. Turn right onto Gezon Parkway, Drive 1.0 mi. Turn left onto
Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School Building.
From the North:
Take 131 South, to exit 78 / 54th St. Turn right onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon
Pkwy) Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home
Burlingame Ave.
Byron Center Ave.
N
131
Exit 78
Home School Bldg.
5625 Burlingame
54th St.
56th St.
Gezon Pky
M6
(no exit)
M6
Exit 5
Exit 8
131
From the East:
Take M6 West / Holland to exit 8, 131 North. Drive 1.3 mi. to exit 78 / 54th St.
Turn left onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon Pkwy) Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto
Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School Building.
From the South:
Take 131 North to exit 78 / 54th St. Turn left onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon Pkwy)
Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School
32nd Annual KALAMAZOO HAMFEST
Featuring the Kalamazoo Makers’ Guild
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairgrounds
2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo MI
Hamfest 8 AM to Noon
Vendor Setup 6am Sunday with Saturday setup available
Sponsored by:
Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club
Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team
TALK-IN 147.040 (PL 94.8) K8KZO REPEATER
• Tickets $5
• Over 20,000 square feet of selling area
• Free Trunk Sales Spaces Available
• Door Prizes
• Forums
• Amateur Radio License Testing at 10 AM
• DXCC and WAS QSL checking
• Test Bench
• Campsites available w/ electric & water
•
see http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/activities.htm
Visit the Michigan Antique Radio Club Swap Meet here Saturday!
http://michiganantiqueradio.org
For more information see our web-site at: www.KalamazooHamFest.com OR
email us at: Info@KalamazooHamFest.com OR
call us at (269) 205-3560 and leave a message.
Name/Company _____________________________________________________ Call Sign _____________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State____ ZIP ___________ Phone (
) ____________________
Email Address _____________________________________________________________________________
______
______
______
______
Hamfest tickets @$5 ea.
________
Tables (8 ft.) @ $12 ea.
________
Tables (8 ft.) with Electric @ $22 ea. ________
Send information on Saturday setup
Total Amount enclosed
$ ________
To order send check with this order form
and SASE to:
Kalamazoo Hamfest
PO Box 33
Richland, MI 49083-0033
Orders received after September 30, 2014 will
be held for pickup at the door.
** An ARRL Sanctioned Hamfest **
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net will
be having a Special Event Sept 13/14. Details in
the Sept issue of QST.
Site will be @ SA Bostrick Lake Camp.
Operators invited, contact me @ 616-460-4744
Sent from my iPhone
73, David, KC8DJ=