JOTA October 16

October 2016
Volume 80
Greater Cincinnati Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
79 years of service to the Greater Cincinnati Community
Join us this month as
Jay, K4ZLE
will give us a recap of the
St Paul Island Dxpedition
Page 1!
Issue 10
Next Meeting
October 26, 2016
7:00PM
Maple Knoll (Breeze Manor)
11200 Springfield Pike,
Springdale, Ohio
(Take Maple Trace Dr. off Springfield Pike)
If the Main Door to the Breeze Manor is locked, please use
the Communication Device located near the entrance to
request entrance to the building. Save the Date
Christmas Party 2017
December 14th, 6:00pm
Published monthly by the
Greater Cincinnati Amateur Radio Assoc. Inc.
Submit ads and news to the editor
Deadline: forth Wednesday of the month
Editor: David Self, K8SSN
3261 Old Oxford Rd.
Hamilton, Ohio 45013
tm&k@gcara.org
Reprinting, from The Mike & Key is granted to amateur
radio publications provided credit is given to the
original author and The Mike & Key.
GCARA Officers & Committee Chairs
PRESIDENT: Neal Berter, N8QFZ
nberter@cinci.rr.com
VICE PRES: Rick Burdick, K8WWA,
(513) 554-4662, rickburdick@yahoo.com
RECORDING SEC’Y: Allan M. Hale, WA9IRS
(859) 525-1761, wa9irs@arrl.net
CORRESPONDING SEC’Y: Richard Pestinger, KC8RP
(513) 829-8807 kc8rp@arrl.net
TREASURER: Roger Kleine, KA8MOE
(513) 681-4586
REPEATER CONTROL OP: Roger Kleine, KA8MOE
(513) 681-4586
HAM HELP/EQUIPMENT SUPPORT:
Richard Pestinger, KC8RP
513-829-8807 kc8rp@arrl.net
HISTORIAN: Sean Connelly KD8BQA
THE MIKE & KEY: David Self, K8SSN,
tm&k@gcara.org
WEBMASTER: David Self, K8SSN gcara.org@gcara.org
MEMBERSHIP: Richard Pestinger, KC8RP
(513) 829-8807 kc8rp@arrl.net
SCHOLARSHIPS: Rick Burdick, K8WWA,
(513) 554-4662, rickburdick@yahoo.com
SILENT KEY COMM: Jim Benson, W8OUU,
(513) 825-1254, w8ouu@fuse.net
VE TEAM: Gary Osborne, W8XS
(513) 474-0287, osborne@fuse.net
ARRL
Great Lakes Director: Dale Williams, WA8EKF
(734) 529-3232, wa8efk@arrl.org
Ohio Section Manager: Scott Yonally, N8SY
(419) 512-4445, n8sy@n8sy.com
W8DZ 2M REPEATER :
145.27MHz -600
TONE: 123Hz
October 26…Elections / St Paul’s Island
November-February…NO MEETINGS
December 14…GCARA Christmas Party
March 22…TBA
April 26…Annual Auction
1936 Net
1.936 MHz, Thursdays 9:00pm
Net Control:
Jay Adrick,K8CJY / Geoff Mendelhall, W8GNM
DONATIONS TO THE GCARA may be tax deductible.
Contact the treasurer for information
Page 2!
Subject: General Membership Meeting
Date:
September 28, 2016
Location: Maple Knoll Village, Breeze Pavilion
Opening: 7:07PM
Meeting Minutes
Participants:
President - Neal Berter, N8QFZ Present Vice Pres. - Rick Burdick K8WWA Present Treasurer, - Roger Kleine, KA8MOE Present
Corresponding Secretary, Membership – Richard Pestinger, KC8RP Present Recording Sec. - Allan Hale, WA9IRS, Absent
Meeting commenced: at 7:06 PM
Call to Order: - President Berter
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of members and guests present
Introductory remarks by President Berter
Neal commented that he was happy to see the turnout of members present at the Meeting.
Announcements – Neal mentioned that the repeater is currently down due to the need for the county to proceed in painting the watertower. Due
to that there has been established an agreement to allow the club to use to utilize the Hamilton County Repeater in the interim period. The
frequency is 145.370- with a PL of 123.
Financial Report – Roger was present this evening. He provided a financial report. Income for the month was $30.00 from dues payments.
Expenses including the materials purchased by Rick for the general meeting included $24.31. The ending balance for the month was $3,917.93
which was +$5.69 (Yah!) for the period.
Mike & Key – Neal mentioned that the meeting minutes from last month’s Picnic are contained in the current copy of the Mike & Key. Any
questions? None heard.
Membership – Richard was present and indicated that we still have quite a number of 2016 members who have not paid their 2016 dues as of this
printing. Please support the club with your dues payments to allow us to do many of the activities that the club sponsors.
Silent Keys Jim Benson was absent and when asked no one knew of any silent keys for the period, hence nothing to report this evening.
Christmas Party –
The GCARA Christmas Party is scheduled for December 14th at the Manor House Restaurant starting at 6:00 PM that evening. Please remember
that this is an RSVP (your response for attendance kindly requested in advance!) As we draw closer to the time of the party please watch the Mike
& Key for any additional details and directions as to how to make your reservations in advance.
GCARA VE Session –
Please remember that the last 2016 VE session is planned for December 7th. It will be held as usual at the Blue Ash Recreation Center starting at
6:00 PM. Please remember to bring 2 forms of ID including if possible one that is a photo. Why not bring in 2017 with an upgrade to your license
class so that you can take advantage of added frequency operation privileges!
Drawing for a Handheld Radio – Neal then with Richard conducted the drawing for the monthly handheld. Roger won again and kindly said to
make another drawing from the hat for the prize. Dave Self was the lucky winner. Remember you have to be present to win!
Program Rick stood up and introduced the program for the evening which was really a fact finding effort by Mr. Lou Alaimo with GIRD Systems
a HF Communications firm dealing with digital signal technologies to be utilized on HF frequencies. Mr. Aliamo stepped to the podium and
described his background as an RF engineer. GIRD systems does HF Communication Software development and he was interested in practical
antenna setups for NVIS type communications using digital technologies. A detailed discussion then followed concerning how to establish figures
for noise levels, the RF noise floor and gain measurements of individual antenna types as they apply to HF communications. Many suggestions
were provided and we will probably have some members of the club assist in the development of various HF demonstrations using Digital and/or
other RF technologies applicable to this type of communications technology.
-We keep saying it but this month it is more true than ever, if you missed this one you really missed something special. Thank you Rick for your
efforts for the club!
Further Comments?
Neal asked for any additional comments, (Old Business, New Business) there being none, Neal closed the meeting and all joined in general
camaraderie and discussion about favorite topics.
Neal wished all present a good evening.
There being no additional business,
Adjournment followed at 8:38 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Allan Hale, WA9IRS
Recording Secretary
Page 3!
1936 GCARA NET CONTROL STATIONS
NCS FOR THE GCARA 1936 NET ARE AS FOLLO
October-W8GNM, Geoff
November-K8CJY, Jay December-NM4A, Bill
Alternates:
1936 Net
Thursday’s 9:00pm
1.936 LSB (160M)
AI4XD, KZ8ZZ, WD8NKJ
CO-NET MANAGERS:Jay Adrick, K8CJY & Geoff Mendenhall, W8GNM
Don’t have an antenna for 160? Check with any of the above.
GCARA 2017 Membership
If you have not taken the time to renew your membership in the GCARA for 2016, please take the time to
do so.
A lot of members renew at hamfest and Since we did not have one last year, your dues may not have been
pay for this year.
You can use the form on page 11 or you can use PayPal to renew by click here (if reading via pdf) or go to
www.gcara.org and scroll to the bottom of the page.
New members: if using PayPal, please put Name, Call address, etc in the message box or send email to
kc8rp@arrl.net
Silent Keys
If you know of a ham who has become a SK
please contact Jim Benson, W8OUU
513-825-1254, w8ouu@fuse.net
please contact Jim Benson, W8OUU
or email TM&K Editor
Page 4!
Member’s Mart
For sale is a Hy-Gain, Discover 7-1, 40 meter rotatable dipole. Dipole is linear loaded which results in lower loss and greater
efficiency. Will cover 7.0 - 10.5 mhz. Includes stainless hardware. Currently on the ground in 3 pieces for easy transportation and
assembly. Pick up only. Will not ship. Currently listed for $369.00 in catalog. Will sell for $145.00. Contact Rick Burdick,
K8WWA at 513-315-4661 or rick_burdick@!yahoo.com.
The estate of K8IJU, is being sold. Contact WA8ULW, Bob, 513-398-0481 IMMEDIATELY noon to midnight for the details as
they currently exist and keep changing. Things are selling every day. Everything from alligator test leads to bench test equipment to
Icom and Kenwood radios, keys and keyers, power supplies and more too numerous to mention. The old AM Johnson Viking 1 and
Hammarlund HQ-129X equipment and Icom 751 are gone. 75 foot Rohn 45 fold over tower and triband antenna are still standing
looking for a good home. You can’t buy the fold over version any more. Spread the word amongst friends and have them call me for
the latest update. Feel free to give them my phone number.
Send ads to tm&k@gcara.org. Ads are free to members and subject to editing.
Deadline: last Monday of the month. Ads will run for two issues, unless otherwise requested.
Come to GCARA Meetings and win!
Last Month’s
WINNER
Dave, K8SSN
3 Ways to Win!
• A dual band Handheld will be given away
at each meeting. You must be a paid up
member and present to win.
• Each meeting you attend, as a paid up
member, you win earn discount towards
Christmas Party. Attend 7 meetings and
receive 100% discount toward your meal
at the Christmas party. Attend 4
meetings and receive a 50% discount.
• A mobile transceiver will be given away
at the Christmas Party. Your chance of
winning will be determined by your
meeting attendance (1 chance for each
meeting attended). You must be present to
win.
Page 5!
Should U.S. ham tests be given abroad?
By Dan Romanchik, KB6NU
A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a
reader who wanted my opinion about a thread on
the HamRadioHelpGroup mailing list. The e-mail
that started the discussion was a message from an
American living in Italy who wanted to take the
Technician Class exam. In her e-mail, she told of
her troubles finding a test session, and then when
she did find one, what she perceived as
“irregularities” in the testing process. Reading the
thread was a little disconcerting, and I blogged
about this issue (http://www.kb6nu.com/u-samateur-radio-license-exams-given-outside-u-s/).
sanction non-U.S. VEs and whether or not the FCC
should even allow testing outside of the United
States.
I didn't see the need for conducting these test
sessions or the desirability (to the U.S.) of licensing
foreign nationals. I reasoned that not only was there
a greater possibility of test fraud, this program could
lead to foreign authorities claiming that the U.S.
was meddling in their affairs.
I understand why foreign national go to the trouble
of taking the U.S. license exam. Some of them even
buy my study guides. About a year ago, for
example, I swapped some e-mail with a guy from
Malaysia about why he purchased my study guide
and why he wanted a U.S. license. He said that it
was because a neighboring country offered
reciprocal operating privileges to U.S. licensees, but
not Malaysian licensees! He mentioned that he
tested for the license in Thailand.
This post garnered a lot of comments. Several of
them took me to task for voicing this opinion and
were in favor keeping the current licensing program
in place. There were a variety of reasons.
Basically, my Malaysian friend was using the U.S.
licensing process to circumvent the Malaysian
licensing process. Australians seem to do this, too.
Apparently, according to one of the VKs who
commented on the thread, getting a U.S. Tech
license is easier than testing for an Australian
Foundation license. So, some Australians get a
U.S. Tech license first, then get the Australian
government to issue them a VK Foundation license
based on the reciprocal operating agreement
between the U.S. and Australia.
One of the reasons in favor of using the U.S.
licensing process is that in many countries, amateur
radio license exam sessions are not very frequent.
Another is that they often are quite expensive. This
creates an artificial barrier to getting an amateur
radio license. Using the U.S. licensing system
breaks through this barrier and allows many more
to enjoy amateur radio.
Of course, for everything to be on the up and up,
the foreign authorities would have to condone the
use of U.S. license tests. Apparently, this is the
case in Thailand and Australia. I don't know about
Italy, but I'm guessing that the authorities there
don't really care about Italians obtaining U.S.
licenses.
Perhaps the best comment came from Thida,
HS1ASC/KH6ASC. He noted that the tests in
Thailand were administered very strictly, and says,
"The U.S. may lose some callsigns, but what the
U.S. and U.S. hams get from us is goodwill, very
positive feeling. Everyone who gets U.S. license is
so proud, and others look at them respectfully."
Since Part 97.1(e) lists as one of the purposes of
amateur radio, "Continuation and extension of the
amateur's unique ability to enhance international
goodwill," I'm now all in favor of offering U.S. ham
tests abroad.
Another reason that some outside the U.S. obtain
U.S. amateur radio licenses is the challenge. That’s
the reason Martin Butler, M0MRB/W9ICQ, of
ICQPodcast fame, gave when I spoke to him about
this recently.
Are these reasons "good enough" to continue this
program of licensing non-U.S. citizens? My first
reaction was that no, it's not good enough, and I
questioned whether or not the ARRL VEC should
Page 6!
What is the Difference between DX Radio and CB?
Ham radio has become closer than ever before! With
so many operators around the globe, this activity has
turned into a real sensation over the last several
decades. However, some beginners are still in search
of some general ham radio info to get involved in
this exciting hobby with so many interesting things
to experience. Amateur radio appears actually the
same day as traditional radio was invented.
Developed by European and American enthusiasts, it
has eventually took the
global audience by storm
forming an in-ternational
community of so-called
hams. People of various
ages, genders and
occupations use their DX
radio stations to keep in
touch with each other from
the most remote parts of
our planet. Some of them
set up for exciting journeys
to faraway lands aiming at
establishing contacts from
unknown areas. Such
journeys are also known as DXpedtions. On the other
hand, ham radio is not only about fun and
entertainments. It teaches us to be respectful and
ready to help in case of emergency. You may appear
to be the only person with your radio station to let
others know what is happening around. Beginners
mistakenly think that DX is equal to CB that stands
for Citizen’s Band. There are many differ-ences
between them. Ham radio provides more
communication modes and opportunities. At the
same time, CB is not as widely spread among
amateur operators as ham radio. You will hardly ever
visit CB fest or competitions while ham radio
contesting is a regular entertainment for both
professionals and rookies in the field. Another great
difference is that DX radio never deals with ad
campaigns, music programs or news. It is a wide
circle of like-minded people. They use various types
of communication modes
including the Morse code,
digital data, speech,
television and other
informational sources.
Some DX radio stations
may be connected with
satellites making it
possible to keep in touch
with the In-ternational
Space Station. You will
hardly benefit from a more
exciting experience, won’t
you? CB will never bring
such great chances to send
contacts even if other communication means go
down. Ham radio can be used in any place you like
no matter if it is a car, a boat or a spaceship.
Although becoming a ham is not really hard, it
comes with responsibility, devotion, passion and
mutual respect.
Stock News Week http://
stocknewsweek.com/2016/09/21/what-is-thedifference-between-dx-radio-and-cb/
A will is a dead giveaway.
Page 7!
Solution found at
www.gcara.org/puzzle
or scan
Page 8!
DX happenings…
There are some changes coming to The Mike & Key.
Starting next year TM&K will become a bi-monthly
newsletter. This is mostly due to the lack of attendance at
the monthly meetings and participation in club activities. I
know TM&K is one of the well read newsletters in the
Cincinnati Area, however it seems that with the internet as it
is, most of the news is not news once it hits TM&K.
The other problem is that meeting attendance of GCARA
has dropped for 100+ to about 10. This being said it seems like a lot of work putting together a newsletter
every month for 10 active members. So, the staff (which is six of the attending members) has authorized this
change. Starting next year TM&K will be published in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Any comments can be sent to tm&k@gcara.org
Page 9!
FCC Ham Exams
GCARA: September 14, December 7, 2016 :Blue Ash Recreation Center 4433 Cooper Rd Blue Ash.
Registration 6:30pm. For more information contact Gary, W8XS at osborne@fuse.net. WALK INS ACCEPTED
1st Saturday each month: Cincinnati (Hartwell), CRA, at Hartwell Pres. Church. Registration 8:30am; walk-in
only! All licenses classes. Dale Pritchett, KC8HJL at (513) 769 0789
2nd Monday each month: Kentucky (Edgewood) NKARA, at Turkeyfoot Middle School, 3230 Turkeyfoot Rd.
Registration 6:00pm. Follow the signs. Pre-registration preferred, walk-ins accepted. Lyle Hamilton, AB8SH,
(513) 315 4032. Talk-in 147.255
In all cases; tests require two Ids (preferably one with photo).
COST: $15.00
Webpages of Importance to Members of the GCARA
Greater Cincinnati Amateur Radio Association…..www.gcara.org
GCARA on Facebook…..https://www.facebook.com/groups/402853765060/
American Radio Relay League…..www.arrl.org
Great Lakes Division-ARRL...www.arrl-greatlakes.org
Ohio Section - ARRL…..www.arrl-ohio.org
Ohio Section News…..www.arrl-ohio.org/sm/Section_News.html
Dayton Hamvention…..www.hamvention.org
Shortwave listening Guide...www.naswa.net/swlguide
Follow the GCARA on Twitter…@W8DZ
* If reading from a pdf file, clicking on the link will take you to the webpage
Page ! 10
Membersh
ip Applicat
JOIN
or
RENEW
GCARA
MEMBERSHIP
ion
GCARA membership application and information update form
( ) I enclose $15 dues per club year (Jan. 1- Dec. 31) x ( ) years = $_________
( ) I request free student membership (licensed Hams in grades 1-12) for Jan. 1-Dec. 31.
If a free Student Membership, what is your school & grade?___________
This is a ( ) new, ( ) renewed membership. Member of ARRL? ( ) yes, ( ) no
( ) My yearly dues are paid. Please enter the following changes for me:
NAME ________________________________________ CALL _______________
ADDRESS*___________________________________________________________
CITY/STATE*__________________________________________ ZIP* __________
Tel. No. with A/C* (_____)________-__________
E-MAIL ADDRESS* _____________________@____________________________
My interests in and out of Ham radio: Public service; Working with youngsters;
On-air operations; VHF/UHF; HF; Building; Teaching; Computers;
Helping people become licensed; Repairing equipment; Helping other Hams.
*Provide specified information only if it has changed since last renewal.
Mail with dues payment to: Richard Pestinger, KC8RP
66 Boehm Court
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
Make checks/MOs payable to GCARA
to pay with PayPal go to www.gcara.org
GCARA meets the 4th Wednesday of each month
Directions to GCARA Meeting location
Maple Knoll (Breese Manor)
11200 Springfield Pike, Springdale, OH
(Take Maple Trace Dr. off Springfield Pike)
Page 1! 1
Send application
and $15.00
to
Richard Pestinger,
KC8RP
66 Boehm Court
Fairfield, Ohio
45014
If you would like your
membership card
mailed to you, please
send a SASE with your
The Greater Cincinnati Amateur
Radio Association, Inc.
______________________________
TM&K Editor
3261 Old Oxford Rd
Hamilton, Ohio 45013
TO CHANGE YOUR CALLSIGN, ADDRESS, PHONE OR EMAIL
GO TO THE GCARA WEBSITE www.gcara.org
(link located at bottom of page)
Page ! 12