KØND
 
                                                                                             
 
 
News Letter -- October 2006
Volume 24, Number 9
 
 

 

 

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

 

    The answer to September's trivia question, "What is the height restriction the FCC places on Amateur Radio Service antenna structures without registration with the FCC and Federal Aviation Administration?" An amateur antenna must be no higher that 200 feet.  This is measured from the ground level at the base of the tower up to the top of the antenna structure.

    On the weekend of September 8 & 9, club members Bill Bosch - KØUB, Joe Callahan - NØQAU, and Stan Kittelson - WDØDAJ attended a disaster exercise at the Burning Coal Mine north of Amidon, ND and they gave us a good report at our September 11 meeting.  Joe said the 'Dickinson Group' were the first ones to arrive at the exercise and everything was going well until they tried to relay, on 75 meters, a message to the EOC in Bismarck.  However, Joe said the National Guard had the best radio equipment money could buy and they also could not get through to the EOC.  It seems the criteria for the TRARC was very rigid, and that by going through the repeater system the EOC could have been contacted.  Also, Stan said the different agencies involved in this exercise needed to coordinate their communications better, because channel one is different to different agencies.  In conclusion, club members felt this was a good learning exercise and that we all would be better prepared for an actual emergency.

    The TRARC will again be setting up a display at the Prairie Hills Mall on Saturday, October 21.  This has become an annual affair and shows what our club does, to the public.  Also, I feel it is a good way to recruit new HAMS.  Let's have a good turnout during this event.

    Yes, it's true.  I have moved to Mandan, ND.  My new address:

Richard D. Hansen

2801 40th Ave SE, Unit#104

Mandan, ND 58554-6311

Phone (701) 663-8850

 

However, I plan on being back in Dickinson for our regular meetings on October 2 and November 6, and for our Christmas Party in December.

    The trivia question for the month is: "The 20 meter (14.000 - 14.350 MHZ) is the most popular HF band, and world-wide communications are sometimes possible around the clock.  Who has license privileges to use 20 meters?"  This will be answered in next month's newsletter.

    Let all of us enjoy this beautiful fall weather in SW North Dakota, because before long I'm sure winter will be here.  Hope to see you all at our October 2 meeting.

 

73 Dick KCØHXG   

 

 

 

 

Theodore Roosevelt Amateur Radio Club

Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2006

 

Minutes were taken by Joe, NØQAU for Laurie, KCØNHW.  Meeting was called to order by President Dick Hansen, KCØHXG at 7:05 pm.  Minutes of the August meeting moved and approved by Bill, KØUB; second by Stan, WDØDAJ.  Motion passed.  Treasurer's report was given by Joe for Laurie.  Motion to approve treasurer report by Emil, NØDK, and seconded by Darryl, KCØEWH. Motion passed.

 

Introductions were made by all. September birthdays were announced.

 

Old Business:  Dick noted that a thank you note should be sent to Roosevelt School for the table and chairs for the picnic.

 

WDØDAJ  gave a repeater update.   All repeaters working fine and 73 repeater back from repair.  Stan reported that a work party is needed for the 82 site and the 64 site prior to winter to clean batteries, etc.  The sections of Rohn 45 are needed to complete the tower work at the 73 site prior to raising the antennas up to normal height.

 

Dick discussed the possibility of getting some donated chairs to the club.  Discussion followed.

 

New Business:   The electrical and a donation for the trap club was approved.  Motion and second by WDØDAW, KBØNVT. Passed.

 

LEC updatae.  Bill gave a report on the LEC work and the moving of trailers and club equipment to the west side of the LEC.  Bill and Joe and Stan gave a breifing on the Bandlands Exercise at Burning Coal Vein.  Needs for the trailer were noted and Joe will visit with Gary, SCEM.

 

Dick commented on the ARRL web site and that we should visit it to see news.

There was discussion of Community Days in October (21st) at the mall. Emil moved and Stan seconded to have three tables at $15 for the event.  Help will be needed.

 

Dick's question in the newsletter on when no light is needed on a tower.  The answer was less that 200 feet. 

 

WDØDAJ motioned for adjournment.  President Hansen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.

 

 

Submitted by Joe, NØQAU

 

 
CHECK YOUR CALENDAR 
 
October  2  .............................  TRARC Meeting @ LEC, 7 PM
October 21 .............................  TRARC booth @ Community Days
                                                     Prairie Hills Mall
                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TEST SESSIONS 
 
If you are in need of a test session, contact either Bill Bosch, KØUB or Emil Wieglenda,
NØDK. Bill is associated with ARRL VEC and Emil is W5YI. They will let you know when
the next test session will be held.
 
Bill 701-483-3869               Emil 701-483-4953
 
 
 
 
 
 
Margaret's Corner
 
   
It seems our summer has gone too fast. Kids are back in school. It gets dark earlier and the sun comes up later.  Some are still dreaming of that one last camping trip while others are thinking it's time to head south.   We hoped for a break in the hot weather and some rain.  What a rude awakening we got on the 17th when we went from shorts, sandals and air conditioning to sweatshirts, winter coats and turning on the furnace.  The rain was welcome, the wind was not.
 
After several tries at having an emergency preparedness exercise at the Burning Coal Vein in Amidon, it finally became a reality.  On Sept. 9th Bill, Stan and Joe fell out of bed around 3 a.m. and by 4:30 were on the way with the emergency trailer in tow.  They were one of the first to arrive at their destination - Amidon and the scorio flats area just north of the Burning Coal Vein campground. They quickly set up the trailer and had some ham radio contacts before the briefing. Around 11:30 they were given a script which asked them to attempt communications on HF to the state EOC in Bismarck.  Unfortunately, Murphy struck and even after the SWR problems were resolved the contact could not be made.  The next assignment was to do the same script with the National Guard equipment in the Guard's impressive new communications vehicle.  No luck there either.  It seems there was an issue on the receiving end in Bismarck.  According to Joe N0QAU, "All in all, it was a very impressive exercise and all agencies learned a considerable amount and how to improve all aspects of operations."
 
One last thing. Our President, Richard Hanson, has moved to Mandan.  We thank him for the good job he has done during the past year. We'll also miss him and Elaine at our Arby's round table discussions in the mornings.  He promises to come back for the remaining two meetings of his term. Good Luck Dick and Elaine and enjoy your new home!
 
I came across a neat saying the other day and would like to share it with you.  "Some folks grow older with birthdays, it's true, but others grow nicer as years widen their view.  No one will notice a few little wrinkles when a kind, loving heart fills the eyes full of twinkles."  A smile and kind words never hurt anyone!
73, Margaret KB7ITR
 
 
 
Birthdays for October
Duane Splichal KBØIXX
10 - 04
Margaret Wieglenda KB7ITR
10 - 06
Lennie Mack NØDZN
10 - 07
Randy Jilek N7EEE
10 - 12
Paula Scheeler  KCØFKL
10 - 14
Dean Williams KIØILL
10 - 14
Mick Lewton KCØRLF
10 - 15
Curtis Kittelson KCØHSR
10 - 16
Mark Tollefson WØZCM
10 - 17