DeFOREST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - K8GE
P.O. Box 73 - West Union, OH 45693-0073
SERVING SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO SINCE 1974
JULY 1998
http://www.qsl.net/k8ge
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings fellow Hams! I have returned from our nation's
capitol feeling very much like Jimmy Stewart in the movie
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Not only was the
infrastructure of this urban metropolis impressive, the
wealth of information on everything from the aardvark to
zymurgy was awesome and available... for free!
Jerry and I visited the office of Representative Rob
Portman and left our personal QSL cards asking for his
support on HR 3572. We were treated to a tour of the
Capitol building and our guide was Charles, a Cincinnati
native and Political Science major at Duke University.
Charles was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful, giving
us many insights into American history that we never knew.
It was also great to see history in the making as we got
to see both the House of Representatives and the Senate in
session!
On our visit to the Smithsonian, we enjoyed the "Age of
Technology" and even found a hands-on exhibit on the
history of Morse Code. We had fun making some noise there
and I think we even sparked some interest in one of the
student groups that was touring.
What struck me over and over again was how the
contributions of individuals, their successes, failures
and constant striving all come together. Do most of us
see our individual lives as having an affect on the nation
or the world as a whole? Good question.
Amateur Radio brings together individuals like you and me
whose talents and capabilities affect those around us.
Chatting with a fellow ham on 2 meters, being available
for severe weather reporting when needed, making sure a
fellow ham gets home safely in a snowstorm, these actions
touch our local community and definitely make a
difference.
Participating in emergency communications drills,
increasing your technical knowledge, sending or receiving
traffic can also make a difference, and not just locally.
Keeping up to date on the changes affecting Amateur Radio
and participating in a positive way definitely has an
effect on us all.
To all of you who constantly strive to make a difference
in our world... THANK YOU!
'73
Kim
N8YWX
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Minutes of July meeting were not available for
the newsletter at press time, August 2
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IT'S A PICNIC!
The DeForest Amateur Radio Club will host a picnic on Saturday,
August 29th at Adams Lake on SR 41 just North of West Union,
Ohio. The picnic will begin at 12:00 with the meal starting at
1:00 pm and all are welcome to attend. The Grant Amateur Radio
Club of Brown County and the Greater Mason County Amateur Radio
Association have been invited as our guests. The DeForest Club
will supply the hamburgers and hot dogs. DeForest members are
asked to bring a covered dish vegetable, dessert, salad or
baked item.
We will have a live Balderdash game at the picnic, so you can
guess which storyteller has the correct answer! Also, the GMCARA
will be sponsoring a raffle for a gift certificate of $200.00 to
the store of the winner's choice. Tickets are available from any
member of the GMCARA club and are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.
Bring the family! Bring your lawn chairs! See you there!
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PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITY
by N8YWX
July was a busy month for members of the DeForest club.
We provided communications for the West Union Lion's Club as
they organized their annual July 4th parade. I have been asked
to extend a special thanks to the club and to the volunteers who
took part in the parade: KA8EKC, KB8QMV, KC8HFV, KC8JZG, KE8FK,
N8HIA, N8YWX, WB8IOW. We were also proud to have as special
guests on the float and in the vehicle: Angela and Millicent
Larter, daughters of George and Linda as well as Robert Hamilton
of Dover, Delaware, my Dad! The float was wonderful and I want
to say thanks to all who came to put it together the night
before. We had fun, we ate, we laughed and by golly, we had a
nice looking float!
On July 12, 5 members of the DeForest club provided
communications for the Marine Corps League 5 mile run and 3 mile
fun walk. Steve Richmond expressed appreciation on behalf of the
league for a job well done. Those members who participated were:
KE8FK, N8HIA, N8YWX AND WB8IOW. Special thanks to my Dad, Robert
Hamilton who helped hand out water to the runners. Next year, we
are told they expect to double the number of runners and walkers
from approximately 76 to over 150 or better, so we will
definitely need more hams to help.
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FIELD DAY REPORT
KA8EKC (Richard), N8XGP (Ridney), KC8DDY (Lyle), and KC8HFV
(George) were the club members who volunteered for the Field Day
committee.
The DeForest Field Day event was well attended by club HAMS and
visitors. In all, about 38 club members and several guests
visited the FD site at the Lorenz airstrip, courtesy of N8XGP
and KB8QNT (Debbie). The covered dish picnic was, as always, a
great success. Several members stayed over night; all who were
there in the morning were treated to breakfast by N8HIA
(Barbara), KE8FK (Ed), & KB8QMV (Karen). Grilled hot dogs and
salad were provided for lunch by N8YWX (Kim) and WB8IOW (Jerry).
KE8FK, AB8AM (Mike), WB8IOW, and the West Union Fire Department
supplied generators for FD. KE8FK and N8SND (Bill) supplied
equipment and antennas. KC8HFV and the West Union FD also
supplied equipment.
Originally, we were going to operate class 3A but decided to
operate 2A instead. Several of the operators were first time
field day participants. Several of the "old timers" helped
instruct the newer HAMS to proper FD operation and then let then
make the contacts. As always, our FD operation has focused on
the members and not necessarily just the points earned.
A special thanks goes to the West Union Fire Department for
their communications vehicle and generator brought to the Field
Day site. Several of our club members belong to the WUFD.
Several acres of grass were mowed by N8XGP, KE8FK, and WB8IOW in
preparation for the big event.
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HR 3572 UPDATE
by WB8IOW
Friday, July 31, I spoke with Seth Webb (on the telephone), in
Representative Rob Portman's Washington office. Seth has met
with Rep. Portman concerning HR 3572. Rep. Portman may be
leaning toward support of the bill but is waiting for more
information from the bill's sponsor.
I indicated to Seth I would be in touch with him before next
month's DeForest ARC newsletter is published. For the time
being, Representative Portman and Seth Webb will get a copy of
the DeForest ARC newsletter.
Seth did ask me to convey to the club members that Rep. Portman
is proud to represent the HAMS who did so much work during the
floods of 1997.
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ARES ID's
The DeForest ARC is an ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
club, therefore, all DeForest ARC members are ARES members. If
you are a DeForest club member, and attend the August meeting
you will be given the opportunity to receive an ARES picture ID.
Pictures will be taken before the meeting and following the
meeting. ID's will be processed and delivered to the club
members at the meeting. The DeForest ARC will provide the
laminate for the ID's. COMPUTER CORNER will provide the film for
the photographs. Clips (if a member desires) will be available
for 20 cents each.
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NEXT MEETING - AUGUST 11, 1998 - West Union - 7:00 PM
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DeFOREST A.R.C. BIRTHDATES
& SPECIAL EVENTS
08-01 KD4LJM Sandy Drake
08-02 Jeff Barr
08-05 KB8VXC Jr. McDaniel
08-08 KB8QNS Ethel M. King
08-08 9:30 AM Mason County test session
08-10 KB8QNP Richard F. Stultz
08-11 7:00 PM DeForest meeting
08-12 KA8VEA Kathy Hoop
08-15 NL7FK Roy M. Foster III
08-15 PORTSMOUTH HAMFEST 8 AM to 3 PM
08-21 WD8JCD Don Silcott
08-23 KC8GYT John Hayslip
08-24 AA8IQ Betty P. Merrill
08-27 KB8UFV Kenneth A. Johnson
08-29 12 NOON DeFOREST A.R.C. PICNIC
08-29 N8VGQ Mary J. Kemphues
09-01 K8GXL Donald L. Hoop
09-03 KC8CXM Jered D. Grooms
09-04 KB8SCV Warren P. Lewis
09-05 KC8JXC Don R. Myers
09-08 7:00 PM DeForest meeting
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STRUCTURING THE RESTRUCTURING DEBATE
Love it or hate it, the ARRL's recent license restructuring plan
certainly has generated considerable debate and controversy
within the Amateur Radio community and gotten licensees thinking
about what's good and what's not so good about the current
system. ARRL Directors report they're getting lots of e-mail on
both sides, and the overall trend appears to be in favor of the
plan the Board released earlier this month.
Midwest Director Lew Gordon, K4VX, reports that his mail has
been running better than two-to-one in favor. New England
Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, said he'd having trouble keeping up
with the avalanche of comments. "I've received 166 messages
from New England hams, and the count is 105-61 in favor of the
proposal," he said, adding that he still has about 50 messages
to answer.
Some hams have suggested the current system is just fine, and to
change it will diminish the status of current licensees. ARRL
Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, has an answer for
the "don't-change-anything" camp, however. "If you're flatly
opposed to any change at all, I don't think that you've taken
into consideration the changes that have occurred over the past
seven years," he said. For example, Sumner points out that the
Novice license --instituted in 1951-- no longer is the route of
entry to Amateur Radio for more than about 5% of the amateur
population. Other than 10 meters, the Novice bands "are
significantly underutilized," he observed. Sumner says amateurs
can't make a case for additional bands if the present
allocations aren't being used to capacity.
In recent years, most of those coming into the hobby have come
in as Technicians. Nevertheless, they still must pass the Novice
element, which includes questions on HF that are irrelevant to
Technician ops. "This pretty much forces you to accept the fact
that there must be some change," he said. "The real issue is
how far should that change go, and on that, reasonable people
can and will differ, and we'll be discussing that over the
coming months as the process goes forward."
Sumner said nothing is cast in stone at this point, and if
better ideas surface as a result of the current debate, "there
will be every chance for those to be reflected in the ultimate
FCC action."
The ARRL has sent a copy of its restructuring proposals to the
FCC in a letter, but the League has not petitioned for a
rulemaking as it awaits the Commission's own ham radio
restructuring proposal, still in the draft stages. There's still
no definite word on when the FCC's proposal will be made public.
"Things are moving along," said an FCC spokesman, who added
that the Commission has begun getting comments on the ARRL's
proposal. The FCC is expected to issue a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking that also will seek input from amateurs on various
alternatives. The FCC spokesman suggested that hams wait until
the Commission's proposal goes public before commenting on the
issue.
Thanks "The ARRL Letter"
The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League,
225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200;
fax 860-594-0259.
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CLASSES
The DeForest ARC will conduct both no-code Technician classes
and Morse code classes this fall. Listen to nets and watch this
newsletter for further details. If you want to volunteer your
services please contact KB8OMG (Barry) or WB8IOW (Jerry). The
no-code Technician class will be conducted using the "NOW YOU'RE
TALKING" book.
The no-code Technician class will take about 12 sessions, 2
hours each. During the class participants will learn how to
make antennas, hook up simple radio equipment, how to buy
equipment, and will see many actual class room demonstrations.
Cost of t he no-code Technician class will be $20.
The Morse code class will be taught by KB8OMG, assisted by other
HAMS. There will be no charge for the code classes. The code
classes will take about 10 sessions, 2 hours each.
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OHIO ARES/NTS
INVOLVED IN FLOOD EMERGENCIES
Hams helped recently during two major flood episodes in Ohio.
The first involved southern counties along the Ohio River. The
second involved flash floods in at least 20 counties throughout
Ohio. Many Ohio counties suffered flood damage, but ham radio
involvement was minimal because normal lines of communication
remained open.
Ham radio weather spotters played a big part in the early stages
of the weather emergency, according to Ohio State Government
Liaison Paul Krugh, N2NS. On June 29, Ohio District 7 DEC John
Chapman, WB8INY, was called to activate W8SGT at the state EO C
in Columbus as a precaution. "We opened up the 75-meter station
and monitored the large-area repeaters in Ohio for any incoming
traffic" Chapman said. He said they monitored "a fair amount of
traffic" on local VHF nets in affected counties. "Hams s eemed
to be well-coordinated" he said.
Krugh says ARES groups in affected localities supported Red
Cross and Salvation Army response teams. Fortunately, there were
no major power outages, although some communities did lose
power. "We've gotten off lucky" Krugh said, but added, "these
epis odes are no indication to let our guard down." thanks to
Paul Krugh, N2NS, John Chapman, WB8INY, and Jerry Paquette,
WB8IOW
TNX ARRL NEWSLETTER 07/10/98
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1998 Officers
President - N8YWX - Kim
Vice president - WD8LSN - Larry
Secretary - KB8QNT - Debbie
Treasurer - KE8FK - Ed
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PLEASE REVIEW OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS ADS, BELOW
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PRATHER'S IGA
FOODLINER
107 Walnut Street
West Union, Ohio
544-2643 or 544-5488
Chase Prather - Owner
Jay Prather - Manager
Russ Grooms - Manager
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
McDONALD'S
FAMILY OWNED
AND OPERATED
BREAKFAST
LUNCH - DINNER
WEST UNION
RIPLEY
PEEBLES
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blake Pharmacy
Radio Shack
"On the town square,
in West Union, Oh"
(937) 544-2451
For special pricing, tell
Joey Traylor, you're a
member of the
DeForest Amateur Radio Club
& give him your callsign.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
C&D ELECTRONICS, Inc
Radio Shack Dealer
1565 US HWY 68
MAYSVILLE, KY
(606) 759-5027
or
toll free (888) 759-5027
MANAGER
KC4UXD
CHUCK DOUGHMAN
"Experience the Difference"
"You've Got Questions - We've Got Answers"
HAM DISCOUNT
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
BRADFORD & GUSTIN
INSURANCE AGENCY
202 N. Pleasant
West Union, OH
(937) 544-2397
Jack Bradford - Agent
KA8URK
HOME - AUTO - FARM
BUSINESS - LIFE
RISK - HAIL
LIFE & HOSPITALIZATION
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SOUTHERN HILLS
EYE CARE
DR. HOWARD L. COVERT
125 S. MANCHESTER STREET
WEST UNION, OH
(937) 544-3325
Licensed Optician
Kim - N8YWX
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CUSTOM ELECTRONICS
PEEBLES, OH
937 587-5122
OWNED AND OPERATED BY W8ZFO
SALES AND INSTALLATION
OF
DISH NETWORK SATELLITE SYSTEMS
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COMPUTER CORNER
dba: K&P ELECTRONICS
LAMINATING SERVICE
3 mil, 7 mil, and 10 mil laminate available
FCC LICENSES (10 mil. $3 for both) WINDSHIELD SIGNS
-usually $2 each
CLUB ID BADGES - usually $1 each, including lapel clip AWARD
CERTIFICATES - usually $2 each
PHOTO ID - call for prices
(no passports or passport photos)
CALL (937) 544-3763
owned and operated by WB8IOW & N8YWX
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EDITOR E-MAIL: paquette@ieee.org
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