DeFOREST
                        AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - K8GE
                 P.O. Box 73 - West Union, OH 45693-0073

                  SERVING SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO SINCE 1974


                               MARCH  1999
                    EDITOR: WB8IOW -Jerry S.  Paquette
                         http://www.qsl.net/k8ge


                           PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
                               Kim - N8YWX

    Why do you attend our monthly meetings?  Perhaps it is to share in
    the planning of the activities our club will participate in or to
    have a say in the direction of the clubs' interests.  Is it the
    camaraderie, the meeting afterwards?  Maybe you just like my coffee!
    Whatever your reasons for attending, I encourage you to be active in
    your participation.

    Don't let the time go by and lose any enjoyment of the hobby. Radio
    is a social thing. It brings people together who share a common bond.
    Whether your interests be packet, satellite communications, county
    hunting, rag-chewing, cw, contesting or traffic handling, we have a
    lot in common - the frequencies we all share!

    Speaking of frequencies, I am sure you are all aware that the Amateur
    Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1999 has been introduced into the
    house.  At a recent town meeting in West Union, Jerry Paquette WB8IOW
    asked United States Representative Rob Portman to help sponsor HR
    783, the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act. This was originally
    proposed in 1998 as HR 3572, but never made it to the floor for a
    vote.  It is important that we stand together and make our voices
    heard.  Please encourage your Representatives and Senators to support
    this resolution that will protect our Ham Bands from being sold off
    for profit.

    Congratulations to Bruce Ashley KC8BWJ for his recent upgrade to
    General, having passed both the General theory and 13 wpm CW exams.
    That was quite an accomplishment and all done before he went to
    work!!

                                         '73     Kim  N8YWX


                      NEXT MEETING - APRIL 13, 1999
                           WEST UNION - 7:30 PM
                         SENIOR NUTRITION CENTER
                        ACROSS FROM THE COURTHOUSE


                                MINUTES OF
                            MARCH 1999 MEETING
                           Barbara Lock - N8HIA

    The meeting for the DeForest Amateur Radio Club was called to order
    on March 9, 1999, at 7:03 p.m. by the President of the club, Kim
    N8YWX, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

    Kim N8YWX introduced George Ferris N8SOK from Monroe Township as a
    guest. There were 25 members in attendance at the meeting,
    introducing themselves with their name and call sign. We started off
    with Kelly KB8UAO for the introductions.

    Kim N8YWX thanked JD KB8VLF and DEE KB8VBH for donating the desk to
    the club. It was sold and the club made $20.00.

    Kim N8YWX said that Jerry WB8IOW had been nominated for the
    instructor of the year in Ohio. We are all proud of him
    for the nomination. Jerry so far is the only nomination from Ohio.

    At the Great Lakes  Hamfest in Cincinnati,  the guest speaker for the
    ARRL forum was very interesting this year.  He said FCC will be
    stepping up policing of the airways. At one of the forums for ARES
    they discussed the Y2K problem. Michigan on June 2, 1999, on 75
    meters, frequency 3932 will have a drill with the power plants about
    Y2K.

    House resolution 783 has been reopened, Jerry WB8IOW and Kim N8YWX
    attended a town meeting, asking Rob Portman to help the hams by
    signing the bill. You can get in touch with your representative or
    view on ARRL web page.

    Handi-HAMs are asking for donation of 60 or 90 minute cassette tapes
    and mailers.  If you have any old tapes that are still fairly good
    and you have something on them, it can be erased.  Kim N8YWX said
    they could do it.  Also if you have any cassette s or mailers you can
    give them to Jerry WB8IOW or Kim N8YWX and they will see that Handi-
    HAMs receive the items.

    Kim asked for the minutes of the last meeting to be read. Ed KE8FK
    made the motion to accept the minutes as printed in the newsletter,
    Lyle KC8DDY second, motion carried.

    Ed KE8FK read the treasurer report for February 10, 1999, through
    March 9, 1999, with total inflows of  $893.50 and total outflows of
    $136.35, balance was $2661.39.  Kim N8YWX entered motion to accept
    the report as read, Linda KC8JZG made the motion and Lucas KF8RC
    second, motion passed.  Ed KE8FK said as of today we have 125
    members.  The report was past around for all to look at.

    George KC8HFV gave an attaboy certificate to Barry KB8OMG for being
    net control for February. Kim N8YWX in turn gave George KC8HFV his
    certificate for running the net in January. George KC8HFV explained
    he had the repeater committee and field day committee completed,
    passing around sheets with the committee names on it for the member's
    information. George KC8HFV wanted ladies input on the field day
    committee this year. The field day committee is to meet after the
    club meeting for a short period.


                         REPEATER COMMITTEE 1999

        Jerry Paquette  WB8IOW
Vondon Applegate        KJ8I
          Bill Mangus   N8SND
                Ed Lock KE8FK

                         FIELD DAY COMMITTEE 1999

          Barry Storer          KB8OMG
                Ed Lock         KE8FK
             Barb Lock          N8HIA
       Marlene Potts            KC8JXE
         Bill Mangus    N8SND
                        (as available)

    Barb N8HIA explained that the Hazmat training scheduled for March is
    full. Fred KB8VBI said that he would like a head count of the people
    interested, then he would be able to set up a time for having a
    training of  the Hazmat awareness for our group ,  Barb N8HIA will
    call Fred KB8VBI and let him know how many can attend.  If there are
    any interested please call Barb N8HIA or Kim N8YWX to get your name
    down.

    A reminder that the National Weather Service spotter training will be
    March 16, 1999, at the vocational school at 7:00 p.m.  Maysville will
    have one March 18, 1999, Clermont will have theirs March 15, 1999.

    Kim N8YWX called about the Redbud Festival, they said thanks but it
    is for crafts and art only.  George Robinson with the Chamber of
    Commerce said that if we could be used elsewhere they would ask. That
    they appreciate when we do help out in the community.

    May 4, 1999, and May 5, 1999, we will have a training on amateur
    radio topics lasting 15 to 20 minutes.  Kim asked if anyone would be
    interested in helping by taking a topic. We have had training
    sessions before for the club to help out the new members to amateur
    radio, and review for others.

    Special event will be August 15, 1999, at Adams Lake or Serpent
    Mound.  Kim N8YWX talked to Kevin at Shawnee State Park to discuss
    our options.  It would cost $35.00 at the lake. If we would in our
    conversation mention the lake and park, they would waive the $35.00.
    There is no fee at Serpent Mound, only a $5.00 parking fee. Jerry
    made the motion we accept Adams Lake for our special events and Barb
    N8HIA second it, motion carried.

    Thanks to Norma Jean KB8QNR for the good snacks for the evening.
    Next month is Barb N8HIA for the refreshments.

    Marlene KC8JXE said the 4-H Carteens Mock Wreck will have a mock
    disaster April 23, 1999, at the Adams County Fair Grounds. They need
    four or five hams to help out with communications.

    The practice nights are March 12, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. and March 26,
    1999, at 6:00 p.m. Jerry made the motion we make the mock disaster a
    club function, and Glenna KC8JXD second, motion carried.  Pat KC8LVE,
    Ed KE8FK, Barb N8HIA, Kim N8YWX, Jerry WB8IOW said they would help
    with the mock disaster.

    George our vice president gave a talk on the procedures of doing a
    weather net.  He past out information on these procedures and his
    talk was very informative. George KC8HFV asked Barb N8HIA what she
    needed on report to turn in to ARRL.  She needs date, time start and
    stop, list people who check in, repeaters used, equipment used, and
    counties checked in. Jerry WB8IOW discussed LiTZ board and if anyone
    is interested for their radio or scanner.  Jerry WB8IOW asked if
    anyone is interested  in using battery power only and obtaining a
    certificate for Official Emergency Station.  If so please get in
    touch with Jerry WB8IOW.

    Kim N8YWX asked if we had received the Dayton Hamfest tickets yet, Ed
    KE8FK said they are due in soon. We still need someone to set up. The
    Hamfest is May 14, 15, 16, 1999, if you can help call one of the
    officers.

    There will be a marathon May 9, 1999, in Cincinnati, they need about
    100 hams to help out. If you could help please contact N8TFD Steve
    QCEN.

    Ed KE8FK said the Marines had to change the date of the race, Ed will
    find out Monday and let the club know the new date.

    George KC8HFV reminded us there will be code practice on 147.18
    repeater on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Jerry said the code sent will be
    from the DARC newsletter. Start with five words per minute code for
    15 minutes and 13 words per minute of code for 15 minutes.

    Pat KC8LVE did split the pot with Millie Larter drawing the lucky
    ticket.  Heber AA8VV won $19.00.

    Kim N8YWX reminded us the April meeting will have a topic about Y2K.

    Karen KB8QMV made the motion to adjourn and Barry KB8OMG second,
    meeting closed at 8:44 p.m.

                73
                Barb N8HIA


                                   ARES

    At our meeting of March 9, 1999, we had five people to have their
    picture taken for the ID badges for ARES.  I want to thank Jerry
    WB8IOW for taking  the pictures for us and laminating the badges.
    I had ten people at the meeting and two more at the Thursday night
    net who are interested in the Hazmat awareness training.  I've called
    Fred KB8VBI to let him know the number of people interested.  If you
    are wanting to take the course call Barb N8HIA or one of the
    officers.  I will see to it that Fred KB8VBI gets the information.

                73
                Barb N8HIA
                Adams County EC


                             DeFOREST A.R.C.
                                BIRTHDAYS
                             & SPECIAL EVENTS

                                APRIL 1999

04-04  KB8NBI  Jack E. King
04-05  KC8LIC  Ronald K. Buhr
04-05  KC8HTX  Tristan J. Grooms
04-06  KB8RYG  Lawrence P. Lewis
04-06  KB8RBS  Randy J. DeVore
04-09  KC8CZD  Marty Hatfield
04-09  WB2NFZ  Ron T. Palmer
04-10  9:30 AM Mason County test session
04-13  DeForest ARC meeting
04-14  KC8LIE  Sharon A. Buhr
04-14  KB8SDK  Brad Cross
04-15  Scott Rohrback
04-17  Carmen Payne
04-24  KB8SCW  Nadine Lewis
04-25  KA8VEE  Robert W. Ralston
04-27  KB8VPR  Joe Rogers
04-29  KQ4TN   Paul D. Whitehead
05-02  KC8JXD  Glenna Blackburn
05-04  N8JSZ   Tim Applegate
05-08  KB8SDA  Richard D. Swayne
05-10  WB8SPV  Gary B. Trustle
05-11  DeForest ARC meeting


                             A.R.E.S. REPORT

    I want to thank Kim N8YWX for reminding everyone at the February
    meeting about the pictures for the ID badges for ARES.  We will be
    doing the pictures for ones who did not get them the last time. The
    Amateur Radio Emergency Service ID badges are an important part as
    they help to identify the person quickly in the time of an emergency.

    I hope to see you at the March meeting.  We have been lucky so far
    this year with the weather. Our season for unpredictable weather is
    coming up fast, hopefully we will not have much action in terms of
    the weather.  May it come in like a lamb and go out as a lamb!
                Barb N8HIA
                Adams County EC


                              SPECIAL EVENT
                                 STATION

    The DeForest ARC will sponsor a special event station commemorating
    our 25th anniversary. The club will set up a special station at Adams
    Lake State Park on August 15th and will operate during the day. Times
    will be announced at a future meeting as well as frequencies.
    We will need people to help set up the station and antennas as well
    as operators and members to visit with the public and hand out
    information. Our last special events station was well received when
    we operated it during the July 4th and July 12th parades in 1997 as a
    celebration of Adams County Bicentennial. We will be discussing this
    more at a future meeting, so be sure to attend.

                                  APRIL
                               NET CONTROL
                                  KF8RC

                 FCC'S RILEY HOLLINGSWORTH VISITS ARRL HQ

                         (thanks ARRL Newsletter)
                  (editor - not entire article - WB8IOW)

    After six months as the FCC's top Amateur Radio enforcer, Riley
    Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, says he's pleased with the progress he's made
    and the support he's received from the amateur community. "I though
    it would take a year or two years to be at this point," he told ARRL
    staff members March 17 during a visit to ARRL Headquarters. "We've
    had some very good enforcement luck."

                       "a huge breath of fresh air"
                              for ham radio.

    Amateur Radio enforcement has been "one of the few victories the
    Commission has been having these days," Hollingsworth said, and he
    doesn't expect the impending FCC restructuring--including creation of
    a new Enforcement Bureau--to affect its course or momentum. At the
    same time, Hollingsworth expressed some concern that his efforts not
    be perceived as the FCC "gone crazy" on Amateur Radio enforcement. "I
    don't want people saying, 'This is too much government,'" he said.

    Hollingsworth said that enthusiasm for amateur enforcement has even
    spread to FCC field personnel, some of whom are hams and who now ask
    to be included in amateur cases. He pointed to a recent case of
    interference to a Pennsylvania repeater system that came out of an
    investigation at the field-office level.

    Calling Amateur Radio "a great natural resource," Hollingsworth said
    he felt privileged to be in his current enforcement role and was
    enjoying his work immensely. At this stage in the FCC's latest
    enforcement initiative, Hollingsworth says he's still making up for
    the FCC's "long period of neglect" of amateur enforcement. But he
    said he also looks forward to the day when he's no longer needed. He
    also said he can appreciate the frustrations of the Amateur Auxiliary
    during the years of FCC enforcement neglect and he welcomes their
    cooperation in the future.

    In the weeks ahead, Hollingsworth said he hopes to turn his attention
    to such problems as the incursion of unlicensed operators on 10
    meters--the so-called "freebanders" who often stray onto amateur
    frequencies--as well as the improper marketing of equipment to
    unlicensed individuals and examination fraud cases. He also plans to
    add some casual monitoring capabilities at his Gettysburg office. "If
    they know that we're out there bandsurfing, it will help," he said.

    Hollingsworth said he's currently working about a month behind in
    replying and advised those contacting him to use either a letter or
    e-mail (rholling@fcc.gov) instead of the telephone...  (log on to
    ARRL website for rest of article, and other great information -
    editor)

 
    --------------------------------------------------------------

                        1999 DeForest ARC Officers

                          President - Kim - N8YWX
                     Vice-President - George - KC8HFV
                        Secretary - Barbara - N8HIA
                          Treasurer - Ed - KE8FK

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    --------------------------------------------------------------
                     EDITOR E-MAIL: paquette@ieee.org
    --------------------------------------------------------------