President Eldon Hall N8STF (517) 643-5101

Vice President Dorie French N8WTQ (517)835-5562

Secretary Ruth Tallman KC8FDM (517)835-6299

Treasurer Larry Macklin N8CGP (517) 631-7748

W8KEA Station Trustee Jerry Stoops WD8OMV (517) 687-7228

Midland County EC/RO Kevin Barnum KB8QWQ (517) 835-9003

CQDX Editor Don Christensen W8WOJ (517) 835-1307

Newsletter Editor Judy Engel KB8WEE (517) 631-7088

ARRL Liaison Raleigh Wert W8QOI (517) 631-5591

Internet Newsletter Jim Elmore KC8AHO (517) 496-3135

PL Tone 103.5 (when used)

Thursday, November 6, 1997 Midland Public School Administration Center 7:00 P.M. - Conference Room Talk in on 147.00+ MHz

NEXT ARES/RACES MEETING:

NEXT ARES/RACES MEETING Tuesday, September 30, 1997 County Services Bldg. - 220 W. Ellsworth 7:00 P.M.

October 1997

THE GRINDSTONE

We wish to thank Chris, KB8UIH, for his past year as Vice President of MARC. With his decision to not run for re-election, Dorie, N8WTQ, was nominated and elected VP. As that left a vacancy in the Secretary slot, Ruth, KC8FDM, accepted nomination and was elected Secretary. Larry, N8CGP, and I, N8STF, remain as Treasurer and President, respectively. If you missed the last meeting, you missed a fine presentation of Amateur (fast scan) Television by GCARES (Genesee County Amateur Radio Emergency Services) from the Flint area. The four gentlemen entertained and answered a large number of queries from this club. The demo piqued interest in a number of members who could vision the benefits, particularly in the event of emergency situations. GCARES provides amateur TV coverage for the entire county of Genesee and assists by broadcasting visual/audio coverage back to command centers and technology is in place for coverage to mobile units. It was an outstanding, informative presentation and we were honored wih the team's presence at the meeting "afterglow" for more discussion and socialization. By the time you read this article, the Novice classes will have started and please take an evening (Tues/Thurs 7:00pm) to stop by the "classroom" to encourage and meet the students. They are the future of amateur radio and your good influence on them will benefit the amateur community as they mature to licensed "hams". 73 de N8STF

MIDLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MINUTES

September 4, 1997, Meeting Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Eldon, N8STF. Self introductions were made by the 24 members and guests present. Information sent by N8TI was passed around the table. Also data sheet for the historian's records. Anyone who knows how to get hold of N8YOB, please contact Raleigh, W8QOI. Minutes of the August meeting were approved as published in the Newsletter. Treasurer’s report given by Larry, N8CGP. Kudos to Al, N8DHF, for co-authoring a program CD plotting where the repeaters are. Kevin, KB8QWQ, gave the EC/RO report. A pair of releases from Dow area made his first month quite remarkable. Thanks to those who responded to the emergencies. SET is scheduled for Oct 4. Dig out your operator manual to refresh your memory on changing frequencies and charge up your batteries. Anyone wanting to help on packet contact John, KB8PGW. If you want practice for the emergency net control, try a Thursday Evening Net. The preamble is written to help. Contact him or Dorie, N8WTQ, for more information. Special thanks to Dave, N8LBF, who has been EC/RO for the past four years. Next Adopt-A-Highway pickup will be Sept. 20 at 9:00 AM. Sept. 28 as rain date. Novice class - John, KB8PGW will be coordinator. Teachers are being slated for classes. Flyers are available for distribution. REPEATER UPDATE: Work is almost completed to get the repeater back to full power. Anyone experiencing problems with the repeater should alert one of the officers. Dog Trot is looking into buying the correct equipment for the new repeater. Must have capability for temperatures -40 to +120 degrees. Cavities will be shipped soon for inspection and tuning. Climber has been selected. Eldon, N8STF, suggested we get information out to the area about amateur radio. He received info from ARRL, with brochures to help with scouts and other groups. Every time we get a chance, we should talk to people to promote amateur radio. We need volunteers to do public presentations to the schools or organizations to get others interested. It can be a formatted presentation or a mobile station or anything else that may be of interest. If anyone has a desire to do this, please contact the officers. CMARA annual meeting will be Sat. Sept. 27 at the West County Family Center at 10:00 AM. Web page is on the web site. The newsletter can be accessed on line. Please notify Raleigh, W8QOI, if you want to get your newsletter over the net and not mailed to you. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the club and Jeff, W8CQ, has volunteered to chair the committee. He will try for a special events station (1 by 1) with a rotating schedule so anyone who wants to run that call sign can do so. This type call is easily recognizable as a special event. He will arrange for QSL cards as soon as the call sign has been assigned. Raleigh, W8QOI, reported on the elections committee with the following people running: President - N8STF; VP - N8WTQ; Treasurer - N8CGP; Secretary - KC8FDM. Nominations were opened for additional candidates and none were heard. Motion was made & seconded and approved to elect slate of officers as listed. Jeff, W8CQ, thanked those who helped with his antenna. Bill, N8NGQ, informed everyone that Jeff will be running in the demolition derby in Mt. Pleasant on Sat. Sept. 6. The program for the evening was ATV (Amateur Television or fast scan). Mark, Bob, Al, and Vern from Genesee County ARES demonstrated the workings of ATV. Handouts are available with information on where parts and equipment can be had. Join us after the meeting at Sweet Onion, or Saturday mornings 9 AM at Forjas for breakfast. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Dorie French, MARC Secretary

MEETING TOPICS

Dorie, N8WTQ, is in charge of special events and topics for the MARC monthly meetings. If you have any agenda items, or topics you would like to have discussed, please contact Dorie French at (517) 5-5562.

THURSDAY EVENING NET CONTROL

Net Control Operators are needed for October. If you want to volunteer for Net Control, please contact Dorie, N8WTQ, at (517) 835-5562. Nets begin at 9:00 PM on 147.00+ MHz.

CMARA Briefs

CMARA will hold their annual meeting at the West Midland Family Center on west M-20 on Saturday, September 27, at 10:00AM. Ballots have been provided to CMARA members with dues paid before August 1, 1997, to vote for director candidates as well as a proposed by-laws amendment to establish the membership year as August 1 to July 31. The intent is to simplify the traditional infusion of membership dues that occurs at the MARC swap and has resulted in expired memberships as of June 1, under the present membership year of June 1 to May 31. Present memberships would be continued through July 31, 1998 should the amendment be approved. Eldon N8STF

Comments from your editor

For all of you who stood by and listened patiently while I belabored the fact of my dog’s injury and subsequent surgeries, thanks. I’ve learned that trying to keep a recovering dog quiet is next to impossible, and after bandaging her leg several times only to have them chewed off 15 minutes later (the bandages, not the leg), I finally gave up. The resulting cast after surgery #2 proved to be more dog-resistant. The cast came off last week, and other than a slight limp and minimal swelling, both of which should improve with time, she’s doing good. My congratulations to the club officers, both new and old. I look forward to another good year of amateur radio with all of you. And, score another one for amateur radio--I used my mobile rig to call for assistance when my tire blew out on the highway the other day. (I’ll forgive my mother’s lament about the lack of a cell phone.) Thanks to Megan KC8ENS who answered my call and volunteered to make a long distance phone call for me, and special thanks to John K8XD, who not only heard and responded, but came from many miles down the road to change my tire. John, if by chance you see this newsletter, I now have wood blocks in my trunk. And the tire was under warranty; no charge for a new one. Wonder if the subject of this month’s cartoon, and the problem with my tire could be related... I haven’t received my ARNS Bulletin for October yet, so I’ll print the second half of the Special Event Communications article next month. If you have anything you want in the newsletter, see me at the Saturday morning breakfasts or call me at 631-7088 or 638-6812 since I won’t be at the meetings until this semester is over. 73 de KB8WEE

CQ DX

From where I sit, good world-wide openings are still sporadic. But as we’ve always known, you must be at the right place at the right time. Such was the case on August 12. I just happened to check 10 meters and found the band quite open. Stations were heard from east to west coast, and they were strong and steady. During that opening, I worked 2 stations in Argentina-no big deal, but encouraging nevertheless. Also on the 12th (on 20m), I worked VK6ACY and heard Malaya and the Philippine Islands. In retrospect, the solar flux level was 81 & 82 on August 12 and 13. This probably explains the 10 meter opening. The DXCC Advisory Committee of ARRL is planning some revision of the rules with regard to requirements for DXCC “ country status”. It’s rumored that if these changes indeed come to pass, 2 or 3 “New” countries could show up on the DXCC Country List. Good DX de W8WOJ ANNOUNCEMENTS...

F O R S A L E 2KW Transmatch by RF Power Components-will handle full legal limit 160-10. Has roller inductor with turn counter dial and 6/1 Jackson Bros. drives on both capacitors. Also has forward and reflected power meter. Call W8WOJ 517-835-1307.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR FUTURE MARC MEETINGS

OCTOBER 2, 1997 -- EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATION -- Larry Adams K8SQB, will be giving an equipment demonstration at our October meeting..

MARC EVENTS FOR OCTOBER SET is scheduled for OCTOBER 4.

Kevin, KB8QWQ extends thanks to all who responded to the recent emergencies. Your response to the releases from Dow, the tank car emergency, the weather nets, and your support during this transition is greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

ULIGHTLY... A study of economics usually reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year. (Marty Allen)

A THANK YOU Thanks to Tom AA8AJ and Jack W8PHG for their help in reroofing our shed, and to Bill N8NGQ who helped repair our rotor. It is swell to have friends like this. Thanks de W8QOI and N8XQL

LICENSE RENEWALS

Having recently received an envelope from the AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE in TEXAS (a W5YI service), who sent me a 610 form to renew my license this year (via them) for ONLY $6.00. Thank you for sending the 610 form, I have lots of them. The 610 forms are free from the FCC, ARRL, W8QOI, or AA8EJ and filing costs you only a envelope and a $0.32 stamp. No $6.00 charge for this; there is currently NO FEE to renew your license with the FCC. I also received a 610 form from the ARRL ( a free membership service!). The ARRL also included a pre-addressed envelope to the FCC! Thank you very much ARRL. de W8QOI

MIDLAND EXAMS SCHEDULED

The next Midland Examinations are scheduled for 1 November 1997. Please contact Glenn AA8EJ for details.

ANYONE HAVING ANY NEWSLETTER ITEMS,

please contact Judy, KB8WEE (517) 638-6812 daytime, (517) 631-7088 evenings, or (517) 667-0620 FAX. Items for the Newsletter should be received by the 15th of each month. Anything received after that will not be in the Newsletter for that month.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 10/3 W8WOJ, 10/3 N8KRV, 10/10 N8LTR, 10/10 N8WTQ, 10/16 KA0KPP, 10/17 NR8H, 10/20 K8BHU, 10/21 KB8ZRV, 10/24 N8MYS, 10/25 KB8PGW, 10/27 N8OVT, 10/27 KB8DWF, 10/31 N3EIU

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

10/1 KG8YG & Rachel, 10/6 KB8MCI & Cyndi, 10/7 K8MWD & N8LMS, 10/8 W8JIU & Beth, 10/23 KB8LQM & KC8IHB. 10/31 WD8QEG & Ardith U NEW OR RENEWED MARC MEMBERS Welcome to Gloria KC8IHB and Lee Hodges. We now have 100 members. Thanks for your support! If you are in question as to your membership status, please check the mailing label on this newsletter. Annual dues are only $20 per year and $5 for all additional family members.

MEMBERSHIP EXPIRATIONS

At a recent MARC Board meeting, it was suggested to publish the expiration dates of members to assist them in remembering their renewal date. The following memberships are expired: N8IYU, KA8LBW, WB8WNF, N8MYS, N8VCM, KC8AVI, KB8OSJ, NB8R, KF8YR, KC8BTI, KA8HUY, N8RWW, KC8CQF, N8UVF, KB8VSV, N8XSS, KB8YRX, KC8CYU In June: kc8cmm, wa8zpu, kb8zul In July: KC8AHO, KC8ENT, WB8LBJ In August: KA8RYA, KG8UK In September: KC8API, KB8ZRV In October: N8KHS, N8RWA, KB8UIH

just a thought... If you lament the fact that you have no time to do the things you want to do, you will never find the time.

BOARD SUPPORTS SPECTURM PROTECTIONS, BAND PLANS, VE RUL SCHANGE

The ARRL Board of Directors has resolved to support legislation that would provide statutory protections for ham radio frequencies. The action came as the Board met July 18 and 19 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. In taking this action, the Board cited the potential threat to amateur Radio bands from the federal policy of selling spectrum to the highest bidder. In a separate action, the Board voted to seek primary Amateur Service allocations of 5650 to 5725 MHz and 5825 to 5850 MHz in the 5650 to 5925 MHz band where amateurs now have a secondary allocation. Voluntary band plans would be referenced in the FCC’s rules under another Board action. Noting the erosion in the level of compliance with the various band plans, the Board voted to petition the FCC to amend the amateur rules to state that hams “should be familiar with, and should abide by” voluntary band plans that apply to the frequencies they use. In another action, the Board voted to volunteer the League’s services as a special event call sign database coordinator. The Board approved a motion to submit a request in response to a recent FCC invitation. The request will “express the League’s interest in serving as a special event call sign coordinator at no cost to the applicants.” The League would cooperate with other groups or individuals the FCC might select to serve as coordinators. Among other things, the League would work with them to develop common guidelines to govern the reservation of special event call signs. Under a new policy approved by the Board, ARRL volunteer examiners will not administer exam elements for which they have received credit on the basis of a medical exemption. The Board also proposed changes in the FCC’s volunteer examiner rules to require that applicants attempt an accommodated Morse Code exam before seeking a medical exemption, and to ensure that medical information supporting an exemption is on file before the applicant for exemption is forwarded to the FCC. Noting that no clear consensus has emerged in the wake of suggestions to restructure the Amateur Radio licensing system, the Board voted to extend the period for member comments. At its January meeting, the Board had received a committee report that offered several suggestions to revamp the amateur licensing system. Until further notice, members may continue to direct comments of restructuring to their ARRL directors. The Board plans to revisit the issue at a later date. In other action, the Board: Approved a change in Field Day rules to add non-CW digital modes as a separate mode. Called for the convening of an industry standards conference to explore adoption of common interconnection standards for Amateur Radio equipment. The Board said that adoption of common standards “would reduce the cost and complexity of Amateur Radio stations.” from September 1997 QST U for your safety... Nothing to report this month. If any one has any safety related issues, please submit them. They don’t have to concern just amateur radio. With Summer behind us, and the cold weather season approaching, I think a column on keeping safe this winter is a viable idea. I welcome comments, concerns, ideas, etc. on any Winter safety issue, from keeping ourselves, our radio equipment, antennas, homes, cars, and even our pets safe to weathering a Winter storm. I promise to publish any and all ideas, comments, you submit. And if no one has any ideas...well, I’ll just continue to publish whatever I want here. I have lots of stuff from the NWS. 73 KB8WEE.

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

Saginaw - First Saturday. Call K8OT at 517-624-9094. Sign up at 8;30 A.M.

Flint - Second Saturday. SW Academy HS, call Tom N8DYN 810-743-3980.

Bay City - Third Saturday. Red Cross Bldg., 119 Washington. Sign up at 3:00 P.M. Contact Debbie KA8YKK at 892-5501, or 892-1212.

Corunna - Fourth Saturday. Red Cross. Call Aubry W8QKV 517-288-6844.

With all examinations, your original license, a copy of that license, a second photo identification (drivers license, etc.) and a check or money order for $6.25 made out to “ARRL/VEC” is required. JUST CALL US “SWAPS-R-US”

If you desire to join the Midland Amateur Radio Club, the dues are $20 per year and $5 per year for all additional family members. Membership includes Autopatch Privileges and a Monthly Newsletter. Please supply the following information:

Judy Engel KB8WEE, Editor 2623 N. Waldo Rd. Midland, MI 48640

If you have any questions or coments E-mail [email protected]

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