Activities Archive

2003

Monthly Meetings

12/1/03 - There was some question as to whether the December in-person meeting would take place, as the annual holiday party is scheduled for the following week, but on Sunday, November 30th, club coordinator John N2XE gave the go-ahead - at least partly due to the fact that he planned to host a presentation on tuned circuits & filters.  After a one-month absence due to the community center having been repainted in November, December found us back in our usual haunt, the smell of fresh enamel in the air...

As mentioned previously, John N2XE provided those present with an educational yet interesting lesson on the theory behind tuned circuits and filters.  John diagramed the circuits on a small whiteboard, and brought along his Gibson "Melody Maker" guitar and amplifier to demonstrate the theories presented.  In his usual inimitable style, John helped make an otherwise dry, confusing topic fun and understandable by all...

Other business included a reminder about the holiday party, with an opportunity for those planning to attend to list what they will be bringing, and the 50/50 drawing, which was won by Xen KC2LIV.

11/3/03 - Due to the usual meeting place undergoing a repainting, the November meeting was held at the East Fishkill Police Station.  The meeting began with the members present voting to re-elect John N2XE and Tom KC2EKI Club Coordinator and Co-Coordinator (respectively).  The highlight of the meeting was N2XE's multimedia presentation regarding the men behind the science of electronics and the history of amateur radio.  From Volta to DeForrest, Faraday to Fessenden, John had them all covered.

It was announced that the 2003 QSY Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 12th.  As in the past, the dining will be "pot luck".  As people let Brenda and Shirley know what they plan to bring, the list will be posted here so you can check it as an aid to deciding what you'd like to bring.

10/6/03 - October's meeting featured the second part of John N2XE's series on Standing Wave Ratio (SWR).  Other business included a discussion prompted by Bill KC2LIX regarding small-scale amateur radio demonstrations at local "Community Day" events, and approval of the purchase of a new coffee pot.  Rich N2ZKX made a final request for donations to augment the club's contribution to the ARRL's Spectrum Defense Fund for Access BPL, which ultimately totaled $150.00 - thanks to all who contributed.  As a result, the QSY Society has been named to the ARRL Honor Roll for it's contribution to the defense against BPL.  Lastly, Jim KC2KZB was the lucky winner of the 50/50 prize.

9/2/03 - The September meeting featured the first of a three-part series of presentations by John N2XE, on the topic of  SWR (Standing Wave Ratio).  John promises to dispel the myths and present the facts about this often confusing, yet important aspect of station performance.  Ably assisted by Roy KC2DMH and a Slinky©, John illustrated the concept of SWR to a spellbound audience.  Be sure to attend the October meeting where this discussion will be continued...

Other business included a proposal by Rich N2ZKX that QSY make a donation to the ARRL's Spectrum Defense Fund for Access BPL.  A $50.00 donation was approved by those present, to be augmented by individual member's additional contributions.  Roy KC2DMH asked for volunteers to meet at his home on 9/6 to assist in preparing the equipment for the September VHF QSO Party, which the club will be participating in from Bear Mountain.  Lastly, a number of door prizes were awarded, winners drawn by (and to) Colleen KC2HUT.

Other Activities

 QRP Day at Schlathaus Park (11/15/03) - (John N2XE submitted the following report)

Saturday in the Park (I think it was the fourth of July...)  Actually it was November 15th...

The first Spangenberger/QSY Society "QRP in the Park" was a rave success despite the chilly temperatures.  Armed with all sorts of diminutive and under powered rigs, the QSY Society flooded the ether with emasculated electromagnetic radiation.  It was great fun and we managed to work a good number of stations.

Several QSY members filtered in and out through-out the day.  Roy KC2DMH, Don W2PTF, Tom KC2EKI, Andrew N2FTR, Mike KC2HUV, Ken N2OBY, Rich N2ZKX, Bill WA2AHR and too many others to list.

From a technical standpoint, it was a "mini-Field Day" with testosterone-challenged equipment.  An Elecraft K1, SGC-2020, Index Labs QRP+ and Heathkit HW-8 formed the transceiving stable, while a vertical and off-center fed dipole made up the antenna farm.

Eyeball rag chews were punctuated by the liberal consumption of apple cider, day-old donuts and some cold pizza.  It just doesn't get any better than that!

Roy is planning a similar event for the coldest day he can find in December--don't miss it!

Visit the gallery for more pictures.

NYC Marathon (or "3 Hams go to the Big City")  (11/2/03) - (Rich N2ZKX submitted the following report)

This year MBARC and The QSY Society were well represented amongst the 400 plus Hams that donated their early November Sunday to provide public safety communications for the 2003 New York City Marathon.  Ken, N2OBY, Xen, KC2LIV, and myself Rich, N2ZKX, all enjoyed spending a gorgeous 72 degree autumn day watching tens of thousands of runners as they crossed the 20 mile mark where they were leaving Manhattan and entering the Bronx.  The runners came in all shapes, sizes, races, and genders; however one common thread could be seen in all - that was the desire to finish.  Please understand that crossing that finish line is just as important to the very last runner as it is to the elite first place finisher; in my book anyone that finishes is the winner.

The Marathon is a great emergency communications drill that gives operators the chance to use a myriad of different skills, both radio and people related. Well it’s too late for this year, but I sure hope more folks will join in the fun next year.  More NYC Marathon 2003 pictures can be viewed in the gallery.

Pumpkin Patrol (10/30 & 10/31/03) - On Halloween Eve & Halloween night QSY & Mt. Beacon ARC members again took part in that Annual autumn tradition known as "Pumpkin Patrol."  In cooperation with New York State Police Troop "T", hams in those counties within which interstate highways run man the overpasses which cross them in an effort to deter vandals from tossing pumpkins or other items down onto the highways below.  Since the beginning of the program years ago, the NYSP have credited the program with substantially reducing the number of incidents which occur.  During the time that QSY/MBARC members have participated, only one incident has ever taken place.  Our folks were stationed at all the bridges which cross I-84, from the Putnam county line to the Hudson River.  All participants receive certificates of appreciation from Troop "T".

The only incident this year was an automobile accident which took place right in front of some volunteers at one of the checkpoints, but fortunately aside from tempers flaring nobody was hurt.  After the net secured on Friday night, a group of "Pumpkinheads" gathered at the I-84 diner in Fishkill for coffee and war stories.

Fall Foliage Bike Tour (10/12/03) - On a cool, overcast Sunday morning (great for bike riding), members of QSY & the Mt. Beacon ARC met at Freedom Park in LaGrange to handle communications for the "8th Annual Fall Foliage Bike Ride to benefit the Howard K. Spieller Memorial Fund."

Participating riders had the option of riding either a ten-mile or thirty-mile course through the beautiful landscape of northern Dutchess County.  The leaves were changing, the rain held off and a good time was had by all.  The "usual suspects" were in attendance, along with a couple of new faces.

Rumor has it that this may have been the last time the event will be held; we'll have to wait until next year to know for sure.  Participants included Walt K2DPL, Bob KC2JAV, Jim KC2KZB, Finn WB2UWU, Ken KL7JCQ, Adam KC2DAA, Ken N2OBY, Brenda N2TTO, Rich N2ZKX, Xen KC2LIV and Ed KE4ZNU.  Visit the gallery for more pictures.

Crop Walk for Hunger (10/5/03) - QSY and Mt. Beacon ARC members gathered on this beautiful Autumn morning to provide communications support for this event which was sponsored by the Dutchess Interfaith Council, Inc.

Over 400 walkers tackled the 10-kilometer course which wound it's way through City of Poughkeepsie neighborhoods in order to raise funds for organizations fighting hunger locally, nationally and internationally.

After rain and wind passed through the area Saturday, Sunday arrived with bright, clear skies and temperatures in the high fifties - perfect walking weather!  Participants included Scotty (no call), N2ZKX, WB2UWU, KC2HUV, N2OBY, KC2ITY, KC2DAA, KL7JCQ, KC2KZB and KE4ZNU.  Visit the gallery for more Crop Walk 2003 photographs.

September VHF QSO Party (9/13-15/03) - Unfortunately the planned outing to Bear Mountain State Park for the 2003 September VHF QSO Party was cancelled at the last minute due to the potential for severe weather.  As it turned out, although it was a rainy day no severe weather occurred.  Hopefully we'll be back there for the June 2004 VHF contest...

A few members had gotten together the week prior to the contest to make sure that all of the antennas and associated equipment were in operational condition.  After a barbeque lunch provided by their host Roy KC2DMH, they spent a few hours assembling antennas, mounting them on towers, analyzing antenna performance and squaring everything away in preparation for the event that ultimately was not to be...

Putnam County 4H Fair (7/27/03) - QSY members operated special event station K4H at the 2003 Putnam County 4H Fair, which was held in Kent, NY.  Those taking part introduced the public to amateur radio, answered their questions and offered them the opportunity to create messages for friends and family to be delivered via the National Traffic System.  The booth included plenty of literature, photo albums and continuously looping videos.

Photographs from the fair taken by Finn WB2UWU, can be found on the Mt. Beacon ARC website.

"Flight of the Bumblebees" (7/27/03) - (John N2XE submitted the following report)

The QSY Society managed to come in 11th place (10th place for # of QSOs,104 logs submitted) in the 2003 Flight of the Bumblebees.  Operating under the callsign N2XE, the QSY Society demonstrated once again that we can surmount any physical challenge, consume large quantities of adult beverages and still manage a respectable performance.

It's no wonder why the QSY Society is the most exciting, fastest growing Amateur Radio club in the world!

Results:  Despite poor conditions in most places, the 2003 edition of the Flight of the Bumblebees was well attended.  We received 104 logs, up from last year.  It was all about 20 meters this year.

The band breakdown:

Congratulations to Todd N9NE and Larry K5OT for their first place finish from the top of a football stadium.  AA4XX Paul snagged second from Shining Rock Wilderness, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Third was N0SXX Gary near Buffalo Creek, CO.   John K4BAI was fourth as the highest scoring home station.  Seab AA1MY held on to fifth while, like many, dodging thunderstorms.

Details, lots of pictures, a few articles, and everyone's Soapbox comments will be in the August issue of Sojourner at www.ARSqrp.com later in the month.  We'll also name:

Most Interesting Equipment,

Most Outrageous Venture,

Most Beautiful Site.

Many thanks to all who braved the conditions and participated!

Field Day 2003 (6/28-29/03) -This year the QSY Society participated in Field Day from a new location, the grounds of the former XXX School in the town of Wappinger's Falls.  The location was fantastic, situated high above the eastern shore of the Hudson River, with spectacular views and excellent propagation.  Thanks to Roy KC2DMH for making arrangements with the town for the use of the site and to all of the members who not only participated in the contest but put in extra time scouting and preparing the site.  It appears that the town was as impressed with our activities and care for the site as we were with it's attributes, so hopefully we'll be there again next June.

Unfortunately, due to technical gremlins the club was unable to submit a log to the ARRL, but according to KC2DMH the club made a good showing of itself, despite the poor propagation conditions experienced by participants across the country.  More Field Day 2003 photographs can be found in the gallery.

This page was last updated on Saturday April 01, 2006                                            Copyright 2003 - 2006 The QSY Society