March '00 - Here is the latest Veep Bleep:

Last month the topic was "HF Operation". We had Earl Cate, N0ISB tell us about his County Hunting. Bob Dornan, WA2EKU gave a talk on HF digital modes and Jeff Davis, W0HCH talked about putting towers up in Longmont. Pat Lambert, W0IPL concluded the presentation with HF operation in emergency and disaster relief situations. Thanks to Earl, Bob, Jeff & Pat.

This month the theme is: "Goodwill in Amateur Radio". We will be watching two short videos on the topic. The first is about FAIRS (Foundation of Amateur International Radio Service) in the Soviet Union and the second is about Reverend Moran, the only Ham to operate out of Nepal for many years.

Come along for a fun night.

73 Sebastian

Upcoming Events

Earle Cate and the LARC V.E. Team Will be conducting Licensing Exams this month on March 24 th at 10:00 A.M. sharp. Examinees will need to bring a Photo I.D. as well as the original and a copy of your License and/or any C.S.C.E. that hasn�t been acted upon by the F.C.C. Please see the article by Earle further on in this Splatter.

Please be mindful that October was the month to renew CLUB DUES. A NEW POLICY HAS BEEN ENACTED THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PAY DUES AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, THEY WILL NO LONGER BE PRORATED BACK TO OCTOBER.

LARCFEST 2000

Another year has gone by and here it is time for LARCFEST again, my how time flies! This will just be a reminder that we will need volunteers for the upcoming swap, especially during the table set-up and teardown. Set-up will occur at 3:00 pm on March 31st, which is when the tables should arrive at the Fairgrounds. If anyone would like to help with gate admissions or with security please get in touch with me at my home phone at 303-772-8963 or on the repeater. Please contact Pat Lambert, W0IPL, for help with the parking. Fred Pilz, KB0UUD, and Jim Walker, N0XDA, have been working very hard on the advertising. Special THANKS go out to them for their hard work.

Brian Steege, KB0YUE, has made many thousands of copies of the LARCFEST flyer. Club members are encouraged to pick up the flyers at the clubhouse and distribute them, as it is so very much needed! A few ideas to leave the flyers may be at computer businesses, libraries, malls, outlet malls, computer stores, gas stations, grocery stores, schools and any other HI-Tech places. Thanks Brian for your help!

Here are the charges for LARCFEST this year. Tables are $10.00 prior to March 31st. Tables after that date will be charged as walk-in rates of $15.00. Admission is $4.00 and persons under 12 are free. The LARCFEST phone number is 303-817-5526; anyone can use this to get more information. As of this moment we are checking on several options of having someone come in and do the kitchen, a catering truck or possibly like a McDonalds, for example. We should know within a week or so, but if not, we will have munchies to nibble during LARCFEST.

Thanks to everyone for their support and help so far! If you happen to turn into a net sometime, and no one has mentioned the swapfest, please take it upon yourself to inform them!

73 and see you at LARCFEST,

Jeff Davis W0HCH

Announcements

  • 100 Hz tone required on repeater input
  • New ham classes will be conducted by Gary Bailey-KB0ABK Starting on March 7, 2000 at 7:00 P.M. The classes will run for 5 weeks. For further details contact Gary.
  • Some have paid $20 for dues and can get the $2 refund by contacting the Treasurer.

  • LARCFEST is on April 1st this year. No kidding there, if you'd like to volunteer, contact Jeff Davis.

  • LARC's General Meeting will be Wednesday, March 15th at 7:00 P.M. Don't miss it! All club members are invited to attend.

  • Highway cleanup - Saturday, March 18, 2000 at 9am. We meet on the median of the Diagonal about a mile south of Hover. Talk-in on the 2m repeater (147.270)

V.E. Team Report

Earle Cate N0ISB

The Longmont V.E. Team, assisted by Jeff Davis, W0HCH, John Bowman, W0LVQ and Danny Smith, K9DS conducted a testing session last February 26, 2000. With help from non-club examiners we had two testing teams that administered 41 exams to 31 applicants. The teams certified 4 new Technician Class licenses, one upgrade to General Class, one upgrade to Advanced Class and two new Extra Class licenses. Most of those taking exams were testing to fulfill requirements for upgrading their licenses after the license structure change on April 15, 2000. Congratulations to club members Nathan Ferris, KB0POK (passed element 3B), Doshia Kretke, KB0NAS (element 3B), George Kretke, N0RUX (element 4B), Michael Lewis, KE0MF (element 4B), Paolo Tomasi, and KC0HEO (Advanced upgrade and element 4B) Jerry Reynolds, KC0GID (3B), Ed Schlichting, KB0TVH (3B), John Vick, W1OPH (4B), Dean Rupert, W7HDR (3B) and James Morton, KC0FST (3B).

Notes on restructuring. The new question pools for exams to be given after April 15, 2000 have been released. They are available on many amateur websites on the internet and new study manuals are being printed. The BARC and Longmont V.E. teams will hold a "drive-in" V.E. session, primarily for those who have completed elements for upgrading prior to that date, on Saturday, April 15, 2000. Teams of 3 examiners will walk from car to car completing the necessary paperwork to certify license class changes. You will need to have a picture i.d., the original of your current license and CSCE and bring with you and give to the examiners copies of your current license and CSCE that proves qualification for a new license class. An examination session will also be held inside the building for those who wish to take the new tests. If you live or will be in the Denver area the Castle Rock Repeater and Denver Radio League V.E. teams will have a similar session at Radio Shack.com on Colorado Boulevard in Denver, the same day.

Reminder, provide the examining team with one portion of the original license you currently use and a copy of it. We cannot certify upgrades unless we are given current licenses and copies thereof.

The next test session for the Longmont V.E. team will be Saturday, March 25, 2000 at 10:00 A.M. in the Boulder County Fairgrounds Office, 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont, CO.

73,

Earle, N0ISB

FOR THE SPLATTER

How can I ever begin to say thank you to the LARC members who have been so good to me the past few years since Floyd died. The painting of my house, the sale of Floyd's equipment and your honoring him at the first swapfest after his death, and now the assistance in cleaning out the attic has meant so much to me. You have a special place in my heart. Thank you!!
Margaret Craig

Minutes of Board Meeting - Mar 1, 2000

  • Attending were S. Wessels, P. Lambert, J. Walker, F. Pilz, T. Emerson,J. Davis, D. Haney, K. Paul

  • Discussed distribution of Splatter, will list members who membership expires will be published in the expiration month, following month list will be published who have not paid dues, third month Splatter and phone patch will be discontinued.

  • Splatter will be sent by e-mail to those who give e-mail address to Pat Lambert ([email protected]), he will send notice to members of the next meeting date and that the Splatter is on the LARC web site. This will cut the cost of printing and mailing.

  • Dues will not be increased.

  • Membership committee needs to be active

  • The finance of the club seem strained at this time and sending flowers to sick members and family members will be on hold until the finances get better.

  • The LARC Scholarship will also be on hold until after LARCfest.

  • LARCfest catering was discussed and Jeff is looking into a commercial company or members providing some refreshment.
    • Tables and chairs will arrive at 1500 on Friday 3/31/00 and a dozen people will be needed to help unload. If more tables are needed they will be rented from the Fairgrounds.
    • LARC has the opportunity to sell Ten-Tec kits for some profit. Jeff is seeing what the cost would be and what kits are available.
    • Success of swap meets in the area seem to be limited due to the number now being held. Decision on what to do will be made after April 1.
    • flyers are in the club radio room or from officers
    • Club members can put one item on the club table at LARCfest at no cost.

  • Club will have a booth at the county fair

  • Bob Dornan and Earle Cate are finding it hard to be BCARES representative. Pat Lambert and Troy Emerson have offered to be the representative and alternate for LARC.

  • Sebastian has found a way to raise the antenna at the club building but feels it is better to pursue a remote antenna site.

  • Field Day interest is low but could be held if interest is shown.

  • Sebastian Wessels is a counselor for the Boy Scout Amateur Radio merit badge.

  • Still working on a list of events where the city could use the club, the triathalon is one.

  • Program at the next member meeting will be on radio history.

Meeting adjourned
Secretary: Dean Rupert

The following input had no headers with it - pl

Earl Cates, N0ISB, did an excellent over view of the Mobile County Hunters that he participates in on HF while traveling around mobile.

Here is an interesting web location on the internet where you can find all the information that Earl spoke about.

Notice that all the other hams that have set up a web location have formed a "WEB RING" that you can traverse very easily to other County Hunters web sites. good hunting
73 de Danny, K9DS (digital strength)
http://www.delve.com/ch/

On Wednesday, February 16th, Bob Dornan, WA2EKU, gave an excellent talk and discussion on RTTY and digital modes.

Some of the software that Bob mentioned during his presentation can be found at this Internet location:
http://www.csun.edu/~vfeen0br/johnpage/rttysoft.html

Happy RTTY'ing

73 de Danny, K9DS (Digital Smith)

Classified

For Sale:
50 foot Rohn tower with: Ham-M rotor, Hygain 3 element Tri-Bander, Hygain 4 element 6 meter yagi, G5RV and center loaded inverted V for 160 meters and all cabling run into radio room. $164,900.00. I will throw in north west Longmont house attached to tower: Three bedroom all brick ranch, the small bedroom is the radio room with own electrical circuit and shutoff in the room. Sprinkler system and whole house evaporative cooler. Garages for three cars, one attached and new one with access from alley. The new one is over size, insulated, auto door opener on over height insulated door and the garage is wired for 240 VAC. Lot's of upgrades. NO Covenants. NO Hassles and nice quiet neighborhood with NO Whiney Neighbors. Just bring in your equipment and operate. 1300 sq. f.t..

Chris Miller K8CRM 303-678-1260

72 pin 8Mb EDO (4 chip) SIMMS to swap for "old / 16 chip" 8Mb or 16Mb 72 SIMMS. I will swap two new 8Mb ones for one old one or 4 new ones for one old 16Mb. Sebastian - KC0CQQ, (303) 682-2938, 6pm-9pm or [email protected] or 147.270 / 448.800 at 8:00-8:30 am & 5:30-6:00 pm.

Bob Balise is seeking a six meter ALL MODE rig. If you have one available or know of one, please give a call at 303-678-7896.

The following input had no headers with it - pl

This little gem came in from Wayne Heinen N0POH (of the ARA) TNX Wayne

Ham Fest Talk ... ENGLISH translation ...

  1. This rig puts out a big signal = It's 50khz wide !

  2. This is a really good CW rig = It doesn't work on SSB !

  3. It seems to be a vintage regenerative type = It oscillates!

  4. I just re-tubed it = Got 'em from a questionable USED tube stock!

  5. I just aligned it = The slugs on the transformers are jammed!

  6. I don't know if it works = It doesn't work and probably never has!

  7. It doesn't CHIRP = Probably cause it doesn't transmit!

  8. The audio sounds great = The 120Hz buzz is faithfully reproduced!

  9. It just was serviced = I sprayed WD-40 all over the wiring!

  10. It comes with the original box = Just scoop the kitty litter out!

  11. Better buy it 'cause it won't last = No translation needed!

  12. Sure, it works at full power = It sucks all it can from the wall!

  13. Frequency stability is great = VFO doesn't work, you'll have to use crystals!

  14. This rig has wide band coverage = It drifts up and down and out of band!

  15. This rig was popular in its day = They had many HF nets on repairing it!

  16. QST gave this rig a great review = The language broke new ground for profanity!

  17. It might need a bit of tweaking = Marconi himself couldn't fix it!

  18. It was used in government service = Stored outside on wooden pallets!

  19. The dial drive may need lubricating = The gears are stripped and set screws locked!

  20. I plugged the rig in to see if it lights up = The light came from the 2 ft flames!

  21. Im selling it 'cause I have 2 of them = I'm selling the parts radio!

  22. It came from an estate sale = Any problems, take it up with the owner!

  23. I'll help you carry it to your car = I'll do anything to get rid of this boat anchor!

  24. This is the rig of my dreams, I really wanted one as a kid, but now (sniff ) I've got to let it go = As I've gotten older, I've realized what a hunk of junk it is!

  25. I'd keep this baby, but my wife is making me clean everything out = finally got around to giving this rig the proverbial heave-ho!
Author unknown.

From the Editor

Many thanks to all who contributed to the Splatter this month. I hope you�re all finding it informative or have gained some insight from it. Don�t forget to check in with the Solder Sniffers during the month, the keyer project is nearing completion and we should be hearing a group on the air soon, practicing code and showing everyone it�s not as difficult as it may seem. Keep your ears peeled for the ARA group and their 2 meter practice net as well!! Hope you all have a good month and look forward to warmer weather and all it brings with it. Look for field day announcements coming up soon. LARCFEST is fast approaching as well, so get ready for more activities as Spring comes upon us. Take Care Bob KB0SXQ

Splatter Submissions Can be sent to:

[email protected]

or

[email protected]

or

KB0SXQ-1 on 145.090 Packet

Swapfest Schedule
Here is a listing of some of the upcoming Swapfests in Colorado.


Denver Radio League C-Rock Fest
Saturday March 11, 20000
Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock, Co.
I-25 to exit 181 One mile East
Dave Melton W0DRM 303-733-4097


LARCFEST 2000
Saturday April 1, 2000
Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont,Co.
Fred Pilz KB0UUD or Jeff Davis W0HCH


PPRAA Pikes Peak Area Swapfest
Saturday May 6, 2000
Lewis Palmer High School
1300 Higby Road, Monument, Co.
Bob Ryals KI0GF 719-265-9950
TABLES: Dennis Major N0ABC
719-535-1160


MARC Camp/Swap Fest
August 26-27, 2000
Lake George Community Park
Lake George, Co
Wes K0HBZ 719-687-8758

As more information becomes available, I will post the information here in the Splatter. This is all the information I have available right now, if you are aware of any that I have missed, Please let me know and I'll add it to the list.