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Decenber, 2003


MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

MEETING OF SILVER SPRINGS

RADIO CLUB, INC.

November 17, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM, at 7:35 p.m. Present at the meeting were Officers, President Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM, Vice President, K4ANJ, Secretary Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, and Board Member Tony Blalock, K4OCF. There were 32 members in attendance. A quorum was present.
The membership recited the pledge of allegiance.
The invocation was given by Gene Layerd.
The membership introduced themselves. There were two visitors present.

The Minutes of the October General Membership Meeting and the November Board of Directors Meetings were read and approved.

The Treasurer's report was read and approved.


COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MARS: Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, reported that a few phone patches are being run at the MARS Station. In addition, there is supposed to be another station coming up, including one of the doctors in the Medical Unit (from Belize) who is a HAM. Bill also reported that a group had gone to Williston to take down the tower and antenna which had been donated to MARS by the widow of a Silent Key.

Christmas Party: Barbara Million reported that she had only a few reservations for the Christmas Party scheduled for December 13, 2003. Members were urged to get their reservations in at the earliest possible date.

Boy Scouts: Tony Blalock, K4OCF, reported on the progress of the Boy Scouts and the program to encourage the Boy Scouts, their parents and troop leaders. Several of the boys have earned the electronics merit badges, and possibly their technician's licenses.


NEW BUSINESS:

President Ernie O'Berry announced that due to illness and board members being out of town, a Nominations and Elections Chairman had not been appointed and there was no proposed slate of officers and board members.

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the bylaw provisions requiring and a slate of officers, was suspended. Based on this motion, elections were held and the following persons were elected as officers of Silver Springs Radio Club, Inc. for calendar year 2004:


President:              Bill Britt, KQ4UJ

Vice President:      Tony Blalock, K4OCF

Secretary:              Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA

Treasurer:              Johnny Williams, K4ANJ

Board Members:       Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM

                                Richard Cardinali, KG4TLE

                                William Miller, N6WGM

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Secretary

MEETING NOTICE
The General Membership Meeting of the Silver Springs Radio Club takes place on the third Monday of each month except December. The Jan. 2004 meeting will take place on Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. All members are urged to attend.

MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING OF SILVER SPRINGS

RADIO CLUB, INC.

December 1, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM. Minutes of the November 17, 2003, General Membership Meeting were distributed and approved. The treasurer's report was distributed and approved as presented. Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, pointed out that the financial picture looks somewhat better this year than had been expected, with more funds remaining after the year's operation. Bill Britt announced that he needed more operators for the Christmas Parade December 6, 2003. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

FLORIDA HAMFESTS

For a complete listing of Hamfests in Florida, please visit the Florida Ham Website at its new location, http://bellsouthpwp.net/k/b/kb4vol

The financial reports of Silver Springs Radio Club, Inc. are not available on the website. If you are a member and entitled to view the financial reports, please contact the:
Oracle Editor or one of the club's officers or board members to secure a copy of the financial reports.
By Direction of the Silver Springs Radio Club Officers and Board of Directors.

Thank you.

The Editor.

A Ham's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, And all through two-meters

Not a signal was keying up any repeaters.

The antennas reached up from the tower, quite high,

To catch the weak signals that bounced from the sky.

The children, Tech-Pluses, took their HTs to bed,

And dreamed of the day they'd be Extras, instead.

Mom put on her headphones, I plugged in the key,

And we tuned 40 meters for that rare ZK3.

When the motor was pegged by a signal with power,

It smoked a small diode, and, I swear, shook the tower.

Mom yanked off her phones, and with all she could muster

Logged a spot of the signal on the DX PacketCluster,

While I ran to the window and peered up at the sky,

To see what could generate RF that high.

It was way in the distance, but the moon made it gleam

A flying sleigh, with an eight-element beam,

And a little old driver who looked slightly mean.

So I thought for a moment that it might be Wayne Green.

But no, it was Santa, the Santa of Hams.

On a mission, this Christmas, to clean up the bands.

He circled the tower, then stopped in his track,

And he slid down the coax right into the shack.

While Mom and I hid behind stacks of CQ ,

This Santa of hamming knew just what to do.

He cleared off the shack desk of paper and parts,

And filled out all my late QSLs for a start.

He ran copper braid, took a steel rod and pounded

It into the earth, till the station was grounded.

He tightened loose fiftings, resoldered connections,

Cranked down modulation, installed lightning protection.

He neutralized tubes in my linear amp...

(Never worked right before-now it works like a champ).

A new, low-pass filter cleaned up the TV.

He corrected the settings in my TNC.

He repaired the computer that would not compute,

And he backed up the hard drive and got it to boot.

Then, he reached really deep in the bag that he brought,

And he pulled out a big box. A new rig? I thought.

A new Kenwood? An ICOM? A Yaesu, for me?

(if he thought I'd been bad It might be ORPI)

Yes! The Ultimate Station! How could I deserve this?

Could it be all those hours that I worked Public Service?

He hooked it all up and in record time, quickly

Worked 100 countries, All down on 160.

I should have been happy, it was my call he sent.

But the cards and the postage will cost two month's rent!

He made final adjustments, and left a card by the key:

"To SSRC members, from Santa Claus. 73.

Then he grabbed his HT, Looked me straight in the eye,

Punched a code on the pad, and was gone - no good-bye.

I ran back to the station, and the pile-up was big,

But a card from St. Nick would be worth my new rig.

Oh, too late, for his final came over the air.

It was copied all over. It was heard everywhere.

The Ham's Santa exclaimed what a ham might expect,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all, good DX.


Ray Forrester, W4YTC

Gainsville Amateur Radio Society (GARS)

December 2001

FROM A MILITARY STANDPOINT

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, He lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my corps.

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure.

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right. "Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable..... PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. Service Men and Women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

PLEASE, EVERYONE, remember our soldiers, both men and women serving in Iraq. May God bring them home safely.

CHRISTMAS PARADE VOLUNTEERS

Thanks go out to those who provided communications assistance for the Ocala Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2003. Those who served, in alphabetical order, are:

Andy Anderson, N4JAQ

Bill Britt, KQ4UJ

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA

Phillip Frantz, KF4QIC

Jessica Gorski, KG4EUY

Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM

Dick Richardson, KF4YJI

The efforts provided by our volunteers help make the Christmas Parade possible.

EDITOR'S APOLOGY!

The following activity by local amateur operators was forwarded to me sometime during October when my husband was very ill. I inadvertently failed to include this report in the October-November Oracle.

I apologize for this oversight! The worthwhile activity is shown below:

Frank W2DSV, Fred KD4MN and Charlie NR2F furnished communications for the Kiwanis Duck Race on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon on September 20th.
Charlie got a prize as his duck won one of the heats.

The duck race raises money for college scholarships which are awarded to high school students.

Silver Springs Radio Club

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

AEA CP-1 Computer Interface $ 50.00
Ameritron 2.5 KW QSK T/R Switch $200.00
Amidon W2FMI 2:1 Balun $ 30.00
Astatic D-104 Microphone $ 50.00
Bearcat III xtal scanner $ 1.00
Heathkit HM2102 SWR meter $ 20.00
Heathkit HM102 SWR meter $ 20.00
Heathkit AM-2 SWR meter $ 20.00
Heil Hand Mic $100.00
MFJ 16010 Tuner $ 20.00
Misc/Unknown External VFO(not working) $ 1.00
Misc/Unknown Practice Code Oscillators $ 5.00
Radio Shack HTX-245 2m/70cm HT $100.00
Realistic Pro 2020 Scanner (not working) $ 20.00
Redi-Kilowatt Electronic Keyer $ 50.00
Ten Tec Power Mite QRP rig $ 20.00
Yaesu FT-747GX HF XCVR $400.00
Yaesu FT-212RH 2m mobile $100.00

Anyone interested in any of this equipment should contact Jack Scott, N4NWT at 622-4447; Bill Britt, KQ4UJ at 694-1605, or Station Manager, Ken Frantz, KF4QID, at 489-0571.

ANNUAL AWARDS

Awards were presented at the Annual Christmas Banquet and Awards Presentation on December 13, 2003. The recipients of awards are as follows:

SSRC Cup Recipients:

(in alphabetical order)

Tony Blalock, K4OCF

Lou Gorski, KB9HD

Barbara Million, KE4ZTW

Larry Phelps, KF4OZS

Jack Scott, N4NWT

SSRC President's Award Recipient

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Andy Anderson, N4JAQ

(352) 629-5450

11 Element 2 meter Beam, $30.00

CDR Antenna Rotor & Control, $115.00

Complete Mobile Antenna and Radio, High

Sierra Screw Driver Antenna and T5430S

Kenwood Radio, $650.00.

CHRISTMAS WISHES TO EACH

AND EVERY SSRC MEMBER

As Christmas draws every nearer each day, your editor takes this opportunity to wish each and every one of you all of the blessings of this wonderful season. I hope that you will remember the reason for the season and may you have the most wonderful Christmas Holiday Season possible and the happiest, most prosperous New Year.

May your holidays be filled with the most sky-splitting joy !

SSRC DUES ARE DUE

JANUARY 1, 2004

PLEASE SEE RENEWAL FORM

INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE!

Click here to get a printable RENEWAL FORM.

Silver Springs Radio Club, Inc.

CLUB MEETINGS are the third Monday of each month 7:30 PM at Green Clover Hall in the Marion County Government Complex on Southeast 25th Avenue. Coffee & Doughnuts are available.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are the first Monday of each month, 7:30 PM at Marion County Facilities Management Office.

K4GSO, club station, Green Clover Hall, is available to all members. Phone number is 620-7210. Contact Ken, KF4QID at 489-0571.

MARS, club station located at 161 Oak Circle, Silver Springs Shores. Phone number is 680-1528. Contact Bill KQ4UJ, at 694-1605.

LICENSE TESTING, on the second Monday of each odd number month, except July, 7:30 PM at Green Clover Hall. Call Jack Scott at 622-4447.

RADIO NETS are conducted over the club repeater, K4GSO, on 146.610 MHz (-600).

LADIES AUXILIARY. Sunshine - Provides flowers and get-well cards for members or members' family. Also orders SSRC logo shirts and caps, Barbara Million, KE4ZTW, 694-5744.

NOTE: For change of address or corrections (with SSRC) contact the Membership Chairman.

SSRC NET, every Tuesday at 7:30 (local time). Contact Jeanette at (352) 489-0571.

MERT (Marion County Emergency Radio Communications Team) NET, every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. LOCAL time. Contact Charlie Lord, NR2F at (352) 489-9185.

Repeater Trustee,(146.610)Bill KQ4UJ, at 694-1605;

President Ernie O'Berry, K4OSM 732-0374

V. President John O. Williams K4ANJ 685-2028

Secretary Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA 489-0571

Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605

Trustee Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605

Board Members:

Walt Schuler, WA2LWR 236-1982

Jack Scott, N4NWT 622-4447

Tony Blalock, K4OCF 622-4960

Oracle Editor: Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA 489-0571

Oracleeditor@prodigy.net

Membership Ken Frantz, KF4QID 489-0571

Ladies'

Auxiliary Barbara Million, KE4ZTW 694-5744

Email: funyet2@earthlink.net

Silver Springs Radio Club Website:

http://www.qsl.net/ssrc/

Ocala Radio Amateur's Candid Letter of Enlightenment

SILVER SPRINGS RADIO CLUB

P.O. BOX 787

SILVER SPRINGS, FL 34489

December 2003