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February 2006
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING OF SILVER SPRINGS
RADIO CLUB, INC.
January 16, 2006
The meeting was called to order by President Bill Miller, N6WGM, at 7:30 p.m. Present at the meeting were Officers, President Bill Miller, N6WGM, Vice President Richard Moss, KF4ML,, Treasurer, Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, and Secretary, Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA. Board Members present were Tony Blalock, K4OCF, Walter Hill, W0WRH, and Russ Merkel, WB9GIU. There were 29 members and two visitors in attendance. A quorum was present.
The invocation was given by Gene Layerd.
The membership recited the pledge of allegiance, led by Bill Britt, KQ4UJ..
The membership introduced themselves.
Upon motion made, seconded and adopted, the November, 2005, and January 2006 Board Meeting Minutes were approved as published in The Oracle.
Upon motion, made, seconded and adopted, the Treasurer's report was approved as published in The Oracle.
Past President, Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, presented a Silver Springs Radio Club cup to Larry Phelps, K4OZS, for his support of the club at Field Day and his work on the ARISS program. Although not present, Bill announced that he also had awarded Pete Axson, WD4LST, a Silver Springs Radio Club Cup for his efforts at Field Day and other club activities.
Committee Reports:
ARISS: Larry Phelps, K4OZS, reported that he has been advised that our ARISS program would have its turn for communication with the International Space Station this year. Larry also reported on times when the Space Station would be directly overhead for viewing.
MEMBERSHIP: Two membership applications were approved, Kevin Young, KC7FPF, and Barbara Nieman, KE5ZI.
MARS: Navy MARS ran 380 telephone patches during the Christmas Holidays.
TECH CLASS: Charles Hensley, KC4Q, reported that he has a total of 26 students in the SSRC Tech Class.
MERT: Charles also reported on the January 14 MERT Meeting. Of particular interest was a report by Jack Scott, N4NWT, who traveled into Mississippi to provide communications assistance with the Baptist Church group following Hurricane Katrina.
In addition to Jack's report, a presentation was made by Charles Hensley on EchoLink.
NET CONTROL: Net Control Operators are still much in need.
PROGRAM: A photo presentation covering the HamFest, MARS Activities, and the Christmas Party was presented. Copies of the CD were available for those who wanted them.
HAMFEST: There was discussion concerning the Silver Springs Radio Club HamFest, things that could be improved upon. Bill Miller also reported that he has secured the Ag Center Building for the 2006 HamFest.
There being no further business to come before the membership, 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 Febuary 2006 meeting will take place on Monday, Febuary 20, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Health Department Auditorium, 1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida. All members are urged to attend. |
MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF SILVER SPRINGS
RADIO CLUB, INC.
February 6, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Bill Miller, N6WGM. Present at the meeting were Secretary Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, and Board Members Tony Blalock, K4OCF and Walter Hill, W0WRH.
The Treasurer's Report was approved.
The Secretary's Report was approved. In addition, the secretary reported that the Special Service Club designation of SSRC had been renewed until January 30, 2008. In addition, the club's corporate annual report was filed with the Department of State on January 12, 2006.
A net control operator schedule has been prepared in an attempt to insure that no one operator is scheduled to run the net more than once a month.
The Board next considered the budget proposed by President Bill Miller. After discussion and review of last year's expenditures, a proposed budget was approved for submission to the membership.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA
Secretary
| FINANCIAL REPORTS |
| 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. |
MERT (Marion County Emergency Radio
Communications Team) NET, every Thursday at 7:30
p.m. LOCAL time. K4GSO
Repeater (146.610-) PL 123 |
FLORIDA HAMFESTS
February 2006
Compiled by Bill Britton KB4VOL/AAM4AFL
THESE LISTS ARE ONLY AS ACCURATE AS THE INFORMATION RECEIVED.
PLEASE SEND CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS---SEE BELOW. SEND PL FOR REPEATERS WHERE NEEDED.
DATE LOCATION NOTES
Feb 18 Sebring, at AgriCivic Center, 4505 George Blvd. (U.S. 27 * George Blvd.) Talk-in on 147.045; INFO: Robert, WA0NZI (863) 385-6093
Feb 18 Brooksville, at Hernando County Fairgrounds, on U.S. 41; talk-in on 146.715; INFO: Jerry, N8VTW (352) 683-3617
Mar 11 Port Charlotte, at Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, talk-in on 147.255; INFO: Reg, K9ZKS (941) 627-9828
Mar 18 Ft. Walton Beach, at NW Florida Fairgrounds, 1958 NW Lewis Turner Blvd., talk-in on 146.790; INFO: Gene, KK4IB (850) 515-2784
Mar 25 Jacksonville, FREE! At Terry Park Baptist Church (NEW LOCATION), 7024 Merrill Rd., talk-in on 146.700 PL 127.3; INFO: Billy, N4UF (904) 765-3230
April 15 Tampa, at TARC Operations Center. 7801 North 22nd Street, Talk-in on 147.105, PL146.2
April 15 Coral Gables, FREE! at U of Miami Physics, 5001 San Amaro, Talk-in on 146.865, PL 103.5, Info: Bill, WA4TEJ (395) 264-4465
April 22-23 Gainesville, at Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3400 NE 39th Avenue (SR 222), Talk-in on 146.820, PL 123.0, Info: Ray, W4YTC (352) 339-4210
For a complete listing of Hamfests in Florida, please visit the Florida Ham Website at its new location,bellsouthpwp.net/k/b/kb4vol.
SALUTE TO HAM RADIO
OPERATORS
HON. MIKE ROSS OF ARKANSAS IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Mr. ROSS.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of American citizens who are members of the Amateur Radio Relay League, known as HAM radio operators. Citizens throughout America dedicated to this hobby--a hobby that some people consider old fashioned or obsolete--were true heroes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as they were often the only line of communication available into the storm ravaged areas. Amateur radio operators are often overlooked in favor of flashier means of communication. As communities across the gulf coast and America learned this year, technology can be highly vulnerable. HAM radios, entirely self-contained transmitters, require no cell towers or satellites, simply a battery and a strip of wire as an antenna. Just as after major earthquakes, tornadoes, and the terrorist attacks of 9/11, HAM operators around the country received an alert to stand by their radios to listen for calls for assistance. Following Hurricane Katrina, when cell phones and e-mail were useless, a HAM operator located in Connecticut alerted authorities about a woman trapped for four days without food or water and a Coast Guard Auxiliary in Cleveland arranged for a medevac for a woman in labor in New Orleans. These are just a few examples of the many lives that were saved with the critical intervention of HAM operators throughout the country. Now more than ever, I am proud to be a licensed amateur radio operator. It is important to realize that every HAM radio operator in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service is a volunteer. This year, when disaster struck, hundreds of HAMs moved to the gulf coast to help in every way they could. Every one of which did so on a volunteer basis and their only goal was to assist in what became one of the worst natural disasters in America. The dedication displayed by HAM radio operators in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina sets a tremendous example for us all. The people whose lives were rescued as a result of the tireless dedication of HAM radio operators will forever be grateful to these selfless public servants.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
Extensions of Remarks E105 A
Submitted by Bill Britt, KQ4UJ. Thanks. Bill.
PROPOSED BUDGET 2006
Members may obtain a copy of the proposed budget by contacting one of the officers or board members of Silver Springs Radio Club.
AMATEUR RADIO
The Dangers Without and Within
Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA
Much has been written during the past few years about the threats to amateur radio. BPL has grabbed the headlines in almost every amateur radio club newsletter. Lest one thing this writer makes "light", please be assured that nothing could be further from the truth. BPL poses a very serious threat of interference with amateur operators and amateur frequencies. But, that is only one serious threat to amateur radio of many. Some threats are from utility providers, some from equipment marketers and some from unlicensed operators. The number of transport company vehicles containing amateur radios operated by unlicensed individuals is too numerous to count. Even a well-known overnight courier service was notified by the FCC that some of its vehicles contained amateur radios operated by unlicensed individuals. The 10 meter band seems to be the frequency preferred by unlicensed individuals utilizing amateur radio equipment.
Other significant threats to amateur radio arise from those who market equipment portrayed as amateur radios, but which the FCC has found to be uncertified Citizens Band Radios. These uncertified radios are very easily modified by the consumer. That modification makes it possible to use these radios on Citizens Band frequencies, causing severe interference with the 10 meter amateur band. One chain was fined $125,000.00 by the FCC for willfully and repeatedly violating the law by marketing such equipment.
Then, there are those who may, at one time, have been licensed amateurs. Perhaps some of these operators simply failed to file renewal applications timely. All amateur operators will make an occasional mistake. But, the amateur operator whose license has been expired for more than three years and then compounds that mistake by stupid and inconsiderate actions fall far beyond a simple mistake.
Unfortunately, there are licensed amateurs who use their amateur license and amateur station for pecuniary gain. At least one operator used his amateur license and station to schedule appointments and provide billing information for a dental equipment business. Another advertised his website on his amateur station, as well as a publication for sale which listed various items for sale.
Next in this long line of FCC Rules violations are those licensed amateurs who have been convicted of felony offenses. Examples of these convictions are burglary, firearms violations, interfering with police radio frequencies, making claims of being the Hardin County, Texas Emergency Coordinator, transmission of false distress calls, convictions for unlicensed radio operations with a 20 year history, conviction for sexual abuse, child molestation, felony sexual offense, and sexual exploitation of a minor. Finally, an amateur in Texas was convicted of beating his wife of 35 years to death with a galvanized pipe. This formerly licensed amateur actually fought to keep his amateur license, although one cannot see how he could use his amateur station and amateur license in prison.
Some very disturbing instances are deliberate and malicious interference with emergency radio communications, interference on police radio frequencies. In addition, one operator was sanctioned for operating on frequencies restricted to federal government use.
The FCC Enforcement Logs published on the
ARRL website are rife with instances of "hoarding"
radio club call signs. Some examples of this include
a trustee in Virginia who held 17 club call signs in his
name, 16 of which were granted the same day.
Another individual held 25 club call signs as trustee,
and several individuals held seven or more club call
signs as trustee. The FCC required that these
trustees justify the holding of these club call signs by
providing complete membership lists, dates of past
club meetings and minutes of those meetings, and
the dates scheduled for future meetings. In view of
the shortage of club call signs, this is a real and
present threat to the growth and survival of amateur
radio.
What about the individual amateur who changes
his call sign frequently. The FCC Enforcement Logs
published on the ARRL site are riddled with letters to
those who have changed their call signs a dozen or
more times in a four-year period. This is a clear
abuse of the privilege of vanity call sign changes.
Each time a call sign is canceled, it becomes
unavailable for use for a period of two years. Finally, the FCC Enforcement Letters seen most
frequently deals with deliberate and malicious
interference with other amateurs and other repeaters.
There is a plethora of letters written to amateurs who
have been requested not to use certain repeaters by
the repeater trustee, and continued to do so despite
that request. One instance of malicious and deliberate
interference was perpetrated on a Young Hams Net,
a net conducted by a 15-year old, interference which
included transmission of a pre-recorded message so
vile and obscene that one of the young amateur
operators was reduced to tears. Most of us have heard malicious and deliberate
interference, including all too often the use of
extreme profanity and obscenity. Those who
transmit obscenities, are just showing their
ignorance. Although the enforcement logs published on the
ARRL site are not a comprehensive listing of all FCC
Enforcement actions, there are far too many. The
threats to amateur radio originate from many
sources, from utility providers, from marketing of
non-certified equipment, unlicensed operation,
commercial use in transport vehicles. The question
of what constitutes the greatest threat to amateur
radio is one each of us must answer for ourselves.
An amateur radio license is a privilege, not a right.
With the privilege comes responsibility to use the
amateur frequencies in accordance with FCC Rules,
with courtesy and respect for others, and by
respecting ongoing radio communications. The dangers to amateur radio arise from without
and within. The area we, as amateurs, have the
most power to affect is the dangers from within.
Amateur radio is, to a large extent, enforced by the
amateur community. If there is someone out there
who is causing interference deliberately or spouting
obscenities, it is up to the amateur community to file
a complaint with the FCC. No one really wants to be
put in that position, but we must prevent the
deterioration to the amateur bands which occurred in
Citizens Band. (The opinions expressed are those of the originator
of this article and do not necessarily represent the
opinions of the Silver Springs Radio Club.)
CLUB MEETINGS are the third Monday of each month 7:30 PM At the Health Department Auditorium, 1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida., Ocala, Florida. Coffee & Doughnuts are available.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are the first Monday of each month, 7:30 PM at the Marion County Health Department, 1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida.
K4GSO, club station, Green Clover Hall, is available to all members. Contact Bill, KQ4UJ, 694-1605.
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 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Room 18, located on East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala.. Call Otto Hoel, N1OH, 291-4934.
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 Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA at (352) 489-0571.
President William Miller, N6WGM 873-2017
V. President Richard Moss, KF4ML 873-2079
Secretary Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA 489-0571
Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605
Trustee Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605
Board
Members: Russ Merkle, WB9GIU 624-2285
Walter Hill, W0WRH
Tony Blalock, K4OCF 622-4960
Oracle
Editor: Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA 489-0571
Oracle _editor@prodigy.net
Membership Phillip Frantz, KF4QIC 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
Febuary 2006