Sept/Oct 2006

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF

SILVER SPRINGS RADIO CLUB, INC.

September 18, 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 Walt Hill, W0WRH.

The membership recited the pledge of allegiance.

The membership introduced themselves.

Upon motion made, seconded and adopted, the August General Membership Meeting Minutes were approved as read.

Upon motion, made, seconded and adopted, the Treasurer's report was approved as read.

Committee Reports:

ARISS: All is in readiness for the call from the Space Station this fall. Romeo Elementary is still on the long list for amateur communications with the International Space Station. The plan at this point in time is to have an educator astronaut actually on location at the school. Larry Phelps also reported a siting date of September 22, 2006, at 6:30 (a 50 pass).

MEMBERSHIP: The membership application of Carlos Cheker, CX8BZ/W4, was approved.

MERT: MERT WinLink Meetings were held in September for those interested in the WinLink program, and other meetings will be scheduled. There will be a drill on October 6, 2006, from 9:00 a.m., to 2:00 p.m.

MARS: The amplifier sent for repair has been repaired and returned to the MARS Station at a cost of several hundred dollars. Anyone using the MARS Station is urged to insure that the antenna is connected BEFORE the amplifier is turned on.

TECH CLASS: Charles Hensley, KC4Q, reported on the Technician's Class which is being held at the South District Sheriff's Office on 441 on Friday evenings.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Members were reminded that nominations for officers for 2007 must be received no later than the close of the October General Membership Meeting. Although an appeal was made, no one volunteered to chair the Nominations Committee. Nominations will be sought at the October Meeting.

In this regard, President Bill Miller, N6WGM, announced that he would be unable to serve as SSRC President for another term because of his daughter's illness. Further, Dick Moss, KF4ML, indicated that he might be moving.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Barbara Million, KE4ZTW, announced that SSRC's Christmas Party had been scheduled for December 11, 2006, at The White Swan. The cost has increased by $1.00 per person ($19.00) including tax and gratuity.

HAMFEST: The membership were again reminded that our HamFest is rapidly approaching (December 9, 2006).

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

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA,

Secretary

MINUTES OF GENERAL

MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF

SILVER SPRINGS RADIO CLUB, INC.

August 21, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Richard Moss, KF4ML, at 7:42 p.m. Present at the meeting were Officers, Vice President Richard Moss, KF4ML, and Secretary, Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA. Board Members present were Russ Merkel, WB9GIU, Tony Blalock, K4OCF, and Walter Hill, W0WRH. There were 22 members and one visitor in attendance. A quorum was present.

The invocation was given by Walter Hill, W0WRH.

The membership recited the pledge of allegiance.

The membership introduced themselves.

Upon motion made, seconded and adopted, the July General Membership 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.

Committee Reports:

MERT: MERT General Meeting is scheduled for September 2, 2006. In addition, a series of WinLink Committee members has been scheduled..

MARS: Dick Moss and Russ Merkel continue to work at the MARS Station.

Oracle ARTICLES: Jeanette Frantz again reported that articles were needed for The Oracle.

HAMFEST: The membership was reminded that SSRC's HamFest is coming up December 9, 2006, and urged to volunteer and gear up for this important event.

There was no program.

There being no further business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Secretary

MEETING NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE The General Membership Meeting of the Silver Springs Radio Club takes place on the third Monday of each month, except December. The October 2006 meeting will take place on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion County Health Department Auditorium, located at 1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida. All members are urged to attend.

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.

Silver Springs Radio Club Net, 7:30 p.m. Local time
K4GSO Repeater (146.610-) PL 123
EVERY TUESDAY

A GIANT WAKE-UP CALL!

Western Pennsylvania Section Convention Host Cancels Future HamFests!

Just two days after hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention September 10, the Butler County Amateur Radio Association (BCARA) voted to throw in the towel and get out of the HamFest business. The main reason, cited in the September issue of the club's Tell-A-Ham newsletter, is a lack of member involvement.

"The few, dependable workers have burned out," wrote BCARA Treasurer, Kevin Berry, KF4RMA, who edits the newsletter and took on tasks this year as HamFest vendor chairman, parking chairman, treasurer and flyer preparation, among others. According to the newsletter, fewer than one-quarter of the club's 80 members pitched in to make the HamFest happen this year, and nearly all handled multiple duties during the event.

The September 20 gathering at the Butler County Farm Show Fairgrounds was the club's 29^th annual HamFest. Whether it's also the last, BCARA President Jim Love, W1JHL, told ARRL, is in the hands of the membership.

"If we can get the manpower that is required to support the HamFest we will continue the tradition," he said. "However, this year, as in the recent pst, we have not received the needed help."

Does this hit close to home or what? SSRC's HamFest is looming large in the horizon. While Bill Miller, as well as others, has worked very hard, it is unfair to expect those few to handle everything about the HamFest when every member of the club receives the benefits. Without the income from the HamFest, it is likely that the membership would be faced with the necessity of again raising dues and that is something no one really wants to do. The little writing shown below is what happens when apathy abounds:

EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY,

ANYBODY AND NOBODY

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did.

Somebody got angry about this, because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done! (From the internet)

Let's not let what happened in Western Pennsylvania happen here with the Silver Springs Radio Club HamFest.

Of course, not everyone can participate to the same degree, but everyone CAN DO SOMETHING!

OFFICER/BOARD MEMBER

NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT END

OF OCTOBER GENERAL MEMBER-

SHIP MEETING!

Nominations for officers and board members for Silver Springs Radio Club must be submitted prior to the close of the General Membership Meeting on October 16, 2006, and election of officers and board members will take place at the November General Membership Meeting on November 20, 2006.

Anyone interested in serving as an officer and/or board member should contact any of the elected officers.

NOTICE OF ELECTION OF

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

OF SILVER SPRINGS RADIO

CLUB, INC.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the annual election of officers and/or board members of Silver Springs Radio Club, Inc. will take place at the General Membership Meeting on November 20, 2006, at 7:30 p.m.

Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA

Secretary

FLORIDA HAMFESTS

October 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

Oct 14-15------ Melbourne At Melbourne Auditorium, (NEW DATE!) 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Talk-in on 146.850, INFO: Jan, K4QD (321) 256-2482

Nov 4------- Titusville At the Disabled American Veterans, 435 Singleton Ave., Talk-in on 145.490 PL 100.0, INFO: Bob, N6USP (321) 264-2622

Nov 4 -------Eustis At Senior Center, 301 West Ward
Talk-in on 147.255 PL 103.5, INFO: David, KR4OW (352) 357-3485

Nov 18 -------Coral Gables FREE! At U of Miami Physics Dept., 5001 San Amero, Talk-in on 146.865 PL 103.5. INFO: Bill, WA4TEJ (305) 264-4465

Dec 2-3------- Tampa Bay Manatee Civic Center, One Huber Blvd in Palmetto, Talk-in on 145.190
INFO: Jim, KG4JSZ (863) 422-0176

Dec 9 -------Ocala At Marion County Ag Extension. Complex, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Talk-in on 146.610 PL 123.0, INFO: Bill, N6WGM (352) 873-2017

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

On Your Keyboard

by Kevin Young, KC7FPF

Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to keep things moving when you're using your computer, and they let you perform tasks without lifting your hands from the keyboard. These are some of the basics that you should know--at least if you want to cut down on the number of times you reach for the mouse every day.

Ctrl Alt Del is the mother of all keyboard shortcuts, affectionately known as the "three-fingered salute," since it's so useful when your Windows box locks up. Pressing the combo once (simultaneously) opens the Windows Task Manager. (From within the Task Manager, you can force-quit a crashed program, see a list of processes or applications running on your machine, check performance parameters such as how hard your CPU is working, or track your network usage.) Is your machine totally locked up? Reach over, grab the mouse and click Shut Down.

Ctrl S saves the file you're working on. Ever lost your homework, a spreadsheet at work, or some video you've been editing? Hit Ctrl S (simultaneously) to save. Hit it early and often! (Want to open a file from within the program you're running? Ctrl O universally opens the File/Open window.)

Ctrl C copies text, files, or icons that you've highlighted, Ctrl V pastes them where you point your mouse (hey, you can't completely eliminate using it), and Ctrl X cuts whatever you've highlighted out of the document (or folder, photo, movie clip, or whatever it is you're working on). Ctrl A highlights the entire file you're working on or everything in a folder or on your desktop.

Alt Tab lets you switch on the fly between all of your open windows. Press the combination once to switch to your last open window or multiple times to switch to any other open window. Holding down Alt Tab will bring up a system window that shows you what apps are running and which one you're switching to.

Ever wonder why almost every Windows program has the F in File underlined, not to mention the E in Edit, and so on and so forth across the top of the Window? Hit Alt and that letter to open that particular menu; you can either use the arrow keys to

move around within that window, or keep your eyes peeled for more underlined letters to use more Alt key combinations.

The Windows key (the one that looks like the Windows logo, or a flag) R opens the Run dialog. From here, you can launch a command-line window by typing cmd, but you can do a lot more. You can, for example, paste in a folder path, such as C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\Expenses, and Windows will open it automatically. You can also use the Run dialog to open Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, or Notepad. Just type winword to launch Word, type excel to launch Excel, and notepad to launch Notepad.

Windows E launches Windows Explorer, defaulting to My Computer.

Windows L Lock the workstation (or switch to the Logon screen w/Fast User Switching enabled).

F2 renames a selected file or folder. (This is so much easier than right-clicking!)

F3 launches Search if you're on the desktop or in a folder.

Windows M minimizes all open windows, and Windows D shows your desktop. (These results look similar, but they're slightly different; Windows M minimizes all windows that support the command, while Windows D actually raises the desktop to the top.) This is a great one for when the boss pops up in your cubicle. Once the boss gone, hit Shift Windows M to bring up your minimized windows, or Windows D to drop your desktop back down again.

There are a few more keyboard shortcuts, but these are the most common and the most used. If you would like to know more, just do a search on "Windows keyboard shortcuts" with any of the internet search engines.

HAMS USE WINLINK WHEN

INTERNET IS NOT AVAILABLE

Charles Hensley, KC4Q

When hams are beyond the reach of the Internet, they can still stay in touch with friends and family. Hams that are RV'ers, missionaries, scientists, explores, boater on the seas and communicators from disaster areas use Winlink to send critical e-mails to request assistance or to inform others. In Marion County, we see Winlink as a tool during times of emergency.

Amateur Radio Winlink System for

Emergency Communications

How would this new Winlink system be used for e-mail by an emergency agency?

It would use their existing e-mail programs.
It would operate on their own computers in their own offices.
It would not require any additional invasive software.
It would be seamlessly, transparent from user to user.
It would work from their own county or around the world.
It would have full function inside a disaster area, and without normal e-mail servers or internet link.
For the end users Winlink would:
Look like e-mail and use familiar software like Outlook Express or Outlook.
Have an address book and a spell-checker.
Send to multiple recipients and take attachments.
Be able to use tactical e-mail addresses, E-5 Desk.
Not add to the stress or learning curve when in an emergency situation.
Provide written record of messages sent and received.
Message would arrive at the addressee in about two minutes.

Getting Started with Winlink

The way to get started with Winlink is to join the Yahoo group and do the assignments. The site is:http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LOADING WL2K_USER_PROGRAMS/. You will find the eight

assignments under files in the index on the left side of the page. You will only have to do some of the assignments for some of the options listed below. You should download and print all eight assignments. The assignments will be your instruction manual as you begin to learn Winlink. To do the assignments, you will only need your computer with internet capability. A radio or TNC is not required until after you have loaded and configure the software.

Some types of Winlink stations:

Telnet-connection of your computer to a telnet node on the Winlink system.

Air Mail-connection to the Winlink system by HF radio, VHF radio, or Telnet.

Paclink-e-mail client program to connect to Winlink by VHF radio or Telnet.

Telpac-a utility mode forming a bridge from VHF packet radio to the internet.

How can I connect into the Winlink System?

Winlink web page - Message Access (attachments not supported)
Internet connection-Telnet-AirMail or Paclink AGW
Radio-packet-Airmail or Paclink AGW
Radio-packet-Keyboard Access (attachments not supported)
Radio-Pactor-AirMail
Radio-D-Star-Paclink AGW

Option #1

All you need for Option #1 is your computer on the internet and your call sign. You will need to do assignments #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 to get your Winlink e-mail address. The Winlink e-mail address will be yourcall@Winlink.org.

Option #2

All you need is your computer on the Internet and the Air Mail software. Air Mail will run on Windows 95 or better. You will need to do assignments #1 through #5.

To use Paclink AGW for a Telnet station, you will need a computer with Windows XP. You will need to complete the assignments through assignment #7.

Option #3

For Air Mail packet you will need a computer that is Windows 95 or better. You will need one of the following TNC's:

KAM+ KAM-998 KPC-3

KAM-XL PK-232 PK-900

DSP-1232 DSP2232 MFJ-1276

MFJ-1278B DXP-38

You will need to complete assignments #1, #2 and #3.

For the Paclink AGW packet station, you will need a computer with Windows XP. You can use a sound card TNC or most TNC's. You will need to complete assignments up through #8.

Option #4

About any TNC and about any computer, even PDA's, will work for this type station. This is a very basic station. It is not very efficient because it keeps you on the air while you type the message. I will allow you to send a message under emergency conditions through the Winlink system. You will only have to complete assignments #1, #2 and #3.

Option #5

This gives you the ability to reach anywhere in the world by HF and connect with the internet. You must be a General class (or higher). It requires a Windows 95 or better computer. You will need a Pactor TNC. The Pactor II and Pactor III will cost from $800 to $1200. You will need an HF radio. Some of the older and cheaper TNC's will do Pactor I, but they are very slow. See the table below on speed. You will need to complete the first five assignments.

Option #6

D-Star is a new digital technology for VHF. It will be powerful but expensive.

Option #7

Telpac Station. To operate a Telpac station, you need internet connection. Dial-up will work, but high-speed broadband 24/7 is best because you are the utility bridge to the internet for all the other stations. You need at least a Windows 98 SE computer. A new computer will be more stable. Since you are trying to operate all the time for other stations, a Windows XP operating system would be best. You will need one of the listed TNC's for Telpac or you

should set up AGW Packet Engine. You will need to complete the first seven assignments. You will not be able to send e-mail yourself with this station. It is just a service for other stations. For you to send e-mails, you would have to have another station from one of the above options.

Are there any guidelines concerning the size of messages that Winlink will accept and process?

Due to the much slower transfer speeds of radio paths (compared to dial-up, etc.), it is better if messages are kept as small as practical, while still accomplishing the communications objectives of both users. Following are approxi-mate air times needed to transfer a 4K message (after compression) for several modes of operation, under ideal conditions:

Packet (1200) direct 2 minutes

Packet (1200) 1 Node 2.5 minutes

Packet (9600) direct 1 minute

Pactor I 30 minutes

Pactor II 10 minutes

Pactor III 2 minutes.

Messages containing "emotions" and "backgrounds" contain embedded image files which should be avoided if possible. These images can be stripped.

Winlink has many ways that you can use the communication system. Equipment is important, but the critical resource is your knowledge and skills. The more you know about the Winlink system and the more you practice your skills will result in the capability to communicate anywhere in the world by radio e-mail. So, get started at some level and practice. Keep improving your knowledge and skills.

Charles Hensley, KC4Q, anncharles4@earthlink. net. Telephone (352) 732-3795.

WinLink setup

2006 HURRICANE SEASON IS

MORE THAN HALF OVER

Incredible as it seems, the 2006 hurricane season is almost over. Your editor is extremely thankful (as I am sure most of you are) that we have been very blessed to not have the storms this year that we have experienced in past years.

Just a word of caution, though. The season IS NOT OVER YET.

Please, for the sake of your health and life, don't become complacent. If the storm comes, we need to be able to take appropriate action to safeguard our lives and health.

Your editor.

MERT (Marion County Emergency Radio Communications Team) NET, every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. LOCAL time. K4GSO Repeater (146.610-) PL 123
EVERY THURSDAY

FOR INFORMATION

ON SILVER SPRINGS

RADIO CLUB CHRISTMAS

PARTY AND AWARDS

BANQUET!

SILVER SPRINGS RADIO CLUB

CHRISTMAS BANQUET

December 11, 2006 Monday

Ocala Palms Subdivision - White Swan Café

5174 NW 26^th Lane - (1 mile west of I-75, just off US-27)

Social 6:00PM, - Dinner 7:00PM

Drinks - available

Mark your calendar for December 11^th , Monday, for the

Annual Christmas Awards Banquet and with it a Chinese Auction

Bring a BROWN (Grocery) PAPER BAG un-wrapped gift (man-woman)

In the range of $3.- $5., please avoid gag gifts.

Our total meal cost is $19.00 per person, including tax and tip.

MAIL CHECK WITH FORM or BRING TO NOVEMBER MEETING . Hope to see you there. For questions contact:

Barbara at 694-5744, or E-mail to funyet2@earthlink.net.

SSRC CHRISTMAS PARTY - December 11^th, 2006

NAME _ Spouse

TOTAL ($19.00 EACH) ENCLOSED: __________________

ENTRÉE : Chicken Cordon Bleu_______ Prime Rib of Beef_________

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THE GIFT EXCHANGE. (Not required but lots of fun.)

Silver Springs Radio Club, Inc.

CLUB MEETINGS are the third Monday of each month 7:30 PM at the Marion County Health Department Auditorium, located at 1801 SE 32^nd Avenue, Ocala. 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 32^nd 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 Merkel, 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, 694-5744

KE4ZTW. 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

September-October 2006