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February 2007
















Fourth-grader Kacie Pye, 10, uses an amateur radio to talk with space station astronaut Sunita Williams Kacie asked Williams how long it takes astronauts to get used to the Earth's gravity after being in space for so long, during a question-answer session Wednesday at Romeo Elementary School in Dunnellon Erica Brough/Star-Banner

FAST FACTS

  • Romeo Elementary School was chosen to speak to the International Space Station and one of 265 schools to be honored out of millions around the world.
  • Silver Springs Radio Club members - especially Larry Phelps, Pete Axson, Bill Miller, Dick Moss and Tony Blalock - provided months of ham radio support.
  • Astronaut Joe Acaba, former Dunnellon Middle School teacher chosen as one of three educators around the country to become an astronaut, talked to the students.

    ROMEO ELEMENTARY STUDENT QUESTIONERS

  • Fifth-graders - James Dolloff; Diana Padilla Dominguez; Dustin Kilbanger; Hunter Taskey; Katie Zimmerman; Emanuel Centeno Fourth-graders - Kacie Pye; Deanna Torres; Adan Luviano; Shannon Jones; Angel Richardson
    • Marion students seize once-in-a-lifetime chance to talk with astronaut
    Ham radio club arranged a very long-distance call

    BY JOE CALLAHAN Reprinted with permission

    STAR-BANNER January 18, 2007

    DUNNELLON - About 200 students at Romeo Elementary School sang just before talking to astronauts located in the International Space Station on Wednesday as part of a worldwide amateur radio program geared toward teaching children.

    "Hello, from Romeo. Can you hear us out in space?" the children sang in the school's cafeteria, which had been set up to resemble a NASA mission control center of sorts.

    Large screens were on hand to show the path of the space station and its 12:54 p.m. pass that allowed 11 students to each ask two questions during the seven minutes that the station zoomed overhead at 17,500 mph.

    It was a unique opportunity. Romeo is one of only 265 schools - out of millions around the globe - to be chosen to participate in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, known as ARISS.

    The idea to talk to the space station was the brainchild of teacher Pat Lakin and backed by former Romeo Principal Janet Williams and current Principal Kathy Hultman.

    Lakin was able to pay the cost of the event through a grant issued by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. The foundation gave Romeo $2,500 for the project.

    Hultman said it is all about learning. "They're feeling it, seeing it and doing it," Hultman said as she scurried around the school getting everything ready for the big day.

    All fourth- and fifth-graders were on hand in the cafeteria for the program. All those students had submitted a question, and ARISS picked the top question from the 11 different classrooms.

    Locally, the Silver Springs Radio Club readied the radio equipment to reach the astronauts, where the students talked to Sunita Williams, the flight engineer of the December mission that took her to the space station.

    Larry Phelps, one of five amateur radio specialists who spent dozens of hours for the last two months getting ready for the linkup, said it's all about the kids.

    "It's about a lifetime of learning," he said.

    Shortly before 1 p.m., the students began firing questions at Williams, who was able to answer questions very quickly. In fact, they were able to ask all 22 questions in seven minutes.

    Fifth-grader Katie Zimmerman asked Williams about what they did on the holidays.

    Williams said she took Christmas presents with her, had a nice dinner with the other astronauts and opened some presents. She even celebrated New Year's Eve with the other astronauts.

    At the end of the broadcast, children, parents, teachers and administrators cheered the successful completion of the event.

    Earlier in the day, astronaut Joe Acaba, a former Dunnellon Middle School teacher, was on hand to talk to the students. Acaba was one of three teachers around the country to be chosen to join the space program.

    Acaba fielded a lot of questions, but none more humorous than a question about how astronauts go to the bathroom. Acaba didn't blink while explaining that it involves a vacuum hose. He said they have a boy's vacuum hose and a girl's vacuum hose.

    "Don't go home and use the vacuum clearer," he said as the teachers laughed.

    Lakin was able to get grants to pay for Acaba to come from the Johnson Space Center in Houston to Dunnellon. In the afternoon, he was visiting Dunnellon Middle School.

    "And on Friday I will be at Dunnellon High School," he said. "I have been out before and I love doing this for the kids and they really enjoy learning about space."

    Joe Callahan may be reached at joe.callahan@starbanner.com or at 867-4113.

    Thank you, Joe Callahan, and the Ocala Star-Banner for your gracious permission to reprint the above article.

    Readers of this newsletter are encouraged to log onto Ocala.com for additional information.

    FCC REPORT AND ORDER ON

    MORSE CODE BECOMES

    EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 23, 2007

    As most of you are aware, on December 19, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission issued its Report and Order eliminating the Morse Code requirement for any class of amateur radio license. The Report and Order was published in the January 24, 2007, Federal Register; therefore, the end of the Morse Code requirement is effective February 23, 2007.

    SILVER SPRINGS RADIO CLUB

    MEETINGS MOVE "HOME" TO

    GREEN CLOVER HALL

    Effective immediately, all meetings of the Silver Springs Radio Club will take place at Green Clover Hall in the Marion County Governmental Complex.

    After almost two years, it is almost like moving "home" for Silver Springs Radio Club. SSRC will be the only organization utilizing Green Clover Hall. Green Clover Hall is going to be utilized by the county for employee training.


    MEETING NOTICE
    The General Membership Meeting of the Silver Springs Radio Club takes place on the third Monday of each month, except December. The February 2007 meeting will take place on Monday, February 19, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at Green Clover Hall, located in the Marion County Government Complex, just east of Southeast 25th Avenue, Florida. All members are urged to attend.

    MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

    MEETING OF SILVER SPRINGS

    RADIO CLUB, INC.

    January 15, 2007

    The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President, Earl Sweeney, K4LSB.

    Officers present at the meeting, in addition to the president, included Vice President, Ron Toller, N4US, Secretary, Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Treasurer, Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, and Board Members, Carlos Cheker, K4CCJ, Walter Hill, W0WRH, and Wayne Hodgman, W1EXT. There were 24 members in attendance and three visitors. A quorum was present.

    The invocation was given by Gene Layerd.

    The pledge of allegiance was led by Bill Britt, KQ4UJ.

    The members introduced themselves. Visitors included Gary Wimberly, KG4MLM, Scott Hartshorn, KF4SJN, and Jim Wade, WA4DE.

    One new membership application, that of Harold "Woody" Wood, W3HII, was approved.

    ARISS: Larry Phelps, K4OZS, announced that the date for the ARISS contact had been changed to January 17, 2007, at approximately 12:53 p.m. EST. Arrangements have been made for the contact to be heard live over the K4GSO Repeater.

    Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, reported that the March of Dimes Walk-America event would take place in April, and that the committee would be holding its first meeting in the coming week.

    Bill Miller, N6WGM, reported that the net income from the HamFest was $700.00 ±.

    Since the Silver Springs Radio Club Christmas Banquet had to be canceled because the restaurant was not ready, 2006 President Bill Miller presented awards. Cups were awarded to Russ Merkel, WB9GIU, Ron Toller, N4US, Dick Moss, KF4ML, Earl Sweeney, K4LSB, Larry Phelps, K4OZS, Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA, Bill Britt, KQ4UJ, Tony Blalock, K4OCF, Pete Axson, WD4LST, Charles Hensley, KC4Q, and Barbara Million, KE4ZTW.

    The President's Award was presented to Charles Hensley, KC4Q.

    A short program was presented by Ron Toller, N4US, about the first amateur radio carried aboard the Shuttle Columbia (STS9) in November of 1983.

    There being no further business to come before the membership, 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.

    NOTICE OF RECOMMENDATION

    FOR BYLAW CHANGE

    YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the officers and members of the Board of Directors of Silver Springs Radio Club will present a recommendation to the membership on February 19, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. that the bylaws of the club, Article 4.3, be amended to read as follows:

    4.3 NET MEETINGS

    On-the-air meetings will be held weekly for thepurpose of training in emergency preparedness, discussing matters of Club interest and business, but without voting procedure, and to list for sale, trade or want, items of amateur-related equipment.

    The rationale for this change is that although Silver Springs Radio Club is the only organization which will be utilizing Green Clover Hall, Marion County will utilize Green Clover Hall for employee training. The individual charged with employee training must set up the room for the training sessions on Monday evening. Therefore, the room could not be utilized for club meetings on Monday. The Board recommended that the club meetings be scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month and that the weekly radio nets be changed to Monday.

    All members are urged to attend this meeting to voice your opinions and wishes.

    Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA,

    Secretary

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

    SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR

    GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

    MEETING FOR

    FEBRUARY 19, 2007

    On Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Silver Springs Radio Club, a special program will be presented by Larry Phelps, K4OZS, concerning the ARISS contact between the International Space Station and Romeo Elementary School.

    ALL MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND!

    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

    FLORIDA HAMFESTS

    February 2007
    Compiled by Bill Britton, KB4VOL/AAT4RV

    THESE LISTS ARE ONLY AS ACCURATE AS THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. PLEASE SEND CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS--SEE BELOW. SEND PL FOR REPEATERS WHERE NEEDED . IF NO PL IS LISTED IT'S AN "OPEN" REPEATER.

    DATE     LOCATION NOTES

    Mar 10 Murdock At Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Talk-in on 147.255
    INFO: Don, KG4NKO (941) 625-5861

    Mar 17 Stuart FREE! At Martin County Fairgrounds
    2616 SE Dixie Hwy, Talk-in on 147.060 PL 100. INFO: Doug, W4DAS (772) 287-7830

    Mar 17 Ft. Walton Beach At NW Florida Fairgrounds
    1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Talk-in on 146.790. INFO: Gene, KK4IB (850) 515-2784

    Mar 31 New Port Richey At Gulf Coast ARC, 7650 Orchid Lake Road, Talk-in on 146.670, INFO: Don, KK4VK (727) 848-8000

    Mar 31 Oakland Park At Collins Center, 3900 NE 3rd Ave, Talk-in on 146.790, INFO: Jeff, KI4FFG (954) 791-8118.

    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, just east of SE 25th Avenue. Coffee & Doughnuts are available.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are the first Monday of each month, 7:30 PM at the Green Clover Hall, 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.

    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 Earl Sweeney, K4LSB 236-0180

    V. President Ron Toller, N4US 861-8769

    Secretary Jeanette Frantz, KG4DJA 489-0571

    Treasurer Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605

    Trustee Bill Britt, KQ4UJ 694-1605

    Board

    Members: Wayne Hodgman , W1EXT 236-4478

    Walter Hill, W0WRH

    Carlos Cheker, K4CCJ 861-6939

    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

    February 2007