S.T.A.R.S. CLUB NEWS LETTER
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April 1999
I didn’t date this April 1st because our Club is not an April Fools Joke. It is a very active and a group of some of the finest Amateur Radio Operators any where. We are not trying to compete with the larger Clubs in doing a lot of Community Projects. We are trying to get involved in the local area of Jacksonville, Cabot, Lonoke, Austin, Ward, and the surrounding area. I have attempted to make contact with the local Chamber of Commerce personnel but have not had much luck at this time. They are probably waiting until some of the events get closer, such as parades, CityFests, etc. Scott-N5TSL is trying to contact those in Jacksonville and I am trying to get in touch with those near and around Cabot. Anyone that would like to take on the job of contacting the Events Coordinators for the different communities would be more than welcome to make that effort.
Tommy-AC5JP got our Emergency Power hooked up to the Repeater. This is a deep cycle Marine type battery with the necessary circuitry. The Repeater is actually running on the battery being charged by the power supply. The Repeater will not know when or if the commercial power is interrupted. Thanks Tommy for the work and the donation of the extras that you furnished with no cost to the Club.
Steve-N5QIH has already made the necessary contacts to reserve our Field Day site. This could change since it dependent on the activities scheduled at the Ft. Roots VA Medical Center. It is a nice location and we certainly hope we can use it again this year.
While it was not a Club project we can take credit for the work of our Club Members. Again, Tommy-AC5JP, Margo-AC5QA, Russell-WA5NBK and E.J.-N5QH held a VE Test Session at ASU-Beebe. Margo reported that there were two who passed their tests and are now waiting for their license.
We also had several members involved with the communications necessary during the tornadoes that struck Beebe and McRae. I hate to start listing those who helped for fear of leaving someone out. If I overlook anyone please excuse it and blame it on an Old Man’s CRS. These are the names I submitted to Roger Gray-N5QS Arkansas Section Manager:
TOMMY AC5JP; MARGO AC5QA AND
MICHAEL KD5FAQ WERE FIRST RESPONDERS BRINGING EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING RADIOS AS SOON AS CHARLIE W5IIE PUT OUT THE CALL ON 147.150+.
Bill KC5SEP will be the first to tell you that weather spotting from the center of a tornado is not a good idea. Bill was caught trying to get to the North of McRae to help with the on-the-spot reporting.
The following were contacted and stayed on standby for immediate help as needed:
SCOTT N5TSL; STEVE N5QIH;
AL KC5UAE AND JIM KC5GUX
There was extensive coverage in the April 1999 QST magazine (pg 83).
We would also like to welcome the Halter family to our Club:
Nathan-KD5FZQ; Rick-KD5GDW and Natalie-KD5GDX.
This brings our current paid-up membership to a total of 49. This is two more than last year. Thanks to all who have paid their current dues and if you notice someone that was on previous lists and not on this one invite them to send their dues to our Club
P.O. Box address.
The possibility of the STARS Radio Club sponsoring a tailgate party for the area was discussed. There is an excellent area in Beebe. No date yet. Maybe May. More on this in the future.