January 2001
This is my first newsletter as the president of the STARS Club and I would like to start out by thanking Eldon, K7ZQR for all of the hard work he has done to keep this club alive. Without him I think that this club would have gone by the wayside a couple of years ago. He will be a hard act to follow.
I would also like to thank the members for having enough confidence in me to elect me as the new club president. I hope that I can live up to your expectations.
New Club Web Page
As many of you know, I have put a new STARS Club web page on line. It is located at www.qsl.net/stars . It contains a club membership roster (with email addresses), pictures from club events, club newsletters, as well as links to other ham radio related pages with useful information. Stop by and check it out when you get a chance.
Al Waller, K3TKJ, runs QSL.net and provides web space for amateur radio pages free of charge. He funds QSL.net through paid advertisements and voluntary donations from members (which we may want to consider).
Door Prizes at Monthly Meetings
Starting at the January eyeball meeting, we will be giving out door prizes. The prizes were donated by Dave Brown, W5APF, and they range from a roll of electrical tape or solder (I always need both), to coffee cups, to a small multimeter. This should make the meetings a little more interesting because 3 lucky people will leave each meeting with a prize.
Progress on the Portable Tower Project
Last month Steve, N5QIH, and I got together and did some more work on the club’s portable tower project. He had obtained a winch and some materials to mount it to. I came over and welded a bracket on the trailer frame and we were able to crank the tower up and down with no troubles. With a little more tweaking it will be ready for prime time.
So, here is what we have: 30 feet of small gage aluminum tower hinged at the base (mounted on a 7x10 foot trailer). It cranks up and down via a boat type winch mounted on a steel post at the front of the trailer. I have a line on a light duty rotator to put on it. So, all we should need is a small HF antenna (like a mini quad, Mosley mini 33 or ?), some cable for guys, rotor cable and coax and we will be ready for Field Day operation.
Time to Get Out Your Wallet
Just a friendly reminder, it’s that time of year again. Time to pay your STARS Club dues. At just $10 for an individual and $15 for families, it’s a bargain.
Things to Come?
What do I hope to accomplish as president? Well, here’s the short answer: I don’t know.
I would like to see an additional organized event for the club this year (in addition to Field Day and the Annual STARS picnic). I don’t know for sure what that event should be. I was thinking we could set up a special event station or maybe we should pick out a contest and participate as a club. I’m open to ideas. What do you want to do? (Maybe I should say, what are you willing to help out with?). Bring your ideas to the club meeting.
Our next STARS meeting will be 8 o’clock a.m. on the 21st of January at Shoneys in Jacksonville. See you there.
73 de N5TSL, Scott