Our Next Meeting: Friday April
13, 2001 8 PM
At Wantagh Public Library
Its time for our first meeting of spring. The winter was
a busy time for many
with radio and non-radio activities. Some members took
interesting winter
trips including a dxpedition to VP2 land. Some members have
been busy
with studying and taking license upgrade exams.
A special hello to the Florida Snow Bird members who enjoy
receiving
the newsletter. Its always good to hear what's happening
from you.
The hf bands have been open, including a solar flare event last
week which
caused some interesting propagation.
I had an opportunity to speak with the US Coast Guard rep at
Jones Beach
and he invited us down for a tour on Saturday May 12 at 10 AM.
He said its
about a 1 1/2 hour tour which includes a tour of the boats and
station.
He said they have radio equipment and antennas which will be of
interest.
Arrangements will be made at this month's and next month's
meeting for
driving directions and transportation carpooling etc
I submitted the permit application to the Nassau County Parks
Department
for Field Day on June 23 and 24 at Wantagh Park.
This month's meeting will be our first Field Day Planning meeting.
We are
presently planning another 2A (two transmitter) entry with the
bonus vhf station
for 2001.
March 9, 2001 Meeting Minutes
Officers
Vic Panzica President
WA2JIW
Vin Vignati
Vice President KD2EP
Herman Milatz Treasurer
W2TLC
Bill Kelly
Secretary
N2RRX
Arnold Tarallo Board Member
W2OEJ
Al Bockelman Board Member
K2ES
Meeting Opened 8:20 pm
February meeting minutes were read by Bill Kelly and accepted.
Treasurer's Report by Herman Milatz: $1269 in account.
Thirty One Members have paid 2001 dues.
Nine of the members still owe 2001 dues.
No DX report was given. Len KB2HK was on vacation during February.
Art Blank N2NB gave a talk on his February DXpedition to
Montserrat.
Art signed VP2MDY and logged over 7,000 contacts during his 6 day
trip; including an entry into the CQ 160 Meter Contest during the
last February weekend. He also had an opportunity to work some
WARC
members. Art also brought a photo album which included
extensive
details of Montserrat "before and after" the volcanic
eruption, as well as
photos of Art's trips to the Island.
No field day chairman has volunteered or been appointed for the
June 23
and 24 event.
Vin Vignati KD2EP gave a report on the WARC Flea Market planning.
He said
that due to administrative paper work and a general lack of
enthusiasm,
the project is presently on hold.
As a substitute for the flea market, Ralph Bose WP4KO and myself
suggested participation in the annual Wantagh Town Fair
which is held in early June. I indicated I would look into
it further and
give a report at the April meeting.
Ralph also reported that the club web site is coming along.
Ralph is seeking
ideas from the members including the type of member info that can
be
posted on the site. Some members may not want their names,
addresses
and phone numbers posted. Jack Wicks KI2M indicated that
many email
spammers "mine" web sites for solicitation info.
I suggested a WARC
Hotmail or Yahoo address only for inquiries to be posted on the
site.
No arrangements were made yet for a Coast Guard Station tour or
other
tour. I indicated I would investigate before April Meeting
(see above).
Jack KI2M is still interested in doing a hidden transmitter hunt.
We will
probably have one; once we get into the spring weather.
Len KB2HK gave us a report on his February vacation. He and
his wife
took a cruise of the Pacific. Len met DXer Tom Christian of
Pitcairn Island
at one of the ports of call. They also met some
entertainment personalities
who were on the cruise.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM
After the business meeting; I gave a "live on the air"
demo of PSK31 mode.
I brought down my Kenwood HF Transceiver, homebrew half
wave 20 meter
antenna and sound card equipped P133 Laptop.
Using WinPSK 2.21 Windows software, the classical PSK31 "waterfall"
display
was demo'd. For those who own a P133 or better computer, the PSK
31mode
is relatively easy to implement. The WinPSK software along
with many others
is free and easy to obtain. The mode is fun for chatting
but also includes
allot of DX activity as well. At 9:30 PM the 20 meter band
was wide open
and qso's were made with stations on the Islands of Guadeloupe
and Long Island.