Prepared - March 12, 2008
By: Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ
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ARRL - (Excerpts taken from recent ARRL bulletins)
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 7
February 22, 2008
KOSOVO AND DXCC
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, setting off new speculations on what this means to Amateur Radio and specifically, to the DXCC program. ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, said he understands that there are many questions about the DXCC status of Kosovo, especially concerning whether or not the new state will be added to the DXCC list.
Moore said the DXCC rules, modified in 2000 to better handle inclusion to DXCC, are clear on how additions can be made: "For inclusion in the DXCC List, certain conditions must be met. Gaining entry on the DXCC List is not contingent upon whether operation has occurred or will occur, but only upon the qualifications of the Entity."
According to Moore, adding Kosovo to the DXCC List would be considered under the "Political Entity" DXCC guidelines. The DXCC rules state that "Political Entities are those areas which are separated by reason of government or political division. They generally contain an indigenous population which is not predominantly composed of military or scientific personnel."
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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 8
February 29, 2008
TENNESSEE AGENCY CALLS ARMY MARS INTO ACTION
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) called Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) into action as tornados swept across the Southeastern United States February 5-6. According to Army MARS Chief Stuart Carter, "For the first time as far back as we can remember, a state government called for MARS deployment in response to an actual emergency. The resulting teamwork and use of Army MARS Winlink capability gave TEMA its only e-mail link during President Bush's visit to the storm-stricken area." At least 70 messages were sent during the state operation ranging from casualty figure updates and signal reports to staff rosters and photos.
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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 9
March 7, 2008
R. Dean Straw, N6BV, best known to Amateur Radio operators as the "ARRL antenna expert," has announced his retirement, effective March 31. Straw's main responsibility at ARRL has been shepherding and shaping "The ARRL Antenna Book" since he took over as editor in 1993 from Jerry Hall, K1TD.
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From Florida
Can't believe it's almost time to head north. I had a nice time in Florida, got lots of things done around our house and attended the strawberry festival in Plant City. I went to a Charlie Pride concert and that in itself was worth the trip to Florida. I've been a Charlie Pride fan for many years.
For us Yankees, it sounds funny when the weather man is calling for an over night temperature in the low 50's, then reminds everyone that winter isn't over yet.
I can't wait to get back here each year since there's always something new built since the previous year. I wish I'd kept a record of everything that's been built since we first came here in 1994.
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A few reminders.
We welcome new members to our radio club. If your interested please feel free to attend one of our meetings. A membership application can be obtained from our website: www.qsl.net/w3bmd.
Mail the application and the appropriate dues to our secretary or pay them at the meeting: Our secretary is:
Kim Frech
681 Washington Church Road
Home, PA 15747
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If you have anything you would like to have included in the monthly news letter, please let Robert, KB3JOF, or myself know, I can use the help !!
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Thanks and 73's,
Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ
President - 05 / 06 / 07 / 08
V P Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM local time.
Minutes from last meeting: ( February 5, 2008)
Are there any additions or corrections to the February minutes? NONE
Financial Report: Kim Frech : Insurance Due/ May
ARES: E.C. Robert Zugates, KB3JOF
Net Coordinator: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD Not at the meeting
RACES: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ Nothing to report
ECHOLINK: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ
Ham Radio equipment coming from Home Land Security - Rusty went over it all and has the list.
Darrell, WA3AJQ, would like to check into the Monday night nets from Florida.
What's the status of obtaining a VGHA switch ?
Rusty got it / cost was $ 81.08
Rusty was cut a check minus his dues out of it.
Repeater Operation - Elmer Sorisio, KB3WG Not at the meeting
Meetings - Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ (Not at meeting)
All members are encouraged to consider items for the meeting agendas and bring a fellow ham / member or a perspective ham.
50 /50 drawing was won by: _Marcia Malcolm - KD4ITP
Ham Fest 2008: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ
Rusty had previously checked on the price to rent the Armagh Fire Hall, the price quoted was $125 for four hours or $150 for 24 hours (Since we're a ham radio club) Rusty was going to check with the Armagh Fire Chief to determine what the quoted prices include ie: kitchen etc.
There was a question as to whether parking would be adequate.
It was suggested we have the ham fest in the fall since we're rather slow in the planning process. It was also noted that we need to do a better job at advertising, ARRL as well as other ham fests !!
What's the status ? NO STATUS
ARRL has to have two months advance notice to publish it in QST.
The next several items will be discussed at the time there scheduled
VE Test - Bill McMillen, N3QM - April 5th One person signed up so far.
MS Walk - April ? * Will call Rusty
Torrance Walk - May ? Not sure if they are having it this year or not.
Field Day - June ?
Club Picnic - September ?
ARES Simulated Emergency Test - October ?
OPEN (Multi County) Breakfast - October ?
Christmas Party - December 14 th at Hoss's
Jim St.Clair made a motion and Larry Freeman 2nd the motion
DVD - Video presentation on amateur radio: Cliff Miller, KB3AGT
Show and Tell (Anybody / Anything) No Show & Tell
Members are encouraged to bring up anything, yes anything that might be of interest to any of the club members.
We have some very talented people with lots of experience in ham radio; antennas; antenna installations; computers etc.
Please feel free to ask your question, who knows, someone may be able to help !!
Notes or comments?
Larry Freeman made a motion to make Ken Snyder an Honorary Member Due to him being over at IRAQ Dave Dzelsky 2nd the Motion.
Motion to adjourn by: _Marcia Malcolm - KD4ITP second by: _Jerry Kiehl- WB3DUD
The meeting adjourned at: _7:57 PM. (Local time)
-- ICARC Meeting Attendance --
March 4, 2008
| ( X ) Carnahan,Terry KB3JOD | ( X ) Carnahan,Melissa KB3MDS | ( ) Carnahan,Ronald KB3JOE | ( X ) Dzelsky,David N3DZ | ( X ) Fister,Alphonse N3ZFZ | ( ) Fletcher,Kenneth N3VFL |
| ( X ) Frech,Kim ********* | ( X ) Freeman,Larry N3LT | ( ) Hvozda,Carl N3PIE | ( X ) Kieh,Jerry WB3DUD | ( X ) Kiehl,Linda ********* | ( X ) Lute,Roger N3PHX |
| ( X ) Lute,Kathleen N3SJY | ( ) Maize,Fred KM3M | ( X ) Malcolm,Richard KA3IYT | ( X ) Malcolm,Marcia KD4ITP | ( X ) McMillen,William N3QM | ( ) Menk,Bill W3LAB |
| ( X ) Miller,Cliff KB3AGT | ( ) Norris,Darrell WA3AJQ | ( X ) O'Donnell,Rusty WB3EUQ | ( ) Sorisio,Elmer KB3WG | ( X ) St Clair,James N3TQR | ( ) Stinson,Richard KB3KBC |
| ( X ) Strong,Alton N3PHL | ( X ) Whitson,Dennis KB3LBQ | ( ) Zugates,Robert KB3JOF |
Respectively Submitted by:
Kim Frech, Secretary / Treasurer
05, 06, 07 & 08
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