Indiana County Amateur Radio Newsletter for the Month

December 2008 News Letter

Prepared - November 8, 2008

By: Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ

This will be my last news letter as club president and I want to note that it's been a pleasure serving as club president for these last four years. I want to thank those who served as officers and all who supported the club in any way as well as those who participated in the various club activities.

I want to wish Bill Menk, W3LAB, who has volunteered to serve as club president in 2009, the very best of luck.

Darrell Norris

WA3AJQ

President 05, 06, 07 & 08

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The following excerpts were taken from recent ARRL news letters.

When you think of ARRL's Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Department (VEC) , Amateur Radio licensing exams are probably what come to mind. Questions regarding exam requirements, exam accommodations, exam test locations, exam question pools and Volunteer Examiner support are handled by the League's VEC department. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, the ARRL VEC has been busy meeting the needs of the Amateur Radio community since 1984. "Helping a person become a radio amateur or upgrade their existing license is what we do best, but that's not all we do," Somma said.

"We provide instruction and support for everyone who wants to get an Amateur Radio license, as well as licensing assistance and procedures for those amateurs seeking upgrades to their current license, regardless of where in the US they may live; some sessions are also provided overseas," Somma explained. "Volunteer Examiners are accredited by the ARRL/VEC; they obtain their training -- and receive ongoing guidance -- from our office by phone or e-mail. They can also access our online VE Manual."

Somma said that the ARRL's VEC Department is also a primary provider for club license questions and applications (club call signs) and vanity call signs. "We only serve in an advisory capacity in this activity, as application must be made (with their appropriate fee) directly to the FCC," she said. "We also handle the 1x1 Special Event call signs, International Amateur Radio Permits (IARP) and ARRL member (or non-member with accompanying fee) FCC license updates and renewals ."

Since the VE program began in 1984, the ARRL VEC has accredited more than 50,000 Volunteer Examiners. "These VEs have conducted more than 90,000 test sessions," Somma said. "At these sessions, more than 850,000 individuals have taken examinations to earn a license or to upgrade their license privileges. And out of those, 400,000 have had their successful applications submitted to the FCC for new and higher class licenses. Today, the ARRL VEC is the largest of the USA's 14 VECs , representing nearly 70 percent of all exams given."

Somma credits her "skilled, knowledgeable and friendly staff" with the success of the League's VEC department: Assistant VEC Manager Perry Green, WY1O; Pete Warner, K1HJW; Ann Brinius; Lisa Riendeau; Amanda Grimaldi, and China Chaney.

"The ARRL VEC has more than 20 years of service to radio amateurs, operating as a knowledgeable information source for a wide-range of licensing issues," Somma said. "Look beyond the exams -- we're here to help!"

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Club Activities

Club Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday December 14^th at Hoss's in Indiana, 6:00 PM social time, dinner around 6:30 PM, if you plan to attend, make sure Roger and Kathy Lute are notified at: rklute@verizon.net by December 8^th ,hope you can attend, past members and visitors welcome !!

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Remember, Tuesday December 2^nd is our next meeting at Eat*N*Park in Indiana. The regular meeting is at 7:30 PM. It's our annual meeting which includes the president's report, election and installation of the 2009 club officers.

Guests are always welcome.

Hope to see you there !!

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Birthdays

AL Fister, N3ZFZ, Cliff Miller, KB3AGT, Bill Wieserman, K3ZYK, Robert Zugates, KB3JOF and Bill McMillen, N3QM

Happy Birthday to all !!

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Thanks and 73's,
Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ
President

Meeting Minutes November 4, 2008

Nominations ! Nominations ! Nominations !

President Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ, called the meeting to order at __7:37__PM local time.

There were no additions or corrections to the October 7, 2008 minutes.

Motion to accept: Richard Stinson, KB3KBC

Second by: Marcia Malcolm, KD4ITP

Financial Report: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ

Financial report None available

We forgot to mention that our repeater site lease is due for the last four (4) years

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Old Business:

ARES: E.C. Robert Zugates, KB3JOF

Robert reminded everyone that he wants to continue with traffic handling practice after the Monday night ARES nets on the 2 meter and 440 repeaters.

Robert also mentioned he had offered to host the Western PA AREA meeting here in Indiana, he wasn't to sure how receptive they will be to his offer.

Robert again mentioned he will be monitoring the ARES call list and will remove names as he deems appropriate.

Net Coordinator: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD

Terry Carnahan had sent Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ an email indicating he was willing to take the Monday night ARES net coordinators position for 2009.

After the meeting it was decided since Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD, is taking the secretary / treasurers position for 2009, it would be better if Terry took the coordinators job. Darrell emailed Terry informing him of this.

Christine Bartlebaugh , KB3QJZ, will be net control for December. Her email address is: blackwolf91@verizon.net

RACES: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ

Rusty indicated the county is currently working on ID's for the ambulance, police and fire personnel.

ECHOLINK: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ

Echolink is still in service however, Rusty is turning it off at night to conserve electricity.

Repeater Operation : Elmer Sorisio, KB3WG (Not at meeting)

I understand Larry Freeman, N3LT, is assistant club Trustee. Do we need to notify the FCC or ARRL ??

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Nominations & Membership ID's Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ

The club agreed to make Ken Snyder, AA3IO, an honorary member while he's in Iraq.

Motion by: Richard Stinson, KB3KBC Second: Fred Maize, KM3M

Motion passed.

Darrell submitted his 2009 nomination summary report:

( ) We have forty One (41) members of which three (3) are associates members and one (1) is an honorary.

( ) Thirty Six (36) have email addresses, fourteen (14) of which completed nomination request forms at the October 7th meeting.

( ) Six (6) members responded to my first email request.

( ) Two (2) members answered my second request.

( ) None of six (6), with email capability, ever answered my third or my final request.

( ) Four (4) were contacted by phone.

( ) One (1) Responded to my first email request then at breakfast on Saturday October 25th changed his previous request.

( ) Totals are: eight (8) no contacts; twenty two (22) no's; one (1) president; one (1) vice president; one (1) secretary / treasurer; eight (8) board members (by-laws require nine (9) three (3) for net control; one (1) webmaster; one (1) emergency coordinator; one (1) trustee.

Darrell suggested the club purchase Microsoft Works 2009 for Bill Menk, since he'll be the 2009 president and our club roster, agenda's, news letters etc are done in this format. Robert Zugates will no longer be using his and volunteered to make his available to Bill, assuming this is appropriate.

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OPEN (Multi County) Breakfast : - October 11^th Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ

Darrell reported we had fourteen people attended.

Two (2) from Cambria; Two (2) from Butler; One (1) from Westmoreland; One (1) from Cumberland and nine (9) from Indiana.

Thanks to all who participated !!

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The 50 /50 drawing: (No Drawing)

Won by: ____________________ Donated ( )

New Business:

VE Test - Bill McMillen, N3QM

The members agreed we should continue with the VE testing in 2009. Motion by: Fred Maize, KM3M, Second by: Richard Stinson, KB3KBC

Motion passed.

Bill will continue to lead the VE effort again in 2009. Whether or not they have a session will depend on whether anyone, or how many sign up to be tested.

The sessions are scheduled the first Saturday in April and October.

Some of the volunteer examiners are: William McMillen, N3QM, Larry Freeman, N3LT, Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ, Dennis Whitson, KB3LBQ and Alton Strong, N3PHL.

Christmas Party - December 14^th at Hoss's

Social time is scheduled for 6:00 PM, Dinner at 6:30 PM.

Roger and Kathy sent Darrell, WA3AJQ, an email and asked to remind everyone interested in going to let them know by December 8^th so they can notify Hoss's.

From: Carl Hvozda, N3PIE

Hoss's Community Night's program is an easy, free way for non-profit groups to make money! This program literally gives away THOUSANDS of dollars a year, just from the Indiana location alone. The program is efficient, the rules are simple and the payout is BIG! Basically, you schedule a day, your group members come in and eat and you get a check for 20% of your groups sales! IT'S THAT SIMPLE!
Call now and ask for Kathy or Corey and we'll be happy to give you all the details, answer your questions and book your Community Night today!

Indiana
1198 Wayne Ave
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 349-5750

Carl Hvozda, N3PIE arranged to have Corey Berkey attend the meeting and give a presentation and answer any questions about the fund raiser possibility.

This was tabled until the December meeting for further discussion.

Motion by: Richard Stinson, KB3KBC Second by: Fred Maize, KM3M

Motion passed.

Show and Tell (Anybody / Anything)

Notes or comments?

This isn't related to amateur radio nor our club activities however, this was an historic national election day since we had a female running for VP and an African American running for president.

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Leave a generous tip for our meeting server. They put a lot of effort into setting up our meeting room and attending to our needs.

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BIRTHDAYS

Dennis Whitson, KB3LBQ, Eric Hvozda, N3YMY and Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ.

Happy Birthday to all !!

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Motion to adjourn by: Richard Stinson, KB3KBC

Second by: Robert Zugates, KB3JOF

The meeting adjourned at: _8:31_PM. (Local time)

-- ICARC Meeting Attendance --

November 4, 2008

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