Indiana County Amateur Radio Newsletter for the Month

July 2006 News Letter

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Recently we mailed one hundred eighty four (184) invitations to licensed amateurs around the surrounding area and ask them to consider joining our club or a least donating something, in any amount, to help support the operation of our repeaters. We got twenty eight (28) invitations returned, three (3) were marked deceased and the others returned were because of a wrong address. We gained two (2) new members.

If, for any reason, your address has changed, whether because of 911 or that you have moved, it's very important you notify the FCC. If they mail you something and it's returned, you risk having your license suspended.

The information was taken from my 2006 Ham Call program, their information is taken from the FCC's data base.

For what its worth, the program lists two hundred forty four (244) licensed amateurs in Indiana County.

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Out of forty seven (47) members, we average about twelve to fifteen attendees per meeting. I sure would like to see this number increase. We need to make some decisions regarding our club picnic and our ham fest. If you have any suggestions regarding either of these issues, please feel free to bring your ideas to the July 4^th meeting.

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I recently bought a new computer and if your like me and haven't bought one for a while, you may find it as interesting as I did. I was surprised to learn that new computers no longer have a 3 ½" "A" drive. This reminds me of my first computer around 1991, when they were phasing out the old 5" "B" drive, the real floppy.

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Thanks and 73's

Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ

President

Meeting Minutes - June 6th 2006

Minutes from last meeting: (As posted on our web site)

Are there any additions or corrections - There were none.

If there are no additions or corrections, the minutes stand as written.

Financial Report:

As Reported

Are there any comments or concerns - There Were None.

If none the financial report stands as submitted.

Old Business:

ARES: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD -- (Absent)

Reminder: At the end of the month, the net control operator can submit his / her updated call list to Robert KB3JOF, as an Email attachment however, Jerry will be the one to have Robert place it on our web site after Jerry's review.

Need a volunteer net control for July. ____??

RACES: Rusty O'Donnell WB3EUQ -- (Absent)

At a previous meeting, Rusty - WB3EUQ informed us that you can go on the web and type in www.nims.com and you can take the classes on line! Right now there on 1-7 and 2-8

Per Rusty, the county is going to issue identification cards to us.

ECHOLINK - Rusty O'Donnel WB3EUQ

Rusty needs someone to get on EchoLink with him sometime to make some needed adjustments. Darrell, WA3AJQ, will have to arrange a schedule with Rusty.

Repeater Operation - Elmer Soriso, KB3WG, (Absent)

At a previous meeting, Steve - KB3JNZ indicated there should be a Fire Ext. & First Aide Kit at the Repeater Site - Rusty - WB3EUQ will look into it! Tabled Till July Meeting

Membership solicitation: Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ

On May 23^rd Darrell, WA3AJQ, mailed out 184 invitations to join our club or consider a donation, in any amount, to help maintain our repeaters.

Fred Maize KM3M, did a very nice job printing them, THANKS FRED.

Darrell printed the labels from his new Ham Call program.

Cost of postage was $44.16 ($.24 per copy) Darrell would appreciate reimbursement.

Need a motion. Motion by Larry - N3LT_ Second __Fred - KM3M_

New Business:

Activities for 2006:

Mall demonstration: Bill Menk W3LAB - (Absent)

Should this item be cancelled or tabled until next year??

Torrance Walk: May 13^th

We had a total of six (6) operators, we met at Dean's Diner for breakfast about 7:30 AM, met at Torrance about 9:00 and the march started at 10:00. We operated on 146.520 simplex, this worked very well. It was a beautiful morning. Thanks to the volunteers.

Club picnic: Tabled.

Date __________ Location: _________________

(Location must accommodate Jimmy N3TQR)

Need a volunteer ___________________.

Christmas party: December 10^th (Hoss's "big" room in Indiana)

Update by: Roger & Kathy Lute (Absent)

Four counties get together.

Tabled until spring or summer this year

Consider breakfast with Indiana, Cambria, Armstrong and Butler county amateurs. where?

Meeting Announcement:

Darrell would like to advertise our meeting nights. (Info from Bill Menk, W3LAB)

Field day: _June 24^th & 25^th

Dave N3DZ, has a sign up sheet, if you're interested in participating, please see Dave.

Dave presented a nice illustration of one of the radio's to be used during field day and discussed its various features. He indicated the following bands / frequencies will be utilized:

80 meters 3.775 - 4.0 MHZ;
 
40 meters 7.150 - 7.3 MHZ;
 
20 meters 14.175 - 14.350;
 
15 meters - 21.225 - 21.450 MHZ;
 
10 meters - 28.3 - 29.0 MHZ.

He also reviewed the various abbreviations to be used and explained the utilization of the duplication (dup) sheet. Thanks Dave!!!!

At a previous meeting Rusty, WB3EUQ, suggested we consider using mobile units rather than put up and take down a lot of antennas since the number of people involved are limited.

Generator _Rusty - WB3EUQ; Portable John, Kim/ Sectreary

What else is needed?? Volunteers!!

Notes or comments?

If you know of anyone that would be interested in becoming a ham or would like to join our club, please invite them to our meetings.

Does anyone have anything they wish to bring up for the good of the club or of general interest??

Darrell reminded everyone to notify the FCC if you have changed your address.

Darrell also noted he updated our club information with the ARRL.

Marcia Malcolm presented an Email she received regarding three 60' Big Bertha Rotatable Towers by Santee Basin ( Naval Academy ) Bob Bruninga negotiated with the Contractor to set them aside for a little while in case some club or Organization could use them. They are Big and Heavy !

Thanks Marcia for bringing this up !!

July Meeting -- Per Larry, N3LT, there will be a Presentation on Antenna Modeling Software . This will be presented at the end of the business portion of the meeting.

Remember, our club now belongs to 46 members.

50 /50 won by ____Ric Lods - AL7OH_

ADJURNED At: _8:34_ PM. (Local time)

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