Indiana County Amateur Radio Newsletter for the Month

May 2007 News Letter

May 2007 News Letter

Prepared - April 10, 2007

By: Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ

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This is part of an article taken from an ARRL news letter, I thought this was great !

FORMER ISS CREW MEMBERS ON HAND FOR HAM RADIO CONTACT WITH ISS

Technical problems failed to dampen the enthusiasm of youngsters at Virginia Run Elementary School in Centreville, Virginia, who spoke March 2 via ham radio with International Space Station flight engineer Suni Williams, KD5PLB. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program arranged the direct VHF contact. For reasons still being looked into, the space station's NA1SS and Earth station K4HTA failed to establish solid communication until more than three minutes into the approximately ten-minute pass. Nonetheless, not only did Williams answer all the students' questions but had time to let the youngsters know how much she enjoyed the opportunity.

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Taken from an ARRL news letter also.

NASA Space shuttle veteran and International Space Station Expedition 12 commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, will be the League's guest at Dayton Hamvention 2007 in May. Hamvention takes place this year Friday through Sunday, May 18-20, at Hara Arena near Dayton, Ohio. The first astronaut to work all states from space, McArthur has been applauded for inspiring others through his ham radio activities from NA1SS. He'll be featured speaker during a closed ARRL reception Thursday, May 17, and will be on hand all day Friday, May 18, to greet and talk with visitors to ARRL EXPO 2007 at Hamvention .

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ECHOLINK

I find that Echolink, this trip to Florida, has been somewhat a hit and miss proposition. There's times when I loose the connection and when I get up and running our station is off. Echolink is great however, it can be a little frustrating, I know from my personal experience. I don't know if I'll ever get Echolink working at home with DSL.

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DSL / Dialup Internet Service

I had a dialup internet service in both Pennsylvania and Florida for about five years and didn't realize how slow it was until I went to DSL. Now in Florida this year I have to use Verizon dialup service and its driving me nuts, its unbelievable how slow it is after becoming used to DSL. Earthlink and Verizon both told me the DSL service I have is about five times faster than dialup.

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Membership

So far we have forty two members, seven less than last year. If you know of anyone that might be interested in getting an amateur radio license and might be interested in joining the club, please invite them to one of our meetings.

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We're always looking for volunteers to run the Monday night ARES nets, please consider taking a turn for a month. Also we will be involved in some upcoming marches, your participation in these events is also appreciated.

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Thanks and 73's,

Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ

2005 / 06 / 07 Club President

Meeting Minutes - Tuesday April 3, 2007

Jerry, WB3DUD, presided over both the March and April meetings for Darrell, WA3AJQ.

Minutes from last meeting: (March 6, 2007)

Are there any additions or correction - None

Financial Report:

Are there any questions or comments ? None

Old Business:

ARES:

Emergency Coordinator: Robert Zugates, KB3JOF Not Here .

Reminder

AMERICAN RED CROSS BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY : * In Question - Robert & Jerry to find out if Ham's have to do a Background Check or not?

Net Coordinator: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD

Line up net control operators; review and update the monthly call sheets as necessary and forward the updated sheets to our web master for posting.

RACES: Robert Zugates, KB3JOF ( Not Here .

ECHOLINK: Robert Zugates, KB3JOF ( Not Here .

Repeater Operation - Elmer Sorisio, KB3WG Not at the Meeting

Mall Display: Robert Zugates, KB3JOF

50 /50 drawing was won by: Jim StClair - N3TQR

New Business:

Potential activities for 2007

M S Walk - April 22^nd Ron Carnahan - KB3JOE agreed to be in charge of the guys that signed up to help ! Thanks Ron !!

VE Testing -- Bill McMillen, N3QM

April 7^th IUP - No walk Ins, must Register by Friday April 6^th. 1^st Saturday in April & October,

Torrance Walk -- May? - Jerry to find out.

ARRL Field Day</b> -- June?