Prepared - April 4, 2008
By: Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ
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The MS walk is scheduled for Sunday April 20th with registration at 1:00 PM and the walk commencing at 2:00 PM from the Indiana High School. Our club has been asked to help with communications. We need some volunteers.
Please contact Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ.
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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 10
March 14, 2008
More than 20 Amateur Radio operators wrapped up technical and operational support for the 2008 Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games in Boise, Tamarack and Sun Valley, Idaho the last week in February. Approximately 365 athletes from 10 countries competed in five sports -- Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing. The Invitational Games were seen as the practice run for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held in Idaho February 6-13, 2009.
The Department of Defense provided Motorola VHF analog and P25 handheld radios and temporary repeaters to support the Games. Covering all of Southwestern Idaho, the ARES VHF repeater was instrumental in providing Games radio communications and critical communications for athlete transportation to and from Bogus Basin and Boise. Crossband links were used to coordinate and provide communications to the KX7ID Boise ARES repeater from the Tamarack Snowboarding venue near the Cascade/Donnelly area, about 100 miles north of Boise.
"It was a privilege to work with the Idaho State Police, Boise Police, Ada County Sheriff, Ada County EMS, Blaine County Sheriff and others within the Public Safety community," said Chuck Robertson, KX7ID, Technical Director for Games Radio Communications. "We are grateful for the relationships built during these test Games which will improve cooperation and teamwork as we work together toward support of the 2009 Games and public service initiatives beyond the Games."
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Exhibit Kits Now Available for Field Day: Please visit our Field Day information page www.arr.org/fieldday for all the details on Field Day rules, frequencies, forms, pins, logos and T shirts. The complete Field Day packet can be downloaded from the site as well. If you have unanswered questions about Field Day, contact ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND fcinfo@arrl.org, via e-mail or by phone at 860-594-0236. If you want to order exhibit kits containing printed flyers about Amateur Radio, you may order these materials www.arrl.org/brochures/ on the ARRL Web site. The cost of the exhibit kits ranges from $8-$12 depending on shipping. To make sure you'll have the display material in time for Field Day, your order must be received before June 13.
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Amateur Radio Exempt from California's New "Hands Free" Law: On July 1, the State of California will have new laws on the books to deal with the use of wireless telephones while driving. There has been some confusion as to whether California amateurs who operate in their car will be affected by the new law. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicle's Web site www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/dl208_03cell_phone.pdf, "the use of dedicated two-way radios such as walkie-talkies or Citizen Band (CB) radios is not affected by the new law" for drivers 18 or older.
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ICARC Membership
It's sad but it's a fact, we seem to loose two or three members every year and 2008 is no exception, we lost three members from last year. I'm hoping at some point they'll pay their dues and again participate in the club.
If you know of anyone that might be interested, feel free to invite them to join.
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I had sent Ken Snyder, AA3IO, an email to let him know he was made an honorary club member and the following is his reply:
Good Morning Darrell & Fellow ICARC Members,
It lifted my spirits to get your email and to know that I have been given the honorary membership! I miss the morning chats and breakfast there at Eat'n'Park. Be sure to tell Terri that I said 'hello'. We have experienced a lot of sand storms here lately and the dust filters into everything! It snowed twice and they say that hasn't happened since the 40's. All the best to everyone back in Indiana & I hope to share all of my experiences with you at breakfast sometime in the future!
Best Regards,
Ken Snyder
Al Asad, Iraq
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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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Morse Code
At our last meeting Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ, indicated there are some great programs for learning Morse code and can be obtained online at:
www.numorse.com
Code is no longer required to obtain an amateur license of any class however, its great to learn and without a doubt, it's a challenge !!
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Thanks and 73's,
Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ
President - 05 / 06 / 07 / 08
President Darrell Norris,WA3AJQ, called the meeting to order at __7:35 __PM local time.
Minutes from last meeting:(March 4, 2008)
There were no additions or corrections. The minutes stand as written.
Financial Report: Kim Frech:
Kim reported that she paid the club's insurance and reimbursed Rusy O'Donnell, WB3EUQ, for the two port switch.
There were no questions or concerns, the financial report was accepted as presented.
ARES: E.C. Robert Zugates, KB3JOF (Not at meeting)
Net Coordinator: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD
Jerry reminded everyone we still need net control operators for the Monday night ARES nets.
RACES: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ
Rusty indicated the county ID's will be coming and that we're getting new equipment being furnished by Homeland Security.
Cliff, KB3GTH, passed a Cambria County ID around for everyone to see what they looked like.
ECHOLINK: Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ
Rusty had EchoLink up and running however, it's temporarily out of service and the cause is being determined.
Repeater Operation - Elmer Sorisio, KB3WG
(Not at meeting)
Meetings - Darrell Norris, WA3AJQ
All members are encouraged to consider items for the meeting agendas and bring a fellow ham / member or a perspective ham.
Shirley McCombs, KB3DTH, a former member was present as a visitor.
The 50 /50 drawing was won by: Carl Hvozda, N3PIE.
Carl donated it to the club, thanks Carl !!
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 will check with the Armagh Fire Chief to determine what the quoted prices include ie: kitchen etc.
If we have a ham fest, September 14th was chosen as our first choice with September 21st as a second choice. It was agreed that the Armagh fire hall, corner of route 56 & 22, would be the location.
After a long discussion Fred Maize, KM3M made a motion indicating that if we don't get sufficient volunteers and agree on the final planning at the May meeting, we give up the idea of having a club ham fest, the motion was second by Bill McMillen, N3QM, the motion passed.
Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ, suggested we ask the members to donate $20 (or an amount agreed to by the club) to improve our treasury rather than rely on a fund raiser etc.
We need better advertising through fliers at other ham fests etc.
The 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
Bill indicated he has one person signed up so far and may have to cancel the session.
MS Walk - April ?
Darrell, WA3AJQ, was contacted and asked to provide some communications help for the event. It is scheduled for Sunday April 20th with registration at 1:00 PM and the walk at 2:00 PM. The walk begins at the Indiana High School.
A copy of the walk route was distributed at the meeting.
Rusty O'Donnell, WB3EUQ, will be in charge. Rusty would like to have fourteen (14) members however, he feels we can get by with seven (7).
Torrance Walk - May ?
Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD will check to see if they plan to hold the event this year.
Field Day - June
It was pretty much agreed that the club will participate in field day again this year.
Club Picnic - September ?
ARES Simulated Emergency Test - October ?
OPEN (Multi County) Breakfast - October ?
Christmas Party - December 14th at Hoss's
DVD - Video presentation on amateur radio: Cliff Miller, KB3AGT
Darrell, WA3AJQ, will check with Eat*N*Park to determine if their DVD equipment is operating and available.
Show and Tell (Anybody / Anything)
Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ, indicated there are some great programs for learning code and can be obtained online at: www.numorse.com
Notes or comments?
Darrell read an email from Ken Snyder in Iraq:
Good Morning Darrell & Fellow ICARC Members,
It lifted my spirits to get your email and to know that I have been given the honorary membership! I miss the morning chats and breakfast there at Eat'n'Park. Be sure to tell Terri that I said 'hello'. We have experienced a lot of sand storms here lately and the dust filters into everything! It snowed twice and they say that hasn't happened since the 40's. All the best to everyone back in Indiana & I hope to share all of my expericences with you at breakfast sometime in the future!
Best Regards,
Ken Snyder
Al Asad, Iraq
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Motion to adjourn by: _Larry Freeman, N3LT __
second by: _Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD__
The meeting adjourned at: _8:40_PM. (Local time)
| (X) Carnahan Terry KB3JOD | (X) Dzelsky David N3DZ | (X) Fister Alphonse N3ZFZ | (X) Frech Kim ********* |
| (X) Freeman Larry N3LT | (X) Hvozda Carl N3PIE | (X) Kiehl Jerry WB3DUD | (G) Kiehl Linda ********* |
| (X) Maize Fred KM3M | (X) Malcolm Richard KA3IYT | (X) Malcolm Marcia KD4ITP | (G) McColms Shirley KB3DTH |
| (X) McMillen William N3QM | (X) Miller Cliff KB3AGT | (X) Norris Darrell WA3AJQ | (X) O'Donnell Rusty WB3EUQ |
| (G) Guests |
|---|
Respectively Submitted by:
Kim Frech, Secretary / Treasurer
05, 06, 07 & 08
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