Indiana County Amateur Radio Newsletter for the Month

November, 2006 News Letter

November, 2006 News Letter

Written - October 2. 2006

By: Darrell R. Norris - WA3AJQ

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For the first time since I've been a member of the club, a mini field day was held at the repeater site on September 16^th. The rain was a little threatening however, managed to hold off. Communications, the evening picnic and the attendance were all great as reported by Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ. Thanks went to all who participated.

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This was taken, in part, from an ARRL bulletin. You think this sort of thing isn't taken seriously, read this article.

It was a day a lot of radio amateurs in Southern California had been anticipating for a long time. On September 18, US District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner sentenced convicted radio jammed Jack Gerritsen, now 70, to seven years imprisonment and imposed $15,225 in fines on six counts -- one a felony -- that included transmitting without a license and willful and malicious interference with radio transmissions. Before sentencing, Gerritsen apologized to the federal government, the FCC and the local Amateur Radio community, which had endured the brunt of Gerritsen's on-air tirades and outright jamming. "I'm sorry, and I apologize to everyone here," Gerritsen told those in the courtroom.

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Our four counties breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, October 21^st at Eat-N-Park in Indiana. Ed Wilbert, N3LFB, indicated some of the members in Butler County felt it was too far to travel to Indiana to eat breakfast. The counties we considered were: Butler; Armstrong; Cambria and of course, Indiana. This a social event similar to the old CB coffee breaks. Hope you will plan to participate.

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Our club picnic was enjoyed on Sunday September 24^th at the Indiana County's Blue Spruce Park. We met at 1:00 PM, and ate around 2:00 PM. Everyone furnished their drinks and brought a covered dish. Hot dogs, hamburgers and everything else was furnished by the club. We had some twenty people in attendance. The rain ended and it was rather windy. A nice time was had by all.

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

Meeting Minutes - October 3^rd 2006

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

Are there any additions or corrections?

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

There were none.

Financial Report:

Are there any comments or concerns?

If none the financial report stands as submitted. The report stands.

Old Business:

ARES: Jerry Kiehl, WB3DUD

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 his (Jerry's) review.

Bill Menk, W3LAB, was to notify the ARRL that we no longer have an ARES Emergency Coordinator. Robert Zugates KB3JOF, would still like to get an ARES ID card.

Bill was not at the meeting.

There was some discussion about the 2006 Simulated Emergency Test

We do not plan to participate since we don't have an Emergency Coordinator.

RACES: Rusty O'Donnell WB3EUQ

Per Rusty, the county is going to issue identification cards to us. *Waiting on the Machine*

ECHOLINK - Rusty O'Donnel WB3EUQ

Robert Zugates, KB3JOF, is taking over Echolink until Rusty, WB3EUQ, is available again.

Repeater Operation - Elmer Soriso, KB3WG

A first aid kit was purchased, Kim Frech purchased an ordinary kitchen type extinguisher and they are both at the repeater site.

Darrell, WA3AJQ, initiated a discussion regarding an application for membership renewal in the Western Pennsylvania Repeater Council (WPRC) that was given to him by Elmer Sorisio KB3WG. There weren't any older members present that knew anything about it. Elmer wasn't at the meeting. Darrell will pursue this. The cost of renewal is $10.

Club picnic: Kim Frech

Kim Frech made arrangements to have our clubs covered dish picnic at Blue Spruce on Sunday September 24^th. Some 20 people attended, rain quit and was somewhat windy, good food, nice day.

50 /50 was won by: __Jerry Kiehl WB3DUD

Sheetz: Kim Frech

Kim reported she has all the money in from the sale of the coupons except for Bill Menk, who was not at the meeting.

New Business:

Activities for 2006:

Portable John: Dave Dzelsky N3DZ

A brief discussion was conducted with Dave Dzelsky, N3DZ, regarding the purchase of a portable John for the repeater site. The cost was $150 and $50 to empty it. Concerns were having it set there over the winter months, the cost of emptying it and how often. We decided to table this until next spring.

Mall demonstration: - Tabled until next year

Robert Zugates, KB3JOF, had told Darrell, WA3AJQ, that he was told the Indiana Mall has a display counter, he wondered if we might be interested in considering a display sometime in the future. Robert is going to look into it.

Christmas party: December 10^th @ 6:OOPM Hoss's "big" room in Indiana

We considered holding the Christmas party at the Blue Spruce Park. $80 to rent the lodge; $9.00 + tax per person for the caterer; wood is furnished for the fire place; They have a tree but we can add additional Christmas decorations; We would probably furnish our own desert. Most of the attendees were in favor of going to the Blue Spruce facility however, because of the short notice as well as other considerations we will go to Hoss's again this year. Fred, KM3M made a motion, second by Dave, N3DZ, to allow non members to attend the Christmas party, the motion passed.

Kathy Lute gave a very nice report.

Thanks Kathy !

Ham Fest : 2007 ?

This will be discussed in January 2007

Questions:

1.  Do we want to have a ham fest?
2. Where will it be held?
3. What will be served for food / refreshments?
4. When would it be held?
5. Who will be in charge of it?
We need to find a better location.

Four County Social Breakfast: Darrell, WA3AJQ

Breakfast is scheduled for October 21^st.

Darrell, WA3AJQ, has been in communications with Ed Wilbert, N3LFB, from Butler County. Darrell made an announcement on the Johnstown net on Sunday September 24^th. Ed will notify Butler and Armstrong.

Darrell discussed this with Terry, our Saturday breakfast server, and requested we have tables set up similar to the Penelec arrangement. We'll plan for about 30 people.

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.

Start thinking about filling offices for 2007

We now have 49 members.

Bill McMillen, N3QM, announced there will be VE testing this coming Saturday.

Motion By: Ron Carnahan, KB3JOE, Second: Ric Lods, AL7DH

ADJOURNED At: __8:28 PM. (Local time)

ATTENDANCE:

Respectively Submitted by:
Kim Frech, Secretary / Treasurer

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