The Illuminator

The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club

June 2000


 


 

Spotted at Dayton

 


 

 

President’s Desk

By Larry, N3CR

 

 

I want to thank everyone for taking time out to attend our meetings.   At least we know when it is going to rain!!   The last two meetings have brought some rainy and foggy weather into our area.     Please monitor the repeater at 5pm and 6pm meeting nights for any reports of possible cancellations.   One of the officers of the club will give you the information you need.   

 

During the last few weeks,   the Skywarn Net has been activated in Carbon County with Mike W3JYA running the net.    The information is funnelled to N3VAE on the Monroe County network and on to Cape May, NJ.    Fortunately, the last storms have been mostly non-events in Carbon County.    So have been the checkins from Carbon County.    It appears the doppler radar gives some "false" readings over Carbon County.    During a recent event a large cell appeared to be crossing central Carbon County.   An hour later the  highways in the area were dry.     This is one of the reasons we need to become more active in Skywarn when the day comes severe weather does pass thru our county.    The weather service especially would like reports from the Palmerton area where several storms seem to use this path into Monroe County.    Our Skywarn reports could save lives by reporting hail, high winds, trees down, power outages, and small stream flooding.   Getting these reports out on the repeater, commercial radio and tv stations are important in saving lives .  Once we are trained in Skywarn Reporting,   the weather service will be able to rely on accurate reports of serious weather conditions and report them immediately.    For this, help us to set up a date for Skywarn Instruction and get our members certified.

 

Due to the passing of two of our members recently, hardbound copies of the ARRL Handbook are being obtained and placed in libraries.    A copy is being given to the Lehighton Library in the name of Amy Zimmerman, KD3TI.     A copy is being given to the Lansford Library in the name of Ted Theodore Jr, W3COW.     Hopefully, these memorials will help someone become an active ham.   Amy and Ted were active members of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club and will be missed.   Remember these silent keys.

 

Summer is upon us and it is time to think about Field Day, club picnic, and surviving the humidity.    We have had but a taste of it.   July is rapidly approaching as well as the hurricane season.    It is time to look over the shack and see where improvements can be made.   It is also time to make sure the Hts and batteries are ready for when the lights go out.   It is also a good time to have spare batteries for you AM/FM radio so you can receive weather info.   It is also time to replace batteries in your smoke detectors if you haven't already done so.     It is now the time to have a list of emergency numbers available and addition numbers to call should problems develope.    The time you spend now will save valuable minutes in emergencies.    They happen to everyone and we, especially as hams, need to be ready.    The community is counting on us.

 

We really need net controls for our Wednesday evening nets.    Sam has been running this net for years and could use a couple relief operators, especially during the busy summer months.    It would be a welcome change to hear a new voice running the RACES Net.   Throw your name in the hat and give it a try.    It is important to keep this net active and all our equipment in proper operation at all times.    It is also a good time to bring everyone up to date on you recent operating and band conditions.    Asia has yet to have its big showing on the DX bands.   But we will not know when it does happen if we don't receive any reports on it.    I look forward to your reports.     I am looking forward to seeing everyone at

the next meeting.

73s de Larry N3CR,

President Carbon ARC.

 

A Different Kind of Field Day

by John, K3CT

 

Since our son Jonathan has moved up to Boy Scouts, I have been very active within the troop. I have been on many outings with the scouts and whenever possible I take along my IC-706 and a car battery donated by W3OWP. Many of the boys really look forward to getting on the radio or helping with the antenna installation. Some club members have talked with the scouts while they were working on their Radio Merit Badge. Other than casual operation we have never planned a radio-related outing. This brings me to Field Day 2000.

 

At last month’s boy-lead planning meeting (PLC meeting for you scouts) I asked the boys if they would be interested in setting up at a remote location and operating during Field Day. When I told them about the event, they got excited and said let’s plan on it. I was really surprised at the enthusiasm and the number of volunteers.

 

At this point I am committed to supporting Field Day with our Boy Scout troop and I am looking for some volunteers that would be willing to help boys with the radio operation. The scout troop will supply all the shelter, antenna setup, and cooking. The adults will only need to provide ham-radio type guidance during the event and maybe some gear or antennas. I don’t expect this Field Day to be like any other I’ve experienced however, it may be just as rewarding as finishing in the top 10 of our class or using a full size 40m vertical on a metal barn roof!

 

Since I am expecting the boys to be deeply involved with the planning and operation, I have no clue right now how many boys will attend, where we will be setting up, or how many contacts they will make. I’d really like this to be a learning experience for the boys and not an event where they attend something organized by adults. The troop has weekly meetings however, the troop has events every weekend in June! Therefore, I can’t expect the boys to devote much time to the immediate planning but I will work on it.

 

I have shared this information with the club members at the last meeting. If anyone is interested in assisting, please contact me. So far, I know that Bert, W3OWP and Goody, K3NG are very interested and both have volunteered gear, shelter, and computers.  After the troop’s plans firm up, I will announce them via email and the Wednesday night nets. If the club wants to continue the tradition of past Field Day’s, I would encourage them to do so. If the troop’s plans change, you can bet I’ll be beating the drum to pull together a normal effort for Field Day!

 

 

QRP

By Lamar, N3AT

 

Elecraft, the company that provides the fantastic K2 transciever in kit form, has now come out with a much smaller  transceiver that is strictly CW, and operates on 2 HF bands - 40 and 20 mtrs. It weighs approximately 1.5 lbs, and will sell for $269. It will be shown for the first time at Dayton this year. There is a lot of excitement about this new rig among K2 enthusiasts. it is designed primarily for backpacking, etc. It is small, but incorporates a lot of the features of its big brother, the K2. Includes built in keyer, RIT, XIT, and a lot of other goodies. If you would like to read more about it, the URL is: http://www.elecraft.com/. You will be hearing more about it in the ham magazines before long. Looks like a real winner.

 

There is a parts shortage developing in the electronics business! Dave Benson NN1G who has been selling is DSW kits recently announced that he is discontinuing production of his great DSW kits for the present, because some of the parts are no longer available. The electronic industry is using mostly surface mounted parts, so manufacturers are giving up the production of the parts that are inserted thru holes in a PC board and soldered in place. The Northern California Club, aware of this trend, is developing a surface mount kit for 10 meters, to be available sometime next fall. In the meantime, they have produced the SMK 1, which is a small simple surface mount kit for prospective buyers of the larger kit. It will give hams the opportunity to work with surface mount parts before the more advanced kit comes out in the fall.

 

Carbon Amateur Radio Club

Regular Meeting Minutes

May 18, 2000

By Bob, K3PH

 

President Larry Lilly, N3CR, called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club to order at 7:42 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2000.  Thirteen people attended.

 

The minutes were read by Bob, K3PH, and approved with one amendment by the members in attendance.

 

John, W3MF, gave the treasurer’s report.  At the last meeting, we had a balance of $1157.43.  We had expenses of $5.94 for mailing out the newsletter, leaving a balance of $1151.49.  The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.

 

Lamar, N3AT, reported that all the Vectronics receivers and cases have been distributed.  He also indicated that the matching QRP transmitter is available for about the same price.  Anyone interested in a group buy should contact Lamar.

 

John, K3CT, indicated that the repeater transmitter needs some work.  At some point, he will take the repeater down to fix the power amplifier.

 

Goody, K3NG, reported that he needs articles for the club newsletter.

 

Larry, N3CR, noted that we definitely need a new Wednesday night net control station, as Sam, WB3JYY, is working longer hours and will have a difficult time performing this duty.  He also noted the need for a Radio Officer and Emergency Coordinator.

 

Mike, W3JYA, talked about SKYWARN training, possibly during the week.  He noted that SKYWARN needs more spotters, particularly from Carbon County, and that training will only take about 1 hour.  Mike and Larry, N3CR, will discuss the date and time for the training session.

 

The passing of Ted Theodore, W3COW, on May 6 was noted.  Bert, W3OWP, moved that the club purchase a copy of the ARRL Handbook and donate it to the Lansford library in memory of W3COW.  The motion passed.

 

Larry, N3CR, relayed thanks to all who participated at Walk America.  T-shirts were distributed to participants.  Larry also noted that we are invited back for next year.

 

John, K3CT, announced that he is working with the Boy Scouts for Field Day and that any CARC members who want to help are welcome.  Regarding plans for a CARC Field Day, Bert, W3OWP, reported that he checked out possible three sites and none were available.  Bob, K3PH, checked out Hickory Run and found that the only place you can be after dark is the campground.  Camp rangers reportedly do not like people going in and out of the campground after dark.  The other disadvantage of Hickory Run is that it is about 19 miles from Bob’s house and even farther away from most club members.

 

Gene, N3WMA, gave a report on the Reading club’s fox hunts.

 

Larry, N3CR, reported that we were asked if we could help when a couple of planes went down, but noted that we don’t have receivers that go down to 121.5 MHz.  Those in attendance expressed interest in helping in those situations.  Larry volunteered to find out more information about what equipment we would need.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

The Latest in Multi-Band Vertical Antennas

by John, K3CT

 

Cushcraft and Hy-Gain have recently released new multi-band vertical antennas with improved efficiency and operation on all amateur bands from 6 meters to 40 meters. The model numbers are Cushcraft R8 and Hy-Gain AV640. Hy-Gain also sells the AV620 without the 30m and 40m bands. These antennas all share a similar design which solves many problems that plagued the older generations of multi-band vertical antennas.

 

Prior to the WARC bands multi-band vertical antennas covered 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m usually with a multi-trapped ¼ wave element. Users seldom installed these antennas in the clear or with the proper ground radials. These factors contributed to these antennas earning a reputation of being poor performers with narrow bandwidth. When the WARC bands became available, the manufacturers simply added more traps without thinking much about the performance. Both the bandwidth and the efficiency suffered due to the added traps.

 

The next generation of multi-band verticals, I believe pioneered by Cushcraft, addressed the radial issue by end feeding a ½ wave element. In this design, the ½ wave radiator was shortened with inductors in the traps to make the length manageable. This antenna contained the same number of traps so the overall efficiency improvement may have been small.

 

Around the same time GAP antennas made a big splash in the market when they released their line of  antennas without traps or radials. I know very little about their antennas except that they don’t have a good reputation for being a rugged antenna.

 

This brings us to the latest design in multi-band verticals. After moving to a new QTH, I wanted to get back on the low bands quickly. I tried dipoles but I wasn’t able to install them high enough to be effective for DX. My interest turned to verticals for their low takeoff angles and the R8 and AV640 caught my attention. After some research, I decided on the cheaper AV640 but it was out of stock. The R8 was in stock so it was purchased instead. After using this antenna for several months, I decided to reverse engineer the design. I started with a table of the element lengths and mounting positions.

 

The R8 and AV640 use similar designs to improve both efficiency and bandwidth when compared to the older generation of multi-band verticals. The number of traps was reduced by grafting four (trapless) elements onto the main vertical support for each of the bands 6m, 10m, 12m, and 15m. In these designs, the major vertical element is used for operation on only 17m, 20m, 30m, and 40m.

 

The efficiency was improved with multiple techniques. The radial requirements were greatly reduced by raising the feedpoint impedance. This allows an efficient antenna to be constructed with seven four-foot radials. The feedpoint point impedance was raised by end feeding 3/8 wave elements. Being slightly longer than a ¼ wave, these longer elements also have more gain than a shorter ¼ wave element of the earlier designs. The drawbacks of this design are twofold. First, a matching transformer is required to match the 50 ohm feedline to the approximate 1200 ohm feedpoint impedance of the 3/8 wave elements (the box at the bottom of the antenna) and second, the length of the radiators on the lower frequency bands grows beyond reasonable mechanical limits of a freestanding vertical element. For instance, a 3/8 wave 40m radiator electrically must be nearly 50 feet high! A vertical antenna this tall without guy ropes would be very difficult to install and maintain. Vertical antennas can be physically shortened with coils or capacitance hats. The latter is more efficient (no resistive coil losses) and both techniques are used in the design of these antennas.

 

The Cushcraft antenna length is 28.5 feet tall weighing 23 lbs and the Hy-Gain is slightly shorter and lighter at 25.5 feet / 17.5lbs. If you look at photographs of each of these antennas, you will notice that they differ near the top. The Cuchcraft R8 contains two traps, one shared on 17m & 20m, and two capacitance hats. The Hy-Gain AV640 being shorter has been designed with additional capacitance hats and/or additional inductance (series coils) to physically shorten the antenna by an additional three feet.

 

In less than two pages, I’ve attempted to explain a brief history of multi-band vertical antennas and the basic design of the latest generation. Before considering the purchase of either antenna, please review the operating bandwidth of each. If you want to work DX and can’t install a horizontal antenna high enough for low angle of radiation, consider a vertical!

DX News

Provided by Bob, K3PH

 

 

 

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster

DX Bulletin No. 464

BID: $OPDX.464

June 5, 2000

Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW

Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio

Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1

 

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AI2Q, WA2MIH, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & THE 59(9) DX REPORT, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, KB4KA, KM6HB, K8YSE, W8KKF, W9DX, 9M2TO, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DL8AAM, EA3BDE, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, F6IRA, G3SQX, G0WFH, JG7LQU, OH1KAG/OH9MM, S57IIO, TA3J, UA3AA, and VK4FW for the following DX information.

 

3A/EA/I/TA/SV MEDITERRANEAN SEA CRUISEXPEDITION

Bob, WA2MIH, reports to OPDX that he will be mobile on a FM handheld starting in Istanbul, Turkey, and ending in Barcelona, Spain, while on a "SHIP" from July 12 -22th. Watch out for Bob both on land and at sea during the day and late evening hours on 2m and 440.

 

3D, FIJI

"The Daily DX" reports that Ron, ZL1AMO, is once again on the move to Fiji and using the callsign 3D2RW. He should be active by the time you read this. He plans to operate for a few weeks and may activate a few IOTAs while there. Ron usually likes to be active on CW, especially on the WARC bands. QSL via his home callsign.

 

3DA, SWAZILAND

Frosty, K5LBU, and his daughter (stateside callsign not mentioned) will be going here on July 5th or 6th. They will be active as 3DA0CF and 3DA0EW, respectively. There will be two rigs set up, one a Icom 746 the other a Icom 706, along with the Alpha 76PA amp. They will have beams for 20/15/10 meters which are already up and working now. They also have a 6 meter beam ready to go up July 1st along with some satellite antennas. For 160/80/40 meters there is a Alpha Delta twin sloper up, but it seems to have a high SWR (Frosty plans to work on that when they get there). Activity will be on SSB. Their operations will only be for two nights and three days (in between touring). They will stay at Piggs Peak at the Highlands Inn Hotel. Also, look for them to be operating mobile from ZS-land.

 

4O8, KOSOVO (Yugoslavia)

After 2 years of being QRT, Andy, RW3AH, is now active on the air again as 4O8/9X0A from Pristina, Kosovo. At the present time Andy seems to be the only active operator from Kosovo. He will stay in this area until next year. There are a few HAMs staying in Kosovo, but they are currently not active (ex-9U5CW, 9U5DX, ON6TT, GW0HHT, and possibly some other radio amateurs). Andy is using a YAESU "FT-1000MP" radio and just a V-dipole monoband antenna for 20 meters which is up about 5 meters above the ground. He is usually active on the air from 0300-0500z/1600-2300z around 14195 kHz (SSB) and 14007 kHz (CW). QSL via Andy's home callsign RW3AH: P.O.Box-899, Moscow 127018, Russia (QSLs will be verified by Toivo/RA3AR). QSL cards will be printed by UA3AA ( http://www.qsl.ru ), and there will be a few types, including a special full color 4 sides QSL. They are currently looking for any donations (R7, R8 or AV-640 antennas) from any individual/association for the 4O8/9X0A operation. Please send information to expedition co-ordinator - UA3AA by E-mail at: [email protected]

 

4W, EAST TIMOR

Antonio, 4W6GH, continues to be the most active station here. Most of his activity is on 20/17/15 meters SSB and RTTY. He spends a great deal of time on the air between 1300 and 1630z. There have been reports on the PacketClusters where there are "NO TAKERS or NOT MANY CALLING HIM". QSL CT1EGH.

 

6M BEACON

The MARTS (Malaysia Amature Radio Transmmiting Society) has done some improvement of their PENANG 6M Beacon. Beacon's frequency is 50.005 MHz running 10 watts out into a 5/8 GP. Beacon is running 24 hours with NO BREAK (continuously) sending the message "9M2TO/B QTH PENANG OJO5dj". The members of MARTS are waiting for any QSN reports and are checking the DX-SUMMIT. The following are active 9M2 stations on 6 meters: 9M2NK, 9M2KT, 9M2KE, 9M2XA, 9M2TO, 9M2JKL, and 9M2/JI1ETU.

 

BY, CHINA

Fred, WF6Z, will be here now through August 15th as a member of the American K2 North Ridge Expedition climbing team. He will also operate from the K2 camp base in the Xingiang Province as BT0QGL. Look for activity on 40/20/15/10 meters. QSL via K6EXO.

 

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE 2000 RSGB IOTA CONTEST

Bill, NG3K, reports that the "RSGB IOTA Test Announced Operations" Web page is available again this year. It covers operations announced for the July 29-30, 2000 contest, as well as related operations outside the contest. The listing can be found at:

 

http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/iota2000.html

It will be updated regularly. If you would like to have your contest operation added to the list, just send the full particulars (Callsign to be used; DXCC Entity; IOTA number; QSL Info; Operators call signs; Other information of interest) to Bill's E-mail address at: [email protected]

ES8, ESTONIA

Look for the special callsign ES8SC to be activated June 1st through August 31st for the "Summer Capital Award". No other details were given.

 

GH, JERSEY

Chris, G0WFH, will be here August 12-22nd using the rare "International Short Wave League" (ISWL) club callsign GH4BJC/P. This will be a QRP trip on SSB only using a Elecraft K2 rig running on batteries on the north side of the island called Devils Hole. Suggested frequencies are: 3685 (at 1500z, ISWL net Sat/Sun), 14280, 18130, 21280, 24930 and 28450 kHz. Check out his Web page for more details at:

 

http://www.qsl.net/g0wfh/g0wfh

LZ, BULGARIA

Berkin, TA3J, and his XYL Nilay Mine, TA3YJ, (operators of the YM3LZ Contest team) will be active June 6-13th as LZ/TA3J and LZ/TA3YJ. Activity will be SSB only 160/80/40/20/15/10/2 meters and 70 cm. QSL via home calls, TA bureau or direct to:

TA3J - Berkin Aydogmus, P.O. Box 987, 35214 Izmir, TURKEY

E-mail at: [email protected]

TA3YJ - Nilay Mine Aydogmus, P.O. Box 876, 35214 Izmir, TURKEY

E-mail at: [email protected]

Their Web page is at: http://on.to/ta3yj-ta3j

 

NL7, WRANGELL ISLAND, ALASKA

Look for Don, NL7QT, to be active as a QRP station during the month of July (actually June 26th-August 1st). This will be his last trip for this year. He usually goes here several times a year mainly for major contests, IOTA and a QRP operation. Wrangell is IOTA NA-041 in the Alexander Archipelago. Don will spend most of his time on 40 meters. He states, "I will at 0905 p.m. Alaska time (0505Z) call CQ on 7.140. As this is becoming a popular frequency, if it is busy I will try 7.145 until 7.140 is clear. I keep a receiver, FRG-100, on 7.140 at all hours." Don states to QSL via the bureau.

 

OH0, ALAND ISLANDS

Kari/OH1HD/OH3RB, Juha/OH1KAG/OH9MM and Marko/OH1MYA will be active as OH0RB, June 9-11th. Activity will be on CW/SSB/RTTY with operations on 160-10 meters (mostly on RTTY and WARC). QSL via OH3RB.

 

PROJECT MILLECOM

continues through the end of the year (December 31, 2000) and special "Air Cadet" stations M2000Y/... (e.g. M2000Y/MRA12, M2000Y/ MRA17, M2000Y/MRA35, M2000Y/MRA39, etc) are only active on 80/40 and 20 meters. This special project is to promote youths to communicate with one another around the world on amateur radio. For details on how to become involved with the project, check the Web pages below:

 

http://www.millecom.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm

 

 

http://www.rsgb.org/millecom/index.htm

ADDED NOTE: OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive a complete list of stations involved in the "PROJECT MILLECOM", provided by Tom/DL8AAM, as an additional bulletin.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

According to "QRZ DX", ALL direct A52A QSL requests have been answered as of May 31st (some 11,000 QSL). WOW! What a great turn around (2 1/2 weeks after going QRT).

 

QSL info of S500S. This callsign was used by the "Radioclub of Nova Gorica" from May 27th through June 5th, also an entry in the CQ WPX Contest as a SOSB entry on 15m. QSLs go to S59L.

 

FO0HWU QSLS. Denise, F6HWU, has received her QSLs from the printer. She will begin to process the 1000 card already received from her recent OC-152 operation. She must try to send all direct QSLs before her next trip to Bhutan (A5). Please be patient. Any question and QSO requests can be sent via Gilles/F6IRA E-mail address (because Denise doesn't have InterNet access) at: [email protected]

 

If you would like to find your callsign in the PY0F/PY2ZDX logs, please send an E-mail message to: [email protected]

Put your callsign on the "Subject:" line and PY2ZDX-0F in the body of message.

 

Jean Michel, F6AJA, is not the QSL manager for the recent FK8KAB/P (April 2000) operation. QSL via ARANC, P.O. Box 3956, 98846 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia. The logs Jean does have are for the operation from Chesterfield (IOTA OC-176) from October 4th to 8th in 1993. He will forward the cards that he does receive.

 

Nikolay, UX0FF, reports that he mistakenly gave OPDX the wrong P.O. Box for the special event station EO55FI. The correct P.O. Box is 60 - not 62! So the QSL info is via UX3FW, YURIJ KUCHERENKO, P.O.Box 60 , IZMAIL ,68600, UKRAINE.

 

QUEEN AMAZONA 2000 DXPEDITION (More!)

As we mentioned in last week's bulletin, a Colombian (and U.S.) team of operators (Jim/HK3AVR, Phil/HK3SA, Harry/HK3ZOR, Paul/KJ5CB, Lynn/K5LYN, Ellen/KA4PPD) will activate 5K9AQ in celebrating the "Queen Amazona 2000 DXpedition", a very long trip along the Amazona River. We were informed this week that the 5K9AQ station will be active all year long, and they plan to participate in the "Colombian Independence Day" contest in July. QSL via HK3PXA: Roberto Rey, P.O. Box 101939, Bogota, COLOMBIA. A picture of the QSL card will be posted on Buckmaster and QRZ very soon. For further information, check the Web page at:

 

http://www.amazonqueen2000.com

SPECIAL EVENT

Look for the special event "World Geothermal Congress 2000 - WGC 2000", to be active as 8J7WGC and 8J7WGC/7 now through June 10th. Activity will be on 160/80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters SSB/CW. The station will be operated by Morioaka Club (JA7YCE) members and other JA OPs. QSL via the JARL Bureau (BUREAU is the BEST), however, don't send your QSL to the JARL, cards will be sent automatically.

 

SPECIAL EVENT

During the month of June, look for the special callsign ED3PMT to be active in remembrance of the inauguration of the raising of th bridge at Port of Tarragona, Spain. QAL via bureau.

 

TF, ICELAND

Ed, G3SQX, will be operating as TF/G3SQX (EU-021) from July 28th and August 6th, including the IOTA contest (24 hour CW section). His activity will be CW only on as many HF bands as possible. Ed will use 100w and a variety of antennas and hopes to give everyone who needs it as a multiplier. QSL via G3SQX. Check Ed's Web site at:

 

http://www.G3SQX.net

VK, AUSTRALIA

According to "The 59(9) DX Report" the Australian Communic- ations Authority will re-allocate 3776-3800 KHz to VK amateurs as of January 1, 2004.

 

VK9C, COCOS KEELING ISLANDS

It has been announced that Wal/VK6KZ and Don/VK6HK will go here between October 21st and November 4th. Their callsigns will be VK9CK (VK6HK) and VK9CZ (VK6KZ). Two stations will be operational but their main concentration will be on 50 MHz SSB and CW (conditions permitting). The frequency 28885 kHz will be available for liaison. HF operation on 7-28 MHz will be explored if 50 MHz conditions allow. There will be a further reminder closer to departure....

 

XW, LAOS

Hiroo, JA2EZD, will be going QRT as XW2A on June 6th. However, he plans to move on to Cambodia (XU) and Vietnam (3W). No specific dates were given.

 

ZA, ALBANIA

Marty, N5NW, will be operating as ZA/N5NW from Tirana from June 10-17th. Activity will be primarily SSB on 15/20 meters and possibly 2 meters for Europe. Operations will be limited in time, but there may be additional operations on another trip later in the year. Marty states to look for him mostly mornings and evenings local time. He will operate around an hour or two a day, if lucky. He does state, "Radio isn't the primary focus of the trip. In fact, it's third or fourth on the 'goal list'. Would especially appreciate folks listening for me Saturday, June 10th about 0800 or 0900 UTC around 14.225, cause that's when the antennas go up." QSL via KB4KA (from the Hickory Withe DX Club) w/SASE or SAE and IRC or green stamp. All others will be answered via the bureau.

 

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS

Mark, KM6HB, will be here July 10-17th. He will be operating on 40-10 meters with an emphasis on RTTY. His callsign will be announced upon his arrival. QSL via his home call KM6HB.

 

 

 

OPDX INTERNET SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

[email protected]

 

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE):

http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/opdx.html

 

ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:

http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/nodxa.html

 

 

 

 

Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, call BARF-80 BBS online at 440-237-8208 28.8k/14400/9600/2400/1200 and leave a message with the Sysop or send via InterNet Mail to:

 

[email protected]

 

- OR -

Use the VOICE or FAX answering machine at 440-237-8208

which shares the same phone line as BARF-80 BBS using a data/fax/phone switch. To access: 1) Dial Number. 2) Wait for first ring (the second ring should be a false ring from the fax/data switch box) and then dial four quick ones ("1111"). (NOTE: Some FAX machines that send single "BEEPS" every second will not have to do this step.) 3) The phone will pick up and after the "BEEP" leave your voice message or FAX.

 

 

Heard Through the Grapevine…

 

The club needs an EC/RO for the ARES and RACES activities.  A net control operator is also needed for the Wednesday night net.  Contact Larry N3CR for details.

 

Did you know here is a new movement to have a new state nickname in Pennsylvania, the CONSTRUCTION STATE !!  These same people also want the state animal to be changed to the TRAFFIC SAW HORSE !! Not satisfied with just that, these people want the state slogan changed to SLOW, CONSTRUCTION AREA AHEAD.    So beware when you go to the next hamfest, flea market, or computer show, these clipboard people will be busy!!    Watch for this item on the next voter referendum.   In good faith please vote NONE OF THE ABOVE !! De N3CR Larry

 

There is a DXCC listing and Excel spreadsheet available at: http://www.qth.com/ka9fox/links_software.shtml which will give you beam headings and distance from your QTH. There are many other programs also available from this web page.

 

CARC Calendar

 

 

** Denotes CARC supported or sponsored events

Bold indicates items of local interest

 

 

 

June 2: DLARC Exam Session

 

June 3: QRP TAX Sprint, Tamaqua Wireless Association Exam Session

 

June 10: QRP Day Contest, ARRL June VHF QSO Party

 

June 15: *** CARC Meeting – 19:30 Local – Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93 ***, PARK Exam Session

 

June 17: Kid’s Day Contest, West Virginia QSO Party

 

June 24: ARRL Field Day, Marconi Memorial HF Contest

 

July 2: Murgas ARC Hamfest

 

July 4: MI QRP Club July 4th CW Sprint, Harrisburg ARC Hamfest

 

July 8: CQ Worlwide VHF Contest, QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint

 

July 15: North American QSO Party RTTY

 

July 20: *** CARC Meeting – 19:30 Local – Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93 ***

 

July 29: IOTA Contest

 

August 5: North American QSO Party CW

 


 


 

Carbon Amateur Radio Club – 1999-2000 Officers

 

President: Larry Lilly N3CR [email protected]

Vice President: Glenn O’Donnell K3PP [email protected]

Secretary: Bob Schreibmaier K3PH

Treasurer: John Schreibmaier W3MF

W3HA Callsign Trustee: Bill Dale WY3K

W3HA Repeater Trustee: John Bednar K3CT

Public Information Officer: Bill Kelley KA3UKL

Skywarn Coordinator: Mike N3XYU

 

Directors

 

 John Bednar K3CT, Bruce Appleton N3RXJ, Bert Rex W3OWP

 

Illuminator Staff

 

Editor: Goody K3NG [email protected]

Contesting: Glenn K3PP [email protected]

DX : Bob K3PH

Foxhunting: open

Propagation and Commentary: Larry N3CR [email protected]

QRP: Lamar N3AT [email protected]

Technical: John K3CT [email protected]

Newsletter Printing, Folding, and Mailing: Bob K3PH

 

Services

 

W3HA Repeater: 147.255 Mhz + PL 131.8

 

CARC Website: http://www.cpals.com/~elitehom/carc/ 

Webmaster: Robert KB3BYT [email protected]

 

CARC Email Reflector: see www.qth.net CarbonARC list for details

 

Internet Telnet DX Cluster - contact Goody K3NG for access

 

CARC Membership Information

 

Regular Membership is $15.00, Regular with Autopatch is $20.00.

 

All amateur radio operators are invited to join the CARC ARES / RACES net held 21:00 local time every Wednesday on the W3HA repeater at 147.255 Mhz + offset, PL 131.8.  Any amateur radio operator or anyone with an interest in ham radio is welcome to attend our monthly meetings.