The Illuminator

The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club

March 2001

W3TI to Speak at March Meeting!

March Meeting

Our next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Our recently retired ARRL Section Manager, Al Breiner, W3TI, is scheduled to talk about the new direction of the League. If you've ever heard Al speak, you know what a great speaker he is! You won't want to miss his talk! Come on down and hear the latest on the League!

From the President's Desk

By Larry, N3CR

Greetings! Here we are, another month closer to Field Day! Or should we say, another month closer to the March of Dimes WalkAmerica 2001. I have not heard from MD as of this writing but I expect to hear from them real soon. Get your batteries charged up and in good order. Check out that mobile too! The routine will be the same as last year and ten members would really be nice to have. This is a really great event and the Subway hoagies aren't bad either!

Speaking of volunteer events, the Race For Cancer for the American Cancer Society will probably be taking place from Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe this year due to the problems with the closing of Ramblers Ranch. In past years, this was also run from Flagstaff Park and Mauch Chunk Lake Park. This includes a white water rafting race down the Lehigh River and a bicycle race. Previous bike races were held along the Lehigh River and there had been injuries. We never got involved with the rafting issues but this is also an area that is covered only by the park rangers, a few EMS people, and members of the EMA. Four wheelers would not be allowed but those wishing to ride the bicycles along the railroad bed from White Haven to Jim Thorpe would be into an afternoon of some scenic pleasure, not to mention the good exercise!

Now is also the time to begin thinking about a club outing at Beltzville Lake Park or Mauch Chunk Lake Park. If we would like to get a pavillion, now would be the time to place our reservation. The buildings become reserved real fast on weekends. Both areas have activities available, boats can be rented (power boats at Beltzville), horseshoe pits are set up, picnic tables in the shade are available, and of course fishing. I would rather fish for DX right now on ten meters! The pavillions at Mauch Chunk have electric and we always have our generators available thanks to Bill and Lisa at KA3UKL.

Contest time is here and this would be a good time to break in some of our members. Nearly every month has contests that our members participate in. Let our members know if you are going to participate in one of the specialty contests, like PSK31, RTTY, QRP or VHF. A little help sometimes goes a long way. We have done well with our W3HA operations and we can't say enough about the QSOs that come out of the K3II camp thanks to our members.

By the way, welcome to the Internet and Email system Jim K3II!

Our next meeting will feature W3TI Al Breiner from Tamaqua, our past SM. Yes, I said past SM. Al resigned the end of December and our SM is now Eric Olena WB3FPL, the former Section Emergency Coordinator. Many changes are going on as we speak. Some have been enacted on since April 2000. One in particular is the change to handicap exemptions for testing. There are no exemptions to the Morse Code requirement if you want to operate HF. Our handicap members will be interested in learning about that. To operate HF, everyone worldwide must pass some sort of Morse Code knowledge test thanks to WARC. The WARC conferences are coming up again and this could mean some changes on the operating frequencies.

I am looking for items to give away at meetings and the offers are out there. These could be callbook CD's, handbooks, antenna manuals to software. I am checking these opportunities out and the giveaways could begin at the next meeting. Speakers for future meetings depend greatly on attendance and we may need to invite other clubs to fill the room to capacity, but it would be worth it! Send me your ideas and thoughts. Illuminate me. We could use your SWAP AND SHOP items following the regular Wednesday evening net. KC2DLR Bill has been working hard to build up the net and keep track of items for sale or trade. But please! Save the bargaining prices for over the phone or emails. We will accept asking prices and FREE. Will be listening for you during the net and see you at the next meeting. It is getting interesting!

73s de Larry N3CR, Carbon ARC President

ARRL Propagation Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 9 ARLP009

From Tad Cook, K7VVV

Seattle, WA March 2, 2001

To all radio amateurs

Greetings from Seattle, where we just lived through an exciting earthquake on Wednesday. No damage at K7VVV, but it has had everyone a bit rattled.

Average sunspot numbers were lower last week, but average solar flux was about the same, when compared to the previous week. Sunspot numbers were down to 88 on Wednesday, the lowest since January 17. Average daily solar flux for the months of December, January and February were 173.6, 166.6 and 147.2, indicating a decline in activity. Average sunspots over the same period were 146, 143 and 131. A glance at the charts at http://www.wm7d.net/hamradio/solar/past_cycle.shtml shows the decline, with recent numbers looking like 1999, before last year's peak.

The next short term peak in activity is expected around March 8, with a solar flux of 155. Predicted flux values for the next few days, Friday through Monday, are 135, 140, 145 and 150. Moderate

geomagnetic conditions are expected for the ARRL International DX Phone Contest this weekend, with a planetary A index of 12 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. However, this is an estimate based on the 80% chance that a full halo coronal mass ejection from the sun on Thursday will not have a large effect on the earth. If it is felt, it should be on Saturday, and there is a small possibility of aurora.

We are moving toward spring conditions, which means better DX openings between the northern and southern hemispheres. Watch for the upper HF spectrum to open toward the east and south early in the day, then peak north and south in mid day, and then toward the west and south toward the evening.

Sunspot numbers for February 22 through 28 were 135, 135, 99, 111, 91, 90 and 88 with a mean of 107. 10.7 cm flux was 145.8, 145.2, 137.3, 134.9, 135.4, 130.6 and 131.8, with a mean of 137.3, and estimated planetary A indices were 6, 11, 5, 3, 10, 13 and 7 with a mean of 7.9.

Carbon Amateur Radio Club

Regular Meeting Minutes

February 15, 2001

President Larry Lilly, N3CR, called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club to order at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2001. Eight people attended.

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

John, W3MF, read the treasurer’s report. At the last meeting, we had a balance of $660.84. We had receipts of $125.00 from dues and one disbursement of $6.46 for mailing the newsletter, leaving a total of $779.38. The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.

Bill, KC2DLR note moderate to low check-ins on the Wednesday night net. Some checked in for the swap and shop session.

Larry, N3CR, reported that the radios are now permanently mounted in the radio room. He checked out the equipment and everything works properly. He noted that he would like to operate the net one night from the EOC and one night mobile from the Penn Forest area, near the repeater site. He also noted that he is working on a RACES folder, which would include the net preamble and other needed information.

It was noted that our recently retired ARRL Section Manager, Al Breiner, W3TI, will speak at the March meeting, updating us on changes in the League.

There was talk about possible seeing the incoming QSL bureau in York Haven some weekend, as a club activity. Bert, W3OWP, mentioned that we might want to plan a visit to the League and that we might invite other clubs to come with us and charter a bus. There seemed to be support for this idea. Larry, N3CR, also mentioned that we might have a banquet this year. There also seemed to be support for this idea.

Larry, N3CR, noted that our meeting dates for the EOC have been approved.

It was noted that testing at the Tamaqua municipal building would be held on the first Saturday in March from 9 a.m. to noon.

Bob, K3PH, reported that the ARRL Handbook that the club purchased in memory of Jim, W3BBS, has been delivered to the Palmerton library.

Bill, KC2DLR, noted that N3VAE had been looking for snowfall measurements during the last snow storm and was disappointed. Larry, N3CR, volunteered to get the word out to those who are around during the day.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. to watch the old BBC television program, "The Radio Ham," starring Tony Hancock, the show that set back amateur radio in the U.K. by 30 years.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 9 ARLD009

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT March 1, 2001

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by Tedd, KB8NW, The OPDX Bulletin, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

ROTUMA, 3D2. Antoine, 3D2AG/p, is QRV on 10 meters between 2200 and 0100z most days.

VIETNAM, 3W. Hans, WA1LWS, is QRV as 3W2LWS until March 6. This includes an entry in the ARRL DX Phone Contest. QSL to home call.

NIGER, 5U. 5U2K and 5U3T are now QRV on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and CW, respectively. QSL both calls via I2YSB.

BAHAMAS, C6. N4RP and W4SAA will be QRV as C6AKP as a Multi/Multi entry in the ARRL DX Phone Contest. QSL via N4RP.

EASTER ISLAND, CE0. Look for 3G0Y to be QRV from March 4 to 9 on all HF bands, including the newer bands, using mainly CW and RTTY. QSL via DK7YY.

ANTARCTICA. Paul, UX2HO, is QRV as EM1HO for one year. He is located at the Ukrainian Base. Activity is on HF and 6 meters using CW, SSB, with some RTTY and PSK31 planned. QSL via I2PJA.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Pedro, HC1OT, is active from San Cristobal Island as HC8Z until March 8. QSL via NE8Z.

PANAMA, HP. Special prefix 3E500 will be used until March 31 by certain radio amateurs, who are participating in the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Isthmus of Panama. QSL cards for this event will be handled by the Radio Club of Panama, HP1RCP.

ITALY, I. Alfredo, IK7JWX, and other operators from the Salento DX Team will participate in the ARRL DX Phone Contest as IQ7J from the Pedagne Islands, IOTA EU-091. QSL via IK7JWX.

NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2. Larry, K6RO, and Charlie, W6KK, are QRV until March 4. K6RO will sign PJ2R during the ARRL DX Phone Contest. Before and after the contest they will use CW and SSB on all bands as PJ2/K6RO and PJ2/W6KK, respectively. QSL to home calls.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ7. Ron, ND5S, is QRV as PJ7/ND5S until March 3. He and Bill, W8EB, will be QRV as PJ7W in the ARRL DX Phone Contest. QSL via operator's instructions.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, VK9L. Ed, K8VIR, plans to be QRV as VK9EHH. Look for him to be active on 14260, 21260 and 24960 kHz beginning March 5. QSL via W8WC.

ANGUILLA, VP2. AC8G, N6JRL, N8JE, W8ILC, WD8MQJ and others will be QRV as VP2EK during the ARRL DX Phone Contest. QSL via W8ILC.

TOKELAU, ZK3. Uwe, DL9HCU, is QRV as ZK3HC running QRP. He is usually QRV on 14020 and 21020 kHz between 0600 and 0800z. QSL to home call.

Check out http://incolor.inetnebr.com/n0ujr for other cartoons and to purchase N0UJR’s book, "N0UJR and His Friends."

Heard Through the Grapevine…

The club needs an EC/RO for the ARES and RACES activities. Contact Larry N3CR for details.

 

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Carbon Amateur Radio Club

2001 Membership Application Form

Please complete this form and send to the Carbon Amateur Radio Club, P. O. Box 622, Lehighton, PA 18235-0622, or drop it off at the monthly CARC Meeting, at the Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93. The meeting is on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM.

Callsign ____________________ Name ___________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

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Phone Number _________________ Check if unlisted __

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Check here if you would like to be subscribed to the CARC Email Reflector _____

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What are your interests in ham radio? _______________________________________________

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I’m interested in (check all that apply): Newsletter Writing ___ Tee Shirts ___ Coats ____

Foxhunting ___ Special Events Station ___ RACES ___ QRP ___ DX ___ Contests ___

Carbon Amateur Radio Club – 2000-2001 Officers

President: Larry Lilly N3CR [email protected]

Vice President: Glenn O’Donnell K3PP

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: Bob K3PH [email protected]

Contesting: Glenn K3PP

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

CARC Membership Information

Regular Membership is $15.00, which includes autopatch privileges.

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 which occur the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Carbon County EMA Center on Route 93 in Nesquehoning.