The Illuminator

October Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Boulevard Restaurant in Lehighton. Feel free to drop by around 6:30 and have supper with the gang, then stick around for the meeting. An out-of-town ham, DJ7IK, is expected to be in the area during that time and we are trying to get him to visit us. Come on out and say hello!

Making a Difference

By Goody, K3NG

As I write this, America is recovering from the worst terrorist attack in history, and ultimately one of the worst attacks ever against humanity. People from across the country have volunteered for everything from donating blood to sending gloves for search and rescue personnel to use in the valiant effort to locate survivors. Everyone feels helpless, watching on TV the countless people working at the scene. Each of us wishes that we could do something, anything to help.

The response of the American people has been overwhelming. Officials at the disaster scene have had to turn away volunteers, as there are too many people to effectively work in the area at one time. Blood banks are presumably at capacity with the overabundance of people donating blood. Emergency donation funds for the families of victims, both of private citizens and public safety personnel killed in the line of duty, are being flooded with donations.

Several days ago as I sat in front of the TV glued to the continuous new coverage, New York Governor George Pataki was giving one of his numerous updates from the scene. In light of the request by officials for people to stop coming to the disaster area to volunteer, it was asked what people could do to help. The answer, quite simply, was volunteer in your local area. Volunteer to be a firefighter, an EMT, work in a homeless shelter, do whatever, but volunteer for what you do best. The simple profoundness of this statement impacted me. Each one of us has the power to help others with our unique abilities in our own small world. Tragedies of this magnitude prompt us to donate money, volunteer, and be patriotic. It shouldn’t take a disaster to make us do this, but it’s human nature.

As amateur radio operators, we have a unique set of skills that makes us invaluable in times of emergency. While we’re rarely if ever on the front lines of a disaster in Carbon County, we can still do our small part to be prepared, to get people involved in the Club and ham radio, and do our part in the local community and make a difference. The time to volunteer for CARC and your community is now.

Propagation

By Larry, N3CR

Greetings All! Can you believe it? Fall is here. We have reached the Fall Equinox and it has arrived with a bang. The Fall Equinox always brings improved conditions, especially on ten and twelve meters. The summer noise slowly decreases as the hours of darkness increase bringing with it an additional helping of DX on the bands. As the hours of darkness increase, the 75m and 160m bands improve and propagation becomes longer as we get closer to winter. We don't want to talk about that just yet. We haven't even had frost on the pumpkin! First I will have to buy one!

September 26th produced a new high solar flux number for this solar cycle #23. The flux reached 282.6. The most recent high number was March 28th, 2001 when the flux reached 273.5. This all seems to be happening when all the predictors indicate we are almost a year past the peak of cycle #23. Not unexpected that it did happen about the time of the Autumnal Equinox. On October 1st, an M9 class flare erupted as did several other smaller flares and coronal mass ejections. The flare can affect us within 48 hours of its sighting. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can take up to four days to disrupt conditions on the earth. Actually, more of these never hit the earth but pass by. These conditions also allow an increase in ultraviolet rays as well as beta and gamma rays. Those hazardous suits are beginning to sound better all the time. This is also the time when satellites go into eclipse with the increased angle of the sun’s rays. Not a particularly good time to sunbathe or run a marathon. They are serious enough to delay a satellite launching from Alaska and space walks on the International Space Station.

The solar wind increase of 500 km/sec to 580 km/sec was enough to change the conditions from moderate to major storm levels. This, along with the Fall Equinox, is like a double whammy to those who rely on satellites for communications. Cable companies everywhere have been airing notices about decreased picture levels during the late afternoon for up to one hour as we pass through the zone affected by all these changes. On October 2nd, the A Index is 37 and the K Index is 6. The past several days, the A Index has been in the 20 range making ten meters nearly quiet. As this is written, I have been calling CQ on 10 cw for an hour with no responses heard. This can be expected until the K Index as reported by WWV and other sources returns below a K3 where once again DX will be heard on 12m and 10m. During evenings of "normal" conditions, with an A Index below 10, I have been able to work several Japanese stations and my first South Korean station of this solar cycle using a single Quad Loop antenna and 100 watts. The contact was made over the North Pole, not long path. It pays to listen when the band becomes less crowded. CQs brought out other JH1s until almost 10 pm local time.

What is in store? This is anyone’s best guess, but once the flares settle down we could have some of the best DX conditions on the DX bands than we have had all summer long. The potential is there, as we are past the Fall Equinox and approaching the long hours of winter darkness as the downward slide of this solar cycle continues to provide some really good DX contacts. For the PA QSO Party, we are looking for some decent conditions as the flares settle down toward the solar equator and the sunspots remain with us for a short time. A solar flux of 200 with an A Index of 14 and sunspots around 175 will be the call from this station. You can look for the K Index to be a K3 or less during the entire contest. This will bring some activity to all the bands with the 40m and 80m bands going long after dark. Enjoy the upcoming contest weekends! Don't forget to say hello to some of that good DX. It could be a while until some of those stations can be worked again. Keep sending me those reports! I like to know what I am missing! 73s de

Larry N3CR.

Reflections: The World Trade Center

By Larry, N3CR

I was preparing for a hospital visit when the walls came crashing down. Small planes and news helicopters have been known to hit those skyscrapers in the past. Now a huge jet, that makes for one giant mistake. But it was no mistake as a second jet maneuvered into the North Tower with the tall broadcast tower atop it. The building engineers did their job. The buildings withstood being hit by much larger planes than what were being produced at the time the World Trade Center was about to touch the sky. The design worked, it withstood the shock of the planes but could not stand the high temperatures of the burning jet fuel over the course of an hour. Many were reminded of a scene in London during the bombings of World War II.

But these are modern times where people are willing to give up their healthy life for their purpose of creating change. I don't understand that kind of religion, and it is a religion with the promise of eternal life in Paradise for giving up one’s life. It certainly caught the world's attention but it is not about to bring the USA to its knees. Many lives were lost September 11th and many more may have to suffer before some sort of agreement of peace ends the world of terror we are living in right now.

Many of the world's relief organizations offices were lost that day, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, among others. But one of the first to be destroyed was the building holding the offices of the Emergency Management Agency for the city of New York. All the communications and materials needed to take control of this situation were gone. Cellular phones were all tied up as regular phone service ceased in the area. Yet cell phones were the last communications heard from inside the buildings. Police, ambulance, fire, and emergency personnel were all running out of backup plans as the building which housed all the answers was rained on by flying debris from the towers.

It didn't take long for the ham radio operators to put their assets to use and get communications into the areas that needed it most. Setting up areas for care centers for the wounded was one of the first assignments, helping those that could walk or be carried from the scene. Secondly, to get additional fire and emergency personnel coordinated so they could try and knock down the smoke and dust to try and save whoever remained including many of their fellow firemen. After many stations were set up to assist each of the groups in the initial hours, all the communications were consolidated into one building where all the emergency coordinators could share information. Maps of the city were brought out and a plan of action was put in place. Next to all these emergency people are 100 ham radio operators helping to keep the city in motion. Everything from reporting sanitation problems and blocked drains to locating sites to send the kids back to school, ham radio operators have jumped in.

Concerns about saving their repeaters was a hot topic in more ways than one. The near constant use meant reducing power to maintain long-term communications. Locating backup batteries for all the handheld radios in use became a major concern. Handheld radios would become the lifeline to those directing activities. A wide variety of frequencies were used. In some cases, HF radio was used between boroughs to coordinate relief efforts, bringing in needed personnel and supplies as volunteers from all the states arrived to offer their help. Though many emergency personnel from our area were sent back home when things got more under control, the need is still there for the trained ham radio operators to man the radios 24 hours a day.

The skills we have learned to obtain our licenses we cannot let slide. Maintaining our equipment is but a small part of the big picture. Being prepared and willing to change at a moments notice is just as important. I am constantly amazed at when something happens anywhere in the world, ham radio is the first voice heard describing the actions. And the results are usually accurate. This didn't need to be New York City. It could have been in our own back yard. I bet you will look next time a big jet flies over and wonder if it may be the next to fall from the sky. This situation is long from being over. People all over the world will hurt and suffer until justice can be satisfied and peace can be agreed upon. As ham radio operators, let's be ready to step up and push the button that really counts, the one that helps people in need. 73s de Larry N3CR.

Carbon Amateur Radio Club

Regular Meeting Minutes

September 20, 2001

President, Anthony Good, K3NG called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur radio Club to order at approximately 7:45 on Thursday, September 20^th2001 at the Emergency Operations Center in Nesquehoning. Six people including two officers attended.

The minutes from the last meeting were read by Goody K3NG, in Larry N3CR’s absence, and approved by the members in attendance.

Goody, K3NG, read the treasurers report in John, W3MF’s absence.

Last Meetings Balance: $674.08

Receipts: $ 45.00

Disbursements: $ 5.78

Balance: $ 713.30

The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.

Goody K3NG spoke regarding the September newsletter, and asked for volunteers for various positions. Bruce KB3DZN volunteered for the Public Service Chairman position. The other positions of Operating Events Chairman, Communications Chairman, and Meeting Program Chairman remain open. Considering the poor meeting attendance, further discussion regarding the positions and revitalization of the club was tabled until the next meeting.

Bruce KB3DZN volunteered to take the ARES/RACES Radio Officer position, which has remained open for a long time. Goody will continue to run the weekly net on Wednesdays. A revised ARES/RACES contact list will be provided to Scott Forrester of Carbon County EMA.

The upcoming CARC Summer Picnic was discussed. The members in attendance approved an allocation of $50 from club funds to purchase any last minute items that were needed.

A discussion on where to have the next meeting resulted in a decision to locate the next meeting at the Boulevard. Goody K3NG agreed to talk to Larry N3CR to setup reservations at the Boulevard.

Rob KB3BYT noted that the 2 meter rig in the radio room at the EOC is not functioning due to an apparently bad microphone. Andy KB3FSV will be bringing a compatible microphone when convenient to test the unit. The question of ownership of the rig was brought up and who should be responsible for the repair. It was determined that Larry N3CR would be consulted.

Rob KB3BYT talked about the need to test the radio equipment before each meeting. It was agreed that this will be standard procedure before each meeting located at the EMA Center. Additionally, new members can be instructed on how to operate the equipment.

The planned video tape program was postponed due to a lack of meeting attendance.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 40 ARLD040

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT October 4, 2001

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by

Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin, KD6KOO, QRZ DX, 425DXnews, The Daily

DX, DXNL and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

MAURITIUS ISLAND, 3B8. Jack, 3B8/PA3BAG and Hans, 3B8/PA0VHA are QRV on all bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 until October 16. QSL both calls via PA0VHA.

SWAZILAND, 3DA. DL7DF, DL7KL, DL7UFR and DL4WK are all QRV as 3DA0DF and 3DA0FR until October 13. They are active using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 on the usual DX frequencies on all HF bands and 6 meters. QSL both calls via DL7DF.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 9Y. Didi, DL2YY, is visiting 9Y/DL2RVS until October 23. He is active using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 on 80 to 10 meters. During this time here he intends to activate Chacachacare Island, IOTA SA-011, for five days and also Tobago, IOTA SA-009. QSL to home call.

ANTARCTICA. Paul, EM1HO, has been QRV on 15 meters around 0100z. QSL via I2PJA.

GUADELOUPE, FG. Yuki, FG/KQ6SJ, has been QRV on 15 meters around 0030z. He is here for another week and expects to be active on 6 meters. QSL via JA6BCI.

TROMELIN ISLAND, FR/T. Jack, FR5ZU/T, is QRV from here until October 15. QSL via JA8FCG.

HUNGARY, HA. Special call HG50HSC is QRV to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the High Speed Club. QSL via HA1AG.

ITALY, I. Special event station II6I is active until October 14 during a congress on propagation. QSL via IK6LLE.

WEST KIRIBATI, T30. Eric, N1JSY, a Peace Core Volunteer, is QRV as T30ES on Butari Tari Island, IOTA OC-17. He has been active on 20 meters between 1000 to 1200z. He will be here for another year. QSL via operator's instructions.

GUATEMALA, TG. Thomas, DB2TR, Arno, DL1CW and Andreas, DL3GA are QRV as TG/homecalls from Monterico until October 15. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home calls.

BELIZE, V3. Joe, K8JP, is QRV as V31JP until April 2002. QSL to home call.

LAOS, XW. Hiroo, JA2EZD, is QRV as XW0X until the end of November. QSL via XW2A.

MACAO, XX9. Ed, K8EP, will be QRV as XX9TEP from October 11 to 17. Activity will be on all bands using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA, ZD9. Chris, ZD9IR, has been QRV on 30 meters around 2130z. QSL via ZS6EZ.

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.

John, W3MF, and Bob, K3PH, will be operating from WP2Z at the end of October. Listen for them on SSB (there are no plans to bring a keyer).

October 2001

ARRL DX Bulletin

Heard Through the Grapevine…