The Illuminator 
The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club
The Illuminator
The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club
April Meeting
The next regular
meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, April 17, at
7:30 p.m. at the EOC in Nesquehoning. See you at
the meeting!
Treasurer’s
Report
By
John, W3MF
|
Previous Balance |
1134.28 |
|
Receipts (dues) |
115.00 |
|
Subtotal |
1249.28 |
|
Disbursements (newsletter) |
7.77 |
|
Final Total |
1241.51 |
Walkathon
The annual Walkathon is on April 26 this year, but is
located at the Weissport Town Square Park, with the walk taking place along the
Lehigh Canal. Walker registration
starts on 8:00 a.m., walking starts at 9:00 a.m., and the event should end at
1:00 p.m.
We need volunteers, preferably with 2-meter equipment, to
man the walk route and provide communications back to the walk
headquarters. In the past, we have met
on site at 7:30 a.m.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Goody, K3NG,
via e-mail, on the repeater, or at his home telephone.
Rock Mite Nite
a Big Success
By
Lamar, N3AT
Eighteen persons from four area clubs met at the Monroe
County Vo-Tech School on Wednesday, March 12, to begin construction of the
great little Rock Mite kits. In
addition to those who were building, there were at least a half dozen “helpers”
and several people who just came to watch.
The helpers included Jerry, N3SEI, from EPARA, Goody, K3NG, from CARC,
Mike, KB3HMR, and Al Owen, from NJQRP, Norm, K3NZ, from DLARC, and Bill, W3MJ,
from PARK. The Director of Vo-Tech was
among those who came to watch.
The group agreed to meet again the following Wednesday night
to complete the kits by installing them into Altoid mint tins or some other
appropriate enclosure. Lamar promised
to bake cookies for this second night as a reward to those who will have
completed their rigs.
Dave Benson of Small Wonder Labs, who furnishes the kits,
has informed us that the Rock Mite will be featured on the cover of the April
issue of QST. And Norm, K3NZ, one of
our own builders, will be featured in the June issue of CQ magazine. Norm has been making a fantastic record with
his 20-meter Rock Mite. Since November,
he has worked 45 states and 15 DXCC countries.
His prize possession is now a QSL he received from a ham in Australia,
whom he worked with his 275 milliwatts of “power!”
The Rock Mite is a complete transceiver with a built-in
electronic keyer. It is crystal
controlled, hence its name. It is built
on a PC board that is 2 by 2.5 inches in size.
It has become very popular in the QRPp world. Close to 2000 of the little rigs have been sold.
FCC
Proposes to Hike Vanity Call Sign Fee
(From the ARRL Letter)
The FCC has proposed
increasing the regulatory fee to apply for, renew or reinstate an Amateur Radio
vanity call sign from $14.50 to $16.30 this fall. The Commission included the
new fee in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) "Assessment and
Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2003" (MD 03-83), released
March 26. The closing date for comments on the new fee schedule is April 25. Reply
comments are due by May 5.
"We estimate that
9800 applicants will apply for vanity call signs in FY2003," the FCC said
in its NPRM. That's up by 800 from FY2002. The agency expects to collect
revenues of nearly $160,000, an increase of almost $30,000 from FY2002.
If all goes as it has in
the past, the FCC will adopt a Report and Order on the FY2003 fee schedule this
summer, and the new fee will become effective sometime in early September.
The FCC NPRM also seeks
comments on its efforts to review, streamline and modernize its fee assessment
and collection processes and procedures. "We welcome comments on a broad
range of options in this regard," the FCC said. Areas of particular
interest include suggestions for improvement in the agency's electronic payment
system.
Applicants for amateur
vanity call signs will continue to pay the $14.50 regulatory fee per call sign
(per 10-year license term) until the FY2003 fee schedule becomes effective. The
FCC has said in the past that because it continues to incur costs related to
vanity call signs even after their issuance or renewal, it believes a
regulatory fee at renewal is appropriate.
Interested parties may
comment via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>. Enter "03-83" in the
"Proceeding" field. The FCC said it expected to have the docket
available by March 28 for the posting of electronic comments.
Electronic comments by
e-mail also are welcome. To receive filing instructions for e-mail comments,
send an e-mail to [email protected] and include the words "get form <your
e-mail address>" in the message body. The ECFS will reply with a sample
form and directions on filing comments.
A copy of the FCC Notice
of Proposed Rule Making is available on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-64A1.doc>.
Famous DXpeditioner Danny Weil, ex-VP2VB, Reported Ill
(From the ARRL
Letter)
DXpeditioner Danny Weil,
ex-VP2VB, of YASME fame, reportedly is in a nursing facility after suffering a
stroke late last year. Now 84, Weil would welcome cards and notes from his
friends and acquaintances around the world. He was active under a variety of
call signs in the 1950s and early 1960s from various ports of call while
sailing one of the three YASME yachts. His address is Danny Weil, Regency Care
at Medical Center, Room 101, 3935 Medical, San Antonio, TX 78229. More information
is available on the Danny Weil, VP2VB, Page
<http://www.qsl.at/common/weil.html>. ARRL soon will publish the book
YASME: The Danny Weil and Colvin Radio Expeditions by Jim Cain, K1TN, which
includes many tales of Weil's DXing adventures. — Jim Cain, K1TN, and The Daily
DX <http://www.dailydx.com>
DX Bulletin 14 ARLD014
From ARRL
Headquarters
Newington CT April 3, 2003
To all radio
amateurs
This week's bulletin was
made possible with information provided by AA1K, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin,
425DXnews, DXNL, The Daily DX, QRZ DX and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.
AZERBAIJAN, 4J. 4J85YGA has been QRV on
17 meters using SSB around 1200 to 1500z.
QSL via UT3UY.
KENYA, 5Z. Tom, DL2RUM and Jan,
DJ8NK are QRV as 5Z4BL and 5Z4BK, respectively, until April 12. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, including 17
and 12 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY.
QSL to home calls.
BARBADOS, 8P. Richard, G3RWL will be
QRV as 8P6DR from April 5 to 20.
Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters.
QSL to home call.
SIERRA LEONE, 9L. Zbig, 9L1BTB has been QRV
on 40 meters around 2330z. QSL via
SP7BTB.
MADEIRA ISLANDS, CT3. Ben, DJ8FW will be QRV as
CT3AS from April 9 to 21. As time
permits, his activity will be on 80 to 15 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and
PSK31. QSL to home call.
FRANCE, F. Jean
Marc, F5SGI will be QRV using CW as TM6ILE from Groix Island, IOTA EU-048, from
April 7 to 12. QSL via bureau.
GUERNSEY, GU. A group of operators from
Scout Radio Club SP5ZCC are QRV as MU/SP5UAF, MU/SP5LCC, MU/SP5MBQ and MU0ULC
until April 8. They will be active in the SP DX Contest as MU0ULC. QSL all calls via SP5ZCC.
DOMINICA, J7. Jon, AA1K and Jeanie,
AB1P will be QRV as J79K and J79P, respectively, from April 5 to 12. This is a casual DXpedition. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters,
including the newer bands. They will
monitor 50110 kHz. QSL to home calls.
JAPAN, JA. Look for JA1KJW, JJ1JGI,
JK1EBA and JN1IKT to be QRV as homecalls/0 from Sado Island, IOTA AS-117, from
April 10 to 13. Activity will be on 160
to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to
home calls.
GUAM, KH2. Look for Yoshi, JE2EHP to
be active as K1HP/KH2 from April 11 to 14.
Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.
DENMARK, OZ. Ela, OZ/DL3YMK and
Torsten, OZ/DH3YMG will be QRV from Vendsyssel-Thy, IOTA EU-171, from April 5
to 17. Activity will be on 40, 20 and
15 meters. QSL to home calls.
MICRONESIA, V6. Jeffrey, KI0RO is QRV as
V63JE from Kosrae, IOTA OC-059, until April 7.
Afterwards, he will be QRV from Pohnpei, IOTA OC-010, from April 9 to
14. QSL to home call.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND, VK9X. Steve, VK3OT will be QRV
as VK9XI from April 7 to 21. He will be
active on HF and 6 meters using CW. QSL
to home call.
MYANMAR, XY. Frank, DL4KQ is QRV as
XY4KQ until April 17. Activity is on 80
to 10 meters using CW and SSB. He hopes
to visit an island in the Mon Region Group as well. QSL to home call.
SOUTH AFRICA, ZS. Phil, G3SWH, David, G3UNA, Vidi, ZS1EL, Kosie, ZS1SR, Malcolm,
ZS1MC, Andrew, ZS1AN and Hester, ZS1ESU are QRV as ZS1RBN from Robben Island,
IOTA AF-064, until April 7. Activity is
on 40 to 10 meters using CW and SSB, including the newer bands. QSLvia G3SWH.
ARRL
Propagation Forecast Bulletin
Propagation Forecast
Bulletin 13 ARLP013
From Tad Cook, K7RA
Seattle, WA March 28, 2003
To all radio amateurs
Solar flux and sunspot
numbers declined again this week. Average daily solar flux was down over 31
points to 100.6, and average daily sunspot numbers were down nearly 30 points
to 62.4. Solar flux was lowest on Saturday, March 22 at 89. Solar flux has not
been this low since 1998 when it was 89 on May 21 and 87.4 the following day.
Geomagnetic conditions
were still active this week but finally settled down after March 23. Currently
on Thursday the earth is again in a solar wind stream from a coronal hole. The
best guess is for unsettled geomagnetic activity over the next few days, but no
severe storm. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday is 15,
12, 12 and 15.
A few days ago the sun
was almost devoid of spots, but more have now rotated into view. Predicted
solar flux for Friday through Monday is 150, 155, 155 and 150. Unless new
activity emerges, based upon the current solar rotation solar flux values below
100 may return by mid-April. Propagation relative to recent conditions should
be fairly good for the CQ World Wide SSB WPX Contest this weekend.
Jon, N0JK, of Wichita,
Kansas reported good 6-meter conditions while geomagnetic indices were again
active today. He reports that Diego, HC8/LU8ADX on San Cristobal Island in the
Galapagos was working U.S. stations coast to coast around 2015-2130z. Diego
peaked at S-9 at Jon's location, and Jon worked him at 2048z running 10 watts
or less into a dipole.
A month ago during
another period of geomagnetic activity Jon submitted a report that the HC8GR
beacon on Galapagos was loud at his QTH, and K2RTH/4 heard the LU9EHF beacon
from Miami. Readers can submit reports of interesting propagation via email to
[email protected].
Tomas Hood, NW7US has
developed some interesting methods for delivering propagation data. Go to his
web site at http://hfradio.org where you can sign up for email alerts,
propagation data delivered to an RSS headline reader program, or WAP enabled
wireless device.
Sunspot numbers for March 20 through 26 were 45, 40, 40, 43, 64,
89, and 116, with a mean of 62.4. 10.7 cm flux was 97.4, 91, 89, 93, 97.8,
108.8, and 127.2, with a mean of 100.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 21,
29, 16, 24, 10, 6, and 8, with a mean of 16.3.
Helpful Hints
A teaspoon placed in a glass on the back seat of your
car makes a handy audible gauge for road bump severity.
Shallow Thoughts
Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
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Call |
Name
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E-mail
|
Web Site |
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KB3BPR |
Bednar, Abbie |
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K3CT |
Bednar, John |
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WB3ESS |
Bednar, Jonathan |
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N3DVF |
Bednar, Suzie |
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K3II |
Berger, Jim |
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KB3CFV |
Creitz, Ron |
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KB3IDV |
Culp, Bob |
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N3AT |
Derk, Lamar* |
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W3EFI |
Diehl, Denny |
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K3VA |
Eroh, Ed |
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N2DIY |
Gibson, Darryl |
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K3NG |
Good, Anthony |
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N3OWC |
Hinkle, Randy |
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KO3M |
Keiser, Anne |
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N3CR |
Lilly, Larry |
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Merluzzi, Carl** |
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KB3BDU |
Ockenhouse, Danny** |
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KB3AGZ |
Provizzi, Jack |
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W3OWP |
Rex, Bert |
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KB3BYT |
Roomberg, Rob |
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N2ROD |
Salotto, Pat |
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K3PH |
Schreibmaier, Bob |
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W3MF |
Schreibmaier, John |
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WB3ESQ |
Shaub, Barry |
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WA3IEM |
Shipley, Kent |
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NM3Y |
Terry, Robert F. |
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* Associate Member
**
Honorary Life Member
Carbon Amateur Radio Club – 2002-2003 Officers
President: Anthony
“Goody” Good, K3NG, [email protected]
Vice
President: Rob Roomberg, KB3BYT, [email protected]
Secretary:
Larry Lilly, N3CR, [email protected]
Treasurer:
John Schreibmaier, W3MF, [email protected]
W3HA Callsign
Trustee: Bill Dale, WY3K
W3HA Repeater
Trustee: John Bednar, K3CT
Public Information
Officer: Bill Kelley, KA3UKL
Directors
Bob Schreibmaier, K3PH, John Bednar, K3CT,
Bob Culp, KB3IDV
Illuminator Staff
Editor: Bob, K3PH
[email protected]
DX: Bob, K3PH
Foxhunting: open
Propagation and
Commentary: open
Newsletter Printing,
Folding, and Mailing: Bob, K3PH
Services
W3HA Repeater: 147.255
MHz + PL 131.8
CARC Website: http:/www.learnmorsecode.com/carc/
Webmaster: Rob,
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.
