Short CIRCuits
 

April 2002

Calendar of Events
 

President: Larry Mays KB9NPH
(309)-827-8183
Vice President: John Payne KB9ZDZ
(309) 728-2288
Secretary: Mitch Bricker KB9PXL
(309)-378-4454
Treasurer: Rick Kempf WD9HRU
(309)-828-8054
Newsletter Editor: Norman Huber, N9ZKS
(309)-378-4674

The CIRC is a not-for-profit ARRL special service club whose purpose is to advance the service of Amateur Radio.  Located in Central Illinois, CIRC and its members welcome all to use the 146.94 repeater and to attend club meetings.

Submissions for the newsletter must be received by the 10th of the month and may be snail or e-mailed to the editor at:
Norm Huber
19266 E. US Hwy 150
Bloomington, IL  61704-5855

e-mail  n9zks@earthlink.net

Permission is granted to Amateur Radio-related organizations to reproduce contents of Short CIRCuits provided full credit is given.

I received the following inquiry from Herb Stevens at the State Farm Illinois Regional Office, regarding Field Day. I know there are some local HAMS that would like to continue with FD at the same site we have used over the past few years. I'm also aware that there are some who want to:

a) Be more competitive - contest style operation
b) Be less competitive - camp-out / picnic operation
c) Go to municipal park - CIRC host
d) Go to country - CIRC host
e) Stay with SF location hosted by ILL SF RO - N1SF RC
f) any combination above, not mutually exclusive
g) N1SF RC operate at ILL SF site (local HAMS welcome) - CIRC operate at their site

I will be out of town the week prior and not returning until after FD is over, so I am very hesitant to participate except for initial planning, coordination, or acting liaison between organizations.

N1SF RC - members please reply with participation preference.

CIRC members please discuss options and let me know what you want to do.

Gary - AB9M

Looks like SF has the same questions our club raised at the last meeting. The club elected to "look" at places and vote on which one the Club would like to man.
1, A park, like we used in the past
2, RC building, which we have received approval to use
3, Join with SF at their site.

The idea of "camping out" wasn't received well by the majority of the
members.

Larry Mays – KB9NPH

April is the month to spring ahead with new ideas for the Amateur Radio Community. The April meeting is also a good time to bring that special piece of equipment for a show it off meeting.  Maybe something you've built over the winter months or a new radio you'd like to show.  I know a couple of Hams that purchased a new toy at AES during this year’s open house.
At the April meeting we'll also be discussing Field Day activities, assign committee members, vote on a location, generally get things rolling.
We'll see everyone April 24th at the RC.

73   de KB9NPH

March Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2002

The March meeting started with the introduction of members

Floyd W9EX motioned to approve February minutes, Andy K9IKR seconded.

Rick WD9HRU read the treasures report, Andy K9IKR  Motioned to approve, Don N9EZJ seconded.

Field Day was the big topic, location and conditions of sites to vote on are, Ironwood, Maxwell, Red Cross, Fairview, and State Farm were some of the suggestions, There will be a final vote at the April meeting.

Ham auction at Lincoln square center in Urbana Il. March 30th.

Newsletters received were, World Radio, Champaign Club, Peoria Club, and Starved Rock.

Disaster Drill April 13, The position the radio club will take is still unknown.

Database is updated with current paid members; let the officers know of any corrections.

Sending newsletters to the spouses of past members was discussed. The newsletter will be sent
Hardcopy till further notice.

The availability of rooms at the Red Cross was discussed, public relations is a factor.

The April meeting is homebrew month, bring your homebuilt projects and experiments.

Rick WD9HRU motioned to adjourn, and Floyd W9EX seconded.

There were 19 members present.

Air Disaster Drill 2002
By John Payne

 The Central Illinois Regional Airport, along with the Bloomington Fire Department conducted an air disaster drill at the airport on April 13, 2002 from 10:00 to 13:00. Along with these agencies, the American Red Cross, County Fire and Rescue Units, Lifeline Mobile Medics, St. Joseph, Bromenn Hospitals, and McLean Co ESDA also participated. I hope that I did not miss anyone.

  The CIRC met at the ARC building. We were greeted by ARC volunteers who welcomed us, set us up with a Communications Table, proper I.D., and vehicle passes. Members of CIRC that were present: John KB9ZDZ, Dean AA9BS, Rick WD9HRU, Mitch KB9PXL, Scott KB9ZDW, and Jim WB9UWA. Larry K9ORP was working with ESDA in MAC1.

 We pulled out the Kenwood TS700SP, only to find no antenna! Scott KB9ZDW donated the use of his mobile mag mount. Set up the radio, and antenna on the Communications Table in the main floor meeting room. I have to say that the ambient noise was quite high. Luckily I threw in a pair of headphones. They were the saving factor. The ARC people were very interested in our communications. After the building cleared out some, many were actually listening to our exchanges, and would give the answer, or info directly without any third party interaction. I must say this made for quick, easy, and accurate communications.

  Rick WD9HRU had a portable packet radio set-up with a portable printer. He was linked to Larry K9ORP who was in MAC1. Rick was dispatched to the old terminal building. Once there, He was able to make connection with Larry for a series of test messages. This was confirmed by a password.

 Scott KB9ZDW was assigned to Bill Martin, Government Liaison for the ARC. Scott’s job was to shadow Bill and assist him with radio communications. Before Scott left for the field, Dean AA9BS gave him a portable power supply. Scott gave that battery a workout! Scott actually was relaying the activation of the ARC divisions, as they were needed. At one point Bill needed a cell phone number that was not on the list. We were able to get that number, and get out to them.

 Dean AA9BS, Mitch KB9PXL, and Jim WB9UWA stayed at the ARC building ready to assist in any way needed. They kept my coffee cup full, and provided an extra set of ears. Just having these guys around kept us on top of the drill. During lunch, Jim WB9UWA acted as net control in my place. I will add that the ARC provided lunch.

 I was honored to be net control for this exercise. It wasn’t a perfect job as none ever is. I must say that with all the help from my fellow club members that I felt much more comfortable in the position. I learned a lot from this drill. I think we can use this experience to draw up a set of guidelines to assist in any incidents we may be asked to assist with.

 After Scott, and Rick returned, there was a short debriefing. I must say that we as the CIRC were given high marks. I believe that the ARC sees our ability to be able to provide the communications gaps that exist in these incidents. Hats off to those in attendance, as well as those that have laid the groundwork for this to be a success for the CIRC. ENOUGH for now! We can discuss this in more detail at the next meeting. We need more than just my observations, and opinions.
73 de John KB9ZDZ.

Monday 9:00 P.M. 146.730 123.0 PL   Open Net
Tuesday 7:00 P.M. 146.910 Tazewell County ESDA Net
Tuesday 9:00 P.M. 146.940 CIRC Open Net
Wednesday 9:00 P.M. 147.060 Open Net  Has Newsline
Wednesday 9:00 P.M. 442.250 123.0 PL   ARES Open Net
Wednesday Varies 147.100 Trader’s Net follows ARES      Net on 442.250
Thursday 9:00 P.M. 146.760 Open Net with Newsline
Thursday 9:00 P.M. 146.895 North Central IL Traders     Net
Sunday 8:30P.M 147.075 Open Net with Newsline
Mon / Fri 9:00 A.M.(Local) 14.247.5  Displaced Peorians Net
Sunday 8:15 AM Local 1815 kHz 160 m AM net
(Please help me correct this list.  I know it’s not up to date at this time.   Norm N9ZKS)
 
Blomington-Normal Area Repeaters

Freq Callsign Location PL
145.390 N9EZJ Lincoln
145.430 KD9F Gridley 103.5
146.790 K9CYW Bloomington
146.940 W9AML Bloomington
147.015 NX9M Normal 88.5 (open*)
147.150 WD9FTV Bloomington 103.5(open*)
147.345 K9ZM Lincoln
442.700 WB9UUS Normal 107.2 (open**)
443.325 KE9HB Congerville 107.2
444.350 W9EX Bloomington 107.2
444.975 N9FZF Normal 136.5
* Repeater is currently in open mode with pl for those with QRM
** Repeater RX with tight carrier squelch and loose tone squelch (107.2)
 

Bloomington Public Library
205 E. Olive
Bloomington, IL 61701

Remaining dates for the year 2002 (Walk-ins are welcome)
May 25
Jul 13
Nov 16

Keith, AC9S, is heading the testing.

To great sighs of relief from the DX community, the ARRL this week announced that it will accept SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN in North Korea for DXCC credit. Operator Ed Giorgadze of the Republic of Georgia, has been active from the capital city of Pyongyang since early last November. Valid SSB contacts from the onset of the P5/4L4FN operation last fall now may be submitted for DXCC credit.

"The ARRL has now received adequate evidence that the operation by Mr. Giorgadze is being conducted with the knowledge and approval of telecommunications officials in Pyongyang," said ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG. "At the present time, this approval is limited to SSB operation." Giorgadze has been operating with oral permission from North Korean authorities, but Mills said the ARRL is satisfied on the basis of written information submitted that the P5/4L4FN operation conforms with DXCC rules and should be accepted for credit.

Mills cited DXCC Rule 7, which states "Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the complete approval and understanding of appropriate administration officials." The rule continues, "In any case, credit will be given for contacts where adequate evidence of authorization by appropriate authorities exists."

Mills said the ARRL Awards Committee met and concurred that the operation should be accredited.

The P5/4L4FN operation is not a DXpedition. Giorgadze is employed by the United Nations World Food Program and often spends as much as 12 hours a day on the job, operating in his off hours.

According to The Daily DX, Giorgadze learned this week that he will be in North Korea at least until July 2003. He tried for more than two years to obtain permission to operate Amateur Radio and finally was given the okay last year to bring an ICOM IC-706MkIIG into the country. A favorite hangout has been 21.225 MHz (he works split and listens up). He's also been a frequent visitor to 10 meters. Now that his operation has been okayed for DXCC, Giorgadze has indicated that he plans to be more active on the air.

While P5/4L4FN has been doing some RTTY operation in addition to SSB, those contacts are not yet being accepted for DXCC credit.

Bruce Paige, KK5DO, has been acting as QSL manager and liaison for P5/4L4FN. He said this week that the first QSL cards should be going out within a few weeks. Paige offers an on-line log, additional news and information and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the operation on his AMSAT Net Web site <http://www.amsatnet.com>. Click on the "P5 North Korea" link.