The Starved Rock Radio Club (SRRC) meets on the first Monday of every month, unless otherwise scheduled, at 7:00 p.m. at the SRRC clubhouse in Leonore, Illinois. Club nets are held on the SRRC repeater (W9MKS) every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The W9MKS repeater is located in Ottawa, Illinois, and it operates on a frequency of 147.120 MHz (+ 103.5 PL). The Starved Rock Radio Club was organized in September of 1934, and has remained an ARRL affiliated club since 1934.
The mission of the Starved Rock Radio Club has continually
been to give faithful, co-operative service and assistance for the betterment
of amateur radio, in the promotion of interest in amateur radio communications,
for the advancement of the radio art, for the use of amateur radio for
public service and welfare, and for the maintenance of fraternalism and
the promotion of good fellowship along with a high standard of conduct.
Visit us on the web at www.qsl.net/w9mks
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Secretary’s Report – February Meeting Happenings
KB9TMA presided. Mark was off making money
to buy another tower. KB9RKU told the members that the BBS is up
and running fine again, and the YAGI was fixed. Steve, KB9UPS
did the climbing, and just rotated the element back up and tightened the
loose U-bolt. Kurt is working on upgrading the computers, and hopes
to have aresdata running on the BBS soon. (This is a
remote database program. Data can be entered or retrieved by packet stations
at remote sites.)
The hamfest sign-up list is going around. Members
are urged to sign up early and often Advance ticket sales are way
down.
The new door lock is installed. If
you need the code, talk to K9ZQ, KB9TMA or KF9NZ - privately. We
are still looking for permanent repeater sites. We need
remote receive sites, and we would like to get another
site in or near Ottawa. Craig, WB9ZJK has offered to let us
use a site in central Ottawa for tests, but no tower there now. There
were no entries in the QSL contest, so KB5TWX in Starkville
Ms is still the target. We talked about getting
the Otter Creek Twp antenna tower; KB9TMA will find out if the foundation
has to be removed too. Then we have to
figure out if we can take it down with a gin pole, or
if we need dynamite.
de KF9NZ
LA SALLE NUCLEAR STATION DRILL - MARCH 20
The ARES will participate. We NEED YOU to help. The drill usually starts around 9:00 AM and runs until early afternoon. We need to man the Emergency Operating Centers that participate in the drill these will probably be Seneca (Village), Brookfield Twp and Grand Ridge this year. We will hold a meeting soon to decide how we are going to operate. I have recently appointed KB9EZZ as the Deputy Emergency Coordinator. He will be able to make decisions or act in my place if I am not available. There's not much time left guys and gals!
De KF9NZ
The following is a submission by Jeff Johnson, N9OWP.
This article can also be viewed on the web at http://www.webdeals.net/lid.htm.
This is part II in the two part series-list of “How to sound like a LID”
"How to sound like a LID" – Part II
On two meters I have noticed a tendency of people making
an effort to sound like a "LID". Since this appears to be the new style
in Amateur Radio, I thought I would present this funny guide to radio nerd-dom.
Step Sixteen: Make sure that if you have a personal problem
with someone, you should voice your opinion in a public forum, especially
a net. Make sure you give their name, call, and any other identifying remarks.
For maximum points, make sure the person in question is not on the repeater,
or not available.
Step Seventeen: Make sure you say the first few words
of each transmission twice, especially if it is the same thing each time.
Like "roger, roger" or "fine business, fine business". I cannot stress
enough about encouraging redundancy.
Step Eighteen: If you hear a conversation on a local
repeater, break in and ask how each station is receiving you. Of course
they will only see the signal of the repeater you are using, but it's that
magic moment when you can find a fellow "LID", and get the report. Extra
points are awarded if you are using a base station, and the repeater is
less than twenty-five air miles from you.
Step Nineteen: Use the repeater for an hour or two at
a time, preventing others from using it. Better yet, do it on a daily basis.
Your quest is to make people so sick of hearing your voice every time they
turn on their radio, they'll move to another frequency. This way you'll
lighten the load on the repeater, leaving even more time for you to talk
on it.
Step Twenty: See just how much flutter you can generate
by operating at handheld power levels too far away from the repeater. Engage
people in conversations when you know they wont be able to copy half of
what your saying. Even when they say you’re uncopyable, continue to string
them along by making further transmissions. See just how frustrated you
can make the other amateur before he finally signs off in disgust.
Step Twenty One: Use lots of radio jargon. After all,
it makes you feel important using words ordinary people don't say. Who
cares if it makes you sound like you just fell off Channel 19 on the citizen's
Band? Use phrases such as "Roger on that", "10-4", "I'm on the side", "Your
making the trip" and "Negatory on that".
Step Twenty Two: Use excessive microphone gain. See just
how loud you can make your audio. Make sure the audio gain is so high that
other amateurs can hear any bugs crawling on your floor. If mobile, make
sure the wind noise is loud enough that others have to strain to pick your
words out from all the racket.
Step Twenty Three: Start every transmission with the
word "Roger" or "QSL". Sure, you don't need to acknowledge that you received
the other transmission in full. After all, you would simply ask for a repeat
if you missed something. But consider it your gift to the other amateur
to give him solace every few seconds that his transmissions are being received.
Step Twenty Four: When looking for a contact on a repeater,
always say your "listening" or "monitoring" multiple times. I've always
found that at least a half dozen times or so is good. Repeating your multiple
"listening" ID's every 10 to 15 seconds is even better. Those people who
didn't want to talk to you will eventually call you, hoping you'll go away
after you have finally made a contact.
Step Twenty Five: Always use a repeater, even if you
can work the other station easily on simplex ... especially if you can
make the contact on simplex. The coverage of the repeater you use should
be inversely proportional to your distance from the other station.
Step Twenty Six: When on repeaters using courtesy tones,
you should always say "over". Courtesy tones are designed to let everyone
know when you have unkeyed but don't let that stop you. Say "over", "back
to you" or "go ahead". It serves no useful purpose but don't worry, it's
still fun!
Step Twenty Seven: Use the repeater's autopatch for frivolous
routine calls... especially during morning or evening commute times. While
pulling into the neighborhood, call home to let them know you'll be there
in two minutes.... or, call your spouse to complain about the bad day you
had at work. After all, the club has "measured rate" service on their phone
line so they get charged for each autopatch call. Your endeavor is to make
so many patches in a year that you cost the club at least $20 in phone
bills. That way you'll feel you got your money's worth for your dues!
Step Twenty Eight: Never say "My name is ....." It makes
you sound human. If at all possible, use one of the following phrases:
a) "The personal here is ..." b) "The handle here is..."
Step Twenty Nine: Use "73" and "88" incorrectly. Both
are already considered plural, but add a "s" to the end anyway. Say "73's"
or "88's". Who cares if it means "best regards" and "love and kisses."
Better yet, say "seventy thirds"! (By the way, seventy thirds equals about
23.3).
Step Thirty: If the repeater is off the air for service,
complain about the fact that it was off the air as soon as it's turned
back on. Act as though your entire day has been ruined because the repeater
wasn't available when you wanted to use it. Even thought you have never
paid a penny to help out with the upkeep of it.
These easy steps should put you well on your way to "LID-Hood".
I hope these helpful hints will save you some time in your quest to sound
like the perfect "LID". I should also note that these steps need not apply
to simplex operation, as nobody really gives a crap because that HTX-202
isn't going to get out too far with just a rubber duck.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7VVV Solar Update
SEATTLE, WA, Jan 4, 2002--Happy new year! Because this is the first bulletin of the new year, we'll spend some time reviewing last year.
If we look at the average daily solar flux and sunspot numbers for 2001, it was really a very good year with lots of activity, considering that the peak was supposed to be in 2000. Average daily sunspot numbers for the years 1997-2001 were 30.7, 88.5, 136.3, 172.8 and 170.3. Average daily solar flux values for those same years were 81, 117.7, 153.7, 179.5 and 181.6. Given those numbers, both 2000 and 2001 look like peak years for the cycle. Average quarterly sunspot numbers for 2001 were 147.3, 164.8, 170.4 and 198.1. Average quarterly solar flux for the same period was 164.4, 166.7, 175.5 and 219.1, so solar activity increased over the year.
Over the past week, average sunspot numbers were up 13 points, and average solar flux was about the same. Sunday had unsettled geomagnetic conditions, probably from a flare on Friday. Friday's flare upset the 10.7-cm receiver at the Penticton observatory, which read a solar flux of 655.6 for the day. This was adjusted downward by NOAA SESC to 263. Predicted solar flux for Friday through Monday is 220, 215, 210 and 210.
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, has written another piece explaining
basic short-wave propagation principles. It's called The sun, the Earth,
the Ionosphere: What the Numbers Mean, and Propagation Predictions--a brief
introduction to propagation and the major factors affecting it. It
follows. The sun emits electromagnetic radiation and matter as a consequence
of the nuclear fusion process. Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths
of 100 to 1000 Angstroms (ultraviolet) ionizes the F region, radiation
at 10 to 100 Angstroms (soft X-rays) ionizes the E region, and radiation
at 1 to 10 Angstroms (hard X- rays) ionizes the D region. Solar matter
(which includes charged particles--electrons and protons) is ejected from
the sun on a regular basis, and this comprises the
solar wind. On a "quiet" solar day the speed of this
solar wind heading toward Earth averages about 400 km per second.
The sun's solar wind significantly impacts Earth's magnetic field. Instead of being a simple bar magnet, Earth's magnetic field is compressed by the solar wind on the side facing the sun and is stretched out on the side away from the sun (the magneto tail, which extends tens of earth radii downwind). While the sun's electromagnetic radiation can impact the entire ionosphere that is in daylight, charged particles ejected by the sun are guided into the ionosphere along magnetic field lines and thus can only impact high latitudes where the magnetic field lines go into the Earth.
Additionally, when electromagnetic radiation from the sun strips an electron off a neutral constituent in the atmosphere, the resulting electron can spiral along a magnetic field line (it spirals around the magnetic field line at the electron gyro frequency). Thus Earth's magnetic field plays an important and critical role in propagation. Variations in Earth's magnetic field are measured by magnetometers. There are two measurements readily available--the daily A index and the three-hour K index. The A index uses a linear scale and goes from 0 (quiet) to 400 (severe storm). The K index uses a quasi-logarithmic scale (which essentially is a compressed version of the A index) and goes from 0 to 9 (with 0 being quiet and 9 being severe storm). Generally an A index at or below 15 or a K index at or below 3 is best for propagation.
Sunspots are areas on the sun associated with ultraviolet
radiation. Thus they are tied to ionization of the F region. The daily
sunspot number, when plotted over a month time frame, is very spiky.
Averaging the daily sunspot numbers over a month results in the monthly
average sunspot number, but it is also rather spiky when plotted. Thus
a more averaged, or smoothed, measurement is needed to measure solar cycles.
This is the smoothed sunspot number (SSN). The SSN is calculated using
six months of data before and six months of data after the desired month,
plus the data for the desired month. Because of this amount of smoothing,
the official SSN is one-half year behind the current
month.
Sunspots come and go in an approximate 11-year cycle.
The rise to maximum (4 to 5 years) is usually faster than the descent to
minimum (6 to 7 years). At and near the maximum of a solar cycle, the increased
number of sunspots causes more ultraviolet radiation to impinge on the
atmosphere. This results in significantly more F region ionization, allowing
the ionosphere to refract higher frequencies (15, 12, 10, and even 6 meters)
back to Earth for DX contacts. At and near the minimum between solar cycles,
the number of sunspots is so low that higher frequencies go through the
ionosphere into
space. Commensurate with solar minimum, though, is less
absorption and a more stable ionosphere, resulting in the best propagation
on the lower frequencies (160 and 80 meters). Thus, in general, high SSNs
are best for high-frequency propagation, and low SSNs are best for low-frequency
propagation.
Most of the disturbances to propagation come from solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The solar flares that affect propagation are called X-ray flares due to their wavelength being in the 1 to 8 Angstrom range. X-ray flares are classified as C (the smallest), M (medium size), and X (the biggest). Class C flares usually have minimal impact to propagation. Class M and X flares can have a progressively adverse impact to propagation. The electromagnetic radiation from a class X flare in the 1 to 8 Angstrom range can cause the loss of all propagation on the sunlit side of Earth due to increased D region absorption. Additionally, big class X flares can emit very energetic protons that are guided into the polar cap by the Earth's magnetic field. This can result in a polar cap absorption event (PCA), with high D-region absorption on paths passing through the polar areas of Earth.
A CME is an explosive ejection of a large amount of solar
matter, and can cause the average solar wind speed to take a dramatic jump
upward--kind of like a shock wave heading toward Earth. If the polarity
of the sun's magnetic field is southward when the shock wave hits Earth's
magnetic field, the shock wave couples into Earth's magnetic field and
can cause large variations in Earth's magnetic field. This is seen
as an increase in the A and K indices. In addition to auroral activity,
these variations to the magnetic field can cause those electrons spiraling
around magnetic field lines to be lost into the magneto tail. With electrons
gone, maximum usable frequencies (MUFs) decrease, and return only after
the magnetic field returns to normal and the process of ionization replenishes
lost electrons. Most of the time, elevated A and K indices reduce
MUFs, but occasionally MUFs at low latitudes may increase
(due to a complicated process) when the A and K indices are elevated.
Solar flares and CMEs are related, but they can happen together or separately. Scientists are still trying to understand the relationship between them. One thing is certain, though--the electromagnetic radiation from a big flare traveling at the speed of light can cause short-term radio blackouts on the sunlit side of Earth within about 10 minutes of eruption. Unfortunately we detect the flare visually at the same time as the radio blackout, since both the visible light from the flare and the electromagnetic radiation in the 1 to 10 Angstrom range from the flare travel at the speed of light--in other words, we have no warning. On the other hand, the energetic particles ejected from a flare can take up to several hours to reach Earth, and the shock wave from a CME can take up to several days to reach Earth, thus giving us some warning of their impending disruptions.
Each day the Space Environment Center (a part of NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and the US Air Force jointly put out a Solar and Geophysical Activity Report. The current and archived reports are on the Near-Earth Data Online at SEC page in the "Daily or less" section in the "Solar and Geophysical Activity Report and 3-day Forecast" row. Each daily report consists of six parts. Part IA gives an analysis of solar activity, including flares and CMEs. Part IB gives a forecast of solar activity. Part IIA gives a summary of geophysical activity. Part IIB gives a forecast of geophysical activity. Part III gives probabilities of flare and CME events. These first three parts can be summarized as follows: normal propagation (no disturbances) generally occurs when no X-ray flares higher than class C are reported or forecasted, along with solar wind speeds due to CMEs near the average of 400km/sec. Part IV gives observed and predicted 10.7-cm solar flux. A comment about the daily solar flux--it has little to do with what the ionosphere is doing on that day. This will be explained later. Part V gives observed and predicted A indices. Part VI gives geomagnetic activity probabilities. These last two parts can be summarized as follows: good propagation generally occurs when the forecast for the daily A index is at or below 15 (this corresponds to a K index of 3 or below).
WWV, at 18 minutes past the hour every hour, puts out
a shortened version of this report. It gives the previous day's 10.7-cm
solar flux, the previous day's A index, and the current three-hour K index.
Current solar activity and geomagnetic field activity are also given, along
with forecasts for both. As in the Solar and Geophysical Activity
Report, normal propagation (no disturbances) is expected when the solar
activity is low and the geomagnetic field is quiet. A comment is appropriate
here. Both the Solar and Geophysical Activity Report and WWV give a status
of solar activity. This is not a status
of the 11-year sunspot cycle, but rather a status on
solar disturbances (flares and CMEs). For example, if the solar activity
is reported as low, that doesn't mean we're at the bottom of the solar
cycle; it means the sun has not produced any major flares or CMEs.
In order to predict propagation, much effort was put into
finding a correlation between sunspots and the state of the ionosphere.
The best correlation turned out to be between SSN and monthly median ionospheric
parameters. This is the correlation that our propagation prediction programs
are based on, which means the outputs (usually MUF and signal strength)
are values with probabilities over a month time frame tied to them. They
are not absolutes; they are statistical in nature. Understanding this is
a
key to the proper use of propagation predictions.
Sunspots are a subjective measurement. They are counted
visually. It would be nice to have a more objective measurement, one that
actually measures the sun's output. The 10.7-cm solar flux has become this
measurement. But it is only a general measure of the activity of the sun,
since a wavelength of 10.7-cm is way too low in energy to cause any ionization.
Thus 10.7 cm solar flux has nothing to do with the formation of the ionosphere.
The best correlation between 10.7-cm solar flux and sunspots is the smoothed
10.7-cm solar flux and the smoothed sunspot number--the correlation between
daily
values, or even monthly average values, is not very acceptable.
Since our propagation prediction programs were set up
based on a correlation between SSN and monthly median ionospheric parameters,
the use of SSN or the equivalent smoothed 10.7-cm solar flux gives the
best results. Using the daily 10.7-cm solar flux--or even the daily sunspot
number—can introduce a sizable error into the propagation predictions outputs
due to the fact that the ionosphere does not react to the small daily variations
of the sun. Even averaging 10.7-cm solar flux over a week's
time frame can contribute to erroneous predictions.
To reiterate, for best results use SSN or smoothed 10.7-cm solar flux,
and understand the concept of monthly median values. If there were a good
correlation between what the ionosphere is doing today and today's solar
flux (or today's sunspot number), then we'd have a daily propagation model
as
opposed to a monthly median propagation model.
Sunspot numbers for December 27 through January 2 were 268, 263, 222, 218, 209, 222 and 241, with a mean of 234.7. The 10.7-cm flux was 274.6, 263, 264.4, 246.6, 245.6, 232.2 and 231.1, with a mean of 251.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 5, 10, 17, 11, 7 and 7 with a mean of 9.
Amateur solar observer Tad Cook, K7VVV Seattle, Washington,
provides this weekly report on solar conditions and propagation. This report
also is available via W1AW every Friday, and an abbreviated version also
appears in The ARRL Letter. Readers may contact the author via k7vvv@arrl.net.
Submitted by Gene Beck, N9MRG
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activities Report / Calendar of Events
¨ The National Weather Service, in conjunction with
the La Salle County ESDA, will co-sponsor their annual severe weather spotter
training session on Monday, February 11th 2002 at Illinois Valley Community
College. This annual spotter training session is free and open to
the public, and anyone interested in acquiring the necessary skills to
become a trained severe weather spotter is encouraged to attend the seminar.
The seminar will be held in the auditorium at IVCC, and the program begins
at 7:00 p.m.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ The 2002 ARRL International DX Contest is scheduled
as follows:
CW: Third full weekend in February (February 16-17, 2002).
Phone: First full weekend in March (March 2-3, 2002). The contest period
will run 48 hours each mode (separate contests). Starts 0000 UTC Saturday;
ends 2400 UTC Sunday. The object is for amateurs to work as many
amateur stations in as many DXCC entities as possible on 160, 80, 40, 20,
15, and 10 meter bands. Foreign amateurs (also including KH6, KL7,
CY9, and CYØ) work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous
states and provinces as possible. For more information, consult the
December, 2001 QST (page 113) or visit the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨The LPARC Cabin Fever Hamfest, sponsored by the
LaPorte, IN ARC, will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2002. For
more information, visit
http://www.geocities.com/K9JSI. Contact: Neil Straub, WZ9N; PO Box
30
LaPorte, IN 46352. Phone: 219-324-7525, Email: nstraub@worldkey.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ CQ WW 160-Meter Contest, Phone, sponsored by CQ
Magazine, 2200Z Feb 22-1600Z Feb 24. SO-QRP (<5 W) -LP(<150
W) -HP, MO categories; no time limit. Enter as MO if packet or spotting
nets are used. Exchange RST and SPC. QSO Points: own entity--2 pts, same
cont--5 pts, diff. Cont--10 pts, /MM stations count 5 points, but no multiplier.
Score is QSO points × states + VE call areas + DXCC entities (KH6
and KL7 count as DXCC only). For information, http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq160rules.html.
Logs (Cabrillo format preferred) must be emailed (no paper logs) by Feb
28 to cq160@kkn.net.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ CQC Winter QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the
Colorado QRP Club, 2200Z Feb 24 to 0359Z Feb 25. Frequencies: CW-1825,
3560, 3710, 7040, 7110, 14060, 21060, 21110, 28060, 28110 kHz, SSB-1910,
3985, 7285, 14285, 21385, 28385 kHz. Categories are SOAB, SOSB, SO-Homebrew,
no time limit. Exchange RST, SPC, name, CQC member number or power output
(5W max). QSO Points: CW--CQC member--6 pts, non-member-4 pts, phone--members--3
pts, non-members--2 pts, work each station once per band and mode. Score
is total of QSO Points × SPC (count once per band) X names (one name
from each letter of the alphabet) + 1000 pts for QSO with WØCQC.
For more information, http://www.mtechnologies.com/cqc/. Logs must be emailed
or postmarked within 30 days to contest@cqc.org
(ASCII text only) or Colorado QRP Club, Box 371883, Denver,
CO 80237-1883.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ North Carolina QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by
the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, 1700Z Feb 24-0300Z Feb 25. Categories--SO,
Mobile, Club, no time limit, all stations 100 W max output. NC stations
work everyone; others work NC stations only. Frequencies: CW--3.540, 3.740,
7.040, 7.140, 14.040, 21.040, 21.140, 28.040, 28.140 MHz; phone--3.860,
7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360 MHz and any VHF/UHF--CW/SSB only; no FM,
repeater or cross band/mode QSOs. Work stations once per band and mode;
mobiles may be worked again as they change counties. Exchange RST and NC
county or
SPC. QSO Points: phone--2 pts, CW--3 pts, NC mobile--3
pts (either mode). Score: NC stations-QSO points×NC counties+SPC
(only 1 DX multiplier); others-QSO points×NC counties (max 100).
Add to score--50 bonus points for working Cherokee or Dare counties (150
for working both) and 50 points for working W4NC or K4EG (150 points for
both). Mobiles add 100 bonus points for each NC county activated. For more
information, http://www.w4nc.org/ncqsoparty.html. Logs must be emailed
or postmarked by April 1 to n4vhk@summitschool.com or NC QSO Party, c/o
N4VHK, 934 Franklin St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ Special Event Station - Arlington Heights, IL:
Peace Corps ARC, KA9NLX. 1600Z to 2300Z Mar 1, 2002. Celebrating the birthday
of Peace Corps, and to honor its volunteers. 7.283 14.325 21.375 28.525.
Certificate. John Paskevicz, KA9NLX, RPCV, 1423 North Ridge Ave, Arlington
Heights, IL 60004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ The Streator Amateur Radio Club will be hosting
their monthly dinner/meeting on Saturday, March 2nd 2002 at Chippers’ Grill,
route 23 North in Streator. The dinner/meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.,
and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!! If you would like
to attend the monthly dinner/meeting, please make reservations no later
than Friday, March 1st by contacting Jesse Risley, KB9TMA on the air, or
by phone at 815-673-1023 (home) or 815-674-1059 (cell).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ The next regular monthly meeting of the Starved
Rock Radio Club will be held on Monday, March 4th 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at
the SRRC clubhouse in Leonore, Illinois. Everyone is welcome and
encourage to attend the meeting. There is a “pre-meeting” over dinner,
held prior to the regular meeting, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Schmitty’s
Grill. Come on over for some casual chat, and enjoy the evening steak
dinner special!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ The Illinois Valley Radio Association (IVRA) will
host their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 5th 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Hennepin Town Hall in Hennepin, Illinois. Everyone is welcome
and encouraged to attend the meeting!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ Wisconsin QSO Party, Phone and CW, sponsored by
the West Allis RAC, 1800Z Mar 10-0100Z Mar 11. Frequencies: CW--3550, 3705,
7050, 14050 kHz and 15/10/6/2 meters; Phone--3890, 7230, 14290, 21350,
28400 kHz and 6/2 meters.
Work stations once per band/mode/county; no repeater
QSOs. SO, MS, MM and mobile categories. Mobile operators may not sit on
a county line to operate. Exchange SPC or WI county. QSO points: Phone--1
pt, CW--2 pts. Score: Pwr mult × QSO pts × WI counties (max
72); WI stations--QSO pts × WI counties + SPC. WI mobiles/portables
add 500 bonus points for each county with 12 or more QSOs. Power multiplier:
×2 (<5 W), ×1.5 (<150 W), ×1(>150 W). For more
information, www.warac.org/. Logs must be postmarked within 30 days to
WARAC, PO Box 1072, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
¨ There will be an Advanced Weather Spotters Class
held at Wheaton College on Saturday, March 16, 2002 from 8:00 AM – 4:00
PM. ***Please register in advance*** This class is being hosted by
the DuPage County OEM and the National Weather Service Forecast Office
in Chicago, IL. To register, phone 630-682-7925.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
73's DE
Jesse L. Risley, KB9TMA
SRRC Activities Chairman
Around the Hobby – Stray Items Relating to Amateur Radio
Rich Grimshaw, N9OUW, has the following gear for sale:
1.) Icom PCR-1000 PC Receiver, covers from 100 Khz – 1.3 Ghz (cellular frequencies blocked). Asking price for this unit is $200.00 firm, and the receiver is in good condition.
2.) Yaesu VX-5R transceiver HT, covers 6m/2m/70cm amateur bands, with wideband receive capability. This radio comes complete with an extra batter, barometer board, and a CD-15 drop-in charger cup. The radio is in good condition, and the asking price is $200.00 firm.
If you are interested in either of the above listed items
for sale, please contact Rich at (815) 228-RICH.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VANITY PROCESSING RAMPING UP SLOWLY
Vanity call sign processing is resuming, but not exactly apace. On January 23 and 24, the FCC processed 70 vanity grants from applications received October 16, 17 and 18. Additional vanity grants are expected to follow as FCC personnel assemble all applications--paper and electronic--received on a given date.
Prior to January 9--when the FCC processed 27 vanity applications received from October 15 filers--the Commission had not issued any vanity grants since last October 30. The holdup got its start when a batch of mail containing some 100 vanity applications received during the first two weeks of October apparently was mislaid in the process of dealing with the anthrax scare and mail decontamination. FCC policy gives equal priority to paper and electronic vanity applications, so the mail snafu has affected all vanity processing.
All vanity fee payments have been recorded and deposited or charged to credit card holders' accounts. The FCC has been using vanity fee payment data from the FCC's fiscal agent, Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh to contact applicants directly to have them resubmit their applications. Since October, the FCC has been urging all of its customers to avoid using the mails to conduct business with the agency and to use electronic means to file comments or applications. The FCC has been acting on amateur renewals and administrative updates filed on-line via the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's Universal Licensing System <http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls>. All applicants now must include an FCC Registration Number (FRN) when filing any application.
Excerpted from The ARRL Letter - Vol. 21, No. 04
from January 25, 2002
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Hamfest Report
In preparation for the 2002 hamfest, things are coming along smoothly. The first and second mailings for advance table and ticket reservations have already been processed and mailed. However, advance ticket sales are reported to be very much slower than average so far this pre-hamfest season. Our very own advance ticket salesman Don Houde, K9EWU, has noticed that ticket sales tend to be much better if a club representative is walking around various hamfests with advance tickets, advertising the tickets by wearing a sign on his or her back. Not a bad idea, considering this is a free form of advertising that more hamfest patrons are likely to view. Accordingly, if you would be willing to take some advance tickets to the next hamfest and wear a sign stating that you have tickets for sale, please let one of us know ASAP. This apparently worked extremely well at the Cicero hamfest last month!!
The hamfest sign-up sheet has been circulating the club for the past several months. Please remember to sign up often and early. There will be an updated sign-up sheet posted in the next few editions of the newsletter. If you have any questions regarding the hamfest, please contact us.
Matthew Weaver, KB9VZH and Jesse L. Risley, KB9TMA
Co-Chairman, SRRC Hamfest Committee
Kb9vzh_gov@yahoo.com or kb9tma@yahoo.com
From the Editor’s Desk
I am happy to report that both the publication and distribution of the newsletter have flowed smoothly the past several months, since I resumed the position as editor. Please feel free to continue sending various amateur radio related items of interest. Looking to get rid of some equipment? Be sure to include it in our special section, which consists of equipment for sale and/or trade. I have one additional reminder to all club members. Please be sure to keep your updated contact information (e-mail, home address, etc.) on file with the club. This will guarantee that you will continue to receive “Static,” as well as other items of interest as they may come along.
Also, I have enclosed a membership renewal/application form for the SRRC, and the form can be found attached at the end of the newsletter.
The deadline for submitting items for publication in the March edition of the newsletter will be Friday, March 8, 2002.
Regards,
Jesse L. Risley, KB9TMA
Kb9tma@yahoo.com; 815-673-1023 (home phone)
SRRC “Static” Editor
Starved Rock Radio Club – Application for Membership
Effective Date: ___________________
Mail to: Francis Kmetz, WB9VLW; 1004 South Park Street – Streator, IL 61364. You may also return this form at the next meeting of the SRRC!
New Member / Previous Member / Renewal / Not Licensed
License Class: __________________________ Call Sign: ______________________
Date of Birth: ___________________
Name: __________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
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County: ____________________ Phone Number: ( ) ______________________
E-mail address: ______________________
Please circle “YES” if we can send you the “Static” newsletter via e-mail only? YES
List any other licensed amateur family members living
at the above address:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SRRC MEMBERSHIP DUES AND FEES are due in January each year: Initiation fee for new members is $5.00. Regular, Non-Licensed and Associate member dues are $10.00 per year. Family Member dues are $15.00. Partial year dues are prorated by month.
SRRC dues: $________
Check _________ / Cash received by ___________ Amount Paid: ______________
NOTICE: Dues for each member must be accompanied with this form. Funds received without this form are considered donations. Complete rules are printed in the Constitution and the By-Laws (see www.qsl.net/w9mks) of the club and I agree to abide by them.
SIGNED: ____________________________
Date: _________________________