Lesson of the Month
>From a passenger ship, everyone can see a bearded man on a small island, who
is shouting and desperately waving his hands.

"Who is that man and why is he so upset?" a passenger asks the captain.

"I've no idea, but every year when we pass by, he goes nuts."

Lesson to be learned: Never miss an opportunity to be insightful, and take
along ham radio so you can help.

Kathy Bengtsen Ryan, KB9WPT, also bakes for the SRRC meetings, and has
pitched in since Rose and Whitey have moved and settle in to their new
residence. At the SRRC July 2001 meeting, Kathy provided two cakes, one
Rainbow Chip with soft and creamy chocolate frosting, and one white cake with
soft and creamy vanilla frosting. Decorating each contrasting cake was the
W9MKS call letters in contrasting colors, a nice amateur radio touch. Kathy
dropped off the cakes and could not stay for the meeting, so she missed the
smiles of those who enjoyed her contribution. Thanks very much for your fine
baking, Kathy.
We also hope Rose learns her new kitchen soon and also rejoins the baking
section network, and hope she enjoys the time off with Whitey. Maybe we could
even finish out and stock up the club kitchen for club use soon, because you
just don't really appreciate these goodies unless you see them prepared and
smell them baking or fresh out of the oven!
Kathy's current cake costs are courtesy of cash contribution <try and say
that fast> by Gerry Hagemann N9ZJK, 2001 SRRC Hamfest Chairman. Thank you,
Gerry, but you missed out on the cakes!

Activities Chairman Report
As a result of discussions at Monday nights SRRC meeting, I am sending out an
informal list of some upcoming amateur radio related activities in this area.
Please let me know if you would like to work any of the QSO contest parties,
and have some sort of an open house at the club during the same time. We
certainly have plenty of capabilities to work the CQ WW VHF contest next
weekend, but the ARRL UHF contest may be more of a challenge! I would be
willing to operate at the clubhouse at least during the VHF contest, and it
would be nice to have a few others come out and work for a few hours both
days of the contest. Note: This is not a formal "Activities Report," but
rather a list of upcoming events, and is not in any way connected nor is this
an attempt to supplement the SRRC
"Activities Chairman Monthly Report."

Kankakee Area Radio Society (KARS) hamfest 2001 will be held this Sunday,
July 8th, at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone, Illinois. The flea
markets will open at 6:00 a.m., with the main buildings opening at 8:00 a.m.
Take I-57 to Peotone, exit 327(East).

CQ WW VHF contest, sponsored by "CQ Magazine," will be held from 1800Z July
14 until 2100Z July 15. 6 and 2 meters. Single op all band and single band,
multi-op, rover and QRP (<25 W). Send grid square. Score 1 pt/QSO on 50 MHz,
2 pts./QSO on 144 MHz. Work stations once per band regardless of mode. Do not
transmit on 146.520 MHz simplex or on repeaters to either make or solicit
contacts. Final score is QSO points x grid squares worked/band. Awards will
be given, and logs need to be submitted no Later than August 31 to CQ VHF
Contest, CQ Magazine, 25 Newbridge Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801. Electronic logs
may be submitted via e-mail to cqvhf@kkn.net. Questions or comments may be
sent to questions@cqww.com; www.cq-amateur- radio.com/vhfcontest.html

Fox River Radio League will be hosting their annual hamfest on Sunday, July
22nd at Waubonsee Community College, Rte 47 at Harter Rd., 5 miles NW of
Aurora. Hamfest opens to the public at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday! Offering flea
markets, commercial vendors, computer vendors, VE sessions (10 AM, bring
original and copy of license, photo ID, CSCE, fee), overnight camping, free
paved parking, refreshments. Talk-in frequency will be 147.210 MHz
(103.5/107.2 Hz). Admission is $4.00 in advance or $5.00 at the door. Tables
are $12.00 each (8-ft). Contact Maurice Schietecatte, W9CEO, c/o FRRL, Box
673, Batavia, IL 60510; 815-786-2860; w9ceo@arrl.net;
www.frrl.org/hamfest.html.

The Starved Rock Radio Club's first open house/technical amateur radio
working demonstration session will be held on Saturday, July 28th from 3:00
p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. EVERYONE (amateur and non-amateur general
public) is invited and encouraged to attend. The purpose of this event is to
promote amateur radio in action to the general public and other club members,
and generate some working activity among the club in general. Bring some
chips and snacks to pass around, and please pass the word around! If you
would like, bring some favorite equipment and interesting amateur radio
related stories to share with the rest of us! 2001 ARRL August UHF Contest
will be held the first full weekend in August. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday, ends
1800 UTC Sunday (August 4-5, 2001). Object is to work as many amateur
stations in as many 2 degree x 1-degree grid squares as possible using
authorized amateur frequencies above 222 MHz and all authorized modes of
emission. Awards will be given for all categories. See July 2001 "QST" for
more complete details and list of rules, page 119.

The Hamfesters Radio Club Hamfest will be held on Sunday, August 12, 2001 at
the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone, Illinois. Take I-57 to Peotone Exit
327 (East). Flea markets open at 6:00 a.m., main buildings open at 8:00 a.m.
Talk-in will be on 146.520 MHz simplex and on the 146.640 (-107.2) MHz STARS
repeater. Tickets are $5.00 in advance w/double stub or $6.00 at the gate
w/single stub. For advance tickets or more information, contact Robert
Nelson-WB9WFR, 1720 Vollmer Road, Flossmoor, IL 60422; 708-756-7984 or send
e-mail to WB9WFR@aol.com

First, it has been deemed that the Icom IC-740 HF rig is now missing in
action.  As a result, a theft report was filed with the La Salle County
Sheriff's Department, for insurance records/purposes.  Yes, we have
apparently had a piece of club property stolen, since no one has come
forward and admitted to taking the rig.  The radio disappeared sometime
between the June meeting and the Wednesday prior to Field Day (June 22nd).
In the future, if you borrow ANY piece of club property, remember that the
rules are to write your name, call sign, and equipment borrowed on the
marker board behind the meeting table!!  Also, if taken at the meeting,
please let me or someone else know that can relay the message.

As a result of this apparent theft, a yearly audit of equipment and other
miscellaneous club property will be conducted, for presentation to the
Board of Directors at their annual meeting.

Also, a big thanks needs to be extended to Kurt (KB9RKU) for working many
hours these past few weeks at the clubhouse.  Kurt has revamped and redone
many aspects of the packet stations and computer programs we have the
clubhouse, and I am sure that everyone will be pleased with what the see
at the August meeting.  Thanks again Kurt!!

73's
Jesse L. Risley - KB9TMA
SRRC Equipment Chairman

There will be a multi-club amateur radio picnic on Aug. 11, 2001 at
Starved
Rock State Park.  The purpose of the event is to gather as many clubs as
possible at a central location, for fellowship and amateur radio related
purposes.

Each person or group or family is asked to bring their own food, drink,
condiments, etc. Everyone is also asked to bring something in the way of
activities or something to do that we can share with each other.
Absolutely no alcoholic beverages of any kind will be allowed. There will
be a low band and maybe a 2mtr radio set up to operate for those who are
interested in operating ham radio from the picnic.

The idea is to get all hams and their families to meet and get to know one
another and just share each others company and have a good time. I was
already told that there can be no reservations for the pavilians and that
they are first come, first serve. We can work on that.  The organizers of
this event has stated that they wish to get as many clubs involved as
possible, so spread the word.

We will be discussing this in greater detail at the August meeting, but
please mark your calendars and spread the word!!

Also, the organizers already have the permit for the event.  Any
questions, contact Tony........ka9wzw@juno.com