The Starved Rock Radio Club
December 2002
STATIC
President: Mark Gebhardt – K9ZQ
Vice President: Jesse L. Risley – KB9TMA
Secretary: Frank Cararro – KF9NZ
Treasurer: Francis Kmetz – WB9VLW
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 at the SRRC clubhouse
in Leonore, 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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December Meeting Summary
DUES INCREASE PASSES - BUT WAIT! YOU MIGHT HAVE A YEAR REPRIEVE.
The foundation of the Club were shaken recently -- Well,
the foundations of the club HOUSE really. Eldon and Kurt discovered
that one of the support posts in the basement just fell over.
They put a steel post in its place, but we need to put in 3 more pretty soon.
Those two members are also spending a lot of time getting the notebook computers
all repaired and programmed. It will probably be January before we
are ready to loan them out. We now have lots of spare parts - hard
drives, RAM, etc.
The hamfest committee will meet at the Clubhouse Dec 14th
at 2:30 p.m. Members are welcome to come and put their $0.02
in. The repeater was adjusted recently - the voter was out of adjustment,
and re-adjusting it helped a lot, but we are still figuring on moving it.
A motion was passed to relocate it to Joe, K9PHW's QTH on N.30th Rd IF
(1) We are able to complete a written agreement regarding the use of
Joe's place and (2) We are assured by the Ill Repeater Ass'n
that we can get it coordinated at that location.
When it came to the matter of the proposed dues increase,
there was discussion about the wording of the by-law on by-laws!!
N9ZJK maintains that the wording of by-law number 1 is not the way it was
passed by the Club a couple of years back. There was no proof one-way
or the other, but we are going to research it. Anyhow, when it
came to a vote, the motion to raise the dues passed. HOWEVER
- It was then moved by KB9RKU to postpone the effective date of the dues
increase to January 2004. This motion is also a by-law amendment,
which means we can't vote on it until the next meeting. Therefore,
the dues are now $20.00 for regular members, but if the further amendment
passes, 2003 dues will still be $10.00. So, you can do one of
three things:
1. Pay $10.00 now, and if the amendment fails, pay another $10.00
2. Pay $20.00 now and get $10.00 back if the amendment fails.
3. Wait until next meeting and pay when the decision is made.
OK?
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PENDING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
A motion to amend by-law 25, the dues by-law, was made at the December
meeting. The motion is to amend by-law 25 to read as follows:
"25 MEMBERSHIP DUES
A. Regular membership dues are ten dollars per year.
B. Non-licensed member dues are ten dollars per year.
C. Family membership dues are fifteen dollars per year.
D. Associate membership dues are ten dollars per year.
E. Honorary membership will be free.
Effective January 1, 2004, dues are increased by ten dollars for each
class except honorary membership which will remain free."
DE - KF9NZ
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Weather Broadcasts Now Available VIA Packet
I have had an idea for some time, but it mostly stayed
an idea and jangled around in my head. Being semi-disabled due to my
recent surgery, I needed something to pass the time, so I tried to turn the
idea into reality, and it is now in operation.
As many of you know, I have an
EMWIN satellite terminal, and get a constant stream of weather products on
it. There are numerous rebroadcast facilities around the country, but
none that work around here. The thought I had was to retransmit
certain weather service products via packet in unproto (unconnected)
packets, and that is what I
am doing. After listening to the regular packet frequencies for
some days, I heard nothing on 145.030, so I am using that freq. Right
now the software is set up to transmit all watches and warnings from the
Chicago Office, as well as those from the Davenport office that affect Bureau,
Putnam and Marshall Counties. Since we may often
go days, or even months, without a watch or warning, I added the following
routine products.
The Chicago Zone Forecast - which covers all counties in the Chicago forecast
office area (Twice a day, but often updated as condx change). The Hazardous
Weather Outlook - (6:00 AM daily, and updated at Noon during Spring and Summer).
State Weather Roundup - Current conditions from around the State -
several times a day.
If you want to receive these products,
turn your packet receiver to 145.030 and put it in monitor.
I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE RECEPTION REPORTS AND OTHER COMMENTS.
This is an experiment right now. I don't have the greatest antenna
or
the highest power. I am willing to change things, especially
for a test of some ideas you may have.
Frankf9nz – kf9nz@juno.com
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Training Report
Thanks to all the VEs who helped at our last test session and please welcome these new hams to the Illinois Valley:
Vicich, Derek R, KC9CVQ (Technician)
Taylor, Judith M, KC9CVR (Technician)
Shofner, Brian A, KC9CVP (Technician)
Gula, Matt G, KC9CIQ (General)
And a new club...
Tri County Amateur Radio Society, KC9CFU [Club]
Trustee: GRIMSHAW, RICHARD F, N9OUW
73 and thanks,
Joe Tokarz, KB9EZZ
SRRC Training Chairman
********************
Now is a good time to verify the batteries are charged-up.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Worldwide Caution
November 20, 2002
This Worldwide Caution supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated November 6.
It is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the need to remain vigilant
and to remind them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may
target civilians.
This Worldwide Caution expires on May 20, 2003.
In light of the statement released by Usama Bin Ladin on November 12, 2002,
the Department of State reminds Americans that U.S. citizens and interests
remain at increased risk of terrorist attacks, including by groups with links
to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. Terrorist actions may include,
but are not limited to, suicide operations or kidnappings. These individuals
have proved that they do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
Because security and security awareness have been elevated within the United
States, the terrorist may target U.S. interests overseas.
Recent events include the terrorist attacks in Kuwait and Bali. We remind
American citizens to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security
and to exercise caution.
On November 14, 2002, the State of Virginia executed Mir Ahmad Kasi, a Pakistani
national, who was convicted in 1997 of the 1993 murders of two CIA employees.
The potential exists for retaliatory acts against U.S. or other foreign interests
in response to the execution. Attacks on places of worship and schools,
and the murders of private
American citizens and other westerners, demonstrate that as security is increased
at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek
softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans or possibly
other foreigners are generally known to congregate or visit, such as residential
areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation
events or resorts and beaches. Americans should
increase their security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid
them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally
do not congregate. There is a possibility that American citizens may be targeted
for kidnapping or assassination.
U.s. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time
to time to review their security posture and ensure their adequacy. In those
instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide
emergency services to American citizens. Americans are urged to monitor the
local news and maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security
threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through
its Consular Information Program documents
<http://travel.state.gov>,
73 and Thanks
Joe Tokarz, KB9EZZ
Training Committee Chairman
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SRRC Special Event Station – Skywarn Recognition Day 2002
As many of you are aware, the temporary special event
station for the Starved Rock Radio Club has been changed from the remembrance
of the LST to participation in the NWS Skywarn Recognition Day each year.
Members of the club participated in the annual ARRL-NWS Skywarn Recognition
Day 2002 this past weekend. The National Weather Service and the American
Radio Relay League developed SKYWARN Recognition Day in 1999. It celebrates
the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National
Weather Service. During the day SKYWARN operators visit NWS offices
and contact other radio operators across the world. Below is a newspaper
article that appeared this past weekend:
Amateur radio operators link up
By Cindy Wojdyla Cain
STAFF WRITER
Skywarn event: They play a role in weather watching, and now's their time to shine
ROMEOVILLE — One thing was clear Friday night. Puerto Rico was the place to be.
It had the warmest temperature of any of the locations reporting in
during Skywarn Recognition Day at the local National Weather Service station.
Amateur radio operators from the region headed to their posts Friday
night for a 24-hour celebration of the role they have in weather watching.
And there is no better way to celebrate than to man a radio all night
searching for other operators across the United States and around the world.
More than 100 U.S. weather service stations were expected to participate.
Each contact was asked for a weather report, and the info was jotted down in a computer log.
The Skywarn event started in 1999 as a way to acknowledge the contributions
volunteer amateur radio operators make during severe weather or other disasters.
It happens all the time, said Bill Wilson, supervisory meteorologist at the Romeoville weather station.
"They (amateur radio operators) are very important," Wilson said. "We can only see so much on radar."
Amateur radio operators leap into action during weather watches or warnings to lend a helping hand.
"One of the main things (weather service personnel) need is ground
truth," said Frank Carraro, of Seneca, a member of the Starved Rock Radio
Club. "They don't know what's going on unless there is somebody there looking
at it. That's what we do."
But Friday night's event, which would last through 6 p.m. Saturday,
was recreational, complete with pizza, pop and plenty of comradery.
Contacts were as far away as Russia and South Africa. But most were
made in the United States, where chilly temperatures reigned, even in Florida.
Only Puerto Rico was 80 degrees and clear.
"Whiskey nine sierra," Phillip Rittenhouse of Lockport crooned into
the microphone. W9S, that was the weather station's call signal for the night.
"Last year I stayed for 36 hours," said Rittenhouse, vice president
of the Bolingbrook Amateur Radio Society. "I made over 500 contacts. I lost
my voice."
Why do they do it?
"For the fun of it," he said. "It's like fishing. You never know what
you're going to catch. I talked to a guy in Zimbabwe the other day."
Carraro, who is the emergency coordinator for LaSalle County, brought
a cot so he could nap a bit during the marathon session.
"I'll be here for the duration," he said. "... We're being geeks. It's fun."
Reporter Cindy Wojdyla Cain can be reached at (815) 729-6044 or via e-mail at ccain@scn1.com.
12/07/02
This article appeared in The Herald News Online: SuburbanChicagoNews.com.
Submission courtesy of Dirk Wolgast (WB9MDM).
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HOMELAND SECURITY ACT and the Amateur Radio Service
December 2002 IL SEC Article, by R. P. Ryan, KC6VVT, Section Emergency
Coordinator, Illinois Section, Field Service Division, American Radio
Relay League (ARRL).
The recent signing of the Homeland Security Act by the
President of the United States is anticipated to have major impacts on the
way that we in the amateur radio service aid governmental and even community
agencies. The federal reorganization is extensive under this act, and
is expected to be long lasting, and result in many changes. We can now, and
in the future, expect major changes and new expectations for ways that our
amateur radio service must respond to those needs of served agencies from
the Federal, State, County, City and down to the local government level.
The inclusion of various federal agencies in this recent federal organizational
change is anticipated to impact us eventually in our federally authorized
amateur radio service in many ways. It may even appear in the future regulation
of our amateur service, much as RACES
still remains is in the FCC Part 97 regulations today.
One of our newest concerns is in the anticipated changes that will be in
FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The FEMA inclusion in
this new Homeland Security department is expected to lead to changes at the
state level EMAs. This will surely include our own state of Illinois Emergency
Management Agency. We in the amateur radio service may
contribute individually to our
Homeland Security. Others in clubs and service organizations can also be
expected to do more in this regard. Those of us who have registered, trained,
practiced and drilled in volunteer auxiliary communications services, can
be expected to contribute even more to our Homeland Security through our
existing amateur radio service groups.
Changes in our individual and group response with our volunteer support
of served governmental agencies with emergency, disaster and recovery communications
are expected. To serve, we may also be required to register in advance with
those local governmental agencies, such as in the county and local ESDA,
RACES or auxiliary communications units. We must be prepared, trained, and
familiar with those served agencies, before any critical need arises. Further,
more local changes can be expected to reach the county and local levels as
well and be felt in procedures and accessibility issues at various ESDA and
EMA, or similar government offices and facilities. In some cases, certification
will be required to assist.
As an example, one such certification effort is the ARRL Amateur Radio
Emergency Communication Course, and the various levels it provides.
Completion of those ARRL member courses will earn respect with the knowledge
gained and applied to our amateur radio service. Homeland Security grant
money has been received by the ARRL to reimburse ARRL enrollees who have
successfully completed the ARECC Level I course. Those of us
in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS)
are in a unique position as this Homeland Security transition occurs to provide
better volunteer communication service to governmental agencies in response
to this reorganization. Some of those types of changes expected and known
were made earlier in the MARS, or in National Communications exercises
with their parent military supporting
organizations and FEMA in past drill activities.
Other changes in private or community agencies and organizations will
also be eventually felt. These changes are expected to have an impact on
the way we provide emergency, disaster and recovery communications. The Salvation
Army SATERN group is such an example of amateur radio operators serving specific
organization needs. In amateur radio clubs and organizations, we organize,
elect leadership, and form committees. One of those serving committees should
be an
emergency planning committee and be formed in every such group. Clubs that
apply for a ARRL affiliation as a Special Service Club already have that
requirement to fulfill.
The ARRL, our national organization, has an ARRL member elected Section
Manager (SM), a leadership position, to fulfill those agency roles in the
ARRL Field Service Division. We in Illinois and other ARRL Sections have
responsible and responding leadership in the amateur radio service.
The ARRL also supports a Field Service Division under ARRL section
leadership, which includes the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). In
ARES, that leadership is provided through SM local appointments, local Emergency
Coordinators, sometimes a District EC, and my own role as Section EC. We
also have various staff and assistants, and personal appointments, such as
Official Emergency Station. We prepare, plan, organize, register, correspond,
meet in person or on the air, and train. And we write and report of
your accomplishments, proudly. All you have to
do is ensure what you are doing in ARES is reported with your EC monthly
and annual reports, your public service reports, and always, your ARRL individual
station reports.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are my own, and do not necessarily reflect
ARRL or the Illinois Section or other organization or agency positions. This
article is a personal opinion offered for your thought and consideration,
and is topical and necessary to present now to prepare us to meet possible
future needs and future change in our amateur radio volunteer services.
The author grants permission to be quoted in whole or part by fellow licensed
amateur radio operators, and their amateur radio service clubs, organizations,
and publications. All other rights reserved.
Copywrite 2002 by R.P. Ryan, KC6VVT
Pat Ryan KC6VVT
Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator, ARRL
P. O. Box 24, Tonica, IL 61370-0024; kc6vvt@arrl.net
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Activities Report / Calendar of Upcoming Events
¨ The clubs hamfest committee will be holding a committee meeting this
Saturday, December 14th, at 2:30 p.m. at the clubhouse. Everyone is
welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting, as special emphasis will be
placed on improving the hamfest into the future. In addition, there
will be discussion regarding operational aspects of the hamfest, such as
ticket prices, table prices, vendor issues, attendance concerns, etc.
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¨ ARRL Straight Key Night 2003. When was the last time you cleared
a bit of the rust off your fist and tried some code the good old-fashioned
way--via the straight key? In this era of digital communication, keyboarding,
FM and electronic keys, once a year many excellent operators bring the past
to the present and participate in the annual ARRL Straight Key Night. If
but for a brief 24-hour period, it is a trip to a nostalgic time, much the
same way an old soldier tries on his old uniform. For others, it is an excellent
opportunity to try their hand much as their Elmers did in the past.
The object of this friendly event is to enjoy some good, old-fashioned QSO
fun, using straight keys. The emphasis is on rag-chewing rather than on fast
contest-type exchanges. SKN 2003 begins at 7 PM EST December 31 and runs
for 24 hours through 7 PM EST January 1 (0000-2400 UTC January 1, 2003).
For more information, visit http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2003/skn.html
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¨ The Illinois Valley Radio Association (IVRA) will host their annual
Christmas Party and monthly meeting on Saturday, January 4th 2003. The place
is Little Creek Supper Club on Rt. 6 just outside of Hollowayville, Illinois.
Cocktails at 5:30 P.M. and Dinner Buffet at 6:00 . If you plan on attending,
you need to r.s.v.p. Buck (N9PLJ) either by e-mail at buck.n9plj@juno.com
or by phone at (815) 663-8891 and leave a message if no one is home.
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¨ ARRL Kids Day 2003 to be held January 4 and June 21, 2003. Time: 1800
to 2400Z. No limit on operating time. Purpose: Kid's Day is intended
to encourage young people (licensed or not) to enjoy Amateur Radio. It can
give young people hands-on on-the-air experience so they might develop an
interest in pursuing a license in the future. It is intended to give hams
a chance to share their station with their children. Suggested exchange:
Name, age, location and favorite color. You are encouraged to work the same
station again if an operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day." Suggested
Frequencies: 28350 to 28400 kHz, 21380 to 21400, 14270 to 14300 kHz and 2-meter
repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. Observe
third party traffic restrictions when making DX QSOs. For more
information, visit http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html
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¨ 2003 ARRL RTTY Roundup. First full weekend of January, but never
on January 1. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday, ends 2400 UTC Sunday (January 4-5,
2003). Object: Amateurs worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with
other amateurs using digital modes (Baudot RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, PSK31, and
Packet--attended operation only) on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands. Any
station may work any other station. For more information, visit http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2003/rtty.html
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¨ The next regular meeting of the Starved Rock Radio Club will be held
on Monday, January 6th 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!
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73’s DE
Jesse L. Risley, KB9TMA (Activities Chairman)
Around the Hobby – Stray Items Relating to Amateur Radio
Children Invited to Participate in Special Worldwide Amateur Radio Event
On Saturday, January 4, 2003 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Adler Planetarium
& Astronomy Museum and The North Shore Radio Club will host a special
"Kids Day" at the Adler for children to communicate around the world and
learn about the many aspects of amateur radio. Starting at 11:00 a.m.
Central Standard Time, amateur radio operators in the United States and abroad
will host this special worldwide event.
Children and adults are invited to have a hands-on, on-the-air experience
with amateur radio operators during the event and speak with radio operators
from around the world. In addition to the on-the-air experience,
the day's events include activities, displays, speakers, demonstrations of
amateur satellites, digital communication devices, vintage radios, homebuilt
equipment, amateur television, and much more. Additionally, Adler Planetarium
Astronomer Dr. Doug Roberts will speak about radio astronomy and its relationship
to amateur radio. All visitors who participate in a successful radio
contact during the event will receive a colorful certificate to document
their first radio contact.
The North Shore Radio Club is a not-for-profit organization that extends
throughout the entire spectrum of Amateur Radio. Its monthly meetings feature
wonderful presentations on a wide variety of topics. Speakers are chosen
from the many community resources available as well as from its own club.
The club meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Karger Center, 1850
Green Bay Road in Highland Park, and welcomes anyone interested. The
club also provides public service communications for local organizations
and charities and participates in all aspects of Amateur Radio. Information
regarding meetings, activities, and licensing classes is available on the
club's web site (<http://www.ns9rc.org/>www.NS9RC.org).
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum was founded in 1930 as the first
planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Its astronomy programs have reached
over 40 million people during the past 72 years. Ten state-of-the-art exhibition
galleries located in the glass-enclosed Sky Pavilion and the renovated landmark
1930s building present modern space exploration along with the history of
astronomy. The world's first
StarRiderTM Theater, the most technologically advanced, audience-interactive
planetarium, fuels the imagination of visitors during virtual flights through
the cosmos. With a dedicated and professional staff, the Adler pursues
its mission to present the human quest to better understand the Universe.
Adler scientists and historians, who hold joint appointments at the University
of Chicago and Northwestern University, are working at the forefront of research
in astronomy and its fascinating history. The Adler is leading the
way into the new "Space Millennium."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (312) 922-STAR; TTY: (312) 322-0995
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
Submission courtesy of Eldon Akers, KB9PZA
********************************
Last Call for Free Stuff
24-pin DM printer, epson. Works quite well. CGA monitors--2
Brad Nicholson--KA9WRZ
815-224-1957
Call Soon. XYL getting short tempered. How about tons of QST magazines and Computer magazines????
Brad
********************************
Tracking Satellites
Here are frequencies in use for FM: NO-44 (APRS) 145.825MHz use UI-VIEW program,
set unproto to APRS,W3ADO-1,SGATE,WIDE go to converse mode and have
fun.
ISS downlink 145.800MHz, uplink voice 144.490MHz / uplink packet 145.990MHz
unproto: CQ VIA RS0ISS,SGATE,WIDE UO-14 downlink 435.070MHz, uplink 145.975MHz
FM voice.
Tracking programs to look at: http://www.sat-net.com/winorbit/
Hope this will help.
73's de KB9UPS "See you on the birds".
********************************
Moving Sale
Mr. Munter (N9AHN) is moving from Grand Ridge and has loads of coax, transformers, heat sinks, etc to unload to a good home.
Interested?
Please call 249-5352 for an appointment.
Submission Courtesy of Joe Tokarz, KB9EZZ
From the Editor’s Desk
I would like to extend a special holiday greeting to everyone.
I wish that you and your family may experience and joyous, happy holiday
season for 2002. I am writing this letter as both a farewell letter
as the “Static” editor and an introduction letter as your president-elect
for 2003. As most of you are aware, this will be my last issue as “Static”
editor. The new editor of this newsletter is Dirk Wolgast, WB9MDM.
Dirk has been elected as editor for 2003, and I can tell you that he has
some excellent plans in the works for composing a fine newsletter that each
of you will continue to receive this coming year. Please help Dirk
in his endeavor by continuing to send items of interest relating to amateur
radio for publication in the newsletter. Also, if you have any postal
mailing address or e-mail address changes to forward to Dirk, please do so
promptly to avoid uninterrupted delivery of the newsletter. Dirk can
be contacted via e-mail at wb9mdm@ameritech.net. Thanks again for all
the unending support and the submissions that I always received, which helped
me to make the most out of our club newsletter!
As the president-elect for 2003, the first major duty
on my task list for 2003 will be to appoint new committee chairman and committee
members to each of the “Standing Committees” established by the official
“By-Laws of the Starved Rock Radio Club.” The primary “Standing Committees”
are as follows:
Activities: For the purpose of monitoring amateur radio activities
as may be of interest and organizing and promoting activities by the club.
Equipment: For the purpose of maintaining and organizing the club station.
Building and Grounds: For the purpose of maintaining the clubhouse and surrounding property.
Repeater: For the purpose of maintaining the club’s repeater.
Repeater Monitor: For the purpose of policing the repeater to insure it is used for legitimate amateur radio purposes.
Hamfest: For the purpose of organizing and executing the hamfest.
I have had many club members approach me with concerns regarding both the
operation of the club and the spending of club funds on different committee
projects and/or expenses. I understand these concerns, and encourage
everyone to voice their opinions at the meetings as necessary. However,
I am also extending everyone the chance to personally become involved in
the backbone of the clubs operation by joining one of the standing committees.
Notwithstanding operating expenses and regular utility or insurance bills,
much of the clubs funds are eventually spent by each of the standing committees
in order to continue to operate the Starved Rock Radio Club in accordance
with its principles for existence.
Therefore, I am personally encouraging everyone to consider participating
in at least one of our standing committees. In addition, I encourage
everyone to participate in regular discussion and question/answer sessions
for each committee chairman’s report that is given at the monthly business
meeting. I understand that many of you have other commitments and scheduling
conflicts that may prevent regular participation in committee business.
However, if you can spare some free time to join a committee and decide how
to best make use of club monies, then this is what I feel to be one of the
best opportunities to do so, outside of attending the regular business meetings.
I will elaborate on this proposal in more detail at the January meeting.
However, please remember that this is YOUR club and your participation will
help steer the course of the club so that we may continue to operate as a
promotion agency to facilitate the evolution of our amateur radio hobby well
into the new millennium.
If you would be interested in being appointed as either a committee chairman
or a regular committee member for the coming year, please let me know.
Regards,
Jesse L. Risley, KB9TMA
SRRC President-Elect 2003
Kb9tma@yahoo.com; 815-673-1023 (home phone)