THE AIRWAVES Voice of the SIERRA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

CLUB MEETING - 2nd Monday of each month at Kerr-McGee center at 7:30PM
The Indian wells valley emergency net meets on all other mondays
on 146.640(-) MHz. All amateurs are welcome

Sierra Amateur Radio Club PO Box 1442 Ridgecrest, CA. 93556-1442
DECEMBER 1995/January 1996

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By: Jerry Brooks, KK6PA

Mark Ball will be the new president. I am not going to list the things done during the last year. I figure those of you who are interested will remember and those who aren't don't care to hear about it, Hi, Hi.

Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed being the president. Be sure to seriously consider volunteering for a club office at the end of the year. It can actually be fun.

I have seen several presidents who disappeared after their time in the office. I don't plan to do that. This coming year, I hope to establish a special "ham radio" section in the local library and to set up a custodian to care for a software library for club members. I am also planning to continue working with Mike, KA6OIJ on the new repeater in the hills West of Johannesburg and continue to push for one that will cover Death Valley. I am also going to work on a "package" for new members. It'll include packet info, a list of members, a list of repeaters that can be reached from the area along with the antenna needed, and maybe a few other items.
73, Jerry, KK6PA

(Ed note: Thanks, Jerry, and I hope you have warned Mark about the monthly report for the newsletter! JR)

SECRETARY'S REPORT
By: Lloyd, WA6KZV

The meeting was called to order by the President, Jerry, KK6PA, at 1932 hours. There were no reports from committees. The January meeting will be a dinner meeting held at the Texas Cattle Co. On January 8, 1996 at 6PM. A count was taken of those present to see how many would be at the dinner. Of the 35 attending the meeting 30 indicated their intention to attend. The slate of candidates for office was announced. For all but president there was only one candidate. Mark Ball, KE6IFD, and Elvy Hopkins, ND6Q, both ran for that prestigious office. They were sent from the room and a show-of-hands vote was taken which resulted in Mark being elected. The officers for 1996 are as follows:

President	Mark Ball, KE6IFD
1st V.P.	Dave Stone, KC6UI JR
2nd V.P.	Mike Cash, KN6IS
Secretary	Lloyd Brubaker, WA6KZV
Treasurer	Mark Rosenthal, N6BVP

Congratulations and thanks to all of our new board.
The audit committee was appointed and consists of: Elvy Hopkins, Bob Huckins, and Bill Maraffio.
An excellent video was shown that was produced and directed by Jerry Brooks. It was about a thirty minute tape of the unloading, preparation, and erection of Dave's new tower. The plot even had some canine interest shots of a little black puppy who helped. We all noticed that the puppy did not appear again after the concrete had been poured in the 6 foot deep foundation hole. No explanation was given. We were even treated to view the installation of the antennas. A truly fine job and an excellent program. The meeting ended with refreshments which have become an annual thing catered by the ladies of the club. Thanks to Paula, Chrissy, Judy, Ann and Judith. The meeting closed at 2030 hours.

JANUARY MEETING TO BE HELD AT TEXAS CATTLE COMPANY

A changing of the "guard" will be at the Texas Cattle Company, on January 8, 1996, at 1800 hours. If you have not reserved a seat, please call Judy, KC6UTF, at 375-8566

FROM THE RACES OFFICER
By Lloyd, WA6KZV

The RACES classes are drawing to a close. The cycle will last for five or six one hour sessions covering the basics of disaster services organization. There will be special classes as guest speakers become available and they will be announced. This first training cycle needs some polishing. Illustrations need to be made, and pass out materials need to be made available. A new cycle will be started soon. Those not able to attend the flex-Friday-morning classes should let Lloyd know so that a new time can be arranged. All RACES members are required to take this training in order to establish a common ground of knowledge and skills.

FROM THE HORSEY SET

Tis the season of the equestrian endurance rides. The first is the Fire Mountain 50 on the 27th of January. This is a one day affair starting early in the morning before daylight and lasting until about dinner time. About a dozen or so Hams will be needed during the day including those who come for just an hour or two to help and receive the training. Hand herds and mobile rigs are needed, however, you can show up with no equipment and assist in keeping log.

The second ride is the big one lasting 24 hours. This one also begins at O-dark-thirty. The dozen or so Hams will need to stay longer and stay awake. This is the Twenty Mule Team Ride and also consists of riders from all over the west. It takes place on the 17th of February.

Both of these rides are popular with the riders because of our help with the safety and logistics of the event. Many of the rides carried on by the endurance ride organization do not have Hams keeping things running smoothly when something goes wrong. It's nice to know there is someone watching over you when you are out alone on the barren waste of the High Mojave Desert!

A third ride is the Bun Buster Ride which is later and will be announced when the date is more definite. Call Lloyd for details at 375-7245.

QUICK KEY

If we offend the ones we hear
from close at hand to far and near

by closing down upon the key
without a space to set it free

we sometimes hurry through our speech
and forget a space for those who reach

for the button in their hand
to say some words or praise a friend

upon the waves of air and space
we all consume with flowing grace

we use the space and use the time
without a thought of those sublime

the ones so meek and yet so smart
who want to say things from the heart

who wait out there with fingers poised
for a pause there in the noise

they hear no pause so then decide
without the radio they will abide

it makes one wonder at these times
why we memorized those lines

to pass the test and license get
for use upon the radio net

and say some words upon the air
If that pause were only there

the better operators we'd be
if we wait a bit before we key

so with that I think it's time
to end this little bit of rhyme.

73/K.D. Edgar KE6HFI

CW NET

An informal CW net has started on ten meters. It is at 28.205 Mhz at 1600 local on Sundays, for those who copy code from 5-12 wpm, and want to improve both copy and sending. It is especially for those who tend to get real nervous when thinking about trying getting on the air with CW. So, don't be bashful about joining the CW net. If you are so nervous that we can't understand you, we'll ask you to repeat. Since you'll be among people who have the same problems, they'll have a lot of empathy with you.

NET CONTROL OPERATORS NEEDED

Judy Burns is taking names of those who are willing to be Monday night Net Control officers for either a full month, or as last minute fill-in operators. Please call her at 375-8566 to volunteer.

ARRL PACIFIC DIVISION UPDATE
Brad Wyatt, K6WR, Director, Pacific Division

The Pacific Division of the AARl is on-line at:
http://www.portal.com/~pdarrl/pdu.html

New Pacific Division Appointments:-

It is my pleasure to announce that Michael E. Petersen, WB6ZKF, of Placerville CA, has been appointed as a Volunteer Counsel in the El Dorado Co. Area of California. Welcome, Mike, to the Pacific Division team!

I am pleased to announce that Rusty Epps, W6OAT, after meritorious service as Assistant Director for Legal Affairs, has taken on a new responsibility as Assistant Director for Special Projects. His first effort will be to represent the Pacific Division in the development of the World Radio Team Championship - 1996 to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area in June 1996. Thank you, Rusty, for all your help and good luck with WRTC 96!

Succeeding Rusty as Assistant Director for Legal Affairs will be Phil Kane, N6SP, who is currently serving as a Volunteer Counsel in the San Francisco and Redwood City areas. Phil will also continue the development of the antenna and tower ordinance data gathering project for the Pacific Division.

Welcome and thanks, Phil, for taking on the additional role!

HELPING HAMS!

On Saturday 23 Dec., the day of the big snow in Ridgecrest, I was working on a portable computer and new to me packet modem when I heard Mark, KE6SMA in Ridgecrest on the translator and Stan KE6WJO in Cane Brake talking about some traffic problem on the west side of Walker Pass. Stan was monitoring a mobile operator near the pass KU6UGL on 220 Mhz. Mark dropped out for a little time so I picked up and made phone calls to 911 and CHP to try to get help into the pass. Updates came that two 18 wheel trucks had jack-knifed on the slow curve just west of the summit. Some other truck was involved along with 10 or so cars and a few 5th wheel trailers. Jerry KK6PA helped fill in with information about what was happening on the scanner. Numerous problems on the various highways had most of the tow trucks tied up. Highway 178 west from Isabella was blocked by slides. Eventually CHP responded to the site and got things handled. Thanks to all who helped. We hope you had a Merry Christmas.
Bill WA6QYR

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
By: Judith, N7TTH

This month has been pretty wild, at least as far as the weather goes. I never thought I'd be worried about the weight of snow on the wires to our beam!

It was interesting to listen to the hams who were helping the CHP and other law enforcement officers. We really got a chuckle out of the CHP who asked if there was any snow removal equipment available through China Lake!

Having gotten thoroughly fed up with having my computer crash just as I'm getting ready to print the newsletter - which it seems to do every other month - I've bitten the bullet and should have a new system for the next issue.

Congratulations to our new officers, I'm sure they will do an excellent job of keeping the club on the right track!

Happy New Year, everyone - hope 1996 brings you clear frequencies, good QSOs, and fully charged battery packs!

73/N7TTH

HAPPY 1996!

When I got back into ham radio six years ago I heard about how you should let your NiCad battery discharge before you put it on the charger. If you improperly charge your battery it may take a set and only partially charge. So I was hyper about charging them. But I got to the point where I'd plug the wall charger in and forget to unplug it 15 hours later. I ended up charging the battery for 24 or even more hours.

I wised up and bought me a MOTOR-DRIVEN wall outlet timer capable of running the time my battery required for charging and started using that. Did, that solve my personal memory problem? NNnnooo! I'd just plug everything in and go off and forget for several days at a time. The battery would still get overcharged because the clock kept turning and would turn the charger back on every 24 hours. Wellll, darn! Hey, brilliant idea (but not original)! Why not rewire the timer so that it turns the clock motor off when it turns the charger off. That way if I forget it for several days, it won't create a problem.

Sure 'nuf, it was a simple job of cutting "hot" wire to the clock motor and routing it through the switch. Although I haven't done it on my timer, you can add a 120 V neon lamp assembly to show that the timer is on.
73/KK6PA

WORD LIST

BEVERAGE DIPOLE DISH HELICAL JPOLE LONGWIRE LOOP QUAD QUAGI RHOMBIC RUBBERDUCK SLOPER TURNSTILE VERTICAL WINDOM YAGI ZEPP