April 2002 Newsletter
LOOKING AHEAD:
Our April meeting on the 18th will be held in the Jefferson Room of the Public Works Building at the corner of Jefferson & Church in downtown Monroe at 7:30 p.m. and will be devoted to the Basic Class SKYWARN training. Get there early to get a good seat!
April 20, Red Cross Blood RideA PAT ON THE BACK:
Many thanks to the following for their service during the MS Walk-A-Thon on April 6th: Lois Hunter (KF4MJZ), Dan Hunter (KF4TUX), Bob Bass (KB5WY), and Robert Lozier (KD4HSH). One hundred and twenty-seven people made the walk and raised a record amount for MS. We had a great time! Thanks again. (The Editor)
SECRETARY'S REPORT:
Minutes for the 3/21 UCARS Monthly Meeting
In attendance were:
Mary K4MDV, Jenn KA4YIG, George N4NGC, Ralph W4ZO, Steve WA3RTC, Bob K4RLD, Vince KF4LVC, Steven KA4KER, and Tim KF4MJY.
>Well, a few of us showed up a bit late to find Steve, Bob, Vince, and Steve playing with an HF station with a car battery for a power source and a dipole strung from a big white pipe. Not only did it work, but they were making contacts on the Tarheel Emergency Net. They were even able to use the new club vanity call sign, which just cleared yesterday. It is NC4UC-cool, huh?
Next club meeting will be a Skywarn class in the Jefferson room of the public works building. We don't know yet who will be doing the class.
Bob, expressed appreciation for those who are willing to be net controls, and let us know he's still having trouble covering.
Mary says that they are just getting the web-site's newsletter caught up. Y'all go see!! It's at http://ucars.trellis.net/
We discussed meeting reminders each month in hopes of increasing attendance-what say yes? If you got a note each month, would you be more likely to attend?
Tim reported that Paul was injured in a fall through a ceiling, and is unable to attend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him.
The MS Walk is April 6th, a Saturday. They need at least 6 people with handhelds. Tim said he and his wife will be there, Bob, K4RLD will be there, and Steven will come if he's in town. More folks are needed. It's lots of fun, and there's lots of great free food. Ralph said he would take care of making sure a base station will be available.
For the Bike-a-thon, which is April 20th, we need at least 9 folks, 3 for SAG Wagons (poop-out vans), 3 for rest stops, someone in charge, someone for net control, and someone extra. For the SAG Wagons, you can either offer your own car,
but you have to be able to carry bikes, or you can bring a mobile station that can hook to a car battery with a mag mount. Evidently last year, there was a coverage problem using the repeater, and Ralph, W4ZO, said that anyone with UHF handhelds were welcome to use the Altan Ridge W4ZO repeater, which has better coverage in that area.
Tim, Field Day coordinator, reports that we're still at a loss for a site for Field Day. One suggestion is a newly opened gas station on Highway 200.
The Blooming Arts Festival will be Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th. Bette from the Red Cross said they'll be glad to have help. Sign up for CPR at the Red Cross if you need it. You get a free t-shirt for participating. They have a neat vehicle with air conditioning and refreshments.. Steve noted that we may be called upon to ready the new vehicle for communications capabilities.
Steve, WA3RTC, updated us on the nuclear drill. 7:00 Monday night at Weddington High School. The power supply Steve had was discovered to be nonfunctional, so alternatives were discussed. Seems we'll have something by Monday, and by the time you read this, it will already be over.
That was pretty much it, as we then ended the meeting as our time in the Red Cross was up.
Til next time, or see ya on Monday!!
Jenn, KA4YIG
UCARS NET CONTROL SCHEDULE:
Assigned stations thus far are:
1st Monday: George & Mary (N4NGC & K4MDV)
1st Wednesday: George & Mary (N4NGC & K4MDV)
2nd Monday: Jairus (KG4PAM)
2nd Wednesday: Bob (K4RLD)
3rd Monday: Ron (KC4YOY)
3rd Wednesday: Bob (K4RLD)
4th Monday: Allan & Pam (KF4NJP & N8PAM)
4th Wednesday: Bob (K4RLD)
If you are interested in serving as a NCS on a regular or backup basis, please call me at 704 289-2122 or e-mail me at
[email protected]. Thanks! (The Editor)