June SAARC Meeting

The next SAARC meeting will be at 7;30 pm on Tuesday June 20 in room 106 at Petoskey High School. This month we will be getting ready for Field Day. As part of that preparation, I will be doing a presentation on the software we use for logging our Field Day contacts. I will set it up on the big screen so you can see just how easy it is to use. I will also talk a little about the exchange we use when we make contacts and give you a few pointers on how to make contacts.

We will have four transmitters set up this year: two SSB, one CW, and one VHF. For antennas we will be using G5RVs, dipoles for 40 and 80 meters, several beams for the VHF station, and a �Butterfly Beam.� We may even have a 40 m beam up if we can manage it. John Meeks will be bringing up his satellite equipment so you have a great opportunity to see all the fun that goes on out in space. We hope to see you all there and have you operating one of the stations. We would love to have all the stations operating the whole period while at the same time give everyone a chance to relax and enjoy the festivities.

This year Field Day will be on Saturday June 24. We will start setting up on Friday June 23. We are continuing our Field Day tradition of having a potluck and camp out Friday evening at the Field Day site. We will be having dinner around 6:00pm. Bring whatever meat you would like to grill and a dish to pass. Be sure to bring your tents, campers, or just toss a sleeping bag in the back of a pick up and come out and enjoy the campfire. There is usually plenty of extra room so if you don't have something to camp in, just bring a sleeping bag and we will find you a comfy spot to sleep. See the map and directions in this issue on how to get to the Field Day site. There will be plenty of signs along the way and we will be monitoring the '68 repeater in case you get lost.

SAARC Meetings 2006

SAARC VEC Exam Dates

We had five new hams get their tickets at our last VE session. Congratulations to all of you who passed and welcome to the world of amateur radio. Jack's class was very successful and we hope to have another class offered soon. If you know anyone who has been thinking about becoming a ham, let us know so we can inform them when the next class will take place. Jack is also considering running a class for those who want to upgrade so be sure to mention it when you see him at the next meeting. In the meantime, hit the books so you can be ready for one of the following test sessions.

July 8* -October 7 - December 2

All sessions are located at the Red Cross Building and scheduled times are 10:00AM.
*SAARC Swap session at 1:00 pm

Remember to bring a photo ID, a copy of your license and, if applicable, a copy of your "Certificate of Successful Completion of Element" you received at your last session. You will also need $14, a pen and pencil, and a calculator if you think you'll need it.

Straits Area Amateur Radio Club Meeting
May 16, 2006

Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm by KC8LJX DeWayne, after introduction of officers and members, the minutes of last meeting were dismissed, KC8OAZ John, was absent due to family business.

The treasurers report submitted by KC8WXN Maxine, Motion to accept by KC8NVI Cliff, Seconded by KB8RJ Jack. Motion carried.

Old Business:

N8DNX Chuck gave report on repeater the condition, we have a new repeater on order, at cost, not received yet. He went on to explain certain difficulties wit the present repeater system, such as noise at times, when the repeater has not been used for a length of time. Also DeWayne mentioned that we will at some time this summer, schedule a work party to clean brush at the site.

New Business:

N8OR John was the winner of the door Prize, $25.00 Radio Shack gift certificate John asked if the club would permit a information table, at our swap, for the Q.C.W.A. (Quarter Century Wireless Association Chapter No.10). Motion to accept KG8JK Dirk Seconded by KC8FAR Jerry, Motion carried.

Cliff KC8NVI suggested that the club should pay for club refreshments, up to this time, KC8LJX and KC8WXN Maxine have been supplying out of pocket, coffee plus pop and supplies and cookies whenever the cookies roster was empty. The club makes enough from the 50/50 raffle each meeting to cover this. Motion to have club pick up this cost, Motion byKD8CNS Bill seconded by N8DNX Chuck, motion passed. However all cookie donation still accepted, Just sign the cookie roster.

Cliff also reported on the Red Cross Blood Drive, 16 pints were collected at the Pellston Fire Station. The club would like to thank the following people for working the drive, Russ Pilchik W8HCS,Maxine Holmes KC8WXN, Cliff Rosebohm KC8NVI, Annette Rosebohm KC8QII, Debbie XYL of KB8DRJ John Peterson, Ron Wolford Asst-Fire Chief and all his volunteers, Good Job!!.

Cliff also the asked the club members whether or not to continue this event, it seems like, in the past couple of years, the state police and local officers are remiss, not a one volunteered this year. IT would mean sponsoring the drive on our own; this item was tabled for further review!

Discussion for upcoming field day June 24 -25 2006 as in the past, Friday night, preceding will have a dish to pas, the club will provide the meat for the grill.

Meeting broke for refreshments at 8:10 pm at this time 50/50 swap raffle tickets were distributed and drawing of the 50/50 club meeting--- won by KC8LJX $15.00 which he returned to the club treasure.

After the break KG8JK Dirk directed an antenna project, as presented in the club news-letter, many member participated.

Meeting ended approximately 9:30 pm 19 members were present, see you next month.

Submitted by KC8 NVI Cliff temp for KC8OAZ

PS Don�t forget to display swap flyers far and wide, Sell those 50/50 raffle tickets. Lets have a great swap & shop this year.

Upcoming Hamfests

SAARC Swap and Shop

The annual Swap and Shop will soon be here and we need your help. There are lots of ways you can be a part of the festivities and still have lots of fun. First and foremost, spread the word. Let the folks you chat with know about the swap, put up flyers, or take some with you to the next swap you attend.

The swap will be held in the Petoskey High School Cafeteria on July 8th. We will be setting up on Friday starting at 6:00 pm. Anyone who can be there to help arrange tables and get things organized would be appreciated. Besides you get the first peek at all the great items that will be for sale.

Remember, door tickets are $5 but for only $3 more you can get an entry ticket along with a table to put your stuff. There is a lot of space this year so anyone who wants a table can probably get one. The more tables we have loaded with equipment, the better our swap will be. You won't have to sell too much to get back your $8 investment. Don�t forget that we also have to clean up after the swap is over. It may not be the most glamorous job but it is the most appreciated.

Last but not least, we have plenty of tickets available for the 50/50 drawing. Please contact DeWayne KC8LJX and he will be sure you get as many books as you can sell. Remember, the 50/50 drawing is our biggest money maker and we have just spent a good chunk of cash on a new repeater and amplifier. We also want to get a separate receive antenna up so we can have the best repeater in the Midwest.

So, help set up and clean up, bring in that treasure trove of radio gear, put up some flyers, and sell some tickets, so we can have the best Swap and Shop ever.

Field Day Map

Here�s how to get to the Field Day site. Take Mitchell St. to Kalamazoo (4 way stop).Take Kalamazoo south past the 4 way stop at Jennings. Continue straight and Kalamazoo will make a 90 degree turn to the left and become Atkins Road. As you head out of town, take the first road to the right (McDougal Rd.). After the turn, take the next road to the left (Greenwood Rd). Follow Greenwood. It will make a 90 degree turn to the right. At the next intersection, Greenwood turns to the left. You need to continue straight (Brubaker). Take Brubaker to Krause Rd. Turn right on Krause. Follow Krause through the woods and up the hill. As you come out of the trees you will pass a cement building on your right. The entrance to the Field Day site is on the left just before the road enters the woods again. There will be signs along the way and we should be monitoring the W8GQN repeater if you need assistance. There will be burgers, hot dogs, and refreshments and plenty of room to run around, so feel free to bring the family. Dogs are welcome too but please keep them on a leash.

Field Day Class D

Ok, so let's say you just can't make it to the Field Day site (you better have a really good reason) but you still want to operate. Well, here�s all you have to do. Operate as a Class D station. A class D station is defined as a station "operating from permanent or licensed station locations using commercial power.� All you need to do is turn on your radio and start making contacts. When you contact other stations operating Field Day they will give you their callsign and exchange. Our exchange out at the site will be �2A Michigan.� If you operate from home your exchange will be �1D Michigan.�

Do you have emergency power at home? If so, you can operate as a Class E station. Class E stations are the �same as Class D, but using emergency power for transmitters and receivers.� Your exchange would then be �1E Michigan.�

So if you can't make it out to the SAARC site or can only stay for a while, you can still enjoy operating Field Day from home. Here is a brief synopsis of the rules. For complete Field Day rules go to the ARRL website at: http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/rules-fd-2005.html

Field Day Rules
 

• Object: To work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.
• Date and Time Period: Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and ending at 2100 UTC* Sunday. Field Day 2005 will be held June 25-26, 2005. *special rules apply if you want to work past 1800 utc Sunday
• Exchange: Stations in ARRL / RAC sections will exchange their Field Day operating Class and ARRL / RAC section. Example: a three transmitter class A station in Connecticut which also has a GOTA station and one VHF station would send "3A CT" on CW or "3 Alpha Connecticut" on Phone. DX stations send operating class and the term DX (i.e. 2A DX).
• A person may not contact for QSO credit any station from which they also participate. So if you operate from the Field Day site you can't contact us for points but we would still love to hear from you.
• Phone contacts count one point each. CW contacts count two points each. Digital contacts count two points each.
• Phone, CW and Digital (non-CW) modes on a band are considered as separate bands. A station may be worked only once per band under this rule.

SAARC Area Nets

MONDAY 08:00 pm EST The Bill DeMay Memorial Two Meter Social Net
146.680 MHZ - Net Control - Rotating

TUESDAY 09:00 pm EST The Michigan Link-Up Net
146.680 MHZ - Local Net Control - N8DNX

WEDNESDAY 08:00 pm EST The Chain - O - Lakes Net
147.280 MHZ w/Pl 103.5 - Net Control - Rotating

THURSDAY 01:00 GMT The RACES Net
146.680 MHZ - Net Control - Rotating

SATURDAY 08:30 pm EST The Dip Net
146.680 MHZ - Net Control - Cliff Rosebohm KC8NVI

http://www.qsl.net/k4adl/

  The SAARC Officers

73 KG8JK