"MEMBER’S SUBMISSION ISSUE" AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2005
The TSRAC ARNB
The TSRAC Amateur Radio News Bulletin
Volume 34 Issue 04 Issued Bi-Monthly - Never Missed an Issue 390th Edition
THE MFJ 121 WALL CLOCK
By William R. Gardner, W8WG
TSRAC Feature Writer
MFJ Enterprised, Inc. Has an interesting wall mount dual time atomic clock that locks to the radio signal emitted by
the atomic clock in Ft. Collins, CO. The MFJ 121 clock is 8 inches tall by 10-1/2 inches wide and ¼ inch in depth.
It has a large LCD display that shows you hours, minutes and seconds. Each time display can be independently set.
So, you can set one display for your local time and the other UTC. It actually synchronizes both time displays to
the exact time within a few milliseconds, giving you two atomic clocks in one.
This wall mount clock uses just two long-life AAA batteries. It Has an indicator on the display that shows you
when the clock receives the radio signal. How neat is all this? It comes with MFJ’s no matter what one year
warranty It sells for under $100.
LOW COST - LIGHT DUTY EMERGENCY BACK-UP POWER
FOR THE HAM STATION
By William R. Gardner, W8WG
TSRAC Feature Writer
The Schumacher, made by Electric Corporation, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 - instant power automotive jump started,
DC power source is great for emergencies in many ways. We bought the model PS-400-3A to use in the ham shack
until needed to start a low car battery. The unit includes a maintenance-free 18 ampere hour, sealed, lead acid
battery. This is enough to power a 2 meter FM rig of HR rig up to 100 watts for an hour or two (maybe enough
time to relay a few messages when needed.) This makes a nice QRP station, portable power source with a comfort
carry handle. It has a built-in charger for automatic charging of the internal battery. Just connect an optional
extension cord from the back of the unit’s polypropylene case to 117 VAC power source. The unit has “charging”
and “charged” LED light indicators. Also, I really like the three LED lights that show, at a push of a button, the
status of the internal battery at full power. I use the easy access 12 volt DC cigarette light plug-in socket on the
front panel to power the amateur radio rig. The large 300 amp jaw clamps mounted on the sides of the unit are
handy to hook on to the car battery terminals for the jump start. The company claims as many as 30 vehicles can be
jump started after pre-charging the instant power unit to full charge. The unit weighs only 19 pounds. An $80 item
that goes on sale sometimes for approximately $60. I have seen these units offered at both Sears and Lowes stores.
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 1
FCC NEWS
2005 DAYTON HAMVENTION HIGHLIGHTS HOLLINSWORTH SPEECH
The main highlight of the Year 2005 Dayton Hamvention was when FCC Special Counsel for
Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth gave the details on the Gerriston violation case. Jack Gerristsen,
KG6IRO of Los Angeles had previously gone through the court systems for violating Police
Communications. He hadn’t learned his lesson until he had some friends supply him with Amateur
equipment and he then started breaking Amateur Radio Laws that Amateurs call Part 95 of the Rules and
Regulations. Listening to his violations and how adamant he continued after being warned more than
once, the average ham when he learned that even his home was at stake and he continued his defiant stand
and tactics, it baffles the average radio amateur as they listened in the session to the complete story. One
ham said, “It was worth the trip to get the complete story!” Sources said he often gave antiwar, anti-Bush
speeches, among other violations.
President Bush took advantage of a visit to a 2005 Field Day Site to wish Amateurs all across the country
a successful event. It was fully explained how hams could use this ability to exchange needed messages
during emergencies and the ability to send messages would be a plus item during an emergency. As far as
this reporter can determine, this was the first time a President of the U.S. had the opportunity to wish
Amateurs well in this particular annual event.
FROM THE DESK OF K8AN
A VOICE FROM THE PAST! (In fact, DECADES PAST!) Here is an example on what makes
Amateur Radio INTERESTING! I had checked into the regular WX Net on a Tuesday evening at 8:15
PM. I was listening to who was checking in that night and seemingly out of the long, long distant past
came a voice, checking in saying, “WA8ZNC, Mobile checking in”. I recognized it IMMEDIATELY,
almost falling out of my operating chair, while others were saying to themselves, “I wonder where this
checkin is from, never heard it before?” I immediately broke in to NCS and said words to the effect, “I
haven’t talked to this station in decades and can I contact him before he moves out of range as he is from
the West.”, or words to that effect. Permission was immediately granted, and I said, “Tom, I haven’t
talked to you in decades, where are you now and for how long?” Tom said, “I remembered you had WX
Net on Tuesday evenings so I thought I would surprise you and check in. My wife and I are at a local
motel on the way to New Jersey. Needless to say, when net business was over we had one long, “brought
up to date chat”. Here’s the story:
Decades ago, I stopped at Nagy’s Gas Station that existed at that time just down the road, across from
Walker’s Ice Cream Parlor (still there). A gentleman in a car with a youngster was also getting gas and
came over and started chatting with me. “ He said, “I understand you are an Amateur Radio operator. I
have been trying to find out details on how you become one, can you help me?” My immediate answer
was, “I’ll not only give you the details, I’ll teach both you and your son and give you your first test since
you only live down the road from me.” Thus, was set up a lifetime friendship that had unusual results!
After meeting once a week for weeks, practicing and learning this new mode of communicating, I got
them to the point of giving them the official FCC test. The Dad passed but it meant that both the son and
I, in teaching, had to work harder and HURRAY, Tom passed. But the story is NOT over yet. We then
worked on the upgrading and both were successful on that but now the story (to me) gets interesting. The
nice part about Amateur Radio is that it has so many facets of interest or competition, different parts or
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 2
facets interests different operators go in different directions, at times. The father became seriously
interested in the challenging aspect of Amateur Radio called “County Hunting!” This is where you try
and “work (contact)” EVERY SINGLE COUNTY IN THE U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii! And have
the “proof” of the contact by a QSL card that gives the details of the contact . Question: HOW can this be
done when you realize there are hundreds and hundreds of counties that DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE
OPERATOR THAT LIVES THERE! This is where the fun and the challenge enters. This also show you
how cooperative “Hams” are, how ingenuus they are, how “super-cooperative and how expert on
geography! Hams have set up nets especially to ‘work counties” and set up Net Controls to control the
net. Hams will drive hundreds of miles out of their way to “give” a county to a ham that needs it very
much. Hams schedule their vacation trips to include counties that are needed, etc. or one that will help
another ham pick up ones he needs in that part of the country. An Amateur Radio magazine, “CQ
Magazine”, keeps track of those that are successful in “climbing that mountain”. The point of this story,
there came a day when I got to personally shake the hand of my protégé to say, “You not only got to
supersede me in working every county in the good old U.S., BUT you did it with simple WIRE
ANTENNAS while I have the best you can buy or build!” That’s what I call DEDICATION.”
A STANDING INVITATION TO OUR GOOD MIDWESTERN MEMBERS: When you travel East
on Rte 70, when you get to St. Clairsville, Ohio, look for Rte 9 going North, get off and go a few miles
North you will pass through a small Ohio town called “New Athens” which is just a few short miles south
of SALLY BUFFALO PARK which is about one mile short of CADIZ, OHIO (on the left going North to
Cadiz). Enter this Sally Buffalo Park , a short drive and you pass the main office building on the right
opposite a full size caged wooden BUFFALO. IF the office is open, ask for directions to Section 5A in
this Park where we are based for summer fun and activities. Pass up Section 5, drive in 5A, (if you see
5B, you have gone one section of the Park too far!) As you enter Section 5A, you will see a circle of
mobile homes surrounding a red sheltered BUILDING, which is used for the circled groups affairs--such
as meals, get-togethers, whatever. It has tables, benches, couches, refrigerators, TV, etc, etc. You will
see cars parked at various campers in the circle. Look for my “friends” camper with her name on it,
“Malin”--YOU HAVE ARRIVED! (My decorated deluxe Golf Cart may be also parked in front? Help
us VISIT the area’s restaurants, which has delicious variety of foods, and historic sites of various items!
This area supplied President’s Lincoln’s cabinet to a large extent; (if time, will drive over to Wheeling
and visit and hear the history of the NEW states (West Virginia) on its separation from Virginia; we will
show you famous movie star Clark Gable’s boyhood home; we must show you what to us is giant Tappan
Lake and rent one of its speedboats (watsay?) This area is rich in Quaker and “Underground Railway”
history, etc. (Tell us when you are coming East!)
________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE: One of the many 60 Services and Benefits of the TSRAC Organization is to
receive (on request by submission of two stamps) a list of over 700 major, popular
magazine subscriptions at ½ price off due to our connections. If not on our list as yet, send
2 stamps, your request and address to TSRAC Headquarters. Once a subscription is
purchased, you will receive the updated list periodically! COMPARE!
Silent Key
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 3
CHARLES R. DIEHL, WA8PWD
WHEELING, WV
Charles R. Diehl, 85, of Wheeling, WVA, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2005 in the Good Shepherd Nursing
Home, Wheeling. Charles was a retired machinist for the former Wheeling Machine Product; a veteran of WWII
serving in the U.S. Third Army, a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, a past member of the Wheeling
Eagles; and a former member of the Triple States Radio Amateur Club. He is survived by his wife, Wanda M.
Diehl of Wheeling, one son Charlie R. Diehl and his wife, Celeste of Wheeling, three daughters , and seven
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest from the Kepner Funeral Home, South Wheeling
where services were held by Rev. Walter Buckius, officiating. Interment was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
Memorial contributions were made to the Moundsville Honor Guard.
Charles held the EXTRA CLASS LICENSE. Incidentally, Charles has a son who is KE8GL and holds the
Advanced Class License. (TSRAC and the family are looking for their membership numbers at the time but can’t
locate them at the moment, which is RARE for TSRAC) --reason to file at least one copy since they all contain the
member’s number.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 4
TSRAC HEADQUARTERS SECTION
Fall will see the revival of the TSRAC 40 METERS NET AT THE REQUEST OF THE MEMBERS!
Summer is not normally a good time to try and start up a new net. THUS, on the advent of SLOW TIME,
AT THE REQUEST OF TSRAC MEMBERS, the TSRAC 40 METER NET at 7230 and UP will start on
the arrrival of SLOW TIME”s first Sunday at 5 PM (Slow EST). NOTE! ALL previous NCS are
requested to SIGN UP AGAIN TO TAKE TURNS AS NCS, PLEASE! NEW NCS ALSO GLADLY
ACCEPTED. JOIN THE FUN, GET THE EXPERIECE FOR TIMES OF EMERGENCIES!
NOTICE! Our VALUED Member, Bill Gardner, W8WG, (Memb.#1155), has replenshished our supply
of the “CHEAPER BEEPER” Code Practice Oscillator. Any TSRAC member can have one kit of
components by sending your request to TSRAC HQS and only including two U.S. Stamps to get it to your
mailbox. Include two stamps for EACH OF THE KITS as you are requesting. This is a good starter kit
to starting working with transistors. (Our Personal Thanks Go to Bill For This Gesture!).
The FCC has proposed dropping the 5 WPM Morse code element as a requirement
to obtain an Amateur Radio license of any class. The Commission included the
provision in a July 19 Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O) in
WT Docket 05-235, but it declined to go along with any other proposed
changes to Amateur Service licensing rules or operating privileges. Dropping
the Morse code requirement or any other changes to Part 97 would not become
final until the Commission gathers additional public comments, formally
adopts any new rules and concludes the proceeding with a Report and Order
specifying the changes and an effective date. That's not likely to happen
for several months.
"Based upon the petitions and comments, we propose to amend our amateur
service rules to eliminate the requirement that individuals pass a
telegraphy examination in order to qualify for any amateur radio operator
license," the FCC said. The NPRM&O consolidated 18 petitions for rule making
from the amateur community. Several petitioners simply asked the FCC to drop
the Morse requirement, but some--including the ARRL--also proposed a wide
range of additional changes to the amateur rules. The FCC said the various
petitions had attracted 6200 comments from the amateur community, which soon
will have the opportunity to comment again--this time on what the FCC calls
"our tentative conclusions" in its NPRM&O.
The Commission said it believes dropping the 5 WPM Morse examination would
encourage more people to become Amateur Radio operators and would eliminate
a requirement that's "now unnecessary" and may discourage current licensees
from advancing their skills. It also said the change would "promote more
efficient use" of amateur spectrum.
To support dropping the code requirement, the FCC cited changes in Article
25 of the international Radio Regulations adopted at World
Radiocommunication Conference 2003. WRC-03 deleted the Morse testing
requirement for amateur applicants seeking HF privileges and left it up to
individual countries to determine whether or not they want to mandate Morse
testing. Several countries already have dropped their Morse requirements for
HF access.
Source: The ARRL Letter
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 5
NET CONTROL ROSTER
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2005
WEDNESDAY NIGHT NETS
7:00 P.M. SLOW/FAST CW KD8AMT/K8AN 7.140
8:15 P.M. A.R. NEWS NET K8AN 146.910
8:30 P.M. 10 MTR FONE KA8TSR 28.480
9:00 P.M. 6 MTR FONE KA8TSR 50.150
TUESDAY NIGHT WX NET
8:15 P.M. WX NET WB8AQF (NM) 146.91
SEP 6 WD8DDE SEP 14 KA8YFA
SEP 20 WB8AQF SEP 27 KC8WLF
OCT 4 WD8DDE OCT 11 KA8YFA
OCT 18 WB8AQF OCT 25 KC8WLF
SUNDAY 20 METER CHAT NET
WA3ZAO (NM)
5:00 P.M. ON 14.347
FOLLOWING THE QCWA NET
SEP 4 WA3ZAO SEP 11 KF8SR
SEP 18 KD8AMT SEP 25 K8AN
OCT 2 WA3ZAO OCT 9 KF8SR
OCT 16 KD8AMT OCT 23 K8AN
OCT 30 WA3ZAO
DURING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, THE QCWA NET MEETS AT 4:00 P.M.
WHICH MEANS THAT OUR NET MEETS AT 5:00 P.M.
WHEN WE RETURN TO STANDARD TIME, THE QCWA NET
WILL MEET AT 3:00 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME
AND OUR NET WILL BE AT 4:00 P.M.
WE ALWAYS “FOLLOW” THE QCWA NET.
THIS FALL WILL MARK THE RETURN OF THE 40 METER NET
ON OR AROUND 7.230
PLEASE WATCH FOR EXACT TIME AND DATE.
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 6
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 7
􀁹
􀁹 RENEWALS ONLY: Mail to: Harry H. Trumpie, WD8PPR 154 Bench Street, Bridgeport, OH 43912-1303
􀁹 Make checks payable to TSRAC and include your current Label if renewing.
􀁹 NEW MEMBERSHIPS: Mail to Club Headquarters
Please Check One: RENEWAL _______ NEW _______
‰ * NEW or RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP: $ 20.00
‰ * Optional Contribution to the TSRAC Repeater Fund Plus + _______
‰ z VERY IMPORTANT - IF RENEWAL what is your Membership Number? _________
Name ____________________________________________ Call __________________
Address __________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State _______ Zip __________ +4 ________
When does your A.R. License Expire___________
What is your class of License ___________
Are you a member of ARRL ___________
What is your E-Mail address ___________________________________________
TSRAC reserves the right to accept or reject New or Renewal Memberships
Moving? Send the Address Label With Your Corrections To:
TRIPLE STATES RADIO AMATEUR CLUB, INC.
2011 US Highway 250
Adena, Ohio 43901-7931
FIRST CLASS MAIL
TSRAC ARNB August/September 2005 Page 8
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OR RENEWAL IN TSRAC
Membership in TSRAC qualifies you for over 61 Services and Benefits.