February Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be on Thursday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center in Nesquehoning. Our program for the evening will be a presentation on SKYWARN by Bill, N3VAE.

See you at the meeting!

Dues Due!

Yes, it’s that time again! Time to send in your membership dues for calendar year 2005!

If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to fill out the form on the penultimate page of this newsletter and send it, with your dues, to the Carbon Amateur Radio Club, P. O. Box 622, Lehighton, PA 18235, or bring your completed membership form and dues to any CARC meeting.

Note that, if you don’t send in your dues by April 1, you will be dropped from the newsletter mailing list. You don’t want that to happen, do you?

Carbon Amateur Radio Club Regular Meeting Minutes

January 20, 2005

Meeting was called to order at 19:50 hours. In attendance were:

KB3LFD, W3EFI, KB3KLJ, KB3DZN, K3NG, KB3BYT, WA3IEM, WB3W, KA3FUL, and KB3FJJ.

Treasurer's Report

Previous Balance	$838.14
Receipts (dues)	$20.00
Sub-total	$858.14
Disbursements (newsletters)	$5.92
Final Total	$852.22

The treasurer's report was read by Goody, K3NG. Motion was made to accept the report as read, seconded and carried unanimously.

The December 16th meeting minutes were read by Brian, KB3KLJ. Motion was made to accept the minutes as read, seconded and carried unanimously.

Old Business

By-law Clarifications

Goody, K3NG, reviewed status of BoD review of by-laws for necessary clarification. The current thinking is as follows:

Article I §2

Any Member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the current voting membership. Voting membership is defined in the By-Laws.

Article II §5

Officers or Directors may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the current voting membership. Voting membership is defined in the By-Laws.

Article VI

Proposals for amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the BoD. The BoD shall direct the Secretary to notify all voting members, of the proposal, in writing, by first class mail. The written notification must take place at least 20 days before the vote is to be taken and must include the exact proposed amendment to be considered. This Constitution or the By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of total voting members at the next regular club meeting following the 20-day notification period.

Further discussion held around the definition of a quorum for the purposes of doing club business. Ideas presented included looking at the average attendance for the previous year and basing a quorum on a percentage of that (10%, 20%, and 25% where are mentioned). The idea of dividing members into active and non-active status was also mentioned. It was noted that basing on a percentage of average attendance eliminates the need for having active and non-active statuses. Goody, K3NG indicated that the BoD would work on new language for the next meeting and then we would go through the normal process (or notifications, etc.).

Magnetic Signs

Goody, K3NG, showed an older magnetic sign that was in use. General discussion held on the signs covering the size, cost, and flexibility for emergency and non-emergency situations (using overlays).

Goody, K3NG, drew a sample on the whiteboard as follows:

Discussion held on how to make our own signs. Rob, KB3BYT, and Bob, WB3W will look into magnetic material and printing and coordinate on this.

SKYWARN

Bob, WB3W, and Rob, KB3BYT, reported that SKYWARN training and certification is scheduled for 4/9 at 10 AM at Penn Forest II.

EMCOMM Course

Bob, WB3W gave a quick update on the course as follows:

· For the hybrid course, must be an ARRL member to receive the certification (determined that almost all club members are ARRL members)

· Internet access is required to do the course.

· The preference is for everyone to do the course online, and then get together to discuss the lessons each week.

· Bob, WB3W, will get course manuals if there are 5-6 people interested in doing the course. He will get started on this.

New Business

Repeater

Goody, K3NG, reported that he is working on a battery backup project for the repeater since the generator is broken. Goody, K3NG, presented a number of specs on the operation of the repeater or battery, and the performance of the backup circuit. The battery project will take a month or two, and we will be looking for some donations from the club to cover the cost of the project (mainly the batteries).

Bob, WB3W, working on a portable backup repeater. It would be good to put the repeater at a site with some altitude, but there is no desire to have it as a permanent backup.

Goody, K3NG, is looking at reopening discussion with the county to repair the generator. It is the county's responsibility, but they haven't been approached yet. Goody, K3NG, is looking at the club fixing the generator at no cost to the county. It was noted that the generator uses an LP tank, which is currently half full.

Goody, K3NG, will provide another update at the next meeting.

Tent

Goody, K3NG, indicated that the club has a tent in storage in the EOC garage and we need to move it out. Brian, KB3KLJ, offered to store the tent (if it was not too large).

Dues

Goody, K3NG, reminded the members that club dues of $15 are due by April 1st.

Program Ideas

Goody, K3NG, asked for additional program ideas for upcoming meetings.

Rob, KB3BYT, suggested a program for test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.).

Rob, KB3BYT, suggested program for direct conversion transceivers as a build and test kind a program. He has the diagram.

Kent, WA3IEM, suggested QSLing.

Club Library

Kent, WA3IEM, suggested creating club library. If everyone could make a list of what they would have to loan out, we could make a virtual library for the members. Rob, KB3BYT, mentioned putting something together on the website, and then everyone can post and search for books (and who has them). Rob, KB3BYT, will look into what it will take to put that together.

Motion to adjourn meeting made at 20:45; seconded and carried unanimously.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Brian, KB3KLJ.

Happy Birthday to K3II

Our very own Jim Berger, K3II, is having a birthday on February 12. Happy Birthday, Jim!

We’re not going to divulge which birthday this is, but you can find out at http://www.hamdata.com.

Some New Wrinkles in 2005 Field Day Rules

(From the ARRL Letter)

Those planning to participate in this year's Field Day will need to bone up in advance on a few changes in the rules for the ever-popular operating event. Field Day this year takes place June 25-26. The 2261 Field Day entries for 2004 were the most ever. While similar in format to a contest, Field Day is primarily a means to exercise and demonstrate Amateur Radio's emergency operating capabilities while having fun at the same time. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says that among other things rule changes for 2005 expand eligibility for bonus points.

"All groups will be eligible for some kind of bonus points," Henderson said. "Make sure you carefully read Field Day Rule 7.3." That rule spells out how to qualify for such bonus points as 100 percent emergency power, media publicity, message handling, making satellite contacts, using an alternative power source and copying the W1AW bulletin, among other things. Many bonus point categories are available to all entry classes.

Henderson notes that some large clubs often compete among themselves to see who can claim the highest number of transmitters. Under the revised rules, all transmitters must be on the air with an operator to count toward a club's entry class. "You have to actually have individual people and sufficient equipment capable of operating simultaneously," Henderson emphasized, referencing Rule 4. "The key word there is 'simultaneously.'"

The Field Day exchange consists of the number of transmitters on the air followed by the participation category (A through F). Operators would send "3A," for example, for a club or non-club portable setup with three transmitters on the air at the same time. Rule 4 also specifically prohibits switching and simulcasting devices.

The 2005 Field Day rules also modify the number of transmitters eligible for bonus points that a group can claim for its operating class. "You can only claim the emergency power bonus points for up to 20 transmitters," Henderson explains. "That's a maximum of 2000 emergency power bonus points." There no limit on the number of transmitters eligible participants may have on the air, however. Field Day rules already generally prohibit the use of more than one transmitter at the same time on a single band-mode.

In addition, Field Day 2005 will introduce a new "Youth Element" bonus category (Rule 7.3.15). Clubs or groups operating in Class A, C, D, E or F now can claim 20 bonus points — up to a maximum of 100 — for each person aged 18 or younger, who completes a valid Field Day contact. Single-operator Class B stations can earn a 20-point bonus if the operator is age 18 or younger. Two-person Class B setups can claim a 20-point bonus for each operator age 18 or younger, for a maximum of 40 points. The maximum number of participants for Class B entries remains at two.

Another rule change clarifies that Get On The Air (GOTA) stations — instituted a few years ago to encourage new or comparatively inexperienced operators to gain operating practice — use the same exchange as the "parent" station. The maximum transmitter output power for GOTA stations is 150 W, and GOTA stations may only operate on the Field Day HF bands.

Free transmitters do not count toward a group's total, and GOTA stations and free VHF stations for Class A entries do not qualify for bonus point credits.

Henderson encourages Field Day participants to submit their Field Day summaries electronically using the Web applet form http://www.b4h.net/cabforms. "You may input your summary information at that site for a 50-point bonus," Henderson points out.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH, comprised of former operators of the KPH commercial shore station, now an historic site, again will augment W1AW Field Day CW and RTTY bulletin transmissions for West Coast participants.

The complete 2005 Field Day packet now is available on the ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/05-fd-packet.pdf.

DXCC Listings Now Available on the ARRL Web Site

(From the ARRL Letter)

The ARRL Web site now features up-to-date listings of DXCC awards earned. The new system shows every issued DXCC award known to ARRL's computerized DXCC system, with the exception of individual standings for 5BDXCC. ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the Web site listing is even more complete than the DXCC Yearbook ever was, since the printed list did not list inactive band-accounts for the previous year.

"This will list everything and everybody," Mills emphasized. "The new system makes available a separate listing for each DXCC award type — band or mode." Even more important, Mills notes, is that it essentially renders obsolete the manually generated monthly and yearly reports. "Under the new system, DXCC listings will updated daily," he emphasized.

The DXCC standings of all ARRL members will remain in dark type. Call signs of non-members who have not submitted credits for 10 years or more are in grayed-out type.

Each listing by band or mode is complete in a separate Adobe PDF file. The largest listing (DXCC Mixed) now runs to more than 50 pages, but the size of the PDF file is only about 150 kbytes because of file compression. Printing format options include US letter-sized or ISO A4 paper.

The DXCC listings can be found at http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/#listings.

Editor’s Note: Checking through the listings, I discovered that at least three club members are on the DXCC Honor Roll (including the “birthday boy”) and at least two members have QRP DXCC.

ARRL Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 5 ARLP005

From Tad Cook, K7RA

Seattle, WA February 4, 2005

To all radio amateurs

Average daily sunspot numbers were down this week by nearly 17 points (our reporting week runs from Thursday through the following Wednesday for the timing of this bulletin). Over the same days the average daily solar flux was also down nearly 17 points. The daily geomagnetic indices showed much greater stability, with all of the K and A indices down when compared with the previous seven days.

Look for quiet geomagnetic conditions over the next few days, with the February 4-6 (Friday through Sunday) planetary A index around 8, 5 and 5. The A index is expected to rise again after this weekend probably due to the return of sunspot 720, which caused so much recent activity. It returns into view on its 27.5 day rotation, and the planetary A index prediction for February 7-9 is 15, 25 and 15.

Sunspot numbers and solar flux should also rise, with solar flux values rising above 100 after February 5, staying relatively high (for this point in the declining sunspot cycle) at 130 or above around February 7 and continuing for about a week.

If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, [email protected].

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html.

Sunspot numbers for January 27 through February 2 were 43, 43, 30, 38, 49, 27 and 28 with a mean of 36.9. 10.7 cm flux was 86.9, 84.9, 86.4, 85.5, 86.2, 83.7 and 81.8, with a mean of 85.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 6, 20, 16, 19, 6 and 8 with a mean of 11.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 5, 16, 10, 15, 4 and 7, with a mean of 8.4.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 5 ARLD005

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT February 3, 2005

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by ND5S, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

GHANA, 9G. 9G5OO has been QRV using RTTY on 30 meters around 1930z and then 20 meters around 2030z. QSL via DL4WK.

SIERRA LEONE, 9L. Massimo, 9L1MS plans to be QRV, weather-permitting, from the Turtle Islands, IOTA AF-056, on February 5 and 6. QSL via IZ0EGA.

CHILE, CE. Look for a number of operators to be QRV as CE8A from Rennell Island, a new IOTA, from February 10 to 15. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via CE6NE.

MAYOTTE, FH. Maurice is QRV as FH/F6AIG and has been active on 20 meters between 1600 and 1630z. QSL via F6AIG.

REUNION ISLAND, FR. Didier is QRV as FR/F5TNI until February 21. He is active using mostly CW with some RTTY and possibly PSK. QSL to home call.

ECUADOR, HC. Andy, DH8WR is QRV as DH8WR/HC2 from Guayaquil until March 7. QSL to home call.

SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Thomas, HZ1EX has been QRV on 40 meters around 0300z. QSL via SM0BYD.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0. Look for members of the Kulju DX Club to be QRV as OH0W from Kumlinge from February 9 to 15. They also plan to be QRV in the upcoming CQ WPX RTTY contest. QSL via OH3LQK.

NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2. Rick, NE8Z is QRV as PJ4/NE8Z from Bonaire, IOTA SA-006, from February 4 to 13. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ7. Ron, ND5S and Sue, KF5LG will be QRV from Dutch St. Maarten, IOTA NA-105, as PJ7/homecalls from February 6 to 26 while here on vacation. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Ron will also be active as PJ7/ND5S in the upcoming CQ RTTY WPX and ARRL DX CW contests. QSL via operators' instructions.

BANGLADESH, S2. Dave, EI3IO and Manjurul, S21AM are QRV as S21BI from Kulsum Bag, Charfassion, Char Dakhin Shahbazpur, Bhola Island, IOTA AS-140, until February 7. QSL via operators' instructions.

BELIZE, V3. Art, NN7A will be QRV as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, IOTA NA-180, from February 10 to 14. Bob, NF7E will be joining Art, and will have his call issued upon arrival. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, and possibly 160 and 80 meters, and the newer bands, using CW and some SSB. QSL to home calls.

MACQUARIE ISLAND, VK0. David, VK0MT has been QRV on 20 meters around 1100z and then 17 meters just after 1200z. QSL via JE1LET.

ZIMBABWE, Z2. Eric, Z21FO has been QRV on 15 meters using PSK31 from around 1800 to 1900z. QSL via K3PD.

Four Hours is Plenty of Time

By Paul Dunphy, VE1DX

One of the Local QRPers came by the other day and he had a plan to even out the DXCC standings. We weren't sure they needed any evening out, but we decided to listen to what he had in mind.

"You see," he began, "the problem with the DXCC program is that not everyone has a fair chance at working the DX. Some are retired, others can afford to take extended vacations when DXpeditions are on, and other folks just seem to get by on less sleep. Now, as you know, I work all week and I need eight or nine hours sleep every night. I just don't have the same amount of time as some of the Big Guns. And this really isn't fair. How can I compete with someone who has 16-18 hours a day to tune the bands when I only have a few hours in the evening and maybe a morning or two? And I'm not the only one in this situation either, Buster!"

This didn't seem unfair to us, for every activity in life has its ups and downs, but we looked the QRPer straight in his beady little eyes and asked, "So what should be done about it?"

"Simple!" he replied, "the DXCC desk should modify the rules to set forth 'DXCC counter hours.' All QSLs submitted for DXCC must be within these hours or the QSO doesn't count. I figured out that, for the East Coast, the morning between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM local time would be best, and for the Suffering Sixes, the afternoon time slot would be the best . . . say between 04:00 PM and 06:00 PM during their local time."

"But what about DXers in the middle of the country?" we asked, "or those that need something that can only be worked after dark or on the polar path at mid-day? What about them? And, further to the point, what about DXers in Europe and Asia and all the other parts of the world?"

The QRPer was not to be deterred. "They'll just have to convert the two DX time windows I've proposed to their local time and make sure that they're either home from work or that they get out of bed during these times. And think of the load this will take off the DXpeditions. Those guys go to these obscure places like South Sandwich and Heard Island, for example. They are expected to be on the air for 24 hours a day! Sometimes they are there for a week or 10 days. Think of the energy they'd save if they only had to operate four hours a day. Sometimes I wonder why you guys with the big totals didn't figure this out a long time ago!"

And with that he was off to write a letter outlining his proposal to his director. We sat there for a moment and watched him stroll off and down around the corner. Don't ask us to explain it; we only report what we hear!

Helpful Hints

Wig Wearers: Secure your toupee in high winds by wearing a brightly colored party hat with an elastic chinstrap. Carry a balloon and a bottle of wine and you’ll pass as an innocent partygoer.

Shallow Thoughts

If you’re cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

February 2005

Some New Wrinkles in 2005 Field Day Rules

DXCC Listings Now Available on the ARRL Web Site

ARRL Propagation Forecast Bulletin

ARRL DX Bulletin

Check here if you would like to be subscribed to the CARC Email Reflector _____