The Illuminator 
The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club
The Illuminator
The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club
July
Dinner/Meeting at Caruso’s!
July Meeting
The next regular
meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, July 19, at
Caruso’s Restaurant on Route 443 in Lehighton. Everyone is invited to eat there, beginning
at 6:30 p.m., and then hang around for our general meeting and BS session.
Field Day 2001
By Goody, K3NG
I’m happy
to say that this year’s Field Day event was a great success. We didn’t set any records, but we had fun.
Friday
night, I went to the Blue Mountain site to survey the area and get an idea of
where we were going to put things. The site
was in good shape, the grass was cut and there was a new trailer on the south
side of the clearing. It was raining
cats and dogs, though, and I sat in the truck imagining how awful setup would
be.
Later that
night at home, John, K3CT, gave me a call, recommending we move the Field Day
location. After numerous phone calls,
we decided to move Field Day to Bill, KA3UKL, and Lisa Kelly’s home in
Lehighton.
Saturday
morning was rainy as expected. We setup
two dipoles, one “all band” 80m dipole and a 20m/40m coaxial trap dipole
antenna. A mast was erected holding the
2 meter and 440 MHz antennas for the VHF/UHF station. The operating positions were located in the two-car garage, which
had plenty of room for gathering, talking, and eating. Jim, K3II, started off on 40 meter CW, Bruce,
N3RXJ, and Eric, N3TVV, were on 2 meters, and John, K3CT, manned the QRP rig on
20 meter CW. 40 meters was hot as
expected, QRP contacts were tough, and 2 meters was essentially dead. Bob, K3PH, Larry, N3CR, Glenn, K3PP, and
Bruce, KB3DZN, manned the stations at various times.
John, K3CT,
later brought his TS-850 to use in the second HF station. We discovered that the 20m/40m trapped
dipole had an SWR of 3:1, which probably accounted for some of the difficulty
in making QRP contacts.
Saturday, the weather
cleared up rather nicely. It cooled off
and fans were unnecessary for the rest of the event, which made for comfortable
operating. Bill and Lisa were excellent
hosts and cooks, as usual.
Tear down
was accomplished in exactly one hour on Sunday, much to the delight of everyone
who was tired.
Thanks to
everyone and anyone I forgot to mention on a memorable Field Day!
(Pictures will be on the website soon)
73,
Goody
K3NG
Editor’s Note: Participants included (in no particular order) Bruce
Appleton (N3RXJ), Larry Lilly (N3CR), Eric Bott (N3TVV), Bob Schreibmaier
(K3PH), John Bednar (K3CT), Bert Rex (W3OWP), Jim Berger (K3II), Glenn
O'Donnell (K3PP), Bruce Fritz (KB3DZN), Andy Mihalik (KB3FSV), Bill Kelley
(KA3UKL), Lisa Kelley, and Anthony Good (K3NG).
For those who care about such things, here are the gory statistics:
|
Band |
CW QSOs |
Phone QSOs |
|
80 |
69 |
231 |
|
40 |
402 |
283 |
|
20 |
60 |
46 |
|
15 |
46 |
119 |
|
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
TOTALS |
577 |
683 |
That adds up to a grand
total of 1260 QSOs and 4074 points.
Wednesday Night Net
By Goody, K3NG
Recently,
I have been acting as net control for the weekly ARES/RACES Net. We’ve added a new section called Ham
Trivia where we ask three questions relating to ham radio. The questions range from technical to
non-technical, old-timer to newbie ham.
We keep score for fun, but hopefully everyone will occasionally learn
something new, or at least jog the memory (what’s the formula for the impedance
of a capacitor?).
I know there
are a lot of hams out there listening each Wednesday who don’t check in. Please check in, even if just to briefly say
“Hi.” You’ll be glad you did.
73,
Goody
K3NG
Propagation
Forecast Bulletin
Propagation Forecast
Bulletin 27 ARLP027
From Tad Cook, K7VVV
Seattle, WA June 29, 2001
To all radio amateurs
Problems with the PC and
DSL connection mean a short bulletin for this week.
Conditions were good
over Field Day weekend, with no big geomagnetic upsets. 40 meters was probably
the best band all around for Field Day contacts.
Sunspots and solar flux
have been high recently, but both are currently declining. Average sunspot
numbers dropped over 48 points from last week, and average solar flux was off
nearly 17 points.
Currently geomagnetic
conditions are very quiet, and are expected to remain that way over the next
week. Single digit planetary A indices are forecast until after July 4. Solar
flux is expected to decline over the next few days, to 130 on Saturday, Sunday
and Monday. Flux is expected to rise to 160 by July 6 and 190 by July 11.
Sunspot numbers for June
21 through 27 were 212, 203, 228, 212, 220, 177 and 185 with a mean of 205.3.
10.7 cm flux was 200.3, 203.6 206.2, 194.8, 182.4, 167.9 and 147.9, with a mean
of 186.2, and estimated planetary A indices were 13, 7, 8, 10, 8, 13 and 10
with a mean of 9.9.
Carbon Amateur
Radio Club
Regular
Meeting Minutes
June 21, 2001
President,
Larry Lilly, N3CR, called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club to
order at 8:16 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2001 at the Boulevard Restaurant in
Lehighton. Fifteen people attended.
The
minutes were read by Bob, K3PH, and approved by the members in attendance.
John,
W3MF, read the treasurer’s report. At
the last meeting, we had a balance of $940.14.
We had receipts of $45.00 and disbursements of $4.76 for mailing the
newsletter, leaving a total of $980.38.
The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.
Regarding
the proposed club bus trip to the American Radio Relay League, Larry, N3CR,
mentioned that we still have no price quotes on buses. Glenn, K3PP, noted that we used Bert,
W3OWP’s van last time. Bill, KA3UKL,
also mentioned that we could rent a minivan from Trinkle’s. No decision was made as to transportation or
date for the trip.
The
members in attendance voted to have a pizza party for the July meeting. Bill, KA3UKL, will check on the availability
of Caruso’s in Lehighton for the meeting.
We expect to start eating at 6:30 and start the meeting at 7:30.
It
was noted that election of officers will take place at the August meeting, so
start thinking about nominations now.
It was also mentioned that Gene, N3WMA, wants to do a talk about
transistors at the September meeting.
Regarding
our Field Day plans, Goody, K3NG, reported that we will be in the 2A class
using one Kenwood TS-850S, one Elecraft K1, and a 2-meter FM VHF station. Goody indicated that he would be going up to
the site on Friday to start getting it ready.
Official setup is to begin at 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Bill, KA3UKL, and Lisa reported on food. Everything is all set and the club will pay
for the food, but please feel free to put a little something in the donation
can.
A
discussion took place regarding possible club programs. Rob, KB3BYT, offered to do an introduction
to amateur radio, if the club members can bring potential new amateurs to a
meeting. Larry, N3CR, mentioned that he
would like to do a program about the space station, possibly inviting a local
school. Bob, K3PH, indicated he has
access to any number of DX-related videos.
The
meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
DX Bulletin 27 ARLD027
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT July 5, 2001
To all radio amateurs
This week's bulletin was
made possible with information provided by Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin,
DXNL, 425DXnews and The Daily DX. Thanks to all.
VIETNAM, 3W. Michal, 3W7TK, has been
active on 15 meters using CW and SSB.
Check between 1245z and 1830z around 21255 kHz or 21012 kHz. QSL via OK2HWB.
CROATIA, 9A. 9A/ON5JE is QRV from Pag
Island, IOTA EU-170, until July 19.
Activity is on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using SSB. QSL to home call.
DEMOCRATIC REPULBIC OF
CONGO, 9Q. 9Q5BQ has been QRV on 17 meters around
2200z. He has also been active on 28010
kHz around 1000 to 1100z.
QATAR, A7. Mohamed, A71MA, has been
QRV on 21290 kHz just before 0400z yesterday.
COMOROS, D6. John, WB4MBU, is QRV as
D6/WB4MBU, and has been found on 28488 kHz from 1100 to 1400z. QSL to home call.
TAJIKISTAN, EY. A group of Tajikistan
amateurs and mountaineers plan to climb a still nameless 5800 meter high
mountain in central Pamir. Look for
EY1ARP to be QRV for one or two hours from the peak. QSL via operator's instructions.
IRAN, EP. Yar, EP3SP, has been QRV
using RTTY prior to 2200z on 14084 kHz.
QSL via W3HC.
ITALY, I. John, I2ZGA, is QRV as
IA5/homecall from Elba, IOTA EU-028, until July 14. QSL to home call.
SVALBARD, JW. Tom, LA4LN, will be QRV
as JW4LN from Spitsbergen, IOTA EU-027, from July 6 to 23. He will operate just CW on 40, 30, 20 and 6
meters during his spare time in the evening hours. QSL to home call.
ALAND ISLANDS, OH0. Look for Bernie, W3UR, to
be active as W3UR/OH0 from Brando Island, IOTA EU-002, from July 7 to 10. QSL to home call.
BRAZIL, PY. Look for Carl, PU1NEZ,
Mar, PY1AMF, Zeca, PY1LVF, Pete, PY1NEW, and Lima, PY1NEZ to be QRV from
Frances Island, IOTA SA-077, from July 5 to 8.
Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL to home calls.
GREECE, SV. Franco, HB9OAB, is QRV until
July 30 as SV8/homecall from Kefallonia, IOTA EU-052. Activity is on 2 meters and 70 cm, with some satellite activity
on AO-10, FO-20/29, UO-14, RS-12/13 and possibly AO-40. QSL to home call.
WEST KIRIBATI, T30. Steve, T30ED, is usually
QRV on 20 meters around 1100z. QSL via
3D2SJ.
PALAU, T8. Hideki, JE8BKW, as T88BB
from July 8 to 11. Activity will be on
80 to 6 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL
to home call.
Check out
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/n0ujr for other cartoons and to purchase N0UJR’s
book, “N0UJR and His Friends.”
The club needs an EC/RO for the ARES and RACES
activities. Contact Larry, N3CR, for
details.
Carbon Amateur Radio Club – 2000-2001 Officers
President:
Larry Lilly, N3CR [email protected]
Vice
President: Glenn O’Donnell, K3PP
Secretary: Bob
Schreibmaier, K3PH
Treasurer:
John Schreibmaier, W3MF
W3HA Callsign
Trustee: Bill Dale, WY3K
W3HA Repeater
Trustee: John Bednar, K3CT
Public
Information Officer: Bill Kelley, KA3UKL
Directors
John Bednar, K3CT, Bruce Appleton, N3RXJ,
Bert Rex, W3OWP
Illuminator Staff
Editor: Bob,
K3PH [email protected]
DX: Bob, K3PH
Foxhunting:
open
Propagation
and Commentary: Larry, N3CR [email protected]
Newsletter
Printing, Folding, and Mailing: Bob, K3PH
Services
W3HA Repeater:
147.255 Mhz + PL 131.8
CARC Website: http://www.cpals.com/~elitehom/carc/
Webmaster:
Rob, KB3BYT [email protected]
CARC Email
Reflector: see www.qth.net CarbonARC list for
details
CARC Membership Information
Regular
Membership is $15.00, which includes autopatch privileges.
All amateur radio operators are invited to join the CARC
ARES / RACES net held 21:00 local time every Wednesday on the W3HA repeater at
147.255 MHz + offset, PL 131.8. Any
amateur radio operator or anyone with an interest in ham radio is welcome to
attend our monthly meetings which occur the third Thursday of each month at
7:30 PM at the Carbon County EMA Center on Route 93 in Nesquehoning.
