My Thoughts
by
Jill, N3QZR
It's
the first Thursday of the month, and I'm sitting in the monthly meeting of the
D.L.A.R.C. Amateur Radio Club. The President is conducting the meeting as the
sign in sheet for being present at the meeting, along with several event
sign-up sheets are passed around the room. The Secretary and Treasurer's
reports are approved by the attending membership. Maybe a new member or two are
also approved by the membership. Now we get an update about how the repeaters
are working, and that the classes will be starting up shortly or that they are
progressing nicely with how many people attending them.
I
guess I can take a nap now, the president is having the different chair-persons
talk about the event sign up sheets that went around, and what good things
these organizations do for their causes. First up is to tell us about, the NIS
Walk and or the MS 150 Bike Tour. I don't care that the MS Society raises money
from these walks and bike tours to help the families and persons who have MS.
Nobody in my family has had MS so let the families help themselves. Besides I
know there is a football, baseball, basketball, etc. game to watch on TV that
day and if I'm not home my wife will forget to tape it for me. Next up the Red
Cross River Run. BIG DEAL. They also help families in need. Why should I care,
I don't live near the river, so I'm never going to lose my house to a flood. My
house is all stone and will never burn down. I have no family who lives where
tornadoes or hurricanes could destroy their home and or their lives. So lets
get on with the next boring event so that I can get to meeting B. Now on to the
Derriere in the Delaware. My children are grown and I don't know any young
children worth benefiting. I could go on but I think you get my point. Now let
me tell you why you should help!! MS can attack any family; you do not need to
have a Family history to get MS. The Red Cross helped me find my husband
(Glenn, N3ULW) who was out doing field training in the Air Force when his
Grandfather passed away. So the Red Cross helps in many ways not just floods,
fires, or Mother Natures Temper tantrums.
Besides
even though your house is stone there is still plenty of wood inside that,
burns and will leave your home unlivable if heaven forbid you should have the
misfortune of ever having a fire. Well, your family may go to Warren Hospital,
but what if Easton Hospital was the nearest hospital to you and it's a matter
of life or death that you or a family member gets medical treatment ASAP. Last
is the DID. You may not know any young children but I can tell you first hand
the joys these young children receive from the organization. Kiwanis, who puts on the DID. The Christmas
Party, that they put on for the VERY special children who receive services in
13 school districts in Northampton, Monroe and Pike counties from Colonial
Intermediate Unit 20 is .just wonderful. Words can not explain the joy on these
children's faces as Ronald McDonald comes into the
room
and performs magic, and the songs that this group sings with these children,
but the best time is when Santa comes. Can you remember the joy you saw on your
own children's face when they saw Santa, or even the joy you yourself as a
child felt seeing Santa. For some of these children this day is the only day
they will see Santa this year as their families do not have the money to take
them to sit on Santa's lap at the mall. Sadly, VERY sadly for one or two this
is the last time they will ever see Santa again, because their health is so bad
they will pass away before the next Christmas.
These
events are VERY important to someone. Hopefully, you and everyone in your
family will NEVER need the help that you could receive from any of these
groups. But please do not turn a deaf ear, and sleep when the chairpersons for
these events talk. I'm not saying you should volunteer for every event that
D.L.A.R.C. provides radio communication for, but please think about it and try
to help with at least one a year! You may find that you enjoy it. That you like
how good you feel knowing that you helped to make the event as safe as
possible, or that a scared lost child came up and you used your radio to get
help or you called net control because a bike rider / runner /walker etc. came
up to you with leg cramps or heat exhaustion.
We
as Hams are not working the event to help them raise money, but are there to
help make the event as safe as possible by sending messages to net control of
participant locations, of injuries along the route, of lost participants, etc.
The message passing that we do during these events is excellent practice for us as we need to be ready if
the unthinkable ever happened here like
the Oklahoma City and New York City bombings, and the Hurricanes Hugo, Mitch,
Diane (in1955) or even little Floyd this past Fall.
THAT'S
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME!!!
de,
Jill N3ZSR
W30K
Corral Newsletter
Clarence
Snyder, W3PYF, editor
The
Future of Amateur Radio
by John Rodgers, N3MSE
As I tune around the bands in the evening, I
invariably will find a conversation with people talking about the good old days
of amateur radio. The days before incentive licensing and restructuring. I have
also read remarks from officials of the FCC stating that we need to experiment
and make greater use of the frequencies that we have allocated to us. As was
stated we need to walk the walk.
These two conflicting ideas made me think
that, like it or not we cannot go back and change the things that have happened
in the hobby. The past is gone and is nothing more than memories and a
foundation for amateur radio today. What we do have, however is a golden
opportunity to mold the future of the amateur radio service. The future is the
youth of today. We must find ways to interest young people and make amateur
radio enticing to young people.
Many will say the internet has taken people
away from the hobby. Well, the internet can be a way to promote the hobby as
well. The Boring Amateur Radio Club proved this. This group of young people
formed a club online and met there for over a year before anyone ever met. It
is also a great way to disseminate information about amateur radio.
One of the wonderful things is that today's
youth are very deep into computers. As
such we must show them ways that they can combine the two and have even more
fun.
On October 21 and 22, we had the opportunity
to introduce many young people to the many adventures associated with this fine
service and hobby. That weekend is the annual scouting Jamboree on the Air
(JOTA).
Contact your local scout district and offer
to set up a station to allow the scouts of your community to contact scouts in
other parts of the country and the world. Contact a scout troop in your
neighborhood and offer to open up your shack for this event.
Whether it be boy scouts or cub scouts, girl
scouts or brownies: this is the chance to share your enthusiasm and demonstrate
what has been so rewarding to you. A complete information package is available
at http://www.arrl. org/ead/jota.html or by calling the
Education and Field Services department at
the ARRL.
Demonstrate not only voice and CW modes, but
also show the ways the computer can interface into the radio. Slow scan TV and
PSK31 are just some of the modes of operation. Talk about the opportunity to
experiment with the radio and computer. Donate some time on that weekend to
interest young people to the hobby. Continue to work with them long after as a
mentor and elmer.
Volunteer your services to help with those
wanting to get the radio merit badge. Whatever we can do to promote and
encourage young people today to enter into amateur radio will insure that we
also will be able to enjoy the service tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come.
Public Service: Use it or Lose it
By
David C. Goldberg, N3ZQN
Does your club or organization sponsor
public service events?
Here's what one club is doing to encourage
more public service participation by their members!
The FCC justifies the grant of amateur radio
access to various frequencies under the premises that they will be used primarily
for public service and secondarily for the expansion of the hobby and science
of amateur radio. After all, isn't this the justification many of us use when
we spend the big bucks for that state of the art (or in some cases the unit
that compliments my antique collection) gee whiz bang radio equipment So here
it is, the opportunity to actually justify the investment (or rationalize it).
In the past the Public Service Chair-person
would get a request for assistance. He or she would then report at the next
meeting that volunteers were needed. Members would then let the Chairperson
know that they would like to help. Although this tactic has worked in the past
it is, shall we say, informal. Additionally only the folks in attendance that
evening were aware of the opportunity. Although the club has met with success
doing it this way, I think it's time we formalize/systematize the way we manage
public service. (Hey, what do you expect from a guy that makes his living
consulting on accounting soft-ware).
So here is the first pass at the (drum roll)
Baltimore Amateur Radio Club Public Service and Emergency Volunteer System.
(BARCPSEVS Why not? Everybody else uses acronyms). If you want to be notified
whenever a public service event is being considered or in the event of an
emergency, please submit the following information.
Full Name
Call Sign
Your e-mail address
Your Phone Number (in-case of an
emergency situation)
Your mailing address
Please submit this information via e-mail
to:
d.goldberg@prodigy .net.
If e-mail is unavailable, please send your
information to:
David Goldberg N3ZQN
312 High Knob Lane
Reisterstown, MD. 21136
Understand that submitting this information
is not a commitment on your part. All you are telling us is that you want to be
kept up-to-date on all the opportunities that are coming up. If you give us
your e-mail address it will be used as the primary means of advising you. If
you don't have e-mail, make sure you give us your mailing address so we can
keep you updated. If we have your phone number we will call to advise you of an
emergency situation. These updates are for your consideration (no pressure, no
begging, no arm twisting) if you can help, great. If not, maybe the next time
or the time after that.
What types of events do we cover? We may
provide radio communications for a charitable event such as the March of Dimes
Walkathon, The Race for the Cure, Cycle Across Maryland, or a Marathon. We may
be asked to help provide security for a hamfest or to participate in
communications for a sailing regatta or a parade. Any and all of those events
that the FCC approves for Amateur Radio assistance will be available
for your consideration.
If enough members volunteer we will make an
official commitment to the requesting organization and advise you by e-mail,
mail, phone or, hey, how about Baltimore Amateur Radio Club Public Service and
Emergency Volunteer Sys-tem NET (BARCPSEVS-Net)
That's right folks, a new net will start on
the second and last Thursday of each month at 9:00 PM on 146.67 mHz. Another
good reason to use your radio. We will keep you advised of all the upcoming
events and discuss various public service and emergency topics. The first net
will be held on December 14, 2000 at 9:00 P.M. Pretty neat. But it gets even better. I'm
going to arrange for Baltimore Amateur Radio Club Public Service and Emergency
Volunteer System Jacket to be designed (including built-in pocket protector)
that members can purchase (what? you thought it would be free?). These jackets will look great and help you proudly proclaim
your role as a working ham. They will only be sold to those individuals who
have submitted the information for the volunteer mailing list.
But wait, there's more. The first time you
participate in an event you will receive:
(a) Baltimore Amateur Radio Club Public
Service and Emergency Volunteer System Patch. Something nifty that lets the
world know that you have actively participated in public service events, that
you are an active contributor to the community and a really swell person. These
patches will coordinate with the jackets and be easy to apply (cause I can't
sew). So all you need to do is let us know that you want to be advised of
upcoming events and you qualify to purchase a jacket. Actually participate in
an event and you will receive a great looking patch for your jacket. So sign up
let us know who you are and we'll keep you up to date on the great chances for
you to use your talents
and equipment. So that's it, let us know who
you are.
(b) Wait I almost forgot. There's more:
Baltimore Amateur Radio Clubs Public Service and Emergency Volunteer System
Event Participation Stripes. Each time you participate in a public service
event you will receive a stripe, and I again, because I can't sew, it will be
easy to apply to your jacket. So instead of being viewed as an individual that
just helped once, you will be able to proudly proclaim your service to fellow
members and members of the community.
So now you have a way to show your stripes (sorry about
that, I, couldn't resist). Think of this as a type of QSL card you can wear.
In conclusion (bet you thought this would
never end), you get to add your name to a mailing list (like you aren't on
10,000 already) and earn the right to buy and wear a BARC Public Service Jacket. Actually participate and you get a
patch that lets everyone know you gave at the club. Keep participating and you
can earn your stripes and proudly display your status as a really swell person.
Sign up now before the rush.
by
David C. Goldberg N3ZQN
Chairman
Public Services
Baltimore
Amateur Radio Club
GRUMMAN
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
MINUTES OF
GENERAL MEETING 1/17/01
By Gordon, KB2UB
Meeting was opened at the U/L facility in Melville at 6:30 PM. The
Treasurer and Secretary were absent. Notes are by KB2UB. President Pat
Masterson, KE2LJ asked for the traditional roll call around the room. Marty
NN2C announced there would be a videotape of a DXpedition following the
business meeting.
The
Financial Report as discussed at the recent Board meeting was
summarized. The treasury appears to be in good shape.
REPEATER REPORT –
Gordon, KB2UB
KB2UB reported there
is still a plan to install a controller in the Hauppauge repeater, pending the
team's agreement on a date.
Zac WB2PUE reported on the Sunday 40m net. Pat reported on the Thursday
2m net, which he ran the previous week.
VE REPORT –
Bob, W2ILP reported the VE session produced one applicant who advanced to
General Class. Four VEs were present.
Pat
reported on the state of the Northrop Grumman complex. We are still working to
secure a place for our trailer and Bethpage repeater when Plant 5 is closed
this year.
Marty NN2C announced that Ham Radio University would be held in Babylon
on Sunday Jan 21. This event is a day of seminars on numerous ham topics.
Admission will be 2 dollars and there will not be a ham flea market as it is considered
a purely educational event. 500 are expected (and so is a snowstorm). The business
meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.
A
video tape of the VK9RS IOTA expedition to an island off the coast of Australia
was shown.
A comment on flying from the ARNS Bulletin. KA2FEA
Flight Delays
There is the story of a passenger on Britain's Imperial
Airways, a company which pioneered air travel between England and Australia in
the mid-1930's.
"If you have time to spare, go by air" was the
popular, expression of the day.
Airliners were both slow and incapable of flying long
distances.
One of the very first flights took off from Croydon
Airport near London and flew to northern France where it was delayed
extensively due to bad weather. When it arrived in the south of France, one of
the engines had failed and it was necessary to wait for another engine to be
shipped by sea from England.
There were further delays along the route in Rome,
Cairo, the Middle East, etc. until finally the flight progressed as far as
Singapore. At this point a lady passenger asked the manager in Singapore if he thought the flight would arrive in
Australia in the next few weeks because
she was expecting a baby shortly.
"My
dear lady," he replied, "you should never have commenced your trip in
that condition." She replied, "I didn't."