JULY 1998For July ’98 FEEDBACK
President’s Message
My June QST arrived a little too late for me to take note of the January VHF Sweepstakes contest results in last month’s message. We’ll, I’m proud to say that our 33 log entries (about 25% of our total club members) in the "Medium Category" gave us an 18th place finish out of 25 clubs. More importantly, only 5 clubs submitted more logs than we did. George Brechmann (N3HBT) made the top 15 for 222 MHz Multioperator and it was great seeing all those familiar calls listed under Eastern Pennsylvania. Congratulations to two local clubs for their first place finishes- the Mt. Airy VHF Club (Pack Rats) in the Unlimited Category (56 logs and 2,810,913 points!) and the Delaware Valley VHF Society in the Local Category. And to everyone who participated, a hearty WARC thank you. Let’s hope, under Joe Bagnic’s (N3EMA) continued leadership, we can increase participation in the January ‘98 SS! With the summer coming, how about building that 6 meter transverter (just in time to be checked out at our August 6 meeting), putting up a new antenna, making the transition from FM only to sideband or hooking up with someone to participate in a multi-op station?
Unfortunately, last minute rescheduling of a business trip took me out of the area for our June meeting. I’d like to thank Rocky Pistilli (N3FKR) for doing "double duty" by running the meeting and doing his Vice Presidential duties. I heard that Rocky got through the business portion of the meeting a lot quicker than I do- I sincerely believe that’s a good example for me (not that I’ll be able to follow it !). Most everyone who attended the June meeting filled out a survey that will be used by the Executive Board to help make changes that the club members want for the upcoming 98 / 99 fiscal year. If you didn’t fill one out, please complete the enclosed copy in this FEEDBACK so EVERYONE’s input can be considered at the July Executive Board planning session. If you can’t make it to the meeting, please mail it in as soon as possible.
Rocky and Steve Larson (KA3ZLY) are also to be congratulated for making the time to teach a summer licensing class on Tuesday evenings at the Wilson Senior Center- if you know someone who’s interested in getting their ham ticket, get in touch with Rocky or Steve. I think that the club sponsored license study classes, along with our monthly VE license testing sessions, are among the most important activities the club sponsors. I know Classes Chairperson George Altemus (KA3WXV) and his "regular" instructors welcome some time off before our fall classes begin. Rocky and Steve are looking for "guest" instructors as they present the material. Give them a call if you would like to be one of WARC’s instructors- it’s a very rewarding experience helping newcomers to get into the hobby.
Things will slow down for the club after Field Day and the Air Show, but I hope you and your families will be able to attend the annual club picnic. Chairperson Mark Kempisty (N3GNW) is looking for a few more volunteers to help spread the workload out. Mark your calendar for Sunday, August 9 and plan on bringing your family for a great afternoon devoid of "ham speak" ! Details appear elsewhere in this months FEEDBACK.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe summer.
de Bill, K3MFI
George Brechmann (N3HBT) Receives Award from Warminster Township
The Warminster Park Recreation and Conservation Board has selected George F. Brechmann (N3HBT) to receive the 1998 Edward A. Jefferies Award for outstanding commitment to Warminster Township in the provision of leisure services to the community. The dedication ceremony was held on Saturday, June 6, 1998 at Munro Park during the Warminster Baseball Association’s All Star Day.
A great number of George’s friends attended, along with family members and neighbors. WARC was well represented with many of the club members wearing a call sign badge or some item of hamwear to identify them as amateur radio operators and WARC members.
In his remarks, Jim Dunn (Chairman of the Park, Recreation and Conservation Board) said the following: "Best known today for his work in the Warminster Amateur Radio Club, George taught both swimming and gymnastics in the past. Although blindness curtailed those activities in 1978 George has continued a very active community involvement via his Amateur Radio Activities. Virtually every community event involving coordination and distance (Road Rallies, Road Races, Parades, etc) has not merely benefited from George’s talents but has actually relied on him. These services are also provided for events extending well beyond the limits of the township and include emergency service support. George also volunteers his time and services at the Benjamin Wilson Senior Center. In his "spare" time George has provided informative instructions to local schools on the role of guide dogs and proper etiquette in dealing with these important animals."
George received this award based upon nomination from club member Steve White (WA3IAO) who outlined in his nomination narrative the significant contributions George has made to Warminster Township. Unable to attend the ceremony due to his relocation to Florida, Steve noted in a letter to Karen Whitney (Warminster Township Recreation Services Administrator) that "George has consistently demonstrated that the best way to lead and motivate people is to do so by personal example."
Congratulations to George on earning this well deserved recognition from Warminster Township.
WARC HELPS HARTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY
The Firemen’s parade in Warminster on Saturday, June 13 was a great success. The Hartsville Fire Company was very grateful for the help, which we gave them and said that they could not have pulled it off without our participation. The following hams were at the event: Doug N3RJE, Berni N3RJD, Karl N0ACO, Bob KA3VKU, Jim WA4YWM, Al KY3T, Tom KB3CRZ, Rocky N3FKR and Tina, Tom WA3TQJ, Don N3OZO, Tony N3YNH, Alan KA3YCG, Elaine N3TMP and myself. Thanks for everyone’s help, and especially for Bob KA3VKU and Jim WA4YWM, who did double duty by extending their services after the parade to help with parking. All of the hams got a staff shirt and food for their participation. It was a good warm up for the Air Show!
73, George; N3HBT
UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS
All members should take a well deserved month (July) off after the Willow Grove Naval Base Air Show.
Middletown Grange Fair
Wednesday, August 12th through Sunday, August 16th. Contact Frank O’Neill (N3UQP) at 699-9549 to sign up.
1998 WARC Picnic
The 1998 WARC picnic will be held on August 9, 1998 in Pavilion #9 at Core Creek Park in Langhorne, PA. This is in the same picnic grove as our previous two picnics. The picnic will start setting up around 11:00 AM and running from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM. The club will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls and condiments. We ask each family that comes to bring a family favorite dish to share with everyone else.
If anybody would like to bring a favorite game, volleyball net or whatever, feel free to do so. Goop has shown up the past two years as well as some model rockets.
To help get ready for the picnic, I am looking for two or three volunteers to help me pick up supplies for the picnic. With a couple of assistants, no one’s job will take more than two or three hours to complete a
couple of days before the picnic. If you would like to give me a hand, please call me at home (215-953-1493) send me an e-mail or catch me on the club’s repeaters.
I hope to see all of you at the picnic this year.
73, Mark; N3GNW
Tel: 215-323-2293
General Meeting Rescheduled to September 10
Because of a scheduling conflict, our September meeting will be held on the SECOND Tuesday of the month. If you show up on September 3, plan on participating in the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Benjamin Wilson (one of the charter members of WARC) Senior Center!
THE RETURN OF N3WOE
Here’s a recent e-mail from Don Shenck (N3WOE):
Konnichiwa, What’s happening back in the US? I have been keeping busy especially since my boss is on leave. Long hours of work and not enough time for radio and my other hobbies.
I have been working on the code and yesterday I upgraded to Advanced and helped a friend get his ticket. He loves it and is planning to go all the way to Extra. To celebrate we visited the local ham store that has some nice rigs and gear. I go there fairly often. No big purchases yet, but a 5-element beam for 2 meters and some odds and ends keeps me somewhat satisfied.
My leave has been approved and if I can get a flight I will be there for Field Day. Also, if I get back by Wednesday the 24th, I would like to take an upgrade test. If the club meeting is the 2nd of July I should be able to attend. Hope to see you soon.
73, N3WOE; Don
(Editors note: anyone having any information on the current activities of former WARC members, please contact Alumni Coordinator Randy Gehman (N3LJE) at 822-9473
1998 Grange Fair August 12-19, 1998
Our next public service event is our annual participation at the Middletown Grange Fair being held from Wednesday, August 12th through Sunday, August 16th. The event will be chaired this year by Frank O’Neill (N3UQP); please see him at the general meeting (or give him a call at 699-9549) to sign up for either an on-site shift at our booth or to deliver local messages by telephone from your home. Over 20,000 people attend the Grange Fair each year, which gives WARC tremendous public exposure. In addition to handling message traffic, we get lots of inquiries about ham radio, especially license preparation classes offered by our club and others in the area. Take the family to a great country fair and help represent WARC and the amateur radio community.
General Meeting Rescheduled to September 10
Because of a scheduling conflict, our September meeting will be held on the SECOND Thursday of the month. If you show up on September 3, plan on participating in the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Benjamin Wilson (one of the charter members of WARC) Senior Center!
If you were unable to attend the June, ’98 meeting, you missed a very informative program on medical awareness for radio operators presented by Barry Burton, D.O., N3VOW. Barry has 25 years of experience in emergency medicine and was able to share his knowledge in a way that made it understandable and useful. One of Barry’s key points is SAFETY. You cannot assist in a situation when you become injured! Protect yourself from the environment. Stay well hydrated (drink plenty of water), protect yourself from exposure with proper clothing, sunscreen, hat, gloves, etc. Maintain adequate nutrition and sleep. When reporting an emergency, get the information (who, what, where, when, etc) before getting on the radio. Write the information down. Always speak in a slow, calm, clear voice and have net control repeat the information to be sure it was received correctly. Barry provided a useful and informative handout. If you did not get one, there will be some extras available at the next meeting. As Barry stated, this is only the very basic information. He would be happy to return for another program in the future. Thank you Barry for an excellent presentation!
Our next meeting program, July 2, 1998, will be on ANTIQUE RADIO. Ted Scwirka and Bill Overbeck of the Delaware Valley Antique Radio Club will be our guests. The development of radio from crystal sets through the 60’s will be discussed. Examples of antique radios will be on display and you are invited to bring in your own antique radios for the "show and tell" session. Contributors to this program include club members Don Rector, W3UBF, Frank O’Neil, N3UQP, and Fred Rice, WA3KIO.
PROGRAMS
July 2, 1998 Antique Radio Night Come and see what they used to look like when they used those glass things that glowed red and heated up the shack! Ted Scwirka and Bill Overbeck of the Delaware Valley Antique Radio Club will be our guests. The development of radio from crystal sets through the 60’s will be discussed. Contributors to this program include club members Don Rector, W3UBF, Frank O’Neil, N3UQP, and Fred Rice, WA3KIO. Bring in your own antique radios for the "show and tell" session.
August 6, 1998 Project/radio checkout night Working on a project that isn’t going just right? How about that 6 meter transverter kit? Need to see if that rig is operating on frequency? How about that mobile antenna? Bring it in to get checked out. Learn how to use the club test equipment.
September 10, 1998 Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) Find how you use the Global Positioning System and a packet radio system for locating and tracking.
SUMMER CLASSES
It’s not too late to get into the summer entry level class! Class started June 16, but if you act NOW you will not have missed too much. This is a small class, tailored to the individual, and a great class to take during the summer break. The class is FREE, but you are responsible for providing your own text: "Now You’re Talking" third edition, available at Radio Shack. The classes are held Tuesday evenings in the air-conditioned Benjamin Wilson Senior Center, 580 Delmont Ave., Warminster, PA.
CONTACT:
GEORGE BRECHMANN (215) 443-5656
STEVE LARSON (215) 822-1511
ROCKY PISTILLI (215) 572-5330
I would like to thank all the people who help make the Warminster Memorial Day parade such a success. We had 19 members from the club involved in the event, and despite an early morning thunderstorm, the parade went off without any problems. The club was the recipient of a $100.00 donation from the American Legion post, for our help in the parade. My grateful thank you for all those members who helped.
73, George; N3HBT
I would like to thank all the club members who came out on Saturday, June 6, to the award ceremony at munro park in Warminster, and thanks to those who came to the picnic afterwards. It was very gratifying to see such support from the club.
73, George; N3HBT
Solar scribe Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports:
Solar activity over the past week was about the same or slightly lower than the week previous. Average sunspot numbers were about the same and average solar flux was down about eight points. Geomagnetic activity was stable, except for June 14 when the planetary K index briefly rose to 5. Planetary A index for the day was 15. Average solar flux for the previous 90 days actually went down one point to 109, and solar flux over the past week was below this value on four out of seven days, indicating a flat trend.
Solar flux is predicted to be about 100 June 19-21, and the Planetary A index is forecast to be 12, 15 and 8. Flux values are expected to drop below 100 after June 21, hit a minimum of 90 on June 26 and 27, and rise above 100 again after July 2 peaking around 106 on July 5 and 6. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions may return around July 1-4 and July 7.
Overall conditions for the next few weeks are predicted to be flat, with no increase in solar activity. This is based on recurring conditions observed as the sun goes through a 27.5 day rotation. Viewing recent solar images on the Web shows few sunspots, and, of the few visible, they seem to be concentrated outside of the central area that would most affect the earth.
Sunspot numbers for June 11 through June 17 were 95, 122, 148, 104, 79, 71, and 94, with a mean of 101.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 112.4, 112.2, 110.5, 101.9, 100.4, 104, and 100.6, with a mean of 106. The estimated planetary A indices were 8, 8, 6, 15, 8, 8, and 5, with a mean of 8.3.
Courtesy The ARRL Letter
The vanity call sign application fee will drop to $13 effective September 14, 1998. That's the word from the FCC's Terry Johnson in the Office of Managing Director. The new fee will be for the ten-year term, payable at the time of application for a new, renewed, or reinstated license. The current vanity call sign application fee is $50. Earlier this year, the FCC had proposed dropping the fee to $12.90. The actual fee was "rounded up," Johnson said.
The FCC says it has no plans to refund the difference between the current fee and the new fee for applicants who submit applications before the new fee schedule goes into effect in September.
The FCC released its revised schedule of regulatory fees for all services for fiscal year 1998 this week, and it's soon expected to be available on the FCC's Web site. The Commission is required to collect almost $163 million during FY 1998.
The FCC calculated the new fee based on an expected 10,000 applicants during FY 1998.
Courtesy The ARRL Letter
