March 1998President’s Message
I know that the recent death of WARC Vice President Hank Hamarman (N3NID) is on the mind of every member of the club. A good number of WARC members were among those who attended Hank's funeral service and we had an opportunity to hear those who eulogized him mention, among Hank's major interests, his strong connection towards amateur radio. Hank's widow Nina, their children (Sandra and Jorge) and family have asked me to pass along their appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy they received from Hank's amateur radio friends. We will give everyone who wants a chance to verbalize their thoughts about Hank an opportunity to do so at the March 5 General Meeting. The Chaplain at Abington Memorial Hospital (where Hank worked) has suggested that club members express their personal feelings about their connection with Hank by either writing or taping our comments and getting them to Nina.
A sincere WARC thank you goes to Joe (N3EMA) Bagnick for again chairing WARC’s club entry effort in the ARRL sponsored January VHF contest. A record number of logs were submitted for our club’s participation. No matter how many contacts were made or hours were spent on the air, we appreciate the efforts of all club members who participated. Lot’s of great comments about the fun in being part of this annual event have been heard. Joe (N3EMA) has agreed to chair January’99 VHF Contest for WARC- so talk to him about your ideas to improve your score and how we can encourage even greater participation next year.
The annual club auction held at the February general meeting was another fun and financially successful event thanks to the talents of our immediate past president and auctioneer extrodinaire Tom (WA3TQJ) Michaud and those who donated and purchased items. If you want to know how well we did, all you have to do is look at the big grin on our Treasurer Al (KY3T) Folsom’s face- he’ll have a complete report at the March 5 meeting.
The March 5 meeting will be our annual Homebrew Night program (and a special taste testing of root beer "homebrewed" by Al (KY3T) Folsom and Steve (KA3ZLY) Larson and anyone else who wants to bring in a batch of their own). Please bring in your projects, even if they didn’t work out as well as you had hoped- prizes will be awarded in several categories (including the greatest failure!). If you don’t have a project this year, by attending, you’ll get some great ideas about easy and practical projects to try on your own and maybe bring in next year- including us (me included) "non-technical" types!
As indicated at our last board and general meetings, the Executive Board met in February to review the club goals and objectives adopted last year by our club members to see how we have measured up to the priorities that were set. Even though we were a group of "tough graders", the consensus was that the majority of things we hoped to accomplish between the club’s July’97 and June’98 fiscal year have been done well or are in the process of being achieved. Like any performance appraisal, there are things that we identified where we think our club should attain even higher levels of achievement. And frankly, there are a few areas where we think unsatisfactory progress has been made. I’ll be giving a report to the club at an upcoming meeting.
We’re getting into a very busy time of the year for WARC- numerous public service events, the Lambertville Shad Fest special event station, Hamfest, and Field Day- just to mention a few. Licensing and upgrade classes start again on March 10 (contact George (KA3WXV) Altemus if you want to help out by teaching or know someone who wants more information). We can’t expect everyone to participate in all our activities (the exception of course is Hamfest- where WE NEED EVERYONE), but I hope we see every member involved in some level of participation in club activities over the next three months- there’s plenty to choose from! Also, place those orders for "Hamwear" with Bob (KA3SRO) - what a great way to be identified as a club member and a ham radio operator to the general community at a public service event or to other hams at a Hamfest.
de Bill , K3MFI
Hank Hamarman, N3NID, SK
1946-1998
Hank Hamarman (N3NID) died unexpectedly on February 10, 1998. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Nina, and their two children Jorge and Sandra.
Hank grew up in Harrisburg and Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and held Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration degrees from Temple University. He had been in the Air Force and his active duty service included a tour of duty in Viet Nam. Hank was on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Area Vocational-Technical School and for the last nine years was Director of Biomedical Engineering at Abington Hospital. He was a former member of the USS Olympia Radio Amateur Club, and was an active member of The Mount Airy VHF Society (the "Packrats") and the Warminster Amateur Radio Club, where for the past two years, he served as Vice President.
His initial interest in amateur radio goes back to his courting days with Nina in the late 1960’s. Nina’s dad Bob (formerly WA3AWW) was fond of showing his "50 foot tower and five element Telerex beam" to the boys that came to date Nina and her sister Linda. Hank obtained his Technician Class license in 1992 and was trying to find the time to study for his upgrade to General (he often was seen with one of those portable Morse code trainers!).
Hank had diverse interests, which included riding motorcycles, reading science fiction, taking pictures with his digital camera and working on his "homebrew" electric car. He possessed great intelligence, a broad knowledge of mechanical, electrical and electronic devices, and showed uncanny resourcefulness in locating all kinds of information and materials. Hank had a wonderful sense of humor- telling jokes in person and through e-mail- and loved to be kidded about all sorts of things, taking a special pride in the good natured remarks aimed at his 6-meter repeater. And, he was a talented communicator who was at his finest in giving needed advice on the club repeater and speaking in front of a group.
But most of all, Hank will be remembered for his insatiable desire to help others solve any kind of problem. Nothing was more important to him than trying to help family, friends and even causal acquaintances. And it was a rare situation when his efforts didn’t result in a successful solution. Hank will be missed by all of us- may his memory bring the same smiles to our faces that he brought to us while he was alive.
Web Watch:
www.wa3key.com/colfiles.html
(Collins Radio Virtual Museum)
For people who eat.
www.epicurious.com
Freeware for Windows 95.
www.tucows.com
Help Wanted
Grange Fair’98 Chairperson(s) The successful candidate(s) will be responsible for coordinating the club’s message handling activities, seeing that updated display material about ham radio and the club is developed and selecting day captains who will oversee activities for each of the five days. This annual event attracts over 30,000 visitors and provides club members with annual training in message handling, an opportunity to increase the awareness of amateur radio in the general community, students for club sponsored licensing classes and prospective WARC members.
Club Alumni Coordinator
We are putting together a listing of former members who for geographical, travel or health reasons can no longer be active members in the Warminster Amateur Radio Club. We want to keep the WARC connection (maybe create an "Alumni membership" for receiving FEEDBACK) so that former members are able to stay in touch and participate in club activities when their travel plans take them bake to this area. This as a great position for one of our "retired" members who has basic computer skills and e-mail capability.
Contact a Board member if you are interested in any of the above positions.
BATTERY BAGS
All sold!! We’re putting together another order of "green bags" (which include 2.3 ah battery, charger and cigarette adapter and fused plug) at a cost of $15. Contact Stu (K2QBU) Simon at (215) 345- 9295 if interested.
WARC HAMFEST’98 BUTTON SLOGAN CONTEST
It’s that time of the year again. Submit your ideas for button slogans for WARC HAMFEST’98 to Tony (N3YNH) or John (N3RIA) at the March 5 General Meeting or March 26 Board Meeting (winning slogan will be chosen then). The winner will get a nice gift from the club.
CLUB ELECTIONS
WARC members will elect officers (all positions) at the May 7 General Meeting. If you’re interested in being on the slate, contact Steve (KA3ZLY) Larson on the club repeater, by phone (822-1511) or by e-mail (ka3zly@wa3dsp.ampr.org) by the April 2 General meeting so that your name can appear on the ballot that will be sent out with the May FEEDBACK. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the May 7 General Meeting. New officers assume their responsibilities July 1, 1998 and serve for one year.
UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS
WREC Spring Slush Road Rally Sunday, March 22 , 8:30AM-3:30PM ; 20 operators needed Contact George (N3HBT) Brechmann at (215) 443-5656
March of Dimes Walkathons
Upper Bucks (Quakertown) Saturday, April 25 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 10 operators needed
Contact Bob (KA3VKU) Phillips at (215) 766-0456
Middle Bucks (Peace Valley) Sunday April 26 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 15 operators needed
Contact Doc (W3GAD) Whitticar at (215) 968-0641
Lower Bucks (Core Creek) Sunday April 26 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 20 operators needed
Contact Ellen (AA3AI) Hui at (215) 968-6758
Warminster Memorial Day Parade Monday May 25 , 8:30AM-2:00PM ;10 operators needed
Contact George (N3HBT) Brechmann at (215) 443-5656
Willow Grove Naval Base Air Show Saturday-Sunday June 27/28 , 7:00AM-6:00PM ; 30 operators needed each day
Contact Al (KY3T) Folsom at (215) 343-6851
Czestahowa Fire Works Saturday July 4- information to follow
SALE
Yaesu Vox headset with microphone, Model YH-2 (absolute mint condition) Used only once; replaced into original box, $20
AEA PK-232 MBX TNC Asking $225 for entire package I would like to sell this as a package, but will consider breaking-up the package. The package includes: PK-232 MBX, absolute mint condition, PC Packratt II software for IBM with FAX; AC-4 12VDC power supply at 1 amp used to supply power to PK-232 MBX; two ICOM 8 pin cables needed to connect an ICOM radio to the PK-232 TNC.
Genesys eartalk invisible microphone, Model CT 221, for ALINCO, YAESU, STANDARD radios but not KENWOOD, new in box (sealed), list price $85, asking $40.
Radio Shack Micronta 12 VDC power supply at 1.75 amps, absolute mint condition, asking $15
Bob, K3SRO, 215-822-7474
Contest Results: JANUARY VHF SWEEPSTAKES 1998
Wow! What a year for contesting. Club participation in the January ARRL VHF Sweepstakes was up an incredible 50%. Nice job to all that participated. 31 logs total with a club score of over 23,000 points was exceptional. Thanks to all the first time contesters----I hear you had a great time and I get the feeling that we have awoken some sleeping competitive desires. Sprints are coming up in the spring so get ready for more fun.
Top 10 Scores for the club are as follows:
KA3N 6447
N3HBT 3069 (ops: N3HBT, N3NID, N3TMP)
WI3Z 3003
N3FKR 2241
N3WOE 1364 (rover FN10, FN20)
N3XPW 1266
W3ICC 1260 (very tight race with N3XPW)
N3EMA 1078 (needs to pay attention to call schedule better!)
K3QQ 640 (portable, mobile, wins O2 cylinder weight vs equipment wt.
class)
N3RAH 580
KA3YCG 552
N3HKS/3 426
W3ALR 375
KD3DI 372
K2QBU 308
N3MXT 164
N3RAF 147
N3LJE 140
N6LUL 98
N3YNI 68
K3YVR 50
WD0ESL 24
N3YYL 22
N3RIA 12
N3YNX 10
N3FVS 6
N3OZQ 6
N3YNO 5
N3ZVF 3
Thanks to all the participants. Great job!
N3EMA
1997 PA QSO Party Results
Congratulations to the five members of the Warminster Amateur Radio Club who turned in logs for the 1997 PA QSO Party contest held last October. WARC placed 29th of 34 clubs with a total score of 37,112 points for our first club showing in many years. Half the clubs had fewer entries than we did, but many had higher scores because they were multi-op or "contest" stations. It was lots of fun for those who participated and WARC members should start making plans to operate the 1998 event which will be held October 10 / 11- details will follow. Here’s how our club members did:
NR3Z (Marty) 13,136 pts; 73 QSO’s, 34 counties, 11 ARRL sections
N3HBT (George) 9,000 pts; 120 QSO’s, 40 counties, 35 ARRL sections
K3MFI (Bill) 6,160 pts; 109 QSO’s, 48 counties, 8 ARRL sections
N3VPG (Rich) 6,016 pts; 104 QSO’s, 43 counties, 11 ARRL sections
N3MXT (Paul) 2,800 pts; 70 QSO’s, 33 counties, 7 ARRL sections
Marty (NR3Z) was the only CW/QRP entry from Montgomery County and he received a certificate from the contest sponsor, The Nittany Amateur Radio Club, for being "High Score" for our club. All the other WARC participants participated as single operator/low power stations and George (N3HBT) had the distinction of having the highest score in Bucks County for the single operator/low power class. Three stations (N3HBT, K3MFI, N3VPG) had over 100 QSO’s and qualified for a special commemorative coffee MUG, which have been purchased for them by the club. A special WARC thank you goes out to Marty (NR3Z) Squicciarini who chaired the event for the club.
WARC "For Sale Table" Returns
Members are encouraged to bring in their ham, computer and electronic treasures and place them on the For Sale Table at our general membership meetings. Items will be available for sale between 7:00 and 7:30 pm (when the meeting starts) and during our refreshment break (usually about 8:15 pm). It’s a great opportunity for club members to recycle unneeded items and a welcomed return of a "WARC tradition" (from the "good old days").
YAGI FREEWARE
17 FEB. 1998 PLEASE POST AND FORWARD TO INTERESTED PARTIES.
THANKS!
Phadean Engineering Co., Inc., is making a FREEWARE version of its YAGI GENETIC OPTIMIZER (YGO) program available to anyone interested in ham radio and/or antennas. YGO is a genetic algorithm that designs Yagi-Uda arrays using NEC-2D (Numerical Electromagnetics Code, Ver. 2). The program is
Fully functional and includes all software necessary to design and display radiation patterns (including NEC-2D). The freeware version may be freely copied and distributed. To obtain a copy over the Internet, please send your request and e-mail address to: phadean@ma.ultranet.com. You can also contact Phadean at (508) 869-6077, fax (508) 869-2890, mail: P.O. Box 611, Shrewsbury, MA 01545-8611 USA. The download file size is approximately 420 KB. YGO runs under DOS and requires at least 1MB RAM and an 80386 with co-processor or better CPU. We hope you will try YGO. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for considering this material. 73, Phadean Engineering Co.
Paul Hutta, Ph.D, P.E.
Division Head for Science and Engineering
Associate Professor of Engineering
PENN STATE
The Abington College
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
ibt@psu.edu
215 881-7360
215 881-7623 (Fax)
215 441-0416 (Home)
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SOLAR UPDATE
Solar prognosticator Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was way up this week, with average solar flux increasing by almost 18 and average sunspot numbers up nearly 34 points. Solar flux was above the average of 96 for the previous 90 days on five out of seven days this week. Solar flux peaked on Sunday at 107.3. This value last topped out at 108.3 three weeks earlier. A February 14 coronal mass ejection caused disturbed conditions a few days later, resulting in planetary geomagnetic A indices of 14 and 26.
As this report was being written on Thursday evening the solar flux had dropped to 98.5. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the flux is predicted to be 97, 95 and 95. Over the next few weeks solar flux is predicted to drift toward the mid to low 80s after March 1, then rise to the mid-90s by the middle of March.
As daylight lengthens in the northern hemisphere, expect more openings on 15 meters during periods of high solar flux. Look for fair conditions during the ARRL International CW DX Contest this weekend, with no predicted geomagnetic conditions.
Sunspot numbers for February 12 through 18 were 67, 62, 88, 86, 88, 85 and 64 with a mean of 77.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 90.6, 94.7, 104.8, 107.3, 106.8, 104.9 and 103.3, with a mean of 101.8, and estimated planetary A indices were 8, 6, 5, 3, 3, 14, and 26, with a mean of 9.3.
Courtesy The ARRL Newsletter
TWO HAMS ASSIGNED TO JOHN GLENN FLIGHT
Two hams--US Astronaut Scott Parazynski, KC5RSY, and European Space Agency astronaut Pedro Duque, KC5RGG, of Spain--will be among an international crew this fall when US Senator John Glenn gets his second chance at space travel. The STS-95 mission will mark the third shuttle flight for Parazynski, a medical doctor who trained for a stay aboard Mir but had to be reassigned after it was determined he was too tall to fit the Russian space suits worn aboard the Soyuz.
It's still not known at this time if the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) payload will be aboard STS-95, which is scheduled to go up in October. The launch date for the only scheduled SAREX mission, STS-93, has slipped from August to December. The STS-95 flight that will carry the United States' newest and oldest astronaut into space has been under consideration for several months as a possible SAREX flight. Nothing has been confirmed yet, however. Crew members now are looking at possible secondary payloads for the mission. Glenn, who will be 77 when he goes into space again, has begun his astronaut training. He has undergone extensive medical tests. This week, he spent time in a centrifuge for the first time in decades.
Other members of the STS-95 crew include Japanese astronaut and cardiologist Chiaki Mukai, and Americans Steve Lindsey and Steve Robinson. Commanding STS-95 will be shuttle veteran Curt Brown.
Courtesy The ARRL Newsletter
