March 1999 President's Message The ANNUAL CLUB AUCTION held at our 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 was look at the big grin on our Treasurer Al (KY3T) Folsom's face- he'll have a complete report at the March 4 Board meeting. A wonderful idea also surfaced at our February meeting about how to address the (lack of) "Elmer" question. It's been a long time since we had one club member identified to help answer all our questions about Ham Radio. Ron Wenig (NY3J) has suggested that we form a committee that can Elmer (or mentor / coach) our members when they have questions about our broad hobby. He's volunteered to be our resource on APRS, and is looking for other club members to take on similar responsibilities for any topic the feel comfortable with- HF, weak signal VHF/UHF, digital communications, DX'ing, QRP operation, etc. If we get enough response, we can have "special interest groups" who might meet on their own to discuss the part of ham radio they find most interesting. Club WEB master Al Konschak (WI3Z) said he can create a link from our homepage and list information, questions and answers for each group. Please contact Ron (NY3J) if you're interested in joining him and helping "the rest of us" participate more fully in ham radio. Our CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE, under the leadership of Tom Michaud (WA3TQJ) has worked hard to make some important changes to WARC's constitution. Copies of the proposed changes were mailed with last months FEEDBACK and discussed at our February 4 General Meeting. We've received a number of comments and have updated the proposed changes; the latest revision is posted on our WEB site. We'll also review proposed changes at the March 4 General Meeting, and if we have a quorum (20% of our voting members), we'll vote on the revisions. A sincere WARC thank you goes out to Roy Conners (K3TEN) for volunteering to Co-chair HAMFEST'99 (May 2). Roy will be working closely with Chairperson Tony Simek (N3YNH) to help organize and implement our club's most important fund raising event; we'll (again) need the participation of EVERYONE to insure its' success. Most clubs have seen a decline in attendance and revenue at their hamfests over the past few years, and some have even discontinued holding one. Yes, it's a lot of work and requires a significant investment of up front capital; bad weather can ruin the whole event and cause a financial disaster to the sponsor. WARC has had strong support from its members and hamfest attendees, both buyers and vendors. And even with the marginal weather the last two years (let's hope for better conditions this year), our hamfests have been financially and operationally successful. It's not just the money we raise- hamfest's are part of our club (an amateur radio) culture!! Let's continue to keep this wonderful tradition alive. de Bill , K3MFI KIT BUILDING NIGHT RETURNS To encourage more "homebrew" equipment construction, WARC will again sponsor organized sessions starting on 7:30 pm on the second Thursday of the month at the Ben Wilson Senior Center. So bring those (aged) TenTec 6 meter transverter kits in or anything else (amateur radio related) you want to build or get working. Looking for something simple- how about putting together an antenna? Lots of help and expertise will be available- past building experience is not a criteria for joining the group. Timing is great- something fun to do over those cold winter months and the possibility of winning a prize at homebrew night at the club's April 1 (April fools day) General Meeting. WARC HAMFEST'99 BUTTON SLOGAN CONTEST It's that time of the year again- submit your ideas for button slogans for WARC HAMFEST'99 to Tony (N3YNH) at the March 4 General Meeting or March 28 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 6 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 (stlarson@erols.com) by the April 1 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 6 General Meeting. New officers assume their responsibilities July 1, 1999 and serve for one year. COMPUTER NEEDED Did you receive a new computer for the holidays? Would you like to recycle the old one? WARC is looking for a 1994 or later system to run it's packet and APRS programs. Contact Rocky N3FKR or George N3HBT or any board member. UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS MS Walk Sunday, April 18 ; 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 15 operators needed Contact Ellen (AA3AI) Hui at (215) 968-6758 March of Dimes Walkathons Upper Bucks (Quakertown) Saturday, April 24 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 10 operators needed Contact Bob (KA3VKU) Phillips at (215) 766-0456 Middle Bucks (Peace Valley) Sunday April 25 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 15 operators needed Contact Doc (W3GAD) Whitticar at (215) 968-0641 Lower Bucks (Core Creek) Sunday April 25 , 7:30AM-2:00PM ; 20 operators needed Contact Ellen (AA3AI) Hui at (215) 968-6758 MARCH OF DIMES NEEDS OUR HELP Once again it is time for public service to start. Mark the calendars for 24 April 1999 for the UPPER WALK at Quakertown and 25 April 1999 for the CENTRAL AND LOWER WALKS in Bucks County. There are also three walks Sunday 25 April in Montgomery County. Pottstown, Lansdale and Ambler Campus of Temple- more details to follow. We are praying for good weather and lots of participation and need to get the ball rolling for sign-ups. Please contact coordinators (see listing in UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS) by e-mail, phone or at our meetings so we can begin making our assignment lists. "Doc" W3GAD docw@voicenet.com (215) 968-0641 MS SOCIETY NEEDS OUR HELP, TOO It's official. I'm hoping the people that get this e-mail (please feel free to distribute it) will help me out again for the MS Walk on Sunday, April 18, at Tyler State Park. We will meet at 7:30am behind the Newtown Jr. High School (cafeteria area)-cars may not be parked outside the circle in front of cafeteria. Talk in will be on 145.25 PWA repeater. Estimated time event should be over is around 1:00 and 2:00pm depending on weather and amount of walkers showing up. Lots of food and fun provided. Walk will still be scheduled to continue even if it is predicted to rain. We've had over 1000 walkers even in the rain show up during past walks! If there is lightning or thunder it may be canceled..... check with me on the PWA repeater for last minute information. Operators should have HT and extra charged batteries handy for emergency use. We will be using simplex operations through the park. Please let me know if you can help out... it's for a good cause! And you get to see friends who you don't see too often.......and have a good time, too! 73's & 88's Ellen AA3AI EllenAA3AI@aol.com (215) 968-6758 WARC alumni Just thought I'd drop you an email about my former WARC membership status. I'm a grad student at WVU in Morgantown, WV. I took my Novice and Tech classes in 1987 and 1989 at the Warminster twp. building and was licensed in 1987 as KA3ROG. I was a member in the late 80's early 90's but have been away at school for 5 1/2 years. Still hop on the '09 machine when I'm home in Bucks Co, though. If your interested in my current info, here it is: Peter Fahringer, KA3ROG 2752 Univ. Ave., Apt. 27 Morgantown, WV 26505 (304) 292-6887 internet info is below: 73' Peter Fahringer, KA3ROG WVU Dept. of Geology/Geography Rm. 422, White Hall http://www.geo.wvu.edu/~pfahringer/welcome.htm http://www.geo.wvu.edu/~pfahringer/pef2.htm Alumni Coordinator Randy Gehman (N3LJE) Holmesburg ARC sponsors Multi-Op QRO Fixed Station Award for the CQ VHF FM Activity Weekend, March 19-21 "The FM Activity Weekend" is for operators of FM equipment. This event encourages both new and experienced operators to get on the air and make contacts on any VHF+ band between 6 PM local time on Friday, March 19, 1999, and 12:00 midnight local time on Sunday, March 21, 1999. Repeaters and 146.52 MHz simplex may not be used for logged contacts, except that satellite contacts (e.g., OSCAR-27) are permitted. Only frequencies commonly used in a locality for FM simplex may be used during the activity. Use of frequencies adjacent to repeater inputs or outputs that causes interference to a repeater is not permitted. Crossband contacts are prohibited, except for satellite contacts. All amateur bands above 30 MHz may be used. HARC will be on the air and looks forward to working you in the contest. For complete scoring details and information on other activity information see the March issue of CQ VHF or checkout their website at: http://www.cq-vhf.com/spring.html For further information on the Holmesburg ARC in Northeast Philadelphia contact WA3PZO@harcnet.org or check out the club website http://www.harcnet.org Novice/Technician class The Holmesburg ARC will be teaching a Novice/Technician class beginning on Tuesday, March 16th at the Jewish Community Center, Algon and Unruh Ave, in Northeast Philadelphia. Time will be 7:30 pm. Cost will be $20 for books and supplies. Exams will be given at the end of the class. Class is one night per week and will last for 11-12 weeks. For further info contact Bob, 215-624-6450 or WA3PZO @HARCNET.ORG Please pass the word on nets, in newsletters, etc. Thanks. 73s, Bob, WA3PZO HARC President HARC WELCOMES PRESIDENT OF 22 CREW! BANQUET RESCHEDULED - NEW DATE: March 27th! Joe Fairclough, WB2JKJ, founder and President of The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 NYC, Inc., will be the speaker at the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club's Annual banquet on Saturday, March 27th, 1999. The Radio Club is not only NYC's largest Ham Club but also the Nation's only full time non-profit working to get Ham Radio into schools nationwide as a theme to teach using EDUCOM, Education Thru Communication. Since 1980 the 22 Crew has been bringing Communication to Education. The HARC banquet will be held at the Rosewood Caterers, 8800 Frankford Ave, just south of Academy Road off of I95 in Northeast Philadelphia. Time is 6:30 pm. The banquet will be buffet style with an open bar. Cost is $30 per person. Payment is due by MARCH 13th. Seating is limited and reservations are expected to go quickly. Joe's presentation is appealing to both hams and spouses alike. I'm sure it will inspire many of us who teach amateur radio classes. For further info contact Bob, WA3PZO, 215-624-6450 or wa3pzo@harcnet.org For Sale Kenwood TS-520 SE ( SERIAL # 0080150 ) 10 yo 160m transceiver SSB/CW, 100 watts w/ built in power supply. Electrovoice desk mike, MFJ-941 antenna tuner, B&W AP-10 portable antenna. Excellent condition with manuals. $ 400.00 Rich, WR3V ( ex N3VPG ) 215-672-1524 Evenings Ride Wanted Wanted, a ride to the monthly WARC meetings would be appreciated. Please contact Chris Dardis W3KEN, 18Edward Road, Hatboro, PA 19040. Phone: 215-675-6359 Because of problems with eyesight, it has been recommended that I not drive at night. Correction: The New Year greeting that appeared on page one of the January FEEDBACK was contributed by Burt Ludin N3YVH. Warminster Amateur Radio Club Meeting Minutes February 4, 1999 Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by Bill K3MFI. Introduction of visitors. Round of introductions. President's Report - Bill K3MFI Al KA3YCG is our new publicity chairman. As a result of his announcements we have received several calls for various pieces of club information. Our club's insurance carrier has notified us that it does not cover us for year 2000 bug losses. Vice-President's Report - Bill K3MFI Upcoming events including a kit building night on February 11. Treasurer's Report - Al KY3T Al presented the club's account balances. The club's insurance has been paid for the year Secretary's Report - Mark N3GNW Motion to waive the reading of the minutes. No discussion. Question called. Passed unanimously. Membership - Don KA3N 134 active members. Membership rosters are available. VHF QSO Party - Joe N3EMA Joe N3EMA is accepting logs for a club score. Classes - George Classes will be starting at the Senior Center Hamwear - Bob K3SRO New order forms are available. Shipping to your home is now available for an extra fee. Hamfest '99 - Tony N3YNH May 2, 1999 at the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds in Wrightstown, PA. Flyers are available. Club Constitution - Tom WA3TQJ The Constitution Review Committee has submits its results. Copies were sent out with Feedback for review by the membership Public Service - Doc W3 April 24 March of Dimes walk in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks. Meet at 7:00 AM. The event will be done by 3:00 PM. Field Day - Bill K3MFI June 26 and 27. Preparations are to start at the next meeting. Old Business Special Event Station - Al WI3Z Looking for a special event station in the fall. Looking for a volunteer to organize it along with Al. Bob K3SRO has volunteered to help. Kit building night February 11 at the Senior Center. So we can work on the Ten-Tec kits we bought. New Business Club Elmer - Ron NY3J Ron is proposing a committee of elmers to help people with various aspects of amateur radio. Ron will put the list together. Al WI3Z can add an elmer section to the club's web page. See Ron if you would like to help. Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Mark Kempisty - N3GNW WARC Secretary BACK