May 1998 President’s Message I am writing this message a few weeks before some of the club’s most important events will have taken place- a ham radio demonstration at a Boy Scout Camp Out, our special event station in commemoration of the annual observance of the Shad Festival in Lambertville, providing communications at the three Bucks County March of Dimes Walkathons and Hamfest ’98. Each of these activities required tremendous resources from the club; the most significant of which is the time members have invested to make it possible for WARC to accomplish its goals. With everyone trying to balance their commitments to family, career and other outside interests, I am very proud to belong to a club in which members MAKE (no one ever FINDS) the time to ensure the success of the club’s endeavors. As club President, it is very gratifying to see the broad participation by the entire membership in WARC activities and the fact that there are many who are willing to take on leadership roles. Membership Chairperson Don McCunney (KA3N) has decided to step down from his present club duties in the next few months in order to participate more fully in our meetings (he’s always "working" on club business in the back of the room!) and to allow time to take on new responsibilities at work. Over the past three years, Don has done an outstanding job in maintaining the club database and insuring renewal of WARC and ARRL membership dues and providing labels for the monthly mailing of Feedback. Tony Simek (N3YNH) has also asked to be relieved of his responsibilities on the membership committee, which included mailing out letters and informational packages to prospective club members. Tony will be concentrating his efforts on chairing the club’s Hamfest Committee over the next two years. A sincere WARC thank you goes out to Ron Wenig (NY3J) and Chris Depew (N3XPW) who have agreed to take on these important leadership positions on our membership committee as Don and Tony step down. As reported at our last general meeting, one of our club members received deserved recognition for his contributions to the community. George Brechmann (N3HBT) will receive the 1998 Edward A. Jefferies Award for outstanding commitment to Warminster Township (see article which follows) on June 6. Congratulations to George on this outstanding achievement which was earned in part based upon his amateur radio related community service activities. Our annual April 2 General Meeting provided an opportunity to fulfill the wish of Hank Hamarman’s (N3NID) widow Nina to facilitate the sale of his ham radio equipment to those who had a connection with Hank and his ham radio activities. The silent auction was an overwhelming success- we sold virtually all the 60 major pieces of equipment and most of the smaller items. The club was able to present Nina with a sizable check and WARC members were able to acquire some great gear at attractive prices- a true "win-win" situation. It’s a nice feeling talking to members on Hank’s "recycled" equipment and knowing that the connection that Nina wanted to maintain has been fulfilled. As a token of appreciation to WARC, Nina donated a 50 amp power supply for the club station, an AEA VHF/UHF analyzer and Hank’s collection of amateur radio books (including equipment modification manuals) which will be made available for club members (see club Vice President Rocky Pistilli (N3FKR) if you’re interested in borrowing). A special WARC thank you goes out to Don Schwartzkopf (N30Z0), Steve Larson (KA3ZLY), Hugh Pepper (KE3BI) and Rocky Pistilli (N3FKR) for their significant efforts in reviewing the submitted bids and insuring that the successful ones reflected a fair value for the individual items. Our May 7 general meeting comes right after Hamfest and club Vice President Rocky (N3FKR) has arranged a relaxing "Pizza Social" to give us all a chance to recharge our energies before Field Day and the Air Show in June. He’s put together a panel of experts (from the club) who will answer questions you may have- WARC’s version of "Everything you wanted to know about Ham Radio but were afraid to ask"!! We’ll pass out 3 x 5 cards during the business portion of the meeting and encourage questions from the audience- on technical matters, operating modes, procedures, WARC/ham radio folklore and anything else you might want to ask! Bring your appetite for both food and knowledge (and a friend who might be interested in joining our club) for a great program. It’s up to the MEMBERSHIP to decide what we should be spending our limited resources (money and time) on and help the club officers to decide on club priorities. What are we doing (as a club) that you like? Are there any current activities you think we should not be doing? What other endeavors should the club tackle? Try to attend a board meeting to provide us with your feedback, and if you can’t come, jot down your thoughts and give them to someone who will be attending so we get your valuable input. I’ll be delivering a short presentation at the May 7 General Meeting about the Executive Board’s recent meeting to review our club goals and objectives adopted last year to see how we have measured up to the priorities that were set by the membership. de Bill, K3MFI George Brechmann (N3HBT) To Receive Award 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 will be held on Saturday, June 6, 1998 at 1:00 p.m. at Munro Park, Newtown and Bristol Roads, during the Warminster Baseball Association’s All Star Day. Friends are invited to attend and club members are encouraged to wear a call sign badge or some item of hamwear to identify us as amateur radio operators and/or WARC members. George received this award based upon nomination from club member Steve White (WA3IAO) who took note of the significant commitment George has made to Warminster Township as a community leader, volunteer at the Benjamin Wilson Senior Center and the amateur radio communications support he has facilitated for numerous public service activities. Buttons Buttons who’s got the Buttons And the winner is. This year’s entries for the annual WARC Hamfest button slogan, one of the most coveted club events, were submitted at the March Board Meeting. As usual, the competition was fierce. After all of the slogans were read, a vote was taken. We proudly announce that Frank O’Neil, N3UQP, offered this year’s winning button slogan: " IT’S SUPPOSED TO SMOKE LIKE THAT" Hopefully he is not relating to a hands on experience. Congratulations Frank, and thanks to all the participants, good luck for next year. WARC Members to be "Mugged" at May 7 General Meeting WARC PA QSO Party ‘97 Chairperson Marty Squicciarini (NR3Z) will present three of the club’s five participants with special commemorative coffee mug purchased for them by the club. George Brechmann (N3HBT), Bill Gorodetzer (K3MFI) and Rich Stahl (N3VPG) each qualified for this special award by having over 100 QSO’s in last October’s operating event. Paul Madigan (N3MXT) and Marty Squicciarini (NR3Z) also turned in logs as members of the Warminster Amateur Radio Club. 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. WEB Watch http://www.amradiotrader.com Amateur Radio Trader (electronic version) http://www.yaesu.com/ft847.html A look at Yaesu’s newest radio (HF+6m+2m+440) http://www.aes.com/specials.shtml AEA closeouts and specials May 7 Meeting Program- Pizza Social / Everything you wanted to know about Ham Radio but were afraid to ask BATTERY BAGS We put together another order of "green bags" (which include 2.3 ah battery, charger, two battery clips with cigarette adapter and an unterminated fused cigarette plug) at a cost of $15. They will be distributed at the May 7 General Meeting-just in time for the Air Show! Contact Stu Simon (K2QBU) at (215) 345- 9295 if you signed up for a bag and won’t be at the May 7 meeting, or if you want to purchase one (or more) and you didn’t previously reserve one. ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS WARC members will elect officers (all positions) at the May 7 General Meeting . Look for your ballot in this issue of FEEDBACK. Ballots will also be available at the May meeting. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the May 7 General Meeting. New officers assume their responsibilities July 1, 1998 (after Hamfest and Field Day) and serve for one year. UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS 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 Czestachowa Fire Works Saturday July 4- information to follow 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"). UPCOMING MEETINGS MAY 7, 1998 PIZZA NIGHT! Our post hamfest social night. Bring your questions for our "Everything You Wanted To Know About Ham Radio But Were Afraid To Ask!" panel of experts. See if you can stump them! JUNE 4, 1998 Emergency Medical Awareness Barry J. Burton, D.O. N3VOW, will discuss medical emergencies that may be encountered and the action to be taken by radio operators. Just in time for our busy community service season! EQUIPMENT DONATIONS John Chapman, KD3HP, has made a generous equipment donation to the W.A.R.C. Equipment includes a Kenwood TS-140 HF rig with computer interface, MFJ-949C 300 watt antenna tuner, Cushcraft R4 vertical antenna (20 - 10 meters, no radials), AEA PK-232 multi-mode TNC and a Ten Tec 18 amp. power supply. All are in excellent condition. John would like the gear to be used for club activities or to be loaned out to club members in need. John previously donated two ICOM HTs. Thank you John for your generous donations. We will see they get put to good use! Nina Hamarman donated a 50 amp. power supply for the club station, an AEA VHF/UHF antenna analyzer, and Hank's collection of Amateur Radio books. Thank you Nina. LEAGUE SUPPORTS LOWER VANITY FEE SCHEDULE The ARRL says it supports the proposed lower fee to obtain a vanity call sign. The FCC proposed recently in its fiscal year 1998 fee schedule that vanity filers would pay just $12.90 for the ten year term, once the new schedule goes into effect later this year. That's the lowest fee in the history of the vanity program. Originally, vanity applicants paid $30 for the privilege of selecting a specific call sign. The fee jumped to $50 in September of 1997, just in time for Gate 3 filers but not in time for Gate 4 filers to take advantage of the $30 fee. In comments filed April 22 with the FCC, the League called the wide variation in fees over the life of the vanity program "clearly inequitable" and said the FCC should have handled the matter differently. The League called the proposed $12.90 fee "reasonable" and urged its adoption "as soon as possible." Courtesy the ARRL Newsletter Two-meter TE propagation reported: What could be the first 2-meter transequatorial propagation in the current solar cycle has been reported. JR4ENY/1 reports that on April 16 at 1059 UTC, JH4JPO in Yamaguchi, Japan, monitored the Darwin, Australia, VK8VF CW beacon on 144.480 MHz. The distance involved was approximately 5000 miles. The signal--heard using a TS-790 and a 16-element beam--peaked at 599. The opening lasted until 1125 UTC. --RAC Courtesy the ARRL Newsletter New astro-hams! US astronauts Winston Scott and Daniel Tani are newly licensed hams. Scott is KD5DXD, and Tani is KD5DXE. Courtesy the ARRL Newsletter DARA to handle QSLs for October SAREX flight: The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has agreed to handle QSL duties for the SAREX space shuttle STS-95 mission. That's the October flight that will carry once-and-future astronaut John Glenn into space for the first time since the 1960s. Two hams are among the STS-95 crew members.--Rosalie White, WA1STO Courtesy the ARRL Newsletter SARL beams ham radio into classroom: The South African Radio League is taking science and technology into the classrooms of southern Africa with a weekly half-hour shortwave broadcast, Talking Science with Amateur Radio. The program is broadcast to schools Tuesday mornings (7205 kHz) with repeats on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The program is a joint venture of the SARL and the South African Amateur Radio Development Trust and is sponsored by Sentech, the common carrier for broadcasting in South Africa. The program will cover a variety of scientific and technological subjects. Amateur Radio and shortwave listening as educational aids in the classroom also will be featured. --SARL/SAART Courtesy the ARRL Newsletter