November 1998   President's Message Our November meeting program is traditionally WARC's annual ARRL Night . We've invited Atlantic Division Director Kay Craigie (WT3P) to give WARC members an update on League and general ham radio happenings, including the simplified license restructuring proposals put forth by the FCC and ARRL. We're going to change the format this year- after introductions, Kay will give us a 10-15 minute general overview and then we'll adjourn for an extended (30 minute) refreshment break during which meeting attendees can have a chance to talk to Kay one-on-one and discuss other amateur radio matters of interest with each other. This is also an excellent opportunity to invite a guest ham who might not be a member of an ARRL affiliated club and wouldn't otherwise have a chance to meet with our local ARRL leadership. During our business session that will follow, in addition to general club matters, results from our recent membership survey will be distributed. Steve Larson (KA3ZLY) and Marty Squicciarni (NR3Z), Nominating Committee Co-Chairpersons, will present a slate of candidates for election of two Directors that will be held at the January 8, 1999 general meeting. This is an opportunity for any current WARC member to be part of the club leadership at the Board level- please contact Steve or Marty if you would like to be on the slate of candidates. Ballots will be mailed with the January FEEDBACK and nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the January meeting. The following topics will be discussed "in depth" at upcoming Board meetings: November 19, 1998- Financial Review (AL Folsom, KY3T) December 17, 1998- Constitution Review Committee (Tom Michaud, WA3TQJ)(note: the Constitution Review Committee has had one meeting and will be meeting again in November- get any suggestions or comments to Tom or a Board member ASAP. Our current constitution is on the club's WEB site (if you're not "internet capable"- contact me for a copy) and a copy is always on the back resource table at our general meetings. One of the major accomplishments of the club over the last two years has been our participation in the ARRL sponsored January VHF Sweepstakes contest. As those who participated last year know, you don't have to be a die hard contester, have a "power" station or operate the entire contest period to have fun participating. Virtually everyone in the club has the ability to be involved and I hope you will spend some time between now and the weekend of January 23-24, 1999 to prepare your station so the club can have an even better showing in the '99 SS event, which Joe Bagnick (N3EMA) has agreed to chair. So let's all start thinking about our equipment, antennas, new bands and computerized logging. At our October meeting, I indicated how important our Executive Board feels it is to increase membership. Our goal is 200 PAID UP members by June 1999. The club is strengthened financially by more club dues being collected, especially when profits from hamfests run by all local clubs are dwindling (profits from WARC's hamfest provide about half of our operating funds for the year) We have more resources to draw upon for leadership positions (we currently list 45 officer, director and chairpersons in FEEDBACK!) Every new member is a potential Elmer to the rest of us on topics interest- ham radio, electronics computers and anything else we're interested in. So here's a "reprint" of the three things I said we can ALL do: (1) pay our dues before our membership expires (see you're FEEDBACK label); (2) Encourage someone whose interested in becoming a ham to attend club sponsored classes (most who take our classes join our club); and, (3) TALK on the club repeater from time to time so those unaffiliated with the club (including the people who just listen) will appreciate what a great bunch we are- as individuals and as a club. If you haven't already done so, send in your reservation for WARC's December Holiday Family Dinner. Doug Mahoney (N3RJE) and Berni Lindinger (N3RJE) always do a great job coordinating the food and beverages, and Burt Ludin (N3YVH) has put together a great program that includes music, entertainment for our younger attendees and an extensive list of door prizes and raffle items. This is always one of the most enjoyable club activities we have and provides us with a great opportunity to socialize with club members and their families. de Bill , K3MFI UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS Thursday November 26, 1998 @ 9am-12 noon (20 operators needed)- Thanksgiving Day 5 Mile Run (Newtown)- benefits Bucks/Montgomery Counties Women's Shelter (bring non-perishable food item) contact Doc Whitticar (W3GAD) at 968-0641 PA QSO Party 1998 If you participated in this event, please bring your summary sheet, logs and dupe sheets to the November 5 general meeting. Even if you didn't have a significant score, it will be added to our overall club score and increase the number of participants. The club will again purchase QSO Party mugs for those who qualified (100 QSO's). Marty Squicciarini, NR3Z Sick Leave Some of our club members are recovering from recent health problems. Let them know of your wishes for a speedy recovery by sending your QSL or get well card : Rocky Sheppard, KA3YVR 825 Stephen Rd Warminster, PA 18974-3044 Frank Schnabl, W3ISB 2205 Sugar Bottom Road Furlong, PA 18925 Laverne J Taylor, W3MXN 475 Leah Dr. Fort Washington, PA 19034 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"). W.A.R.C. ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY It's that time of year again for all club members to make reservations for you and your family to attend the WARC holiday dinner. The dinner will be on our normal meeting day, the first Thursday of the month, December 3, 1998. Seating will get under way at 6:15 PM with dinner starting at 6:45. The holiday dinner is a social gathering, a chance to get together with other club members and their families face-to-face to enjoy together some good food, music, and great door prizes! This year we will be having a DJ for your listening pleasure and dancing enjoyment. We (spelled Bert N3YVH) have been working very hard to accumulate vast quantities of valuable treasures for door prizes, the goal being to have a prize for each attendee. A sampling of the door prizes includes: a portable short wave radio, automotive battery charger, free dental cleaning, free radio gear repair, free dry cleaning for all, and many, many more. Berni Lindinger, N3RJD and Doug Mahoney, N3RJE again have arranged and excellent buffet dinner catered by Linginger Delicatessen. Great food, you will not go away hungry! Remember to have your club membership paid up to be eligible to attend the holiday dinner party. The price is only $6.00 pre person over the age of 12 and $3.00 per child ages 3 to 12. Fill out your reservation and get it in on or before November 5th, the November club meeting date. This night is for you, all the members who are the Warminster Amateur Radio Club. We hope to see you there. 73, Bert Ludin, N3YVH and Rocky Pistilli, N3FKR A busy Saturday. On Saturday, October 17, 1998 the members of the Warminster ARC were put to the test in order to staff two public service events on the same day and at the same time. The first event was the Craven Hall Crooked Billet 5K run at 9:30 in the morning. Mark N3GNW, Gail N6LUL, Bill K3MFI and his daughter Rebecca, Hugh N3SOQ and his daughter Elizabeth, Denise KB3ANO, Doug N3RJE, Bernie N3RJD, Rocky N3FKR, Jim WA4YWM, Bill N3RAF, and George N3HBT showed up at the Craven Hall site at Newtown and Street roads in Warminster. The run started at 10:00 and was over by 10:45, with no incidents or injuries. The second event at the 5 ponds golf course in Warminster was a hole in one competition that started at 10:30 and ran until 4:30 and was staffed by Bob KA3VKU, Tom WA3TQJ, Doc W3GAD and his daughter Jessica, Frank N3UQP, Mike W3MJP, John KA3WDY, Anna KB3BAN, and Hugh N3SOQ and his daughter Elizabeth (who did double duty at both events), and George N3HBT. Although, no one scored a hole in one and came away with the new car as the prize, the weather was perfect and the Warminster parks and recreation department was very happy for our participation. I would like to thank all the hams who gave up a beautiful Saturday to make the public service events so easy to run. 73 George N3HBT Taking Field Day at its Word WARMINSTER, PA, Sep 9, 1998--Pennsylvania's Warminster Amateur Radio Club this Field Day took to heart the object of the annual exercise: "to learn to operate in abnormal situations under less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on skills and equipment developed to meet the challenge of emergency preparedness and to acquaint the public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio." This year, the club decided that it could make a greater contribution assisting the annual air show at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The show benefits the base's morale and welfare groups and it often has occurred on Field Day weekend. On June 27, nearly 30 hams descended on NASJRB and set up emergency antennas and developed an operational plan. "For the next 12 hours, they manned a medical communications net to assist the Navy Medical Corps with the expected crowd of between 60,000 and 130,000," said WARC Past President Thomas Michaud, WA3TQJ. The net "sent Amateur Radio communicators with roving teams of medical personnel throughout the crowd to determine if there were any medical emergencies and to deal with them," he explained. Other hams handled net control, aid stations, the PA system, a clinic, security, a van, and different ambulance groups. Hams made sure the medical team had communication with the different groups throughout the base. "Imagine, the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard cannot talk to each other because they operate on different frequencies," Michaud said. During the course of the day, the hams were called on to provide communication support, "and the medical personnel were glad we were there," he said. Michaud said the club members repeated the performance on the second day of the event. Most equipment was run from battery power, except for the command and control station and the clinic location. Each station had several backups if needed. "During the two-day operation, the amateurs proved to the public, the Navy, and to themselves that we are able to handle a field day," Michaud concluded. "It is not possible to measure our score by the number of contacts made. However, we could score points on power levels and public relations." In all, more than 60 hams took part and picked up some actual emergency-type operating experience "which will make them perhaps better operators during future emergencies," Michaud said. "We operated under adverse conditions, using equipment unfamiliar to us, and persevered and showed the public that this is Amateur Radio at its finest." Department of The Navy Branch Medical Clinic Naval Air Station Willow Grove, PA 19090-5023 Al Folsom Warminster Amateur Radio Club PO Box 113 Warminster, Pa 18974 Dear Mr. Folsom: Subject: Letter of Appreciation I would like to personally thank you and your fellow club members for the outstanding support during the 1998 " Sounds of Freedom" Air Show at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove. This year's two day air show drew over 300,000 visitors. Your staff's tireless efforts and compassionate service resulted in one of the most successful air shows in the history of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove. Your pride and professionalism is noted with great pleasure. On behalf of the thousands of 1998 " Sounds of Freedom" air show spectators and staff, I commend the Ham Radio Operators for their total commitment and support to the United States Navy and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove. Sincerely, D.C. Berry Commander, Medical Service Corps United States Navy Officer in Charge Hello Russ, W3CH here, I noted in your FEEDBACK area repeaters. I also noted that you have one of the Metro-Comm Repeaters listed. I would like to invite all of your members to use the Metro-Comm repeater system when they are out of your area. Below is a list of them. You may also print them in your area repeater list in the FEEDBACK. 29.62 Chester, PA 147.135 Buckshootum, Nj 147.315 Chester, PA 223.96 Millville, NJ 223.98 Ocean city, NJ 224.68 Eagleville, PA 224.96 Chester, PA 443.00 Linwood, PA 443.05 Chester, PA All are part of the Metro-Link repeater network that has been on the air since 1975. Most of the repeaters are linked to the network full time. All Warminster Amateur Radio Club members are most welcome to use the system as if it were there own when in the area! 73 de Russ, W3CH For Sale Complete HF Station. Kenwood TS-520 SE (serial # 0080150) 10-160 meters transceiver (SSB/CW, 100 watts) w/ built in power supply. Desk mike, MFJ-941 VersaTuner II, B & W AP-10 portable HF antenna (2-40 neters). Everything in excellent condition, with all manuals. All for $400. Rich N3VPG (215) 672-1524 (evenings). George, hello there we made it back to Calif. ok this is my sons e-mail address feel free to contact me. Al Quinn ka6pfb quinn@fam.net SOLAR UPDATE Sun watcher Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was up again last week, but not by much. Average sunspot numbers increased from 95 to 113.6, and average solar flux was up from 119.7 to 125.9. The big event of the week was a major geomagnetic storm on October 19, when the planetary A index shot up to 52. The planetary K index was as high as 6 and the high latitude K index reached 7. This was all due to a coronal mass ejection on October 15. Conditions should be fair for the CQ Worldwide DX Phone contest this weekend. There is a chance that coronal holes could disrupt geomagnetic conditions, but on the night of October 22, the predicted solar flux is around 115 for October 23-25, and a planetary A index for the same three days of 15, 12 and 10. Beyond the weekend, the solar flux is expected to stay around 115, then rise around November 3, to peak near 125 on November 4 and 5. Look for unsettled conditions around November 3-6. KB4NEW sent word about an interesting chart on the NASA Space Science News Web site. Go to http://www.astronomynews.com, then click on "Oct 19: Sunspot Activity Increases." An article follows which talks about Cycle 23 predictions at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Clicking on the graph will reveal a large, high-resolution chart showing actual sunspot numbers against a very smooth predicted graph. W2PAT sent some interesting statistics on PSK errors when detecting data on the CHU signal on 7.355 MHz. His records show an average number of 43 errors on each day from October 12-18, but on October 19 the errors went up to 422, the day with the big geomagnetic storm conditions. Sunspot numbers for October 15 through 21 were 113, 120, 107, 136, 116, 104, and 99, with a mean of 113.6. The 10.7-cm flux was 131.1, 131, 135.4, 125.9, 118.5, 121.2, and 118.3, with a mean of 125.9. The estimated planetary A indices were 6, 4, 9, 10, 52, 17 and 23, with a mean of 17.3. Courtesy The ARRL Letter ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MEET IN SPECIAL SESSION The ARRL Board of Directors meets in a special session on October 24 in St Louis. The agenda contains a single item: to consider the League's response to the FCC's August Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WT Docket 98-143. Among other things, the FCC has proposed elimination of the Novice and Tech Plus tickets and a reduction from six to four license classes. The FCC also invited comments on a number of other issues, including Morse code testing requirements. At its July meeting, the ARRL Board issued its own license restructuring proposals that also call for an end to the Novice and Tech Plus tickets and four license classes. Additionally, the plan would offer substantial HF privileges with a 5 WPM Morse code test, require a 12 WPM code test for Advanced privileges, and eliminate the 20 WPM code test for Amateur Extra privileges. The League plan also called for beefing up the Extra class written exam and "refarming" the existing Novice bands--primarily as additional phone segments. The ARRL informed the FCC of its restructuring ideas by letter but did not file a formal petition for rulemaking. Comments on the FCC's NPRM are due December 1. Reply comments are due January 15. Courtesy The ARRL Letter BACK