September 1997

President's Message  

As reported at the last Board and General Meetings,  the Executive Board met in July to discuss the club's activities for the next July'97 / June '98 fiscal year.  In addition to putting together a general calendar which includes meeting programs, club activities and likely public service events, we identified critical dates for follow up to insure that we have sufficient lead time to organize and gather the resources necessary for the many programs that WARC supports. We also discussed how our various committees are functioning and identified the need to provide both direction from the Board and broader involvement from general club membership to insure WARC's stated objectives are being met and make sure we're not "burning out" our most active members. 

Lastly, we took a hard look at the Mission Statement, Goals and Activities the club adopted last spring.  We feel the majority of the priorities the general membership has set are being met, and targeted some areas where we thought the club should place more emphasis during the next year.  In addition, we added some activities and created a new objective of encouraging more "social events" for the club members and their families in response to feedback we had received from the membership since last spring.  Copies of the updated Goals were distributed at the August meeting and will be available at the September meeting, where we will briefly review them. 

I'd like to briefly highlight some changes in leadership positions that have recently taken place. Stu Simon (N2QBU) is the club's new Emergency Coordinator- he'll be working closely with RACES liaison Bob (KA3VKU) and ARES liaison Al (KY3T).  Brian Taylor (N3EXA) is Repeater Coordinator and Al Konschak (WI3Z) is WEB Site Coordinator.  Steve White (WA3IAO) is chairing our newly created Youth Activities committee. 
A special WARC thank you goes out to Dick Comely (N3A0G), for bringing in his equipment and expertise for our August 7 General Meeting.  His general remarks about equipment check out and basic test equipment took a lot of the "mystery" out of this aspect of the hobby and gave us some helpful suggestions on how we can better diagnose problems with our own gear.  The workshop session that followed gave WARC members a chance to safely check out their own equipment (under supervision)- and there were a number of surprises! Dick has been an annual "guest Elmer" at the club, and we greatly appreciate his time and effort to make sure our gear is in proper working order. 
The club's participation in the 1997 Middletown Grange Fair was terrific- in addition to many club members coming out to take messages and explain amateur radio at our booth, there were many of you who picked up message traffic on '09 and delivered them by telephone to local recipients. 
Thanks to the efforts of John (KA3WDY) and Anna (KB3BAN) Fish, this very visible five day event was successful.  Watch for a number of participants in our Fall classes and some new club members as a result. 
The upcoming WARC family picnic on September 7 is an opportunity for members and their families to socialize and have some great food and fun.  Hugh (N3SOQ) and Bob (KA3VKU) are putting together a "low impact" fox hunt  (complete with prizes) for those who want to give this activity a try- more info at the September 4 meeting.  We scheduled the picnic after labor day this year (not to conflict with family vacations) and hope you'll come out to Core Creek Park and spend a few enjoyable hours with your fellow club members. 
 
de  Bill , K3MFI 
 

BATTERY BAGS  

Will be delivered to those who signed up at the August 6 meeting.  Some additional "green bags" (including 2.3 ah battery, charger and cigarette adapter and fused plug) available for $15.  Contact Stu Simon (N2QBU) at (215) 345- 9295 if interested. 

'73, Bill; K3MFI 
 

Meetings  

September: Learning centers.  There will be several tables set up after the business meeting for members to circulate and ask the experts...Fellow club members with various fields of expertise will man the areas to answer your questions on QRP, Satellite communications, TCP/IP, Packet, HF, Web TV...whatever!  Come and  enjoy the free-flowing information exchange! 

More after you tell me you got this! 

Hank. N3NID (Formerly owl@who.net) 
 

WARC 1997 Picnic 

The Warminster Amateur Radio Club's 1997 picnic will be held on Sunday, September 7, 1997 at Core Creek Park's Pavilion 8.  This is the Sunday after Labor Day.  Pavilion 8 is next to the one we used last year in the Dutchess Lane section of the park.  Core Creek Park is located in Langhorne, Bucks County in back of St. Mary's Hospital. 

The picnic will be starting at 1:00 PM and run to around 5:00 PM.  As always the club will supply hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, soda, and condiments. 
 We ask each family to bring a covered dish or desert so that al can sample your best recipes. 

As always, the WARC picnic is a great chance to get together with the other members of the club as well as their families.  There are always fun discussions of things that have gone on in the past year as well as comparisons of HT's and ways to mount a rig in today's modern cars. 
 (Definitely not an easy task these days.)  I am putting in a special request so that the Goop will make another appearance as it did last year. 

To help the organization of the picnic go smoothly and not leave too much work for any one person, I am looking for a few volunteers to help me out. 
 The club has an ample supply of utensils, plates and cups.  So all we need to get are the hamburgers and hot dogs, charcoal, lighter fluid (!!!!), soda and a few other odds and ends.  So if you can spare a few hours, please give me a call at home (215-953-1493) or send me E-mail (mkempisty@gic.gi.com). 
 Your assistance will be appreciated. 

73, 
Mark  -- N3GNW 
 

Volunteer / Hero ? injured at July 4th fireworks 
(It takes more than a Yankee morter to take a Rebel down) 

What started out as a pleasant July 4th holiday almost ended in disaster at the Shrine of Czestochowa during New Britain Township's fireworks display. Earlier in the day, I attended two local parades, and then began the journey to Doylestown for the picnic. After dinner, we assembled for assignments. I was assigned to accompany Mike of the New Britain ambulance squad, who was serving as the medical commander for the evening. Before the show began, Mike joined his family while I continued to patrol the crowd. After subduing and restoring order to the crowd, I joined Bob, KA3VKU and discussed my new assignment. My mission was to guard and patrol the control area with life and limb. Just seconds after the show started there was a deafening explosion.  I knew there was no time to think. I had to rely on my skills and cat like instincts and react instantly. Time seemed to stand still as I calculated the rocket trajectory in my head using advanced calculus as taught to me by Werner VonBraun.  I remember thinking "This isn't supposed to happen" the unthinkable was about to happen. Out of the corner of my eye was a newborn baby in a stroller sound asleep. I realized the child wouldn't be able to move in time to avoid injury and the parents were terror stricken as they covered their eyes. Raw guts overcame my initial fear. I knew what I had to do. As a youth I watched many Philadelphia Flyers games. In game three of the championship series my idol Bernie Parent made a move that won the game. I knew what to do. At the precisely calculated moment I thrust my leg out and blocked the rocket saving the baby from permanent disfigurement. 
The force from the still burning rocket spun me around a couple of times. Pain shot through my body like the feeling you get when you eat a bunch of hot peppers. Even though I was in excruciating pain I felt good knowing I saved a life. The slightest hesitation on my part would have resulted in disaster. Life is good. I quickly regained my composure, and refusing all offers of aid, I examined the rocket fragments.  I determined the explosion was due to a faulty, fast-burning fuse in a rocket. The concussion tore a hole in the side of a rocket tube, knocked it over, and sent the rocket across the field at Warp factor 9. After securing the area I realized ther were sparks emanating from my leg. I remember seeing someone's foot stamping out sparks, a bottle of  spring water being dumped on my leg, and hearing John's (KA3WDY) voice behind me saying "don't waste it ". I later learned the water bottle came from Jeff, a friend of KA3VKU, I owe him big time. The medical crew brought a stretcher to take me to the ambulance. Since I was only a mile from the ambulance I decided to walk. I remembered as a junior high school basketball star walking off any injury received during the game. At first it was thought that I had second and third degree burns in addition to a nice-sized powder burn. The medical team at Doylestown found fourth degree burns. I think they were impressed with what I did as they kept saying "well done". One doctor told me that no normal person would have done what I did. That made me feel good. All in all, the whole episode did not turn out too bad. I was released from the hospital about two hours after I arrived. After five weeks since the episode I am happy to report that I am back to normal. I can't wait until July 4th 1998. 

'73, Alan; KA3YCG 
 

For Sale 

Amateur Radio Transceivers 
Ten-Tec Corsair-II With 500 Khz Cw Xtal Filter 12/19/88 Model 561 S/N 2701 $1,304.00 
Ten-Tec Argonaut- II 535 Microprocessor Transceiver 6/4/91 S/N 31A10121 $1,245.00 
MFJ- 9030 30 Meter Transceiver 5/04/93 $ 179.95 
Ten-Tec Omni VI Transceiver Model 563,With Ladder Filters 250 Hz And 500 Hz, Serial 
#03a10225 $2,225.00 

Power Supplies 
Ten-Tec Model 561 Power Supply For Corsair- II 12/19/88 S/N 1324 $215.00 
Ten-Tec Model 937 Power Supply For Scout 9/03/93 $79.00 Now Used For Argonaut-II 
Ten-Tec Model 935 Power Supply For Argonaut-II 8/12/92 3.2 Amperes $79.00 
Radio Shack Micronta General Purpose 12v Power Supply $ 39.95 

Antenna Tuners 
Ten-Tec Model 258 Large Antenna Tuner To Match Corsair-II 10/04/89 S/N23a10189 $315.00 
Ten-Tec Model 227 Antenna Tuner 5/09/85 $85.00 
Kenwood At-120 Antenna Tuner Used For Counterpoise $89.95 
Kenwood At-120 Antenna Tuner (Carr Closeout Sale  6/30/87 $75.00 
MFJ Model 931 Ground Tuner Used Balcony Portable 7/20/88 $79.95 

Keys And Electronic Keyers Etc. 
Curtis Model K5 Electronic Keyer 12/7/81 $39.95 
Curtis Model K5 Electronic Keyer 3/01/82 $39.95 
Bencher Twin Lever Iambic Paddle Key 3/24/81 $95.90 
Bencher Hand Key, Chrome 4/25/94 $79.95 
Curtis Model K5 Hamfest Purchase $25.00 
Army Model J-47 Handkey (Used) 3/05/87 $22.00 
Army Model J-37 Handkey (Used) $22.00 
Bencher Single Paddle With Chrome 8/14/95 $74.45 
Vibroplex Paddle (Originally with 8044 Keyer) 4/13/95 Model EK-1 Now Used As Brass Racer 
$151.50 

Miscellaneous Gear 
Daiwa Model CN-410m Dual Wattmeter 11/7/84 $64.76 
Comet Model CMX-2 Dual Wattmeter 3/30/94 $179.95 
Ten-Tec Model 239 300 Watt Dummy Load 8/28/82 $26.00 
MFJ 451 Morse Code Keyboard 12/23/92 $89.95 
Ten-Tec Model 293 Mobile Mount For Argonaut-II $49.00 
Radio Shack Field Strength & SWR Meter (Standby) $20.00 
Kenwood Model HS-5 Headphones 12/19/86 $49.95 
Lafayette Field Strength & SWR Meter $20.00 
Ten-Tec Model 3180 80 Meter Mobile Antenna 7/10/86 $42.50 With 3101 Extra Stinger 
Ten-Tec Model 3140 40 Meter Mobile Antenna 8/25/86 $52.00 
Comet Wattmeter Model CMX-2 3/30/94 $183.43 
MFJ Morse Code Keyboard Model 452 Used With IBM AT-101 issued With MFJ-451 7/27/95 
$135.95 

Miscellaneous Electronic Equipment, Recorder, Hi-Fi Etc. 
Lafayette F-786 High-Fidelity Stereo Headphones 1/4 Inch Plug  9/8/79 $37.00 
Radio Shack Tape Recorder, Variable Speed Model VSC2001 6/01/90 $84.75 
Radio Shack DX-350 Short Wave Portable Radio $63.55 
Panasonic Model RQ-2735 Tape Recorder (Old, No Records) 
MFJ Regenerative Short Wave (World Band Rcvr) 11/07/95 $85.95 
Sony FM/AM Boom-Box Receiver, Model-CFS 1030 $74.19 
George Hinkel, WA3KSK; 215-699-1001 

Free To a Good Home 
Audio Generator 
Adjustable power supply 
HV caps 
HV power supply 
RF bridge 
Rube Tyson, N3RT; 215-674-5054 

Kenwood Xmitter TS180S 
Kenwood VFO-180 
Kenwood power supply PS-30 
TEN-TEC century 21 Xmitter model 570 
Cushcraft antenna 4BTV 
Dummy load Heath 15 Cantenna 
Straight keys (2) 
Vibraplex key (Lafayette) 
Microphone – Shure model 4441 
MFJ-941 Versatuner II 
Frequency meter DSI 3550 
All manuals 
PC boards, small w/ resistors, capacitors, diodes & transistors, approx. 200-300. 
Tubes – Octals, loctals, some very old ones. 
Misc. resistors, capacitors & switches 
Hallicrafter S-38 RCVR 
Call for prices 
Philip McCallum 95 Hedge Road Levittown, Pa 19056 215-945-0981 
 

Other News  

Atlantic Division Director Faces Competition 

Atlantic division ARRL director will face competition this fall for a seat on the ARRL Board of Directors.  In the Atlantic Division, the candidates are incumbent Director Kay Craigie, WT3P, of Paoli,  Pennsylvania, and Jim Carson, WK2K, of Ithaca, New York. Atlantic Division Vice Director Bernie Fuller, N3EFN, is without opposition for his seat. 

Ballots will be distributed by October 1, 1997, to ARRL members of record as of September 10, 1997. Ballots must be returned by November 21, 1997. 

1997 MID-ATLANTIC STATES VHF CONFERENCE 

On Saturday October 4, from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM, THE MT. AIRY VHF RADIO CLUB ("PACK RATS") will present THE 1997 MID-ATLANTIC STATES VHF CONFERENCE at the Benjamin Wilson Senior Center.  Registration is $18 per person at the door, which includes an admission ticket for HAMARAMA being held the following day. For additional information contact: John Sortor, KB3XG, 1214 N Trooper Road, Norristown, PA 19403 or e-mail at hnkb3xg@aol.com  or call 610-878-5674. 

Mini-Sputnik To Be Tossed From Mir 

To mark the 40th anniversary of the 1957 launch of Sputnik I satellite and the start of space conquest, l'Aeroclub of France and the Russian Astronautical Federation have embarked on a joint venture to launch a miniature, working version of the original Sputnik. Students from the FR5KJ radio club at Jules Reydellet College in St Denis, Reunion Island, and at the Polytechnic Laboratory of Nalchik Kabardine in Russia are cooperating on the mini-Sputnik I. The miniature will be able to work in space after it's hand-tossed by a cosmonaut from the Russian Mir space station. The Russians will build the satellite body. A transmitter made by the French students will be placed inside and will emit a continuous series of beeps on 2 meters starting October 4, 1997. During any given month, the signal will be able to be received in every part of the world. 
(The original Sputnik I satellite transmitted a beacon on 20 MHz.)  The idea was to interest youth in space projects and inspire them to consider careers in space-related fields. --AMSAT News Service, with thanks Philippe Mondon, FR5DN 

Solar Update 

Solar oracle Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: I'm on vacation in Oregon this week. The bulletin will return on August 29 with solar data for the previous two weeks. The ionosphere thins due to heating during the summer, and this effect lessens as we move toward fall in the northern hemisphere. The result should be better daytime MUF values. As daylight hours shorten, 40 meters should also improve at night. Currently 20 meters is still the best all around band for worldwide propagation. 

Sunspot numbers for August 7 through 13 were 55, 65, 61, 31, 53, 57, and 61 with a mean of 54.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 77.9, 77.8, 78.1, 78.3, 79.5, 80.8 and 82, with a mean of 79.2, and estimated planetary A indices were 6, 5, 7, 7, 9, 5, and 12, with a mean of 7.3. 

Pennsylvania ARES Proves Mettle: 
During the week of August 3, authorities in Butler County, Pennsylvania, conducted a search and rescue operation for a missing 40-year old man. A request was made to the Butler County ARES unit for communication help. In the absence of Butler County EC Larry Bertoncello, KA3HUK, Assistant EC Ray Albert, N3XCD, activated the county's ARES unit and called for assistance from other ARES units. Dave Leiser, K3NPX, Beaver County EC, was able to offer the services of a search and rescue team that. Allegheny County established a net on the 147.09 repeater to recruit additional help.   Greg Kerr, N3PHF, District EC contacted ARES units within district S-2 and had additional help. Mary Housholder, N3QCR, Venango County EC, also began recruiting efforts. Unfortunately, the lost individual was found dead. Western Pennsylvania Section Manager Bill Edgar, N3LLR said he was "pleased with the number of people assisting and once again, proving that the organization can and will respond to a call for help. My personal thank you goes out to all who assisted with this operation!" Kay Craigie, WT3P 

Keogh departs World Radio: Lou Ann Keogh, KB6HP, has resigned as editor of World Radio magazine. An independent ham radio journal, World Radio is published monthly. 

E. F. Johnson Company To Be Sold: 
Transcrypt International Inc has announced it's signed a letter of intent to acquire E. F. Johnson Company, a former ham radio manufacturer. Johnson was a popular manufacturer of ham transmitters, antenna tuners and station accessories during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Some Johnson ham equipment still is highly prized among collectors. E. F. Johnson is privately held and posted revenues of $79.3 million in 1996. The company manufactures equipment for the public safety and land mobile services. Transcrypt went public in January 1997 and had 1996 revenues of $13.8 million. The total sale price is said to be $34 million. E. F. Johnson Company founded in 1923 by Edgar F. Johnson in Waseca, Minnesota, was one of the first developers of two-way radio systems. 
The company employs 650 people at its Waseca, Minnesota, facility. For more information, see www.transcrypt.com/Pages/News/efj.html. 
thanks to David Thompson, K4JRB 

Balloon-Based Repeater A Success:A balloon with a crossband repeater aboard was successfully launched August 9 by the North Okanagan Radio Amateur Club (NORAC) of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Dubbed VBX (for Vernon Balloon eXperiment), the launch project took place during the sixth annual Sky High Hamfest on Silver Star Mountain. Approximately 70 contacts were made through the airborne repeater the farthest away in Tacoma, Washington. As of August 14, the balloon still had not been located. Wilfried Mulder, VE7OHM, reports the balloon's path would have taken it south toward California. NORAC is offering a $50 reward plus free admission to next year's Sky High Hamfest to the lucky finder. 

CQ-Ing Cellphone:Maybe it's a bit of an inside joke on the part of cellular telephone manufacturer Nokia of Finland, but Sam Haviland of Farmington, Connecticut, recently discovered that one of the ring options on Nokia's Model 638 makes the phone send CQ in Morse code. Haviland, a Navy veteran, is not a ham but he still remembers the code. Coincidentally, Haviland's father-in-law was F. Cheyney Beekley, W1GS, an early QST advertising manager. 

Courtesy The ARRL Letter________ 
 
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