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March Newsletter
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 07:28
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KerChunk
Official publication of the Sooland Amateur Radio Association
March 2010
Inside this issue: Phone Contest W1AW Sched. Solar Update DX Contests Columns LORAN C ARES Trivia ARDF Reflections Spring Forward Em Freq. Swap Shop Calendar Web Site Flea Markets etc Officers Testing Meetings Special Events Nets Repeaters
ARRL DX Phone Contest Brings DX in Full Force to the HF Bands!
With the 2010 ARRL International DX CW Contest now history, the first weekend in March brings the next round of competition: the 2010 ARRL International DX Phone Contest. Like its CW predecessor, this event focuses on DX stations working all US states and Canadian provinces, while US and Canadian amateurs try to work as many DX countries as possible over the 48 hour contest period. "Conditions during last weekend's CW contest were, by all accounts, very good indeed," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Fifteen Meters was open for extended periods of time, allowing excellent QSOs to be made from the US and Canada to all corners of the globe. Even 10 meters decided to show up for the party, with openings both Saturday and Sunday to South America and Africa, with a sprinkling of Europe thrown in for good measure." For the veterans, it was a delight to have good propagation on the higher bands again. For the more recently licensed, it was a chance to finally experience an opening on bands that have more or less remained dormant due to the extended low in the 11 year solar cycle. "I've had some Old-Timers in my local club tell me 10 meters would open like this, but I've never heard it open before; I didn't believe them," one newly licensed amateur told Kutzko. "Now I get it. It was exciting. I had a great time!" Just as in the CW contest, US and Canadian stations send a signal report and their state or province, while DX stations send a signal report and their transmit power. Remember that for this contest, Alaska and Hawaii are considered DX -- this means that stations in KH6 and KL7 focus their efforts on working Stateside and Canada. How can you participate? You are only limited by your imagination and willingness to get on the air. If the high bands remain active,
even stations running 100 W and a dipole or vertical antenna will work a lot of DX. If you live in an area where antenna restrictions exist, take your contest effort on the road! Operate from your car, set up a portable antenna in a park or campground or see if a friend's station is available. If you have a station and won't be using it, consider opening your doors to members of your club and let them try their hand at working some DX. If you make 100 QSOs, you are eligible to purchase a commemorative pin for your efforts! The ARRL DX Phone Contest runs from 0000 UTC Saturday, March 6 through 2359 UTC Sunday, March 7. Complete rules and forms may be found online. The high bands are finally showing signs of life. Why let all this DX pass you by -- get on the air and have some fun! Reprint from ARRL.org
amateurs preferring either PSK31 or MFSK16 will find these modes no longer secondary." The regular callup will be made using the mode that is transmitted first. The digital bulletin times remain at 6 PM and 9 PM (Eastern Time) daily. The Tuesday and Friday Keplerian data bulletins will continue to be sent using just Baudot and PSK31. The new digital schedule is as follows: Monday: Baudot, PSK31, MFSK16 Tuesday: PSK31, MFSK16, Baudot Wednesday: MFSK16, Baudot, PSK31 Thursday: Baudot, PSK31, MFSK16 Friday: PSK31, Baudot, MFSK16 "Given time constraints and bulletin lengths, all three modes may not always be transmitted," Carcia explained. The complete W1AW schedule can be found on page 100 of the January issue of QST, or on the ARRL Web site. Reprint form the ARRL on-line. An optimist is the human personification of spring. Susan J. Bissonette
W1AW Announces New Schedule for Digital Bulletin Transmissions
Beginning Monday, March 15, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will alternate the digital modes used for its digital bulletin transmissions. While Baudot, PSK31 and MFSK16 still make up the digital mode complement, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, says that the schedule will be altered to give more exposure to PSK31 and MFSK16. "Because of time constraints and the varying lengths of digital bulletins, there were many instances where only Baudot was used," he said. "With the new schedule,
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The K7RA Solar Update
(Feb 26, 2010) -- Two new sunspot groups -1050 and 1051 -- appeared on February 23 and 24. We've now seen 38 continuous days with sunspots (including today); the last time there were no sunspots for two or more days in a row was back on November 23December 8 when we saw 16 days with no sunspots. If sunspots continue through Sunday (they will!), February will be the first calendar month since January 2007 with sunspots every day. Read the full story at: http://www.arrl.org/news/ stories/2010/02/26/11362/?nc=1
How’s DX
CAPE VERDE, D4. Massimo, IZ4DPV is QRV as D44AC from Vicente Island, IOTA AF-086, until March 9. He will be active as D4C in the CQ 160-Meter SSB contest. QSL both calls direct to home call. ST. LUCIA, J6. John, W5JON will be QRV as J68JA from Marigot Bay from March 2 to 11. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including 60 meters, using SSB. This includes an entry in the upcoming ARRL SSB DX contest. QSL to home call. DOMINICA, J7. John, K3TEJ is QRV as J7N until March 11 using mainly CW and RTTY. This includes an entry in the CQ 160-Meter SSB contest and the upcoming ARRL SSB DX contest. QSL direct to home call. BULGARIA, LZ. Members of the Balkan Contest Club will be QRV with special event call sign LZ132GO from March 1 to 31 to commemorate the 132nd anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman empire. QSL via LZ1ZF. SURINAME, PZ. Peter, PA1LP is QRV as PZ5LP from Nieuw Nickeriebe until March 26. QSL via operator's instructions. DODECANESE, SV5. Willi, DJ7RJ is QRV as SV5/home call from Kos, IOTA EU-001, until March 7. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. Reprint from the ARRL DX news A compromise is an agreement whereby both parties get what neither of them wanted. ~Author Unknown
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Contests
ARRL International DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Mar 6 to 2400Z, Mar 7 Idaho QSO Party 1900Z, Mar 13 to 1900Z, Mar 14 North American Sprint, RTTY 0000Z -0400Z, Mar 14 Wisconsin QSO Party 1800Z, Mar 14 to 0100Z, Mar 15 Oklahoma QSO Party 1300Z, Mar 20 to 0100Z, Mar 21 and 1300Z-1900Z, Mar 21 North Dakota QSO Party 1800Z, Mar 20 to 1800Z, Mar 21 CQ WW WPX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Mar 27 to 2359Z, Mar 28
For up-coming contests, go to: http://www.arrl.org/contests/calendar.html
President’s Podium
As we start the New Year I would like to touch on two topics. (1) One of the purposes of ham radio is to help in an emergency. During Katrina a lot of amateurs were not allowed in the area due to a lack of FEMA acceptable ID. The ARRL is working on that problem, but in the mean time I would like to recommend that all amateurs take two FEMA courses, ISC 100a, ISC 700a. These courses can be taken on line. Links to these courses can be found at the following: http://www.fema.gov/ e m e r g e n c y / n i m s / NIMSTrainingCourses.shtm. After completing be sure to print and save the certificate. (2) The membership of this organization is getting older and we need to recruit more young people. One way that might help is take old copies of QST and with permission place them the waiting rooms of Doctors, Dentist and etc. Thanks, Bill KC0DXE
OVER TO PICK HER UP. THE OPERATOR ASKED FOR HIS ADDRESS AND ELMER SAID HE LIVED ON THE END OF EUCALYPTUS LANE. THE 911 OPERATOR ASKED HIM TO SPELL THAT. THERE WAS A LONG PAUSE ON THE END OF THE LINE AND THEN ELMER SAID…."HOW ABOUT I JUST DRAG HER OVER TO OAK STREET AND YOU MEET ME THERE"!!
End of the Line for LORAN-C
LORAN-C, the low-frequency LOng RAnge Navigation system that has guided ships and airplanes for more than 60 years, has been shut down by the U.S. Coast Guard. According to the AMSAT News Service, the shutdown came on February 8. President Obama had called the system obsolete, now that virtually all ships and airplanes and many land vehicles, carry Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. The shutdown is expected to save the federal government some $38 million a year. The only drawback to the move is that there is no longer a backup system in the event of a massive GPS failure. Reprint from CQ magazine on-line.
Treasurer’s Tidbits ??? Secretary’s Script ??? Board’s Babble ???
A HAM NAMED ELMER LIVED WITH HIS XYL NAMED SUE. WHILE AT THE QTH ONE NIGHT, SUE SUDDENLY WENT QRT. (DIED). ELMER PICKED UP THE PHONE, AND CALLED 911 AND REPORTED THAT HIS WIFE HAD JUST DIED AND COULD SOMEONE COME
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ARES
See comments by president Bill KC0DXE
Trivia
Which State has the most hams per 1000 population? When was the first electronic computer completed? When was the invention of the transistor announced? What do you call an antenna when its measured impedance has no reactance? What does "DSP" stand for?
orienteering. As they set out, five 2 meter "foxes" are somewhere in the woods, transmitting for one minute each in sequence. Armed with a special ARDF set or just a handheld transceiver with a measuring-tape Yagi and attenuator, they see how fast they can run or walk from the start to each transmitter in optimum order and then back to the start, or perhaps to a separate finish point. To help them navigate, they carry compasses and special orienteering maps, but they aren't allowed to have GPS displays or other high-tech navigation aids. Standardized ARDF courses provide a good test of equipment performance and hunter skill. It's friendly competition combined with great exercise. It attracts "techies" and "jocks" of all ages who don't need a ham license to get started. And for some, it leads to medals at national and international competitions. Read more here. Reprint from ARRL
Amateur Radio Direction Finding: Foxes, Fitness and Fun in 2010
By ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV "Geeks in the woods!" That's how Jay Hennigan, WB6RDV, of Goleta, California, describes Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). Several times a year, Jay gets together with friends for a session of this international Amateur Radio sport -- also called foxtailing and radio-
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia. ~Charles Schulz
Click here to find out more about the 2010 ARDF USA Championships to be held this May in Ohio and the World Championships, scheduled for September in Croatia.
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Reflections
A year has come and gone since the newsletter was resurrected. Several individuals have contributed articles and information to help make the newsletter worthwhile for members of our club. If you were one of them, thank you very much, without you this newsletter would not be worth the effort. There is still plenty of space that can be filled by input from members. Reading articles by our fellow club members is certainly more interest than reprints from other sources. You don’t have to be a writer. Send me what you have and I can massage it into something of interest. Grades aren’t handed out for grammar or spelling. I thank Gates for spell check everyday. Articles about new or old gear, antennas, software, operating modes, awards, country count, kits, home brew, upgrades, hamfests, equipment reviews, you get the picture. If it is of interest to you, it probably will be of interest to someone else. The articles do not have to be long. Anything from a few sentences to a few pages. If the article is too long for one issue, I will break it up like I did with “Studio B”. I believe that worked out well. I am open to suggestions about the newsletter. Are there monthly features you would like to see, topics that you would like covered, etc. Let me know, I will do what I can. In the mean time, for those of you that enjoy the newsletter, continue to enjoy. K0XH Mike
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Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead March 14 2010. Check your computer and logging software to make sure you have the correct time for logging contacts.
Request Amateurs to Keep Emergency Frequencies Clear
IARU Region 2 and the Red Chilena Nor Austral de Servicio (RECNA) have suggested Amateur Radio operators monitor the following emergency communications frequencies for traffic pertaining to the earthquake and tsunami: 3.738, 3.750, 7.050, 7.100, 14.200, 14.350, 21.200, 21.350, 28.300 and 28.500 MHz. IARU Region 2 Area Emergency Coordinator Jorge LU1AS, reports that there is now traffic at frequencies of 40 meters from people seeking information from people in Chile: "We would appreciate if amateurs would leave free the frequencies used by RECNA, as well as the usual IARU Region 2 frequencies on in 20, 40, and 80 meters." You may also want to listen to the worldwide emergency communication Center of Activity frequencies: 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz. Other suggested monitoring frequencies are 3.720, 7.045 and 7.060 MHz. Reprint from ARRL
Swap Shop
FOR SALE MFJ-993
I have a MFJ “IntelliATuner” automatic antenna tuner model MFJ-993. It is a new unit never been connected up. I bought a MFJ 993 before I had the transceiver and decided I wanted the 1500 watt (MFJ-998) unit. Asking $200.00 for the unit. Comes with manual. The 993 is a 300 watt unit. Contact Guy Moberg W0GHM.
Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. Author Unknown
Launch of New ARRL Web Site Delayed to "Get it Right"
(Feb
WANTED ???
24, 2010) -- After meeting with ARRL staff on February 23 -- two days before the new ARRL Web site was to launch -- ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, made the decision to delay the unveiling of the Web site until late March. Reprint from ARRL.org
FLEA MARKETS, ETC
SARA Calendar
March 16 SARA meeting April 20 SARA meeting ??? March of Dimes May 18 SARA meeting June 15 SARA meeting 26-27 Field Day 7:30 7:30
For Flea Markets, etc, please check the following link: http://www.arrl.org/ hamfests.html#listing 20 Mar 2010 Nebraska State Convention Lincoln Amateur Radio Club http://www.lincolnhamfest.org Lincoln, NE Lancaster Event Center 84th and Havelock Reynolds Davis, K0GND 3901 South 42nd Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 Phone: 402-488-3706 Fax: 402-488-3706 Email: reynoldsd1@aol.com SW IA Hamfest -- March 6, 2010 The Southwest Iowa Amateur Radio Club will host the Annual Southwest Iowa Hamfest on Saturday, March 6th beginning at 8:00am in McClelland Hall, located at 170 Main Street in McClelland, Iowa. [Talk-In: 146.820 -- (no tone)] For more information visit http://www.swiarc.org or contact: Greg Ross, N0GR, 22106 320 Street, Minden, IA 51553. Phone: 712-566-2698 Fax: 402-333-5770 Email: n0gr@arrl.net
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7:30 7:30
Officers
President Bill Tilton KC0DXE 712-277-3628 wrtilton@evertek.net Vice President Luke Comeau KC0SSU 712-490-2716 lukecomeau@yahoo.com Treasurer Harv Bomgaars KA0KUA 712-277-8850 harvdawn@cableone.net Secretary Deb Clark KC0KET 712-943-3680 ketgkd@longlines.com Board Members John Bylin K0AAR Tim Hynds N0RHH Paul Patterson KB0FVT Tom Brosamle WB0YNX 712-239-8680 712-258-0746 712-276-4493 712-252-4107
VE TESTING
1st Friday every month at 6:30 PM at the American Red Cross 4200 War Eagle Drive
SARA Meetings
Sara meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 PM at the American Red Cross, 4200 War Eagle Drive, Sioux City. If the meeting time or place are changed, please listen to the local nets for details.
Special Events
Mar 11-Mar 15, 2000Z-1100Z, Jupiter, FL. Amateur Radio Outdoor Adventures, K4T. Environmentally friendly activation of Dry Tortugas, NA-079. 14.260 14.040 7.180 7.030 SSB/CW 10 15 20 40 80 m; Satellite; 6 m. QSL. Via bureau, digital or direct: Zoli Pitman, HA1AG, Somogyi Bela ut 18, Gyor 9024, HUNGARY. Power will be provided by 12 solar panels and 8 batteries and, if approved, a 500 watt wind generator. aroadventures.org Mar 20, 1400Z-1900Z, Azle, TX. Tri-County Amateur Radio Club, WC5C. 1st Activation Goat Island - United States Island. 28.350 21.350 14.250 7.250. QSL. David Johnson, KB5YLG, 820 Wood Ln, Azle, TX 76020. wc5c@arrl.net or www.wc5c.org Mar 21, 1000Z-2300Z, Las Cruces, NM. Mesilla Valley Radio Club, K5B. Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon. 21.305 14.229 7.184 3.808. QSL. Mesilla Valley Radio Club, PO Box 1000, Las Cruces, NM 88004-1443. www.n5bl.org/ bataan
Reprint from ARRL
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ARES Emergency Coordinator Position open
KerChunk Editor Mike Clayton K0XH 712-266-1677 k0xh@arrl.net 3600 Transit Ave Sioux City, IA 51106 Deadline for articles is the 25th of the month. WEB SITE k0tft.org
Local Nets Siouxland A.R.E.S Net
146.910 Monday’s 8:30 P.M. Sioux City 146.910 147.060 146.970 444.725 443.575 Le Mars 444.675 Cherokee 146.715 444.400 927.750 Beresford 147.240 Yankton 147.850 444.730 444.700 Vermillion 147.375 Norfolk 146.730 Storm Lake 146.775
Local Repeaters Tone None 110.9 110.9 110.9 110.9 110.9 110.9 110.9 110.9 141.3 146.2 None 146.2 142.6 W0OFK WA0UZI 131.8 110.9
S.A.R.A. Nets
146.970 Monday’s 9:00 P.M. 144.230 USB Sunday’s & Thursday’s 8:00 P.M.
HF NETS
3.597 3.902 3.896 3.70 3.860 3.970 3.982 3.970 3.860 3.982 3.860 3.560 Sunday Nets 7:30 AM CW Net, 3900 Club 8:00 AM Traders Net, 3900 Club 8:45 AM 3900 Club Meeting 7:00 PM SD CW Net Weekday Nets 12:15 PM SD Daily Net 12:30 PM Iowa 75m Net 12:30 PM NE Daily Net 6:30 PM 6:00 PM Iowa 75m Evening Net 5:30 PM Winter CST 6:00 PM SD Evening Net 6:30 PM NE Evening Net 5:30 PM MN Evening Net 6:30 PM TCN
K0AAR- A.R.E.S. K0TFT K0TFT K0NH KS0F KI0EO N0DFF N0DFF N0DFF KA0VHV W0OJY W0OJY N0VC
Iowa Emergency Frequency
3.990.5 This net is held on the first Monday of every month at approximately 6:45 PM after the Iowa Evening Net.
Newsletter Articles Wanted
Working on a new kit or homebrew project? Have you recently received a rare or interesting QSL card? Received a new DXCC award or band endorsement? Or just have a cool ham radio related photo to share? Maybe you want your turn on the soapbox. Why not consider submitting an article for the newsletter. We are always looking for material and feedback from the members. Articles from members go a long way in making the newsletter our very own. Please submit articles via email or the old fashion way, on paper. Deadline is 25th of the month.
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Coffee Hours
9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 PM Weekdays Saturday Thursday Hy-Vee Deli, South Sioux City, NE Johnny Mars Sioux City Horizon Sioux City
S.A.R.A Membership Application
Name: Call Sign: Address: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Phone#: Email: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Please mail $14.00 along with this completed application to: Harv Bomgaars 3026 McDonald St, Sioux City, IA 51104
Newsletter Editor 3600 Transit Ave Sioux City IA 51106
Postage
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