| President: | Jack Reed | WA4FXX |
| Vice President: | Dennis Bodson | W4PWF |
| Secretary: | Mike Callaham | NW3V |
| Treasurer: | Mike Ingles | KG4RKL |
| Activities Chairman: | Alan Bosch | KO4ALA |
| Editor: | Mike Callaham | NW3V |
| September 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Meetings: | Usually Third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 P.M., Red Cross, 4333 Arlington Blvd. (US 50), Arlington,VA. Nonmembers are invited to attend. |
| Net: | Tuesday (except meeting nights) at 7:30 P.M., 144.87/145.47 MHz FM |
| WWW: | http://www.w4wvp.org/ |
| Affiliate: | ARRL, FAR |
| Information: | Jack Reed, WA4FXX, wa4fxx@amsat.org (e-mail), (703) 685-7933 (phone). |
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The September 20 meeting of the Arlington Amateur Radio Club will be held at the usual time (1930L) and place (4333 Arlington Blvd). The featured program will be a presentation by Terry Bathen, of the Department of Defense, on the National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) "and why we have 15 agencies in the first place," as Alan puts it. (Note: Title VII, Subtitles C and D relate to first responders.)
We hope to also hear reports from Dan, N8YSZ (who volunteered to the League to serve in the Katrina-afflicted area, and was assigned to, and deployed to, a Red Cross facility in Montgomery, AL, and is now returned), and Chuck, KI4DHW (who visited the shelter for Katrina evacuees at the DC Armory, and urged others to do so). We'll also hear reports on FARfest, and more.
But...wait! There's more! Treasurer Mike/KG4RKL will arrive late, but he'll bring and show a couple of solar-powered homebrew projects.
Don't miss this one! Hope to CU there.
73,
--Mike, NW3V, AARC Secretary
President Jack/WA4FXX called the meeting to order not long after 1930L. Attending, besides FXX, were Members Mike/NW3V, Lew/WB6YGX, Dan/N8YSZ, Mike/KA8OPJ, Roy/AI4GO, Adam/KG4VNC, Chuck/KI4DHW, George/KR4MU, Alan/KO4ALA, Paul/KA4KUU, Ian/KI4DTP, and eventually Dennis/W4PWF, and visitors Bob/WB4KLJ and Elizabeth Shoop/N0CALL.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to accept the Minutes of the July meeting as published on the web.
Treasurer Mike/KG4RKL was absent. There was no financial report.
The ARRL report was deferred until Dennis/W4WVP arrives.
Our representative to the Foundation for Amateur Radio, Alan/K04ALA, reported:
There is serious trouble regarding Auto-Call. About three of the staff have burned out and retired. I'm not sure what the future holds.
Alan reminded Members that FARFest 2005 would be held September 10-11 in Gaithersburg at the fairgrounds, and said, "It would be nice to put together a small team to run a gate, like we did last year, with KO4ALA, NW3V, and Vienna Wireless Society members. It takes 4-6 people. We'd prefer Sunday from 10am until 1 or 2pm. Volunteers?"
Alan/KO4ALA and Ian/KI4DTP volunteered, and Dan/N8YSZ volunteered tentatively. Alan observed, "We need one more."
Jack/WA4FXX read a message regarding a K3HDM benefit, proposed by K3BEQ. He said FAR wants volunteers to sell tickets. "We could help, if they announce prices, or we could maka a 'no-sweat' donation."
George/KR4MU reported, "John Swafford/W4HU is now in the Sunrise of Arlington Senior Living Residence on Glebe Road. His family wants to sell the house."
Alan/KO4ALA reminded Members that the USMC Marathon will be October 30, and asked volunteers to sign up on the web site by October 1, else get no lunch and no T-shirt. He said they're looking for packeteers, etc. "I just sent a message to Steve Ewald, asking how to get it to count as an SET." He said the national ARES SET is scheduled for October 1-2. Alan added, "I'm trying to work in CERT and FRS and GMRS.... I'll have more on the SET and will send it out as I get more." Jack/WA4FXX commented, "One thing we'll have to coordinate is antennas."
Alan noted, "There will be an NCAC Institute at Lee Center, off Fayette Street, on October 22. They'll do a session on the Marine Corps Marathon, two sessions on WinLink, and one session on NIMS. I don't think there's a link to sign up, but if you want to go, let me know, or get in touch with Jeannie Rexroad/N4ZGI." Ian/KI4DTP, asked, "Will they do the Skywarn Basic and Skywarn Winter courses? The instructor got sick last year." Alan replied, "I don't know. How many here are certified Skywarn Basic?" Two hands went up. [Ed. note: The NCAC Institute page, revised September 18, says "We now have Skywarn I and Winter Weather !!" but doesn't show times for those courses on the Tentative Schedule (yet).--NW3V]
Jack/WA4FXX and Roy/AI4GO thanked Jack/WA4FXX, Bob/WB4KLJ, and Lew/WB6YGX, for helping with the antenna party at Roy's QTH on July 23.
Ian/KI4DTP noted that Dennis/W4PWF is pictured in the September QST on page 57.
Jack/WA4FXX exhibited the letter he had sent August 5 on behalf of the Club to the FCC supporting the Petition of Arlington County to transmit 100 watts on its 1700 kHz AM emergency broadcast station, in order to provide coverage of the County with one transmitter.
Jack/WA4FXX said, "The Fair is coming up. We have a box of literature to hand out...." George/KR4MU said, "Roy/AI4GO has volunteered for 3 to 5pm on Sunday but needs a ride to and from." Alan/KO4ALA said, "I'll get down there Friday." Jack added, "I expect Thursday I'll go for opening night."
Jack/WA4FXX asked what was new with the search for web hosting. Adam/KI4VNC said that nothing had been done due to vacations etc. "I expect we'll try obscure.org, because it was suggested that we want a mail listserver, too."
Jack/WA4FXX asked about planning to buy a new PC for the shack. He asked whether it would have, or would need, a serial port card, and suggested getting two sound cards, so that one could be used for HF and the other for VHF. He said, "This argues for a desktop."
At this point, Dennis/W4WVP arrived, and there was more discussion of the PC to be purchased. Mike/NW3V said that he favored a desktop, too, and also urged looking at the radio-side requirements for WinLink, if that is really desired. Jack/WA4FXX said, "I don't think we want to be a gateway. I think we could afford $500." There followed more discussion. Eventually Jack said, "Let's add a task for the computer team: we'd like this reported by the next meeting, so we can purchase in time for the CQ WW RTTY DX contest on the 24th and 25th. We'd probably operate Sunday; Saturday the conference room outside the shack may be booked up."
Jack/WA4FXX mentioned so upcoming hamfests, including FARFest. He also noted that hurricane season is here, and asked Chuck/KI4DHW to check the go kits.
Dennis/W4PWF noted that W4WVP Field Day photos were in the Fall 2005 Auto-Call on page 27, and said our Club Reports were on pages 32-34.
Jack/WA4FXX suggested that we consider:
Lew/WB6YGX asked, "What about the CW Sweepstakes contest?" Jack replied, "The CQ WW DX CW contest is November 26-27, and the CW Sweepstakes is November 7. We'll get the book and put it in." He added, "I'm not a public CW operator."
Jack/WA4FXX said "NN3SI at the National Museum of American History will be undergoing renovation. The station will be expanding. After expansion, we may need new ops. Volunteers will need a General Class, or higher, license. They're asking for one day a week. I give them two weekends a month. They could use Techs who commit to upgrade."
Jack/WA4FXX said "We supported the County for the first and second runs. The first time we provided Comm. The second time, we handed out water. I got a call from Detective Gunther, which I have not returned. She probably doesn't need us to communicate. Perhaps individuals can volunteer, if they wish."
Dennis/W4PWF said regarding John/W4HU's antenna and rotator ad tower, "The Club doesn't need it. They want it done [disposed of] quickly, within two weeks, before they try to sell the house." Mike/NW3V suggested contacting Jim/N3JT, who is, among other things, a real estate agent specializing in selling homes of hams, promoting their antennas as assets. Jack/WA4FXX said "I did not think of that. I'll ask him."
Dennis/W4PWF noted that Alan Wormser/N5LF had become a Silent Key. Mike/NW3V recalled N5LF attending AARC meetings. [P.S.: Alan/N5LF was a Member of the AARC in 2001. The Washington Post published a roughly half-page obituary, with a color photo showing N5LF at a portable--Field Day?--operating position, on 2005-08-21 on page C11.]
Dennis/W4PWF asked Roy, "AI4GO, were you there at Berryville?" Roy answered, "Yes." Dennis said, "He spoke to me at Berryville. The food was very good."
Dennis/W4PWF said, "I voted No on regulation by bandwidth, because (1) I never saw the final document, (2) I don't think we socialized it enough, and (3) [not recorded]. When I got back, I got 25 emails thanking me for my No vote." Responding to a question, "Did it pass?," Dennis said, "It passed 12-3. I knew code requirement relaxation was coming...."
For old times' sake and the beefit of newcomers, Jack/WA4FXX screened a video of the 1990 Alexandria ARC/Arlington ARC Field Day operation. Mike/NW3V noted it had been produced by Joe/KJ4S (then AB4RA).
Jack solicited and obtained a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and passed. Jack adjourned the meeting at 2051L.
For the program, Activities Chair Alan, KO4ALA, screened the second half of the ARRL video, Everything You Wanted to Know About Antennas, But Were Afraid to Ask.: "Frank Rutter, K3AW, demonstrated the effects of different antennae using a signal generator and mini-antennae. For antenna skeptics, this is an excellent video, and clearly demonstrates the radiation patterns of different antennae that we normally find only in graphics." The screening continued from where it had left off at the previous screening. All appeared to enjoy it. The program ended at 21:43L.
Respectfully submitted,
--Mike, NW3V
AARC Secretary
Jamboree on the Air will take place Saturday and Sunday (local time) October 15 and 16. The conference room outside the W4WVP shack is not available on Saturday, October 15, but Mike/NW3V has reserved it for Sunday, October 16. Paul/KA9KUU plans to bring Cub Scouts and Brownie Scouts to participate, at times still to be scheduled, and Mike has volunteered to co-host. Future updates will be posted on the W4WVP web site; look for JOTA headers and links.
ARLB-021: Comment deadlines set in FCC "Morse code" proceeding
ARLB-020: Higher Amateur Radio vanity call sign application fee now in effect
This is just a sample. For other recent bulletins, check out http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/, or listen to W1AW.
FDLOG
tlf
Harv's Hamshack Hack
AFU-Knoppix
Debian-Ham
CERT
D-STAR System
Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)
http://live.irlp.net:8000/listen.pls (IRLP Crossroads Reflector)
The Arlington Amateur Radio Club
4333 Arlington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203