The Blue Ridge Echo.. Echo. Echo..

Transcription

1 The Blue Ridge Echo.. Echo. Echo.. Official Transmitter of the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club - W4YK - Volume 23, Number 10 October 2010 The Prez Sez I want to thank all who came out to the club picnic. We had a great time sitting around and sharing stories of our past memories. I also want to thank Gene for heading up the Hunger Walk and all who helped him. We still have the Tour de Leaves coming up on October 16 th. Let us know if you would like to help with this ride. In our upcoming meeting we will discuss the 160-Meter band and a 160m Helical Antenna that will fit on a small lot. I hope to see you there. Be sure to bring a friend along. Danny Rector, AJ4HZ Our Next Meeting: October 5, :00 pm Danny, AJ4HZ: Space-saving 160m Antennas MEETING MINUTES OF September 7th, 2010 Danny Rector, AJ4HZ, club president, opened our monthly meeting leading us in the pledge of allegiance to our national flag. He then welcomed everyone to the meeting, which had 19 members present. He then called for the treasurer s report. Lil Clark, KG4GFP, club treasurer, reported $ was our balance at the time of club meeting. Danny then called for approval of the August meeting minutes as published in THE ECHO. Both motions passed. Announcements and upcoming events were the next items discussed: Gene Mathis, KG4SXE, asked for volunteers for the Tour De Leaves bicycle ride, and for the Hunger Walk. Both events are fast approaching. A sign up sheet was sent around for volunteers to sign. The club picnic will be Saturday, September 18, at Holmes State Park. We will be in the upper end of the picnic shed we normally reserve for our picnics. The club will furnish meat, buns, and condiments. Members were asked to bring sides, desserts, and drinks. Danny reminded everyone we elect club officers in November. We need a new ECHO editor, as Michael will not be able to continue the position after December. The Christmas dinner will be held on December 7th at the TWIN DRAGONS Chinese restaurant in Brevard,

2 N.C. All members and family are invited. We normally meet for dinner (supper) at 6:00 pm. Rusty Jones, KG4JGQ, was then given the floor for some DX information, and software programs that will help you in DXing. Rusty reported that sunspot numbers had increased, and the bands were beginning to be open. The software he mentioned was WinCap a program to give the MUF to various beacons around the world. This is a very useful tool for DXers. He also told us about CW Skimmer.a program that will scan the cw bands on your rig, using the computer. Michael Parente, AI4GR, brought us the feature of the evening. He gave a talk, along with a PowerPoint, and drawings on SWR. It was very informative, and we were given some tips. The drawing was won by Tom Long, K4TEL. Frank Forrestor, WN4NC, asked if there was a way we could find out if the repeater or DX spotter was down. Dick Smith, W4RSS, said he was fairly certain this could be done on the website. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted Sid Hendricks Good Food, Great Friends - Our picnic on September 18 th was well attended by hungry hams and their guests. There were 16 of us, along with plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers, and salads. Of especial note, frequently remarked upon, were the ample quantity and superb quality of the condiments. (Photo by Bill Ponder) Fun at Shelby Many members of our club enjoyed the fun at this year s Shelby Hamfest. Several were at fixed sites; others wandered about while searching for the perfect bargain. As may be seen in the photos, a few were caught on-camera.

3 ITEMS FOR SALE From Duke, W4DK -- Yaesu FT-2800M. 2 Meter, 65 watts mobile unit. Google it for full details. Mint condition (estate). Asking $150. Duke W4DK From Tom, W1ODC -- Butternut HF2V Vertical Dual-band optimized for 80 & 40 Meters. 32 feet tall. No guying required. Price: $75.00 (New: $280.00) Local pickup only - does not want to ship. Tom De Kay - W1ODC Saluda, NC tulpenweg@tds.net Phone: From Brandy, N1HO -- Icom SP-20 external speaker with selectable audio LPF/HPF settings, matches IC-756, etc. $125 RigBlaster Plus - configured for Icom and has RJ-45/8-pin Mic cable, software on CDs, owner's manual, but no power supply. $50 Radio Shack Pro-2006 scanner, AC supply doesn't work, but does with an external 12V/1A supply being provided. $75 Toshiba Satellite Pro " laptop. 1GHz Celeron CPU. Mostly works, but is in sad shape. Has AC supply, display has a black/blank line across it, but works with external VGA display. Linux currently installed, but there is a Windows XP Professional license sticker on the bottom. $100 Brandy, < n1ho@comcast.net > or (954) From Aaron, KJ4TEE -- AEA model PK-232MBX. It is in good working condition. Sell or trade for some other piece of radio [antennas, radios (base, mobile, ht, amp, other rigs) or all sorts of other stuff] me at < kj4tee@yahoo.com > or post on qrz.com or call Aaron at Asking $100 If you have items for sale, or need something, notify the editor.

4 Mark Your Calendar 24 September Ten-Tec Hamfest 25 September SEDCO 16 October Tour de Leaves 7 December Holiday Dinner Please notify the editor if dates change, or as new events arise. PTT Most contest sponsors maintain an on-line list of all logs received. For example, the ARRL's Log Received Web page maintains an up-to-date list of every log received and processed by the contest robot. If you received a receipt number from the robot, then your score should soon appear in the list. Double-check that your call, QTH, category, and score are all as you expect. If not, check that robot message again. If the robot message looks good, contact the sponsor, such as ARRL Contest Branch Manager, Sean KX9X. (ARRL Contest Update 9/1/10) Kathleen, AJ4FV, and Michael, AI4GR, worked the September VHF Party from the parkway as a low-power fixed station. Using solar power and home-brew portable antennas they operated SSB on 6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm bands. Activity was lighter then usual with no ducting or skip contacts, but local activity was fun. Our club has a nice write-up on page 9 of the August Repeater Journal. Three of our members are mentioned, and there s even a photo. Check it out. AI4GR is clear.

5 Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club Points of Contact President: Danny Rector, AJ4HZ rectordl@bellsouth.net Vice President: Craig Miller, KE4DFV ke4dfv@arrrl.net Secretary: Sid Hendricks, W4IOE w4ioe@bellsouth.net Treasurer: Lil Clark, KG4GFP peregrine13@citcom.net Members-At-Large: Ron Parham, K2SST ronk2sst@bellsouth.net Rusty Jones, KG4JGQ kg4jgq@arrl.net Antennas: Walt Wernsing, KO4JN walter134@mchsi.com Echo Editor: Michael Parente, AI4GR ai4gr@arrl.net Webmaster: Dick Smith, K4KQJ k4kqj@arrl.net ARRL Emergency Coordinator: Will Hicks, WI1L will@willstech.com VE Testing: Sid Hendricks, See above Membership: - Lil Clark, See above Public Relations: Dick Smith, See above Trustee: Steve Smith, KC5F kc5f@arrl.net Club Information Address: Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club PO Box 831, Horse Shoe NC Website: Dues: Our dues cover the period from January through December. Dues for additional related members in the same household as a Full or Associate member are onehalf the applicable rate. Dues for full-time students of an accredited school are one-half the regular rate as long as student status is maintained. New members joining between July and December pay one-half the applicable rate for membership through the end of the year. This year s dues are $20.00 per person; $10.00 per additional family member. Please send your renewals to: Lil Clark, 15 Autumn Glen Ct., Brevard, NC Meetings: We meet at the Stoney Mountain Activity Center at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Financial Report: September Lil Clark Balance as of 8/30/10 $ Plus: Deposits 6.75 Less: Expenses 0.00 Balance as of 9/17/10 $ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Purpose: The purpose of the club is to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to promote and conduct programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community. Elmers: We have many Elmers. An Elmer is a knowledgeable amateur radio operator who is willing to help new hams and students with questions or procedures and help them to understand more about the hobby. Volunteer Examinations: Every 3 months, our volunteer examiners provide an opportunity to get your amateur license or to upgrade your status. NEXT SESSION: November 13, 2010 Contact Sid, W4IOE, for details. Classes: We occasionally have classes so you can learn how to get your own amateur radio Technician class license.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A message from the editor... Articles and submissions for the Echo should be sent by the 15 th of each month. If you have something to add to our newsletter, send it to: Michael, AI4GR. Call me at: or me at: ai4gr@arrl.net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 Nets and On-The-Air Activities Net Freq / PL Day Time BRARC Net MHz/ 91.5 Sunday 8:00 PM Henderson County ARES Net MHz / 91.5 Wednesday 8:30 PM High Country Swap & Rag Chew MHz/107.2 Monday 9:00 PM Red Cross Communicators MHz/91.5 Sunday 9:00 PM Mount Mitchell 6m Net MHz/100 Friday 9:00 PM QCWA Chapter MHz (SSB) Saturday 8:45 AM Buncombe ARES Net MHz/ 91.5 Wednesday 9:00 PM Good Morning Net MHz M-W-F 9:00 AM WCARS Info. Net MHz/ 91.5 Monday 9:00 PM 6600 Net MHz Saturday 9:00 PM Blue Ridge Traffic (SC) MHz Daily 9:00 PM Mount Pisgah 220 Net MHz Sunday 9:00 PM Mount Mitchell 220 Net MHz Monday 8:00 PM Rutherford County ARES Net MHz/ 94.8 Wednesday 8:00 PM Tarheel Emergency Net MHz (SSB) Daily 7:30 PM NC Morning Net MHz (SSB) Daily 7:45 AM SATERN Net MHz Daily 10:00 AM NC Evening Net MHz (SSB) Daily 6:30 PM Carolinas Slow Net MHz (CW 5-8 wpm) Daily 8:00 PM Carolinas Net (Late) MHz (CW wpm) Daily 10:00 PM Carolinas Net (Early) MHz (CW wpm) Daily 7:00 PM If this information has changed, please contact Michael at ai4gr@arrl.net. Club Meeting Tuesday October 5, 7:00 pm Stoney Mountain Activity Center Subsequent club meeting November 2, 7:00 pm Stoney Mountain Activity Center Henderson County ARES Training Session Fourth Monday of month Etowah Lions Club, 7pm Find us on the web at < >