[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Greetings from a former member

Fri Dec 12 11:31:09 EST 2014

Holiday greetings to all from W3MOE - former member and graduate of Rich KA4GFY's class of way back.

I am certainly impressed with the club's progress: class of 26 and 25 new licenses! More repeaters than anyone else! Many successes on field day! All the charitable support functions! and more on the way. Congrats to all on such a fine showing.

I noticed the interest I converting old XP computers to Linux, and I would steer your attention to a very nice article on that subject in the September, 2014 issue of QST, page 33. I have been planning to give that a try on my old XP system one of these days.

Have a great Holiday party, and keep up the great work. I enjoy following along on your e-mails.

Cheers,

Gordon W3MOE

-----Original Message-----
>From: alexandriaradioclub-request at mailman.qth.net
>Sent: Dec 11, 2014 10:02 PM
>To: alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: AlexandriaRadioClub Digest, Vol 107, Issue 3
>
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>Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Alexandria Radio Club Meeting	Noitce and Newsletter December
>      2014 (Rick Bunn)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:48:39 -0500
>From: "Rick Bunn" <N4ASX at cox.net>
>To: <Richard.r.Bunn.civ at mail.mil>
>Subject: [Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Alexandria Radio Club
>	Meeting	Noitce and Newsletter December 2014
>Message-ID: <[email protected]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>ARC-SHORTS
>
> 
>
>December 2014
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Club Repeaters: 147.315 (PL 107.2), 444.6 (PL107.2), 224.82 (PL107.2), 53.13
>(PL107.2) 927.6 (-25Mhz, PL107.2), and 1282.600 (PL 107.2), DSTAR 145.38Mhz,
>442.060, and 1284.600 ALL AR UP AND RUNNING - HAM IT UP! Get on the air!
>
> 
>
>NEXT CLUB MEETING
>
> 
>
>Our next meeting is December 12, 2014  at Fiona's Irish Pub, in the
>Kingstown Shopping Center.  This is our Annual Christmas Party and End of
>Year get together.  If you have not yet RSVP'd then you need to look at the
>club's website select your menu item and send an e-mail to Ian, N8IK and let
>him know how many and what meal you would like.  Party starts at 7PM.
>meeting.  Jack will play SantaHam and organize the gift swap,  please bring
>a gift to swap that is of $10 or less.  Details on the menu selections are
>on our WEBSITE W4HFH.ORG  If you plan to attend,  you NEED to RSVP with Ian
>and tell him what you want from the menu.
>
> 
>
>November  MEETING MINUTES
>
> 
>
> 
>
>CLUB ELECTIONS:
>
> 
>
>The club voted in the committee nominated slate of officers:
>
> 
>
>President: Larry KK4CBL
>
>Vice President: Erik Misavage, KI4BXU
>
>Treasurer:  Ted W9TCE
>
>Secretary:  Jay NW3V
>
> 
>
>We all need to thank our outgoing officers, Tom KK4FUU, Larry KK4CBL, Steve
>W8RJH and Eric KI4BXU for their extraordinary work these last two years.
>Without folks who step up and take the lead, the club would not be worthy of
>our membership. (NOTE the correction,  I had the wrong Treasurer in the last
>newsletter.  Steve has been doing the most difficult job in the club and I
>messed it op.  Thanks Steve for all your efforts.)
>
> 
>
>President's Corner
>
> 
>
>This is my last President's Corner column. Next month, it will be done by
>your new president, Larry KK4CBL. Larry will make a great president, and
>participates a lot in club activities. I'd like to thank Larry for his
>service Vice President, catching things I may forget from time to time. I'd
>also like to thank Steve W8RJH for his service as treasurer, and making sure
>the bill collectors don't crash our meetings by keeping accurate books. And,
>I'd like to thank Erik KI4BXU for his service as secretary, and wish him
>success in his new position as Vice President of the club. And I'd like to
>welcome Ted W9TCE back for another turn as the club treasurer.
>
> 
>
>We had a very successful Field Day this year, with more elected officials
>than I've ever seen before, including the Mayor of the City of Alexandria.
>We also had another successful George Washington's Birthday Parade, and many
>of our club members participated in the Marine Corps Marathon, which was
>greatly appreciated. 
>
> 
>
>Hopefully, John K3JH will be able to visit often, having moved out of the
>area to 3 land. Also, we hope that Doug AK4QY and Liz  KK4WAO will come back
>to join us every so often as well. 
>
> 
>
>We had some successful classes this year, and I wish to thank all of our
>instructors for their efforts. And, of course, a big round of thanks to
>Marshall KI4MWP for making us D-STAR enabled.
>
> 
>
>I hope to see everyone at the Christmas Party, but even if I don't, I'd like
>to wish everyone a Merry Christmas season!
>
> 
>
>73,
>
> 
>
>-- Tom KJ4FUU
>
> 
>
>ARES
>
> 
>
>For those of you who volunteer for public service or emergency services,  we
>are going into winter (I know -no kidding!).  In our area we get lots of ice
>on the roads and at times when we do get snow it can bad for driving.  Now
>is a time to as the Boy Scouts say "Be Prepared"  Many of us have mobile
>radios installed in our cars.  If you don't now is the time to think about
>taking a handheld with you in bad weather.  Keep you go kits up to date with
>charged batteries.   
>
>Also good to do the "what if" drill,  if your power went out for a day or
>so, what's your plan?  
>
> 
>
>Before you can help others you need to make sure you are in good shape.
>
> 
>
>73 and Mary Christmas.
>
>Rick
>
>N4ASX
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Hamfests -
>
>Not too much in the way of hamfests in the area during December.  The next
>one in the area is the Post Holiday Hamfest on January 25, 2015, in Odenton,
>MD.  It's sponsored by the Maryland 
>
> 
>
>Mobileers ARC.  It's a short drive to the Odenton Volunteer Fire Department.
>Talk-in is on the 146.805 MHz repeater (PL 1072).  
>
> 
>
>Richmond Frostfest is scheduled for Feb 7, 2015 at the Richmond Raceway
>Complex.  Its sponsored by the Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society.
>The hamfest website says Frostfest is bigger and better this year.  Kudos to
>RATS for organizing a great hamfest. The Raceway Complex is about 2 hours
>down the road and is easy to get to.  Many of us in the club car pool to
>this one!  Check the net.
>
>         
>
>A couple hamfests have made big changes.  The Vienna Wireless Society's
>Winterfest is moving to March 22, 2015, according to the VWS website.  The
>Baltimore ARC's hamfest is moving to Father's Day, June 21, 2015 and the
>location is in Upperco, MD.   More details to follow.
>
> 
>
>Dayton is JUST AROUND THE CORNER.  If you've not been been you need to go at
>least ONCE.  Biggest hamfest you will ever see and if you need it, it will
>be available.  Talk to Rich, KA4GFY about rooms and carpooling.
>
> 
>
>Training - 
>
> 
>
>Our class kicked off with 22 people in attendance.  Eighteen of our students
>along with eight candidates from outside the class took exams on December 2.
>Out of the 26 people taking exams, 25 walked out with a new license or an
>upgrade.  The breakout is 19 Technician, 5 Generals and 1 Extra.
>Congratulations to everybody for a job well done.   We won't know the
>callsigns until later, so we will have those next month.
>
> 
>
>We had one candidate whose license expired and took advantage of the recent
>rule change to get back into ham radio.  This is a great development for
>someone whose life got in the way of their ham radio activities.  As long as
>the individual had a General, Advanced or Extra class license and provide
>positive proof, they can reinstate their license by taking the current
>Technician exam.     
>
> 
>
>We look forward to hearing our recent graduates on the air later this month
>and early next year.
>
> 
>
>Our next class is scheduled for March 3 through May 5, 2015.    
>
> 
>
>Contests -
>
> 
>
>December 13 and 14 - ARRL 10 meter contest, CW and SSB.  Exchange is RST and
>state.  DC counts as a state for this contest.  This is a great one for
>Technicians because they have CW privileges from 28.000 to 28.300 MHz and
>SSB privileges from 28.300 to 28.500 MHz.  Many DX stations will be
>operating in the SSB portion to work US Technician Class operators.
>
> 
>
>December 21 - ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW.  The exchange is your name and the 2
>digit year you were first licensed.  Rookies count 2 points and non-rookies
>count 1 point.  A rookie is a ham licensed less than 1 year.
>
> 
>
>December 27 - Radio Amateurs Canada Winter Contest - Exchange for
>non-Canadian stations is RST and a serial number.
>
> 
>
>January 3 and 4 - ARRL RTTY Roundup.  Exchange is RST and state.    
>
> 
>
>Club Repeaters - 
>
> 
>
>The Alexandria Radio Club owns more repeaters than other clubs in the area.
>We have repeaters on every ham radio band between 6 meters and 23 cm.  Here
>is a great opportunity to try a new band.  With the exception of the 23 cm
>repeater, all our repeaters are commercial grade equipment which should run
>for many years with minimal work.  The 23 cm repeater is constructed from 2
>Yaesu 23 cm mobile radios with a controller in between.  All the repeaters
>provide good coverage in Alexandria and the surrounding area.
>
> 
>
>73, 
>
>Rich, KA4GFY
>
> 
>
>EDITOR'S NOTES:
>
> 
>
>The club has had an eventful year.  We've held two world class classes with
>over 40 new amateurs to show for it.  We had a field day that was one of the
>best ever!  We had a program for all but one meeting and that was a great
>meeting just to get together and talk radio.  
>
> 
>
>Many clubs focus on one aspect of the hobby and many clubs fall into the
>trap of letting longtime friends become small sub-clubs that make it hard
>for new members to fit in.  The Alexandria Radio Club tries to be an open
>club where all are welcome and that all facets of ham radio are open from
>QRP, CW, SSB, Digital, Cutting edge tech and antique radio.  This openest
>and willingness to look at the hobby as a whole is what makes the club one
>of the best in the area.
>
> 
>
>Like all clubs in this area we have some people who leave us, but they will
>always be a part of the club and we hope they visit and stay in touch.
>
> 
>
>In keeping with the holidays,  I hope all have a great Christmas and Santa
>brings you what you wish for.
>
> 
>
>73 Rick
>
>N4ASX
>
> 
>
>Future Programs
>
> 
>
>Our next program (January) will be provided by AMRAD on the history of
>antennas.
>
> 
>
>Craig, KK4INZ, has been asked to provide a program on how FEMA can make use
>of Amateur Radio in times of an emergency. Hopefully he will be disaster
>free in February.
>
> 
>
>We will have a program on digital modes to follow up on the article above.
>
> 
>
>We will have too demonstration programs.  The first will be a showing of our
>GO BOXES.  What do you have ready to go, if you need to support a public
>service event or a disaster away from home.   Second will be "What do you
>use as a logging and shack control program?"
>
> 
>
>We hope to have an update on use of some of the newest solar technology,
>use of the new micro computers and I am trying to find someone to talk about
>converting our old XP laptops to use a version of Lenex.
>
> 
>
>If you have an idea for a program, please let Rick know and he will try to
>find someone to provide the program.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Social Events
>
> 
>
>Monday Night Half Price Burgers - There is a group that gets together at
>Shooter McGee's (Duke and Paxton Streets) on Monday evenings at 6:15 PM. A
>good burger and soft drink runs about $11.00.
>
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>End of AlexandriaRadioClub Digest, Vol 107, Issue 3
>***************************************************