[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Alexandria Radio Club Newletter and Meeting Notice - ARC SHORTS September 2014

Fri Sep 5 20:16:36 EDT 2014

ARC-SHORTS

September 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 September  12, 2014  at 3600 Wheeler Ave.  Just off Duke
Street in Alexandria about 1 block west of Quaker Lane.  We start the
meeting at 7PM with our program and follow with a short business meeting.  

This month's program will be Ian, N8IK who will tell us the right way to
learn the art and science of CW (Morse Code for those who missed the jargon
class).  

Dinner prior to the meeting will be at Atlantis (Bradlee shopping center of
Rt. 7 just east of 395) with folks starting to gather about 5:30.  Our guest
speakers get a meal on the club.

AUGUST  MEETING MINUTES

August was a rare meeting in that we did not have a program, but we had a
social hour.  Like most things with this club it lasted well over two hours.

Due to your editor's memory issues, there was no ARC SHORTS last month
either.  I will try to not miss for the next few months.

PRESIDENT'S column

Well, fellow club members, I only have about 4 more of these to do, and then
you'll get a new president. For September, here's what's on my mind.

1.) I just ordered a book about radio operations in emergency situations.
It's probably more RACES based, but it will still be handy to have. HOWEVER,
book + no practice = next-to-useless ham. We have several events each year
where we have a chance to practice communications to coordinate activities,
such as the George Washington's Birthday Parade, and the Marine Corps
Marathon, to name a couple. If your schedule doesn't permit you to
participate in the events, try to check into our weekly Thursday night nets
at 8:00PM local time, or at least listen in, to see how a controlled net
operates.

2.) I'm bummed -- the Hawaii QSO Party was in August, but I wasn't able to
get them. Even on CW, the propagation just wasn't there for me. It's the
last state I need for the Worked All States Award, and I'm doing it with
what Rick N4ASX refers to as  "light tackle". I'm a dedicated QRP'er and
none of the HF radios I use will go above 10 watts. Propagation is better in
the winter, at least in my experience, with fewer thunderstorms to cause
noise, and the ARRL will be operating from Hawaii in December,

so I have another shot before the year is out.

3.) Rick N4ASX coordinates our programs, and I think he would like a few
suggestions on future programs that would interest you, the members. Give
him your ideas! I have been working on a presentation on QSLing, but it is
not anywhere near complete, and I haven't found much time to work on it
lately.

4.) I think that the nominating committee is still looking for a secretary
for next year. I've been the club secretary before. I think the main
responsibilities are to keep minutes (not a transcription, just a summary or
a list of what has been discussed, but with any motions made in club
business included), and send out the press release for Field Day to the
local media. It doesn't sound  like much, but it is important. 

I hope to see you all at the meeting on September 12th!

73,

-- Tom Kirby

President, Alexandria Radio Club

September is National Preparedness Month

This month is National Preparedness Month and is the 11th year for the
observance.  It was created   following the terrorist attacks on 9/11 as a
way to encourage us to be ready and prepared for any emergency.  And this
year's National Preparedness Month also is the first to include the
America's PrepareAthon Fall Day of Action, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30.

As ham radio operators, we have a special obligation to be ready and
prepared for emergencies.  One of the fundamental reasons the amateur radio
service was created as non-commercial communications service was for an
emergency communications capability. In this regard, we have to be mindful
that our region is considered a "target rich" area for terrorism, and we
also have to be prepared for natural hazards, such as earthquakes, snow,
extreme temperatures and flooding events.

For ham radio operators to be prepared for emergency communications, they
much first be prepared for emergencies.  The National Preparedness Month is
a great reminder to set aside a few minutes to review your emergency plans
at home and work, as well as restock supplies in your emergency kits at
home, work and in your car. And if you don't have plans or a kit, that now
is the perfect time to do so.  In Fairfax County information and resources
are available online, including tips on making an emergency kit and an
emergency plan for your family or your business.  You may also  review a
list of 30 simple steps you can take to become better prepared with our 30
ways in 30 days. These are simple things you can do -- at your own pace --
to ensure that you and your family are better prepared by following an
easy-to-accomplish checklist.

Prepared by Don Lewis, KI4D

ARES

The club's trailer got a workout on Field Day.  The new LED lights as well
as the other improvements made operation much better.  We have a few other
improvements in store; we hope to add some kind of awning on the outside so
that we can have some additional operating positions.  We will add another
power distribution box on the bench so that HF gear or other gear running on
12 volts can be plugged in.  For the Kenwood TM-D710A we will remote the
radio body into the cabinets to keep the wires out of the way.  We also will
add shelves in the cabinets to keep 'stuff' off the radios and some drawers
for better organization of connectors, adapters etc.  

In addition the Pelican cases have been delivered so we can better protect
the four HF radios the club owns.  This will keep corrosion to a minimum.
We hope to add an AC power supply in the cases for each radio as well.  

The city's EMS director is in the process of procuring gear for the new EOC
and we hope to have a permanent station in the EOC.  Hopefully, we can move
one of our HF stations and our Henry 2K amplifier to the EOC station as
well.  We hope to get access so that our members will have access.

If you are interested in volunteering for ARES, please contact our Emergency
Coordinator, Rick, N4ASX.

73 Rick

N4ASX

Future Programs

Craig, KK4INZ, has been asked to provide a program on how FEMA can make use
of Amateur Radio in times of an emergency.

I have asked AMSAT and AMRAD to provide 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.

Hamfests - 

The Virginia Section Convention at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on
September 6.  Its an easy drive and the convention center is right off I-264
in Virginia Beach near the ocenfront.  Talk-in is on the 146.970 (PL 141.3).
Also, the VA DXCC dinner is also on September 6 at one of the restaurants
near the VA Beach Towne Center, also off I-264. 

The Delaware State Convention in Georgetown, Delaware is on October 4.  The
location is the Sussex County Technical High School.  Talk-in is on the
147.090 (PL 156.7) repeater.    

The Columbia ARA CARAFest takes place on October 5 at the Howard County
Fairgrounds.  Always a good hamfest to find odds and ends.  It's a short
drive located off Routes 144 and 32 and I-70.

Training - 

Our nest class begins September 30 and concludes with the exam on December
2.  The cost remains $50, which includes the book, test fee and class
materials.  If you know of someone who wants to become a ham, send them our
way.  As always, they are welcome to attend our meetings.       

Big changes to element credit - 

Effective July 21, 2014, the FCC now allows some former license holders to
receive element credit for past (now expired) licenses.  Former holders of
General class licenses now get credit for element 3.  Former holders of
Advanced class licenses get credit for element 3 and former holders of
expired Extra Class licenses will get credit for elements 3 and 4.  This
does not mean anybody with an expired General, Advanced or Extra Class
license is automatically gets a license by producing their now expired
license at a VE session.  They will be required to take the Technician exam
to test their knowledge of current rules and regulations.   

Contests -

September 6 - Indiana Parks on the Air.  Exchange is your state.

September 6 - Ohio Parks on the Air.  Exchange is your state.

September 7 - North American Sprint, CW.  Exchange is callsign, serial
number, name and state.

September 7 - Tennessee QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

September 13 and 14 - Worked all Europe DX Contest, SSB.  Exchange is RS and
serial number.

September 13 and 14 - Arkansas QSO party.  Exchange is RST and state.

September 13 and 14 - ARRL September VHF Contest.  All bands above 50 MHz.
Exchange is 4 digit grid square (most of us are in FM18).

September 13 and 14 -  North American Sprint, SSB.  Exchange is callsign,
serial number, name and state.

September 20 and 21 - South Carolina QSO party.  Exchange is RST and state.

September 20 and 21 - Washington State Salmon Run.  Exchange is RST and
state.

September 27 and 28 - Maine QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state. 

September 27 - Texas QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

73, 

Rich, KA4GFY

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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