[HCRA] HCRA Meeting tonight, N1ND is the guest speaker; September is renewal month; HPM 140 Event

[Jim - KK1W]

Folks,

 

The ARRL is celebrating Hiram Percy Maxim's 140th birthday anniversary with
an operating event. I urge any HCRA members that can sign /140 after their
call (VE's are one group) to get on the air. Everyone else can work the /140
stations for a nice certificate.

 

Here's the details: (from this week's ARRL letter)

 

==> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HIRAM! 

 

On Tuesday, September 2, the League celebrated the 140th anniversary of the
birth of ARRL's co-founder and first President, Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW.
Maxim -- born in 1869 -- decided a national organization for Amateur Radio
was in order after he needed a "relay" station in Agawam, Massachusetts to
pass a message he was sending from Hartford to Springfield, Massachusetts.
In honor of The Old Man's (TOM) birthday, the ARRL is holding a week-long
Special Event, where eligible amateurs may add /140 to their call signs. A
complete list of who may add /140 can be found on page 20 of the September
2009 issue of QST. Hams who work at least 25 /140 stations can earn an
attractive certificate; this certificate can be endorsed in increments of 25
QSOs, up to 100 <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/17/11025/?nc=1>.

 

Maxim was no stranger to technology. He entered the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (Class of 1886) and graduated at the tender age of 16. Through
the activities of his son Hiram Hamilton Maxim, TOM became interested in
Amateur Radio. In 1908, he filed for a patent for a firearms silencer
<http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=dWJ-AAAAEBAJ>;

the patent was granted the following year. Maxim used this technology to
make silencers for guns, motor exhausts, safety valves and air releases.

In all, Maxim received 59 patents, most of them in the field of mechanical
engineering.

 

In 1928, Maxim, along with other dignitaries of the day -- including Thomas
Edison -- attended a party at the home of George Eastman, the founder of
Kodak. TOM was an avid film buff and was even involved in the early days of
motion pictures. Check out this video (available on

YouTube) of a dapper Maxim at Eastman's party
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqjdVZDxCg>.

 

"I hope everyone enjoys our Special Event honoring Hiram Percy Maxim,"

said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "I know if TOM was
alive today, he would be on the air, having a ball!" Maxim, together with
Clarence Tuska, founded the ARRL in 1914. Maxim served as President of the
ARRL from its inception until his death from complications stemming from a
throat infection in 1936.  -- Thanks to Howie Lash, AE0KU, for bringing the
YouTube clip to our attention

 

 

There's also a rumor of a few sunspots showing up as well. No better time
than now to get on the air!

 

Don't forget about tonight's meeting! Special guest speaker Dan Henderson,
N1ND talking about the ARS and exploitation. September is renewal month as
well, see you at the church tonight!

 

'73.

 

Jim, KK1W