[MIham] February Amateur Radio Events, Grand Rapids area

[Jack Amelar]

The following events are scheduled in the Grand Rapids area February 2005 and beyond. Anyone
interested are welcome at these events.
See note at end of listings to notify of corrections and ADDITIONS.

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>From GRARA President Bill Cahill AD8BC:
Hello all members and friends of the Grand Rapids Amateur Radio Association!

Our February meeting is right around the corner!  Please join us on Friday, February 4 at
the Red Cross building, 1050 Fuller NE just south of Leonard Street.  Doors open at 6:30 PM
for eyeball QSOs, business meeting starts at 7:00.  Following the business meeting we will
have a short social period where Rich Douglas, KC8NKA will present this month's Mystery
Prize.  After which, our guest speaker Rick Norman, WB8QCD of the local American Red Cross
chapter will take the floor to talk about Red Cross opportunities that are available to
local amateurs.  I invite everybody interested in Amateur Radio to our meeting whether you
are a GRARA member or not.  Which reminds me, dues for 2005 are due by the end of February,
so there is no better time to pay up than this Friday at the meeting.  Membership forms will
be available at the meeting or are available at www.w8dc.org.  Also, please consider joining
or renewing your ARRL membership through GRARA, this can be done at the meeting also.  So
come on down and bring a friend!

If you have any items that you would like to place on the agenda for the business meeting
please email them to me at ad8bc at w8dc.org and I'll be sure to reserve some time for you.
/\/\/\
The W8DC ham shack at the Red Cross building is open for use Wednesdays 7:15PM to about 9 or
after. Be sure to have a copy of your license if you wish to operate.  mailto:n8dgd at w8dc.org

This Month's VE Amateur Radio license exams is Friday, February 11, 6:30PM, at the Red Cross
Building. All Walk-ins.
http://www.w8dc.org/ve.htm

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>From Phil W8IPN

The next DAPR (Downtown Amateur Packet Radio Group of Grand Rapids) meeting is this coming
Saturday, February 5, 2005.
Business meeting, 08:00, at New Beginnings Restaurant, 1455 Michigan St NE,
Grand Rapids MI.
Packet mini seminar, 09:30-12:00, Red X, 1050 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids, MI,
class room opposite the radio room.
- Dave De Vos KF8QL, Overview and Intro to Packet (for those new to packet).
- Jay Nugent WB8TKL, Advanced packet (WinLink2K: Why-Why Not / HamGate)
Anyone interested in digital modes is invited to attend. Contact mailto:n8lrf at w8dc.org or
mailto:w8ipn at w8dc.org for more information.

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The monthly meeting of the Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance (MARA) is Wednesday February 9,
7:30PM, at the Steepletown building,SW corner of 5th St and Davis NW. Talk-in
145.23-(94.8Hz) http://www.w8usa.org  mailto:w8usa at arrl.net
Final decision about this year's West Michigan Ham of the Year Award will be at this
meeting. See next item.

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The 10th Annual WELCOME NEW HAMS & NEW TO THE AREA HAMS GET OUTTA THE CABIN Dinner is
Saturday, February 12, 6PM. Jointly sponsored by LARC, GRARA, and MARA.

OLD COUNTRY BUFFET, 785 Center Dr NW, Grand Rapids-Walker / Alpine Twp.
>From the I-96 expressway, exit Alpine Ave Hwy M-37 north (exit 30). Go first traffic light
(Center Dr), turn right / east. When arriving, go through the normal line, then go directly
to the L shape area in the back unless you are a new ham or new area move-in ham since last
year's dinner. If you are new, meet with club representative at the entrance, sponsoring
organizations want this to be our treat!

BRING YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, FRIENDS, and the KIDS can come too!  Dress casual.
LET THE NEW ONES KNOW WE WELCOME THEM, and enjoy each other's company without the need to
split so not to miss that hamfest deal! And you don't want to miss out on the door prizes,
nothing spectacular like a new rig, but a prize is a prize.  We'll have a good time!

Buffet style. Cost is about $10. No reservations, just show up.
Questions, contact Doug KC8EGM kc8egm at localnet.com (616)363-4692

The following award will be presented at the dinner:
   I am pleased to announce the 6th annual West Michigan Ham-Of-The-Year Award. If you know
of a local ham that has made noteworthy contributions to the ham or general community, you
may nominate this person for the 2005 West Michigan Ham-Of-The-Year Award. Please include
your name and call sign, your nominee's name and call sign, and a brief explanation of why
you think this ham deserves the award. You may mail your nomination to MARA, PO Box 670,
Comstock Park, Mi. 49321-0670, or e-mail it to K8JX at arrl.net. Nominations will be accepted
throughout the month of January. Any ham from Kent County, or any of the neighboring
counties, may participate in the selection of this year's winner. For further information,
please visit www.w8usa.org/HOYINTRO.htm

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The monthly meeting of the Lowell Amateur Radio Club (LARC) is Saturday, February 12. 9AM
social, 10AM meeting at Lowell City Airport, 730 Lincoln Lake Ave SE just north of Lowell
between Main St (Hwy M-21) and Vergennes St. All are welcome. Talk-in 145.27-(94.8Hz)
http://www.qsl.net/w8lrc  mailto:w8lrc at k8sn.org

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>From Jeff Nawrot N8JSN:
Thursday, February 24
The Kent County ARPSC would like to announce the first meeting for the Kent County Amateur
Radio Public Service Group.
Meeting dates: Even months on the 4th Thursday, see http://www.kcraces.org for exact dates.
Social prior to the 7:05PM meeting start time.
Meeting at the American Red Cross building, 1050 Fuller Ave NE, GR.
Anyone with an Amateur Radio license interested in emergency communications welcome.
More information: mailto:info at kcraces.org or (616)632-6263

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West Michigan Traffic Net meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday nights at 9pm on
145.27-(94.8Hz) and Sundays at 9PM on 147.16+(94.8Hz). The purpose of this net is to handle
NTS Traffic coming into West Michigan. All are welcome to check in. We also are an inlet for
outgoing traffic as well.
The other net is the informal 6mtr AM net that meets every Sunday  from 8-9am. This net
originates in Grand Rapids.

The Michigan DX Association (MDXA) 2 meter net that is held every
Tuesday evening, 9PM, on the 145.270-(94.8Hz) LARC/W8LRC repeater.

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The 2005 Kent County Basic Skywarn training is Thursday, March 17th, 7pm, Grandville Middle
School 3535 Wilson Ave Sw Grandville, MI 49418.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&address=3535+Wilson+Avenue+Sw+&city=Grandvil
le&state=MI

We do not need RSVP's but if people want to they can call (616)632-6263
or drop an email to mailto:events at kcraces.org to let us know they are coming or
if they have questions. Via Jeff Nawrot N8JSN Kent County ARES/RACES.

This is different then the other email we put out a few weeks ago, please
make note of the location change.   We will start promptly at 7pm.

Cost is Free, everyone is welcome

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>From Charles LeMarbre W8VOM
Patriot Day 911 Special Event Announcement!

Our Events Manager,Dave Smith - KC8PCL ,is pleased to announce that the Michigan DX
Association will hold it's Patriot Day Special Event this and every Patriot Day!  The
Michigan DX Association requests that all  Michigan Hams work "with us" by participating in
our setup at GRFD and promoting this special event in their newsletters and on their web
sites.

Patriot Day is celebrated every September 11th,we will be Transmitting from the Grand Rapids
Fire Dept [GRFD] headquarters! We will also have a donation box setup at GRFD headquarters.
Patriot Day is held to honor all Firemen, Policeman and our Troops who gave their lives on
911.These brave Men and Women "continue" to put their lives on the line for us every day!
All donations will be turned over to these brave heroes. We will be using our club call
W8DXI

Stop by the GRFD headquarters and make a donation and say hello to these brave men and women
who so gallantly protect and defend us! We will have more information for you as our plans
develop.
W8DXI

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Upcoming area hamfests:

TRAVERSE CITY: Saturday, February 12, Immaculate Conception Middle School, 720 @nd St.
Sponsor: Cherryland ARC. Admission, $5, 8AM - Noon VE exams. Information, contact Joe W8TVT
(231)947-8555

MARSHALL: Saturday, March 19, Marshall High School. Sponsor: Southern Michigan Amateur Radio
Society (SMARS) and Marshall HS Industrial Arts Club. Admission $5, 8AM - 1PM, seller setup
6AM. TI: 146.66-(94.8Hz) or 146.52 simplex. Info Jesse Moreno (269)962-2006
mailto:kc8eic at ameritech.net SMARS, PO BOX 493, Battle Creek, MI 49016-0493

Complete listing of Hamfests in North America can be found at
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

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I CANNOT PROMOTE EVENTS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. Send any event information, updates, or
corrections you have to mailto:jamelar at localnet.com?subject=AR_events

73 Jack NY8D
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