[OMIK] Central States VHF Society 2024 Conference Registration is Open!!!

[Omik Radio]

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The Central States VHF Society Conference in Cedar Rapids, IA on July
25-27, 2024 is open for registration. A great technical program provides
time to see operating rovers and microwave dishes, measure low noise
amplifiers, measure your antenna gain, and learn through one and a half
days of classroom style presentations.


Our family program shows off three historic facilities in the Cedar Rapids
area. The National Czech and Slovak Museum showcases our Czech heritage in
Cedar Rapids. The Brucemore Mansion tells the stories of two influential
families in Cedar Rapids whose legacy still impacts our community. The
Amana Colonies visit begins with a bus tour of the colonies including stops
at a communal kitchen, a church, and museum. Lunch and shopping are on your
own.


The Friday and Saturday luncheons provide an opportunity to dine with your
new and old friends and listen to a very interesting speaker. The banquet
provides a great meal, award presentations, keynote speaker, and a prize
drawing with thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Amateurs and family
members leave with something. We are pleased to announce our luncheon and
banquet presentations.

Friday Luncheon: “902 MHz EME Roving October 2023 - 27 States in 21 Days +
WAS #1”, by Peter Van Horne, K6AU

In September 2023, I decided to make a 902 MHz EME roving trip starting
October 1, 2023.  The goals included Al, W5LUA, completing WAS #1 on 902
and helping the other active 902 EME operators complete as many states as
possible.

Saturday Luncheon: “A DXer’s Gridpedition to EN67. Or What’s a Guy Like YOU
doing in a place like this?” by Tom Vinson, NY0V

In this presentation, Tom will take you through his journey from HF DXing
until he went on his first solo Gridpediton to EN67 in June 2023. Topics
will include how he decided which grid to activate, the equipment and
system used, how it turned out, and the lessons he learned.

Saturday Evening Banquet Keynote:  "Sights Along the Way or Snorkel and
Bounce" by Karen Orzech and Lance Collister, W7GJ

Lance and Karen will share their adventures in visiting exotic locations
that Lance activated on 6 meter EME while Karen pursued photography and
snorkeling hobbies.


You may wonder what happens at a Central States VHF Society Conference. The
following paragraphs describe the highlights of a conference. When you
attend, you can experience all of these functions. You also meet many
people who enthusiastically embrace activating the higher bands. There are
many propagation and communication modes to experience.



Two antenna ranges provide an opportunity for members to measure the gain
performance of their antennas. In past years, new designs performed well.
Sometimes, a quick adjustment provided improved performance. Antennas
ranging from 144 MHz to 10 GHz can be evaluated.



Low noise amplifiers extend range in weak signal environments. For many
bands, amateur radio operators homebrew their own low noise amplifiers. The
noise figure measurement bench provides an opportunity for the measurement
of noise figure on a world class noise figure analyzer.



Since amateur radio operators rarely experience the show and tell of
operational stations, many amateur radio operators bring rovers and
microwave dishes to Central States VHF conferences to show other
enthusiasts how simple or complex these stations can be. Weather
permitting, we will be herded down the line of stations. Each owner then
discusses the unique features of their stations.



Vendors display and sell their products in our vendor room. Some products
are brand new. Some used. Some vendors salvage test equipment and
commercial products to provide items that are useful in the VHF and higher
bands.



Members share innovations, adventures, technological advancements, and
operating practices in a series of presentations on Friday afternoon and
all day Saturday. The hospitality suites provide an informal opportunity to
interact with each other.



The registration link is: 56th Annual CSVHFS Society Conference-Annual
Conference
<https://www.csvhfs.org/index.php/annual-conference/2024-annual-conference-registration>

The Room Reservation link is:
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/G9668829

Note that we have a special conference room rate when you use the link.

Updated information on the convention can be found on our web site at
https://2024.csvhfs.org/

We look forward to seeing you in Cedar Rapids.

Thank you,

Bill Caldwell, N0LNO                                Rod Blocksome, K0DAS

President                                                          Vice
President

Central States VHF Society                   Central States VHF Society


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