[SMCARA] SMCARA radio club meeting - THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 7:30 PM

[petebutt at comfac.com]

Hi Folks,

  The hot, humid days of summer are almost over and it's time to begin
thinking about putting up those new antennas, towers and getting your
station upgraded for the long, cold winter months (hey, I can dream a
little!)  Also, some of our major hamfests are rapidly coming up
including the newly reinvigorated Virginia Beach hamfest on September
11th.

  So... let's get radio-active!

  This is your formal invitation to attend the August meeting of the St.
Mary's County Amateur Radio Association (SMCARA) which will be held THIS
Thursday, 26 August beginning at 7:30 PM at the Naval Air Museum.  The
museum is located just a few yards north of the NAS Gate 1 entrance at
the intersection of Maryland Route 235 (Three Notch Road) and Pegg Road
in Lexington Park.  There is plenty of free parking (unlike up in the
big city).  As usual, talk-in will be available on the club 2-meter
repeater on 146.64 MHz (minus offset, no tone required).

  We will be having updates on club activities and talk about upcoming
events of interest throughout the fall season.  I want to see if we can
nail down some short weekend (Saturday morning) sessions at the museum,
including installing the new rotator on the tower and preparing for
installation of the new HF beam antenna.  This would be a good time to
discuss having some group activities including a hidden transmitter
hunt, swap fest and operating events.  We have a new HF multi-band
antenna installed at the station... who wants to learn how to use the
equipment at the station and perhaps do some operating for a few hours
on Saturdays and demo ham radio to the museum visitors?

  Did any of you acquire any new 'toys' in the last month or two?  If so,
consider bringing them to the meeting and show them off to your friends.
 That includes new mobile installations, handhelds and accessories. Got
some new QSL cards from rare DX?  Bring them to the meeting and we will
all gaze in awe at your operating prowess!  You can even take a minute
or two to tell us some of your operating secrets and teach the newer
hams how it should be done.  This is a great time for learning about new
things.  Did you buy an old radio on E-bay... bring it in.

  Finally... did you pay your dues for the 2010-2011 year?  If not, please
consider helping us stay somewhat solvent this year.  Dues are only
$20/year (a bargain at any price) and all dues go entirely to supporting
the array of ham radio activities and events we participate in during
the year including FIELD DAY, supporting the club repeater system and
the club station at the Naval Air Museum, the annual winter dinner and
much more.

  Ok, you have been informed.  I hope to see all of you this THURSDAY, 26
August at 7:30 PM at the museum!

  Vr, Pete Butt (WA3UMY)
      President, St. Mary's County Amateur Radio Assn.