RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club February 2003 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 Silent Keys Kalpana Chawla, KD5ESI; David M. Brown, KC5ZTC; Laurel B. Clark, KC5ZSU Feb 1, 2003--All members of the seven-person crew of space shuttle Columbia are feared dead after the spacecraft broke up high over Texas today. Columbia was on its way to what had been considered an uneventful landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three of the crew members on the scientific mission were Amateur Radio operators. NASA says communication was lost around 8 AM Central Time, and unconfirmed reports indicated that debris has been spotted on the ground in Texas. Aboard was the first Israeli to fly in space. ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, who's been closely associated with the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) programs expressed shock and sadness over the Columbia disaster. "We sincerely regret this latest tragedy," she said. "We will be keeping the families of these astronauts in our minds and hearts." White is ARISS International Secretary and the primary liaison between ARRL and the ARISS program. No Amateur Radio gear was aboard the Columbia for this mission. - From the ARRL Web Page Just in the past week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies: the Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986 - it was set aflame by a leak in the seals of one of its right booster rockets - and the Apollo spacecraft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967. Membership Information "The Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club is a Nevada Non-Stock, Non-Profit Cooperative Corporation as discussed in Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 82. Additionally, the club is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Code. Copies of the documentation leading to these determinations and copies of the documents actually granting our corporate status and tax-exempt status are available for review by contacting the Secretary or our registered agent at the organization's address of record." FREE DINNER Bill Cornelius, K8XC Well, maybe not "free". We have to earn it. Unless you have been hiding in a cave in Northern Idaho, you know that February 28 - March 2, 2003, is the period during which the LVRAC will operate two concession stands at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the club's annual fund raising project. Last year we earned over $10,000 for three days effort which made many of the club's projects possible. But did you know that every year our very polite and efficient volunteers receive over $500.00 in tips from our loyal race fan clientele? And did you know that for the last several years we have used those tips to treat our hard working volunteers and their spouse or significant other to a free, all-you-can-eat steak and beer buffet (plus all the usual Sunset Station buffet dinner items)? And did you know that there are only a few days left for you to volunteer, and join 70 other hams, their friends and family, who have volunteered to work some period during the event, Feb 28 - Mar 2, and hence earn your "free" dinner? If you can spare a day or two or three to support the club in this very important effort, please call or email Bill Cornelius, 897-9626, k8xc@aol.com. No experience is necessary and fun will be had by all. Fun Facts Descartes came up with the theory of coordinate geometry by looking at a fly walk across a tiled ceiling. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. Continued on page 3. RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE Swap, Sale or Trade All items offered must be related to ham radio, or if computers, ham radio software. For Sale: W-51 telescoping tower with engineering drawings for county approval and includes US Tower base - $850.00. Hy-Gain Ham IV rotor and controller and cables - $359.00. Cushcraft 2 meter 5L beam - $35.00. J-pole 2 meter vertical - $15.00. Ringo 6 meter vertical - $35.00. Hy-Gain Explorer 14 tri-band beam for 10/15/20 meters - $350.00. All listed items may be purchased as a package for $1,650.00. Contact Frank Drake, KL7IPV 838-3452 at home most anytime for more detailed info. A 56 Rome #6 tower is available for sale. Contact Gary, K9AUB at 274-1848 or by email at K9AUB@ARRL.com. . LVRAC Fund Raiser For several weeks now, we have been asking for volunteers to assist at the LVRAC fund raising event, February 28 - March 2, 2003, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Well, we are almost there. Although some volunteers can only work a half day, most of the 70, yes 70 hams, their families and friends that have volunteered will donate one or more days, and several have promised three days, to this important club project. Thank you all. Seventy volunteers seems like a lot, and it is if you are licking speedway credential mailing envelopes, but because the stands are so labor intensive and we staff two full stands for three days, to be comfortable, we still need a handful of additional volunteers on each day. So, if you, your family members over 18 years of age, or your neighbors can volunteer for a day or so anytime between Feb 28 - Mar 2, please call or email Bill Cornelius, 897-9626, k8xc@aol.com, anytime. If you are reading this message, you are taking advantage of the club reflector, one of the club assets made possible in part by the $10,000 we earned at this event last year. So please, set aside a day or two to support the club and in doing so, make an important contribution to amateur radio in the Las Vegas Valley. Call or email me now. Bill Cornelius, K8XC k8xc@aol.com 897-9626 RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE Coming Events Baker to Vegas April 12-13. Eight hour endurance race. Contact Dave KG6JJV, for details. Race for the Cure May 3, 2003. The Race for the Cure involves a 5 K running race and a one mile walk to support the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. Volunteers are needed to support communications. Contact Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL tpetrakis@lvcm.com for further details. Nevada Open Road Challenge 15 - 18 May 2003. Plan now for the May Lund to Hiko open road race. Contact Howard Mark K3HM for details. Tour de Cure May 17th. Race will be in Henderson this year, 25, 50 and 100 mile courses will be run. 7am to 4pm. Contact Howard Mark K3HM, for details Off Road Race May 29th, Off road race in Jean NV. Contact Jamie Gorr N3TOY, for details. Field Day 28 - 29 June 2003. It's never to early to plan for this annual Amateur Radio event. Gambler's Classic October 2003. Southern Nevada's Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile bike tour. This year, riders will again travel from Henderson to Laughlin. Amateur Radio operators needed. Please contact Joe Scanlan, N7XSD at 896-0507 to volunteer. Fun Facts Continued From page 1 Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance. Ballroom dancing is a major at Brigham Young University. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple. Continued on next column. From Our Ham Family in AZ. March 8, 2003 - Scottsdale ARC Springfest - Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ. Ham Clubs of AZ http://www.arizonarepeaterassociation.org/ http://www.tapr.org/ http://www.nadxa.com/ http://clubs.asua.arizona.edu/~k7uaz/ http://www.w7asc.org/ Fun Facts Goes On Some biblical scholars believe that Aramaic (the language of the ancient Bible) did not contain an easy way to say "many things" and used a term which has come down to us as 40. This means that when the bible -- in many places -- refers to "40 days," they meant many days. Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired." Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village". There are two credit cards for every person in the United States. Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later. "I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. The term "the whole 9 yards" came from WWII fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards." The original story from Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights begins, "Aladdin was a little Chinese boy." (If the editor had received more articles, he wouldn't have had to use 'Fun Fact' fillers.) The President's Corner Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ One month gone by in the new year and we're off to a great start!! We've several new public service events to you to participate in: * Seed 9 Rally Sprint road race on Mar 29th near Goodsprings from 8 am to 4 pm - Jamie N3TOY is the coordinator. * Race for the Cure on May 3rd in downtown Las Vegas with an estimated 15,000 runners - Tom KE4ULL is the coordinator. Other events on the calendar in the next few months are: * ADA Tour de Cure bike ride on May 17th on the west side of town - Howard K3HM is the coordinator. * NAB reception sponsored by Kenwood and CQ Magazine - every ham in the area, whether you live here or are a visitor for the day, can participate - It's Wed evening Apr 9th at 6 pm in Ballroom C of the Las Vegas Hilton - lots of hors d'oeuvres and prizes and it's free! * And of course, our major fundraising event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Feb 28th, Mar 1st and 2nd. Positions are still available - call Bill K8XC today! Last month I mentioned the idea to have Silent Key Estate Counselors to assist families in dealing with the SK's ham gear in an ethical manner. I am looking for members who would be interested in developing this program. Just tell me or any of the board and we'll get this off the ground. I am particularly pleased to conclude with this email from Stephanie KD7KWS about you, the members of LVRAC: Stephanie KD7KWS I have to relay a piece of info I heard yesterday, regarding LVRAC and it's repeater.... I met a great guy named Ian and found that he also is a fellow HAM from Victoria, BC (Canada). He asked for some local freqs to talk and listen on. I, of course, gave him the LVRAC repeater on the Hilton, and several others, as well as our website info. The next day he came in and said "Stephanie, thank you so much for the frequencies, the one on the Hilton...wow.....they were SO FRIENDLY!!! Every time I thought I was gonna stop talking, a new person would say HI and I'd talk to THEM...they were really nice and friendly." I had to explain to him that LVRAC members and those that aren't, around here are very friendly and helpful. And that this is part of why I joined and stayed in LVRAC.... While I know we strive to be nice, friendly, and helpful to everyone....I thought it spoke well for the club and ham's in our area, that a Canadian ham was impressed with us.... My thanks to everyone who spoke with Ian, it's nice to have them come back with a positive experience. So I told him not to thank me.....thank the people who took the time to chat....they are part of the true reason I keep my feet wet in HAM, even with a slammin' schedule.... For Speedway Volunteers Bill Cornelius, K8XC On February 1, 2003, Levy Restaurants, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway concessionaire for whom we will work the NASCAR fund raiser, announced a nationwide initiative to standardize uniforms for volunteers at all (56) Levy locations. At Las Vegas, Levy will provide black aprons and hats. They will require all volunteers to wear a white shirt with collar, either dress white or a polo type, and either black or khaki trousers or slacks. (The radio club would like to see all in black trousers or slacks). Shorts and the usual blue denim type jeans will not be permitted nor will tee shirts or tank tops be allowed. If a group volunteer does not have the appropriate shirt Levy will have them for sale at near cost. Questions should be directed to Bill Cornelius, 897-9626. Even More Fun Facts! Captain Jean-Luc Picard's fish was named Livingston. (Hey! You know I would get Star Trek in there somewhere!) Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. The 'y' in signs reading "ye olde.." is properly pronounced with a 'th' sound, not 'y'. The "th" sound does not exist in Latin, so ancient Roman occupied (present day) England used the rune "thorn" to represent "th" sounds. With the advent of the printing press the character from the Roman alphabet which closest resembled thorn was the lower case "y". The word "samba" means "to rub navels together." The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672. The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher. The little bags of netting for gas lanterns (called 'mantles') are radioactive--so much so that they will set of an alarm at a nuclear reactor. Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots. FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Frank Kelley, KB7PVU H E L P! I need your article for the club newsletter! I can only dream up so much! Send me something today! SECRETARY'S REPORT Paul Webster, KC7QJR - January 14, 2003 President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. and introductions were made. Trustee Report: Pat O'Gara N7QE, noise problem at night on .94 is probably due to neon sign. Need some re-cabling there as well. Discussion of repeater problems and fixes. Discussion on CTCSS usage on .94 Newsletter: Frank Kelley KB7PVU, no newsletters will be sent e-mail as Yahoo precludes sending attachments. It is posted on the web page. Frank is looking for articles and stories. Event coordinators should submit items for their events to Frank each month. Librarian Report: Shelly Holt KD7HZK, list being regenerated. Shelly has a new e-mail: ersh@earthlink.net to be posted in the newsletter. Shelly works at Western High School and will be glad to bring items to work for club members to pickup. Old Business: Holiday Party: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL, everyone had fun thanks to George and Connie Morris W6ABW and KA6JAM. Attendance was over 100 people. We are looking for new location for next year. We need more room. Speedway: Bill Cornelius K8XC, volunteers still needed for NASCAR Feb 28, Mar 1&2. B-9 and B-10 are our stands and we need 30-35 people to man them. We're still short a few, so sign up. If we don't have enough we'll have to share with the Elks Lodge this year. Dinner will be held for those that participate using the tip money. Please sign up. NAB Convention: Bill Cornelius K8XC, April 7-10 we will man the ARRL booth at NAB. Please sign up. Ham reception to be held on Wednesday Apr 9th, 6pm, Ballroom C at the Hilton. Many door prizes to be given away. All welcome to attend. Race for the Cure: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL. Presented Mini Shimp Co-Chair Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure. May 3rd. 5k run/walk. Race to be in downtown Las Vegas. Race to start 8:15am finished and home by noon. HF Remote Project: Dan Starr AA7I. Need new home for station. Computer, radio and antenna. Contact Dan. New Business: New Ham Program: Byon Garrabrant N6BG. Those receiving first license will receive complementary membership in club for 2003. The Shadow Knows! Presentation: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL, Show and Tell. Various members brought projects and displays involving their Ham radio activities during this last year. They were: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL: Go Kit Dennis Cornell WD4HRO: Code Key Collection Paul Webster KC7QJR: Go Kit Byon Garrabrant N6BG: Robots, new tinytrak 3 Mike Stratton KD7NXQ: 20m QRP radio Stanley Perkins W7SLP: Laptop w/ scanner - video editor, Emergency book Raffle: * Circuit tester - Dave Friedman KG6JJV * Multi meter - Butch Bussen WA0VJR, Bob Hodges KD7NWI, Jean Lebon W7JBL * Screwdrivers - Jim Bilan KC7UXB * Solar Panel - Jean Lebon W7JBL, Jim Bilan KC7UXB * 10m Radio - Dave Friedman KG6JJV Announcements: Field Day: Charlie Kunz AA5QJ, June 28-29. Need Coordinator Please contact Charlie to volunteer. Off Road Race: Jamie Gorr N3TOY, May 29th. Off road race in Jean NV. needs 6 hams. Lunch provided. Contact Jamie. Emcom: Vern K0EGA Emcom Level I study session beginning Jan 16th at the Clark County Govt. Center Training Room 3, 7pm. ARRL book provided at no cost. Test $10. Great Intro into ARES/RACES. Lund to Hiko: Howard Mark K3HM, May 17th. Tour de Cure: Howard Mark K3HM, May 17th. Needs operators. Race will be in Henderson this year. 25, 50 and 100 mile courses will be run. 7am to 4pm. 15-20 people needed. Tues Net Control: Steve Scott KD8S, will no longer be a net controller. Ron Hinze KB0WAR is out of action temporarily. We need 2 control operators for the net. Requirements: Computer and 2m or 440 mhz radio. Marconi Special Event Station: Dennis Cornell WD4HRO. Jim Bassett W1RO is in Massachusetts operating the commemorative station this week. Baker to Vegas: Dave KG6JJV, April 12-13. 8 hour endurance race need 3-4 operators. Raffle: Larry Hinsdale WB0SMR, Prize incl: 10m mobile, 2 solar panels, precision screwdriver set, 3 multi meters, circuit tester. Badges: Byon Garrabrant N6BG, badges available for all who have paid 2003 dues. Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm. Clark County ARES Report - Jan 2003 by Charlie, AA5QJ, Clark County EC - ARES/RACES meeting to be held Sat Feb 15th at 9:00 AM at the Clark County Government Center. All members please attend. - ARRL Emergency Communications Course Level I Study Group started on Thu Jan 16, 2003 for 5 Thursdays from 7-10 PM at the Clark County Government Center. If you would like additional information on Level I training, please contact Vern K0EGA, AEC Training, via email or by phone at 641-5963. - Charlie Kunz AA5QJ, EC and Dan Starr AA7I, AEC RACES attended the Clark County Public Safety Coordination Team meeting. - Charlie Kunz AA5QJ EC, and Glenn Hale KB7REO, DEC attended the organizational meeting of the Mojave Valley Amateur Radio Club in Overton, briefed the 20 hams attending on ARES/RACES/SKYWARN, enrolled several new members, and provided ARRL Level I Training Manuals. - Don DeCaria NF7R was appointed AEC for NE Clark County encompassing the Glendale, Logandale, Overton, and Mesquite area of the county Race for the Cure! The Las Vegas chapter of the Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Foundation will be conducting their annual Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 3, 2003. The event is comprised of two events which occur at the same time. A walking event and a 5K foot race. The event is held in the Downtown area of the city. Event organizers expect a large number of people to participate in this year's event and have asked the members of the Las Vegas radio Amateur Club to assist them by providing communications support for the event. Those interested in helping out should expect to be act the event around 6 Am and be released around noon. If you are interested in helping out, contact Tom Petrakis (KE4ULL) @ tpetrakis@lvcm.com. Amateur Radio Exams Tim Hunt, WA6TNW 7 February given in room A107 n the CCSN - Henderson campus. The exams start promply at 12 noon (Pacific time). It is suggested that you arrive between 11:30AM and 11:45AM. This will give you adequate time to be seated and fill out the necessary paperwork. Be prepared to bring the following to the test session: * $10 - Exam fee. * Proper identification, preferably a picture ID with your signature. Normally applicants provide a driver's license or student ID. * Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer ID number (TIN) if you are not eligible for a SSN. * If you presently have an Amateur Radio license, we will need the original plus a photocopy. * If you have a CSCE, we must see the original plus a photocopy. * Pen and pencil. You may bring a calculator as long as the memory can be "flushed" before you take the exam. Another Successful Holiday Pot Luck Dinner Connie Morris, KA6JAM The Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club held its annual Holiday Pot Luck Dinner on Friday, December 6, 2002. Some 85+ people, including several children of members, attended the dinner. The club provided the drinks, main course and place settings. The attendees provided the rest of the food, which included many different types of desserts, breads, salads, and veggie dishes. Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL, arranged for the room, rented the extra tables needed to accommodate the many people attending, and, along with some help from incoming officers and other club members, got the room set up and ready for the party. Dennis Cornell, N7HRO, conducted the Free Holiday Party Raffle. The raffle consisted of 56 prizes, the main one being a $100 AES Gift Certificate. Several other items were donated: 5 dinners for two from Bud and Big Dogs Restaurants, a $20 AES gift certificate from Luck and Amateur Electronic Supply and 6 VANCO speakers from Dave at Radio World, Boulder City. Our thanks to Bill Cornelius, K8XC, who arranged for all of the raffle prizes. Tom, KE4ULL, acted as master of Ceremonies for the Yankee Swap, which proved to be a great deal of fun. Fifty plus items were "swapped". The items included such things as adult beverages, candy, handcraft items, gift certificates and many other nice items. We would like to thank all of the people who stayed after the end of the festivities and helped to return the room to its original condition. Any job will always take a lot less time and effort when there are many willing hands. I would like to thank my husband, George Morris, W6ABW, and club incoming president, Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, for pitching in when and where needed throughout the entire evening. For those of you who were unable to attend the 2002 party, plan to attend in 2003. We are sure that you will have a wonderful evening. LVRAC Contact Information President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ aa5qj@arrl.net 334-1196 Vice President Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL tpetrakis@lvcm.com 368-6763 Secretary Paul Webster, KC7QJR pwebster@ci.las-vegas.nv.us 229-6545 Treasurer Jamie Gorr, N3TOY n3toy@qsl.net 233-2479 Director Byon Garrabrant, N6BG byon@mail.com 228-6950 Director Butch Bussen WA0VJR butchb@shellworld.net 255-4388 Director Larry Hinsdale, WB0SMR lshinsdale@aol.com 434-4944 Newsletter Editor Frank Kelley, KB7PVU dossfc@yahoo.com 438-5176 Past President Shawn Adair, KB7AWG kb7awg@hotmail.com 617-3540 Trustee Pat O'Gara, N7QE patogara@lvcm.com 804-6629 Public Affairs Jim Bassett, W1RO W1RO@aol.com 251-4911 Webmaster Joe Scanlan, N7XSD n7xsd@qsl.net 896-0507 Librarian Shelly Holt, KD7HZK ersh@earthlink.net 642-6871 Net Controllers Howard Mark, K3HM hmark@earthlink.net 256-3662 Frank Drake, KL7IPV sirdrakejr@aol.com 838-3452 Frank Kelley, KB7PVU dossfc@yahoo.com 438-5176 ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ LAS VEGAS RADIO AMATEUR CLUB P.O. Box 27342 Las Vegas, Nevada 89126 Membership Application Please Print Legibly * NEW MEMBER (Please attach copy of license) ? RENEWAL ? UPDATE INFORMATION Name ___________________________________________________ Application Date ____/______/_______ M D YR Call Sign __________________ License Class __________________ Expiration Date ____/______/_______ Address ____________________________________ City ______________________ State _____ Zip ______ Home Telephone (____)___________________ Work Telephone (____)___________________ Cellular/Pager (____)______________________ E-mail: ____________________________________ * Family Membership Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ Name _____________ Call _______________ License Class __________ * ARRL Member Signature ___________________________________ Your preference in receiving the monthly club newsletter - Via USPS Club Web Page The club operates on a calendar year (January to January) with dues presently at $20 per year. Dues are the same for an individual or family membership. Please send check or money order payable to the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club (or LVRAC) and mail to the club's post office box. Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club P.O. Box 27342 Las Vegas, NV 89126 February 2003 issue Internet: http://www.lvrac.org/ Radio: 146.730 MHz (QST machine) 146.940 MHZ (K7UGE repeater) 448.500 MHz (K7UGE repeater) K7UGE Page 3 http://www.lvrac.org K7UGE Page 1 http://www.lvrac.org