RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club April 2003 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 The President's Corner Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ The results of the Speedway Fundraising event are in and again we thank the 53 LVRAC members and family and the 13 Elks members who made this event a success. The total amount of 7,437.44 was earned with $6,106.14 going to the LVRAC and $1,331.30 to the Elks. Stand B9 was the top earner for volunteer groups, with B10 not far behind. An Appreciation Dinner will be held May 10th - details have been sent out to the volunteers. I am also pleased to report that the vote to purchase the Communications trailer was favorable. We have concluded the purchase, titled and registered the trailer, replaced the tires, deep-cycle batteries and lettered it LVRAC. We deployed it in support of the Seed 9 Rally Sprint road race on Mar 29th near Goodsprings and it worked out nicely. We have held one 'work day/open house' and will be having more. We want to get some firm plans in place before we make any more changes, and welcome your input. If you have ideas, please email Vern Garman K0EGA at garmco@lvcm.com or give him a call at 641-5963. He has a floor plan drawn up that he can send you to doodle your thoughts on. The April meeting on the 8th promises to be an exciting one. The business portion of the meeting will be virtually nonexistent, giving all the time to our visiting dignitaries from the ARRL, including President Jim Haynie W5JBP, Third Vice President Freid Heyn WA6WZO, Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio W6RGG, Vice Director Andrew J. "Andy" Oppel N6AJO, and Nevada Section Manager Dick Flanagan W6OLD, and to our featured guest speaker, Bob Heil K9EID of Heil Sound. The following night, April 9th, is another event you don't want to miss: the 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 at 6 pm in Ballroom C of the Las Vegas Hilton - lots of hors d'oeuvres and prizes and it's free! See you on the 8th !! ... and the 9th... YOUR CLUB NEEDS NET CONTROLLERS To conduct the Tuesday night nets. Contact Howard Mark, K3HM (256-3662) or hmark@earthlink.net to learn how to become a net controller and get in on all the fun. ARES Report Mar 2003 Charlie Kunz AA5QJ Charlie Kunz AA5QJ EC and Vern Garman K0EGA AEC Training participated in a Tabletop Exercise in preparation for the Determined Promise national exercise to be conducted by the Dept of Defense Aug 18-29. ARES/RACES will be tasked during the period Aug 20-21 0800-0800. - Howard Mark K3HM AEC Hospital Support and Frank Kostelac N7ZEV met with UMC personnel to discuss antenna and equipment locations for their proposed installation. - A 21' travel trailer, outfitted for use as an amateur radio communications mobile command post, was purchased by the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club. This trailer will be available to CCNVARES as a function of their commitment to support ARES/RACES. Initial planning for refurbishing the trailer has been started. New tires and batteries have been installed. Look for notice of work days on the SONARES news list. - The Seed 9 Rally Sprint road race was held on Mar 29th near Goodsprings. 12 ARES/RACES members participated in the communications support for that event and the LVRAC Communications trailer was used for the first time. FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Frank Kelley, KB7PVU Hi Frank, I noticed in the last news letter the Baker to Vegas was referred to as an eight hour endurance race. Having been very involved since 1986 I think it might be informative to some of the new members of what it really is. It is a Twenty Four hour 120 mile relay race consisting of about 200 teams. Each team has 20 members and about as many support people. There are about Two Hundred Ham radio operators at twenty check points(4 to 6 Hams) at each one plus command post and finish line people. So as you can see this is probably the biggest event this side of the New York marathon! We are talking about thousands of people involved and Hams are really necessary in this event. The teams consist of Police Officers from all over the west, Canada and others. So you see it is a whole more than one line mention being called eight hour endurance run! Maybe something to fill space in the news letter. Tnx es 73 de Editor note: Thanks to all who support the newsletter! RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE 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 Lee Schram N7YBE 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. See Jamie Gorr N3TOY for details. 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. From Our Ham Family in AZ. Hamfest: April 7, 2001 from 6:00 AM to noon. DeVry Institute, South Parking Lot, 2149 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. Talk-in: 147.280 Repeater (no tone). Contact: George Cooney, KQ7C, 602 274-6212 mailto:georgie@aztec.asu.edu 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/ DON'T MISS THE 08 APR 03 MEETING The following are door prizes for the Tuesday night (4/8) meeting: 1. Radio Shack HTX-202 2 M Hand Held 2. Multi Meter 3. 2M mag-mount (Hershey Kiss) antenna 4. 70 CM mag-mount (Hershey Kiss) antenna 5. Super Antenna MP-1 Portable Antenna 40-6M & Tripod. AND... The following guest will be attending: ARRL, President, Jim Haynie, W5JBP Pacific Division Director, Bob Vallo, W6RGG Pacific Division, Vise Director, Andy Oppel, N6AJO Pacific Division, Nevada Sector Manager, Dick Flanagan, W6OLD and Bob Heil, K9EID What a lineup!!! RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE Amateur Radio Operators Reception Bill Cornelius, K8XC Mark your calendar for 6PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2003. That is the time when Kenwood and CQ Magazine will sponsor a free reception for all Las Vegas area hams and those attending the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. This annual event is very informal, guests are invited, there is no formal reception line and one free drink and light snacks will be provided. The newest of radio equipment will be on display and a very short introduction of special guests will be followed by a free raffle that will include about 100 prizes. So please, come to Ballroom C, Hilton Hotel and Casino (next to the Convention Center) on Wednesday evening for an opportunity to meet hams from all over the world and possibly carry home a nice prize. Questions? Call Bill, K8XC or Carolyn, K9XC at 897-9626. Hello Fellow Radio Club/Org Officers Attached is a cover letter and registration form for the 2003 ARRL Utah State Convention and Utah Hamfest at Ruby's Inn near Bryce Canyon National Park Utah being held July 11th - July 13th, 2003. Please consider adding this link http://www.utahhamfest.org/ to your WEB site and newsletters. Feel free to copy the cover letter or registration form and make them available in your meetings. We are excited to welcome Kay C. Craigie, WT3P ARRL Vice President as our keynote speaker this year. See the cover letter and website for details. Please forward this to the appropriate person to include this in the your club/org newsletter and website. You can get the registration form here or from the website. Thank you for your help. See you there! 73, Larry Benson, N7GY Publicity, 2003 ARRL Utah Hamfest Committee Hello to everyone west of Colorado! You are receiving this message to alert the amateur radio operators in your community regarding EMCOMMWEST 2003. Since 2000, EMCOMMWEST has been the premier ARRL/ARES sponsored amateur radio specialty convention, specifically oriented toward emergency communications. Each year, the convention has grown in size and popularity and the fourth such event. Originally called "EMCOMM" and now named EMCOMMWEST, this year's event has moved to Reno, Nevada! This one-day event will be held in Reno on May 31, 2003. (Follow the link http://www.emcomm.org/emcomm/ to read about how it all started. Photos from last year's event are shown with links to photos of EMCOMM-2001 and 2002 are at the bottom of the page.) We are pleased to announce our ARRL Headquarters guest is Dan Miller, K3UFG. Dan is the ARECC Course Manager and oversees the EmComm and continuing education courses offered on line. Dan will be conducting a forum Saturday afternoon for mentors, instructors and interested students to attend. This is an excellent presentation and the first time it is being presented in Nevada. Should you be unable to find the information you need for EMCOMMWEST on our web page, http://www.cvrc.net/emcommwest/, please feel free to contact the Event Coordinator, Paul Cavnar NN7B (nn7b@arrl.net), or myself, the Public Relations Officer, at your convenience. Also, for those of you looking for a complete brochure or half-page ad (suitable for most newsletters), please contact me. I have both PDF and GIF formats available. 73, Melissa Flanagan KK7AA Public Relations Officer, EMCOMMWEST 2003 kk7aa@arrl.net ONCE UPON A TIME, there stood the "Tower of Frank". An imposing structure and the guardian of the airwaves that defied all to conquer. Then came the four "Wise Guys", and their leader, They were ...hear no evil, See no evil, speak and do no evil and, of course...Chucky They came to do battle with the mighty structure... and "Look!", they said, "It's so tall. Who among us will climb the monster and bring it down?" And they who saw no evil nor spoke no evil said "We will!" And with many tools and great determination they went forth Each attacking, one after another, until the mighty structure started to fall piece by piece. And labor they did until all the pieces were gone. And the mighty "Tower of Frank" ceased to dominate the airwaves and ceased to be no more. And he who saw no evil said, "What have we done?" And the others answered, "You dolt, we've just taken Frank's antenna system down.". And he answer, "Oh!". And all were pleased with themselves. Welcome to the Home Page of The Amateur Television Network http://www.atn-tv.org/ Fast Scan Amateur Television in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Indiana ( . . . and worldwide by way of the internet.) Amateur Television is very popular in many parts of the country and overseas as well. In Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Indiana amateur television thrives through the Amateur Television Network (ATN) which includes numerous linked repeaters throughout the region (See map at bottom). These repeaters make it possible for Amateur Radio Operators (aka "hams") who have amateur television equipment to make contacts with each other from rather remote locations. Contacts spanning several hundred miles occur regularly. ATV is Amateur Radio with live video pictures. Here in Las Vegas, Nevada the link into the ATN is the KB7BY Las Vegas ATV Repeater. The KB7BY ATV Repeater is located at High Potosi in the Las Vegas Repeater Association's building. The repeater has an FM input on 912 MHz. and 2.4Ghz. It features both FM and AM outputs. FM is on 1265 MHz, AM 1241.25 MHz. The repeater controller is homebrew and was built by Geoff Gomes, KB7BY. It supports a link to Southern California as well as a remote-controlled surveillance camera capable of seeing sights in Las Vegas from an altitude of 8,500 feet and range of 20 miles. The Las Vegas Repeater Association and the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club are creating a committee to discuss ways of increasing the use of ATV in Southern Nevada. Included are those with UHF ATV also. Please contact Dan Starr, AA7I at 455-6388 (daytime) or e-mail me at dlstarr@lvcm.com if you are interested in participating. Frank Kostelac, left, is shown with the new 1.2 GHz FM antenna. Geoff Gomes did the installation. N7ZEV ATV Mobile These pictures show Frank's ATV mobile setup. It is capable of receiving 434 MHz local transmissions, up linking them to the 900 MHz FM input on the KB7BY High Potosi ATV Repeater, and monitoring the output on both the AM and FM 1.2 GHz outputs. In the 1997 Baker-to-Vegas foot relay race Frank and Ralph (N7TND) received local transmissions from checkpoint 20 and the finish line, and relayed them to the 900 MHz input. Rear View, showing 900MHz yagi on left; 1.2 GHz dish in middle; and 440 yagi on right. The assembly was, of course, equipped with a rotator. Inside view of equipment rack. Back view of equipment rack. Click here for repeater coverage maps. Click here for topographical maps. SECRETARY'S REPORT Paul Webster, KC7QJR - March 11, 2003 President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, called the meeting to order at 6:58pm. and introductions were made. Welcome and Introductions: 78 People Attending Trustee Report: Pat O'Gara N7QE, work continuing on repeaters. Librarian Report: Contact Shelly by e-mail, shelly@pdai.com for library items; which includes the MFJ Analyzer New ARRL Video: Shown to Members Secretary Report: Paul Webster KC7QJR, Newsletter didn't go out no action Treasurer's Report: Jamie Gorr N3TOY, Motion to accept: Dennis Cornell N7HRO Second: Frank Drake KL7IPV Passed Old Business: Speedway: Speedway: Bill Cornelius K8XC, B-9 and B-10 produced over $80k this year. Exact tally will be delayed as computer system crashed and work is proceeding by hand. Should have check 1st of April. NAB Convention: Bill Cornelius K8XC, April 7-10 we will man the ARRL booth at NAB. Booth roster is full. Free exhibit passes available for those not working the booth. 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. Hor d' oeuvres will be served. Race for the Cure: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL, May 3rd. 5k run/walk. Race to be in downtown Las Vegas. 18 volunteers so far, more needed. Tour de Cure: Howard Mark K3HM, May 17th. Have 8 Hams: need for 18-20. Lund to Hiko: Lee Schram N7YBE, May 17th & 18th. Race will pay for gas. Field Day: Jamie Gorr N3TOY, June 28-29. Need Coordinator. Please contact Charlie to volunteer. Will be responsible mainly for food. See Charlie for T-shirts and pins. Net Control Ops: Howard Mark K3HM, Clayton Hughes KB7PHB will be new net controller. HF Remote: Dan Starr AA7I, Still working on pilot program. Anyone who wishes to participate contact Dan. Member's Website: Jamie Gorr N3TOY, See Jamie (N3TOY@yahoo.com) or send e-mail for password. http://members@lvrac.org Callsign lookup, roster update available. Sk Concilor: Butch Bussen WA0JVR, Butch has volunteered. Dennis Cornell N7HRO will assist. New Business: Baker to Vegas: Dave Friedman KG6JJV, Dave's team from So. California has bailed. Those who volunteered to help his team are no longer needed. 6 meter weak sig: Pat O'Gara N7QE, Those who work 6 meter weak signal please note any interference caused by Digital TV channel 2 not by Analog TV channel 3. The interference caused by the digital signal on TV channel 2 would extend through the amateur 6-meter band. report to Pat. T-Hunt: Byon Garrabrant N6BG, T-hunt this weekend. Comm. Trailer: Charlie Kunz AA7QJ, Slide show and Discussion. Cost $3,000.00 to acquire. Another $3,000.00 to outfit. Motion : Frank Drake KL7IPV, Second: Dennis Cornell N7HRO, Passed. Break 8:11pm Call to order 8:25pm Program: Tom Petrakis KE4ULL. Clubs MFJ analyzer explained. Bill Crogan WB0KSW. Short course: Antennas 101. Display of many different kinds of antennas. Raffle: Larry Hinsdale WB0SMR. The following won prizes: Coat Hanger Ant - Fred Broughton KB2CT Multi-meter - Robert Hodges KD7NWI 2m HT - Dan Starr AA7I MFJ Dual Band Duck - Clayton Hughes KB7PHB MFJ Large Dual Band Duck - Jean Lebon W7JBL MFJ Hersheys Kiss Dual Band - Robert Hodges KD7NWI Stubby Duck - Vern Garman K0EGA MFJ Hersheys Kiss 2m - Rich Lytle KD7DFC HF Antenna - Dave Friedman KG6JJV Meeting Adjourned: 9:10pm Race for the Cure! This is an "All-Points-Bulletin"!! Howard Mark (K3HM) and I met with the Operations organizers for the Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Foundation, Race for the Cure, on February 20, 2003. Annually, this event has become one of the largest charity events held in Las Vegas. Last year the event saw 8,400 people in the 5-K run and another 4,400 in the 1-mile walk! So Howard and I our estimating that it will require about 24 hams to fully cover the event... As of this date, we have 16 ham who have volunteered... If you are able to assist us in helping out on Saturday, morning, May 3, 2003, please send me an email.. This is another one of our opportunities to really make a difference in the local community.. Local Hams are getting a very good reputation for helping assisting charitable activities in town! All that will be required on your part is a portable (hand-held) or mobile (in your vehicle) radio set-up, capable of 2-meters and 70-meters. The event is held in the Downtown area of the city. Due to the large number of people participating in this year's event, organizers 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 at the event around 6 AM and be released around noon. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Tom Petrakis (KE4ULL) @ tpetrakis@lvcm.com. ARRL at NAB - 2003 Bill Cornelius, K8XC Between April 7 - 10, 2003, local hams and officers of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), to include President Jim Haynie, will staff Lobby Booth 23 in the Las Vegas Convention Center during the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. This booth will see about 800 hams stop by to chat and obtain the latest information on amateur radio as presented in numerous ARRL handouts and during discussions with ARRL representatives. This year the booth is located outside the traditional exhibit halls so no badge or payment is required to stop by and say hello. We hope to see many of you there, perhaps on your way to the free ham reception (see article elsewhere in this newsletter). Questions? Call Bill, K8XC or Carolyn, K9XC at 8978-9626 Amateur Radio Exams Tim Hunt, WA6TNW 3 May 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. Speedway Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Carolyn Cornelius, K9XC Speedway fund raiser volunteers, their spouses or significant others and children should mark their calendars for the annual tips funded appreciation dinner at 6 PM, Saturday, May 10, 2003, at Sunset Station. Details, buffet menus and the costs for children will be provided later or may be obtained now by calling Carolyn, K9XC or Bill, K8XC at 897-9626. 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 April 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