RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club July 2003 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 ------------------------------------------ The President's Corner Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ It is my pleasure to have the President's Corner report on the outstanding Field Day this past weekend, compliments of Fred K9GAJ: 2003 Field Day Report, 7/2/03, Fred Homuth, K9GAJ The Las Vegas Valley 2003 Field Day was a huge success with over 120 people (a possible record) attending the two- day event. Volunteers from the sponsor FARS, LVRAC, and NRAC clubs along with many visitors provided lots of help with setup, operation, tear down and other duties. Even several out of town ham tourists came by and operated. All 3 club presidents and Gary Hartman, KK7LV (ARRL Assistant Section Manager) attended and made short speeches at the great barbecue/potluck provided by Jamie Gorr, N3TOY on Saturday evening. Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL cooked up a tasty omelet breakfast on Sunday morning for the hungry operators and early birds. 2003 Field Day Coordinator, Fred Homuth, K9GAJ was presented with a nice plaque for organizing the event. With near continuous radio operations on the Class 5A stations, N7V, more than 530 phone, 250 cw, and 20 digital contacts were made in spite of generally poor band conditions. There were also stations operating on 6 meters and VHF/UHF. The interesting demonstrations of APRS, Packet, RTTY, ATV, SSTV, QRP, Satellite, and T-Hunting along with many QSOs being made on the GOTA (Get On the Air) beginners station added to the fun. The recently acquired LVRAC Emergency Communications Trailer was on display and is shaping up to be a fine facility. Everybody said they really had a fun time and managed to keep cool even with 108 temps on Saturday. The many eyeball QSOs and hamming tales provided lots of enjoyment and resulted in new friendships being made. Several were already planning Field Day for next year! For PR we had television TV-8 and Sun newspaper reporters show up to do stories on the event. TV-8 reports appeared on 6PM and 11PM news Saturday night and the Sun story (with pictures of Luke, KK7XX and Glen, N7GOT operating) appeared in the Monday (6/30/03) Sun newspaper. ------------------------------------------ From The Editor's Desk Frank Kelley, KB7PVU This is my last newsletter for the LVRAC. Very shortly my wife and I will be moving out of state to a new job and other adventures. It has been an honor to be your newsletter editor for the past year. I shall carry fond memories from the position into the future. Though I have had the pleasure of working with many fine members of the club and give thanks for all their help, there are two who have given special meaning to my learning and advancement. First I would like to thank Howard Mark, K3HM, "The Voice of Summerlin" for his mentorship and trust in helping me become not only your newsletter editor but also a club Net Controller. He provided my first guidance in net control and was always there to answer my smallest questions. Always quick to let me know what went well and where I might consider improvement, he has become a corner stone in my radio growth. The second is Bill Cornelius, K8XC. He provided me with balance in being the newsletter editor. Being a Pisces by nature I tend to get drawn into the emotional side of differencing views. I could always count on Bill to review the fruits of my wisdom and, while not distracting from the freedom of creativity, help focus me back to a balanced view of events without the emotion that the newsletter should present. Howard and Bill, you have my heart-felt thanks. To the club, I again give thanks for the opportunities made available that help to shape my understanding of ham radio. You will always be in my thoughts. V/R Frank L. Kelley, KB7PVU "Director of Safety, Starfleet Command" ------------------------------------------ RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE MS 150 Bike Tour 18-19 October 2003 This Multiple Sclerosis fund raiser takes riders from the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas to the Flamingo Hotel in Laughlin on Saturday. That's 100 miles of fun the first day! The second day riders tour through Laughlin and into Arizona. Amateur Radio operators needed. Please contact Joe Scanlan, N7XSD by e-mail at or by phone at 896-0507 to volunteer. Utah Hamfest 2003 July 11, 12, and 13, 2003 - Ruby's Inn For additonal information contact Kelly Vining, AI7J E-mail is ai7j@webpipe.net Phone is 801-544 -1580 Web page: http://www.utahhamfest.org ------------------------------------------ Amateur Radio Exams Tim Hunt, WA6TNW 3 August given in room A107 at 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: $12 - 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. If you have special requirements, you _MUST_ call ahead so we can accommodate you! For further information, go to our web page www.LVHamTest.com ------------------------------------------ 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/ ------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------ HELP GET AMATEUR RADIO INTO A CLASSROOM NEAR YOU! Everywhere teachers look for new ways to excite students and encourage learning. Likewise, amateur radio operators seek ways to populate a wonderful hobby with a new generation of new hams. There is an opportunity just around the corner that will help both camps. The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 is the nation's only full-time, non-profit organization working to get amateur radio into classrooms around the country as a teaching tool using the EDUCOM program (Education Through Communication). Members of the "22 Crew" are conducting a FREE Teacher's Meeting on Saturday, July 12, 2003 at Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. Admission is free, and special rates, discounts, and activities have been arranged for attendees, families, and guests. The Teacher's Meeting is not limited to educators—anyone interested in helping get Ham Radio into schools as a teaching tool will benefit from attending. Speakers include Club President Joe Fairclough, WB2JKJ, History Professor and former ARRL Section Manager for South Carolina, Dave Berry, KE4W, and American Amateur Radio Association President Glen Baxter, K1MAN. Others will be on hand to share their experiences using Ham Radio in the classroom. Hotel reservations can be made by calling (800) 634-6575. The Plaza web site is at http://www.plazahotelcasino.com/. A flyer for this event is available at the RCJHS 22 site, http://www.wb2jkj.org/. ------------------------------------------ ARRL now part of Citizens Corps: ARRL now is an official affiliate program of Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance public preparedness and safety. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, signed the formal Statement of Affiliation between DHS and ARRL during the ARRL 2003 National Convention June 21. Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (FEMA) Ron Castleman represented Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response Michael D. Brown at the signing. For more details, surf to http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/06/24/2/?nc=1 ------------------------------------------ RADIO ACTIVE FEATURE FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS 5 MHZ ALLOCATION UPDATE When the five new 60-meter channels become available to US Amateur Radio operators at midnight (12 AM) local time on July 3, the rules will impose a new record-keeping requirement for hams. The requirement applies only to those using something other than a simple half-wave dipole on the 5 MHz allocation. According to Part 97.303(s), a half-wave dipole on the 5 MHz allocation will be presumed to have a gain of 0 dBd. ''Licensees" using other antennas must maintain in their station records either manufacturer data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain,'' states the newest addition to the FCC's Amateur Service rules. Because the new rules also require hams to run no more than 50 W effective radiated power (ERP) on the new channels, the choice of antenna becomes an important compliance factor. The FCC rules stipulate, ''For the purpose of computing ERP, the transmitter PEP will be multiplied (by) the antenna gain relative to a dipole or the equivalent calculation in decibels.'' ARRL has posted a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) concerning 5 MHz operation on the ARRL Web site, www.arrl.org/fandes/field/regulations/faq.html#sixty . ------------------------------------------ SUCCESSFUL QSLING By Jan O'Brien, K6HHD In spite of all these "new fangled" computers (which were supposed to create a paperless society!), we still believe that you need the following information in printed form to keep handy to remind you about the important items when you send QSL cards. Getting QSLs is important to you. If it weren't you would have little interest in the "GO List". Our goal is to help you get those important QSL cards. We have been gathering information from many sources and feel that you will find the following quite useful. YOUR QSL CARD: All of the necessary information INCLUDING YOUR CALL should be on ONE side of your card. It is especially time consuming for those managers handling expedition cards to have to turn cards over to find the call. It is fine to have a two-sided card but PLEASE make sure your call is ALSO included on the side with the QSO information. If you keep your log in Universal Time (UT) then the time on your card will agree with the time in the DX station's log and save the manager countless hours. You must have a clock (preferably 24-hour clock) in your ham shack that tells time in the International standard. Formerly referred to as GMT, also referred to as ZULU time by members of the military and MARS members. KEEP YOUR LOG IN UT. REMEMBER that the date changes at 0000 UT. This is early evening in the U.S. (4 p.m. PST and 7 p.m. EST). If you work a station on April 1, 1992 and you put 4/1/92 on the card and then send it to an overseas country there will be a problem. Most everyone but the U.S. abbreviates date with the day, month, year; someone outside the U.S. will read that date as January 4, 1992. Therefore, avoid confusion by writing out (or abbreviating) the NAME of the month. The biggest headache that QSL Managers have is trying to figure out the time and date that you worked their stations! Be sure that all entries on your card are readable. If your handwriting is poor, please print. Do not correct mistakes; make a new card. Correcting errors on a card that is later used to apply for awards could cause that card to be disqualified as "altered". SASE stands for "Self Addressed Stamped Envelope" and SAE is "Self Addressed Envelope". ALWAYS send at least one SASE or SAE. If your request is for several cards, and especially if it is for more than one station that is handled by the manager, send more than one envelope or be prepared to wait much longer for those cards. Postage expenses come out of the manager's pocket. Standard letter size envelopes are preferred by most managers. If you don't send some means for returning your card, it may come back via the bureau or perhaps NOT AT ALL. (Some managers refuse to answer bureau cards.) When you send a request to an overseas manager or direct to the station you want the card from, include IRC's (International Reply Coupons) for return postage AND a SAE. Some folks send "green stamps" (US dollar bills) for return postage. Please use discretion when sending dollars overseas. They are good most everywhere. However, there are a few places where you may get the person on the other end in trouble by sending money, or, he may never receive it. Mail theft is quite common in some areas of the world. If you fold your SASE put the fold in the bottom of the envelope in which you enclose it. Many SASE's have been cut in half by the letter opener because the fold was at the top! BE PATIENT. Managers have various ways of receiving the log information, but the most common is via the mail. Sometimes it may take six months due to lack of mail service to some remote islands. If the operation was a DXpedition the cards may not be printed until the operation is completed and if picture QSL's are to be printed they take extra long. Ninety nine per cent or more of the QSL managers are honest, conscientious, hard working folks, who are doing the best job they are able to do to help you obtain QSL cards. Patience is the byword for obtaining QSL cards. PLEASE, be quite certain that you have allowed enough time for the manager to obtain logs before you take him(her) to task for taking so long. Copyright (c) 1993 Electronics Enterprises. Permission to copy or extract is given provided credit is given to the author and the source. ------------------------------------------ STATIONS KPH AND KFS TO BE HEARD ONCE AGAIN In the fourth annual event that has become known as the "Night of Nights" historic Morse code radio station KPH will return to the air in commemoration of the last commercial Morse message sent in the United States. KPH, the ex-RCA coast station located north of San Francisco, will return to the air for commemorative broadcasts on 12 July at 1701 PDT (13 July at 0001 GMT), 4 years and one minute after the last commercial Morse transmission in the US. These on-the-air events are intended to honor the men and women who followed the radiotelegraph trade on ships and at coast stations around the world. Transmissions are expected to continue until at least midnight PDT (0700GMT). For this fourth annual Night of Nights one frequency for equally historic coast station KFS will also be activated. Veteran Morse operators, including many former KPH and KFS staff members, will be on duty at the receiving station at Point Reyes, CA listening for calls from ships and sending messages just as they did for so many years before Morse code operations were shut down. The transmitters are located 18 miles south of Point Reyes in Bolinas, CA at the transmitting station established in 1913 by the American Marconi Co. The original KPH transmitters, receivers and antennas will be used to activate frequencies in all the commercial maritime HF bands and on MF as well. KPH will transmit on 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.5 and 22477.5kc on HF and on 500 and 426kc on MF. KFS will transmit on 17026.0kc. These frequencies have been made available through the generous cooperation of Globe Wireless, the current owner of the KPH and KFS licenses. Many of the transmitters will be 50s vintage RCA sets. Power output will be 4 to 5kW. The transmitting antennas include a Marconi T for MF, double extended Zepps for 4, 6 and 8Mc and H over 2s for 12, 16 and 22Mc. Operators will listen for calls from ships on 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and 22280.5kc on HF and 500kc on MF. KPH and KFS will send traffic lists, weather and press broadcasts and commemorative messages, many of which will be sent by hand. At other times the KPH and KFS "wheel" will be sent to mark the transmitting frequencies. Reception reports may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops P.O. Box 381 Bolinas CA 94924-0381 USA Members of the public are invited to visit the receiving station for this event. The station will be open to visitors beginning at 1500PDT (3:00pm). The station is located at 17400 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and is on the route to the Point Reyes lighthouse. Watch for a cypress lined driveway on the right about a mile past the entry to Coast Guard station NMC. KPH is operated by the Maritime Radio Historical Society in cooperation with the Point Reyes National Seashore, part of the National Park Service. Further information may be found on the Maritime Radio Historical Society Web site at http://www.radiomarine.org or by contacting Richard Dillman at +1 415-990-7090 (email: ddillman@igc.org) or Tom Horsfall at +1 510-237-9535 (email: wa6ope@hotmail.com). VY 73, RD ------------------------------------------ SECRETARY'S REPORT Byon Garrabrant,N6BG – June 10, 2003 President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, called the meeting to order. and introductions were made. Reports The secretary's reports for the last 3 months were accepted - Moved WB0KSW, seconded N7QE The treasurer's reports for the last 2 months were accepted - Moved N7HRO, seconded N7GOT N7QE gave a trustee's report on the .94 repeater. He is looking into a background noise problem. Newsletter: Frank has will leave post in August due to work commitments, new volunteer sought. KD7HZK gave a librarian report. She recommended the purchase of a second club antenna analyzer, since the current one has a long waiting list. KD7NWI offered to donate his to the club. The BOD wanted to have a system of checkouts before allowing the analyzer to be passed around. KD7HZK also wants to get QST on CDROM, and new VE test books. K3HM gave a report on the May 17 Tour de Cure. All went well K3HM needs one more net control operator for the Tues night nets AA5QJ said the HF remote has moved to http://hfremote.dns2go.com:8081/tsweb AA5QJ mentioned that new ARRL members should sign up through the club. See N3TOY N7XSD is looking for volunteers for the MS150, Oct 18-19. N3TOY reminded people to update emails address on the Yahoo Group list and the members web site. lvcm.com is changing to Cox. net. K3HM mentioned that Rich Levy has a 40ft tower available. K0EGA mentioned that the Harvest Festival in Pahrump is looking for volunteer Oct 3-5. WK2T became a silent key on May 23. AA7I mentioned that VE exams are $12, not $10, and that Tim Hunt can give ARRL ARES Emergency comm exams by appt. N7HXO is looking to find N7YL for DXpeditions logs. N6BG gave a presentation on Byonics, Tiny Trak, and other projects Raffle: The Raffle was held, with the grand prize, a 10 meter radio, going to KD7VA Meeting Adjourned: 9:00pm ------------------------------------------ The Amateur's Code The Radio Amateur is CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others. LOYAL...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally. PROGRESSIVE...with knowledge abreast of science, a well- built and efficient station and operation above reproach. FRIENDLY...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit. BALANCED...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community. PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community. --The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928. ------------------------------------------ ARES/RACES REPORT JUNE 2003 Activities A general membership meeting was held Sat June 7th. Bill Marple was presented his Certificate of Appointment as AEC for the City of Las Vegas. --Exercises: 1. Determined Promise Aug 20-21 0800-0800. 2 week national exercise conducted by DOD Aug 18-29. 2. Full-scale Aviation Disaster Exercise October 22. -- Events: 1. Seed 9 Rally Sprint road race Mar 29 report 2. Race for the Cure May 3 report 3. ADA Tour de Cure May 17 report 4.Field Day Jun 28-29 announcement -- Equipment grant received for Emergency Communications Center. -- Training – Vern K0EGA discussed ARECC options. Charlie AA5QJ discussed CERT training by Las Vegas Fire Rescue. -- Las Vegas – Bill AA7ZW: equipment for ECC on order. Now received and ready to install.] -- Henderson – Gary KK7LV: discussed possibilities of airborne repeater, ATV. -- NE Clark County (Logandale/Overton/Glendale/Mesquite) – Don NF7R: Test session 21 Jun 1400. Meeting 2nd Sat 0830 in Logandale. W7NHP is Highway Patrolman monitoring 147.39 W7MVR repeater in that area. 5 retired hams found in Mesquite to be recruited. -- Hospitals – Howard K3HM: UMC and Lake Mead equipment received. -- Red Cross – Jack N8RRL: he is helping them with their communications needs evaluation. -- SKYWARN – John K7YDW/Glenn KB7REO: new NWS radio on 162.40 serving Pahrump. -- Digital Ops: discussion of needs for packet stations and digipeaters. -- North Las Vegas – Art K7ZE has volunteered to be AEC. -- Salvation Army – Joe N7XSD will be meeting with them as soon as can be arranged. -- Vests and Magnetic signs purchased by Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club displayed and orders for personalized vests taken. -- REACT Meetings now 3rd Tues of each month at Metro. -- The communications trailer was viewed and suggestions solicited. Vern Garman K0EGA, AEC Training/Alternate RACES Radio Officer, attended a security tabletop exercise at McCarran Airport on Jun 10. SKYWARN Net Control meeting held at National Weather Service office on Jun 23. Briefed by Andy Bailey, new Warning Meteorologist. Las Vegas Regional Skywarn organized as 'club' to allow it to submit application for club call. No changes in organization or procedures will change. Charlie Kunz AA5QJ Clark County NV ARES Emergency Coordinator Clark County RACES Radio Officer aa5qj@arrl.net ------------------------------------------ NWS SKYWARN SPOTTER CLASS John, N7UR Andy Bailey NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist and Donald Maker NWS Staff Member and Skywarn Coordinator will conduct a spotter training session on July 17th. The class will begin at 7:00 PM at the Outdoor Recreation Building located on Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV. All Amateur Radio Operators, as well as anyone interested in detecting hazardous weather conditions are invited to attend. If you plan on taking part in this class, please e-mail your name to us at N7UR@yahoo.com so that we can arrange your access to the base. We look forward to seeing you July 17th. ------------------------------------------ Notice for the LVRAC Earl and I are no longer coordinating the Silver State Races. As soon as I find a replacement I'll let you know. Please put in a note in the news letter that I'm looking for some one to take the job. I can supply them with all the information they need to coordinate the races. thanks and 73 Lee N7YBE ------------------------------------------ LVRAC Contact Information President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ aa5qj@arrl.net 334-1196 Vice President Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL tpetrakis@cox.net 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@cox.net 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 Clayton Hughes, KB7PHB kb7phb@yahoo.com 365-9544 Frank Kelley, KB7PVU dossfc@yahoo.com 438-5176 ------------------------------------------ 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 ____/______/_______ 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 July 2003 issue Internet: http://www.lvrac.org/ Radio: 146.730 MHz (QST machine) 146.940 MHZ (K7UGE repeater) 448.500 MHz (K7UGE repeater)