RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club August 2003 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 ------------------------ The President's Corner Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ In the past several days, the reality of monsoon season has come upon us, as SKYWARN spotters have been activated at least 4 times. So far, only informal nets have been needed, and most of the activity has been in surrounding counties and not in the midst of the Las Vegas Valley. But what comes to mind, as it has in earlier editions, is Service. As we relax in our homes, or drive about our streets and roads, we can observe the weather about us. If the weather conditions meet certain criteria, we can call them in to the National Weather Service, providing NWS what the most extensive radar cannot: visual acknowledgement of what is happening on the ground. If you are not a spotter already, it's easy to become one, adding to the ranks of the 'eyes and ears' of the National Weather Service. Later this month, ARES/RACES members will be called on to support Determined Promise 03, a 2-week national exercise conducted by the Department of Defense, involving players from the cities, county, state and federal government. The scenario will test every aspect of our emergency plans, and your help is needed. Set aside what time you can on August 19, 20 or 21st and participate in this very important training exercise. Our goal is to show our communities what amateur radio is capable of. Don't wait for someone else to do it - we need you. You're not an ARES/RACES member yet? There's still time to sign up. An application can be downloaded from www.qsl.net/ccnvares. At last month's meeting, Gary Patterson, Event Director for the Silver State Classic Road Races, and Lee Schram N7YBE asked for someone to step forward and take over as the coordinator for Amateur Radio support for their events. To date, no one has taken the challenge. Will you? As a club, we your board, have tried to be sure our members receive benefit from being a member of the oldest and largest Amateur Radio club in the valley. Tom KE4ULL has worked hard to provide worthwhile programs. We try to have good raffle prizes relating to the program topic for the month. I think you will be pleased with the plans developing for the Holiday Party in December. As well, we have committed to the renovation of a Communications Trailer to be used for club functions, as well as in support of public service events. We will be asking you to set aside Saturday, September 27th to help us augment our treasury by working at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Don't wait to be asked - call Tom KE4ULL at 368-6763 or email to tpetrakis@cox.net or call me at 334-1196 or email to aa5qj@arrl.net and volunteer today! I'm really proud of this club and what we have and can accomplish. Share in the pride; share in the service. 73 Charlie AA5QJ ------------------------ From The Editor's Desk Gary Hartman, KK7LV Let me take a minute to tell you what it takes to be a newsletter editor. You! There is unlimited talent and experience hiding in this club. My job is to root you out. I hope you will allow me some time to put this newsletter together. Frank did a wonderful job and I have a lot to learn yet. Although I am working at developing my sources. I do have one story to tell you. It started at Field Day. Three of us Hams were discussing how we ran our Ham Shack. The first Ham told us he set the law down in his house. Told his family that he needed some new equipment. The first week he saw nothing, the second week he saw nothing, the third week he came home and found his shack full of new equipment. The second Ham said that was nothing. He told his family he needed new equipment and a new antenna. The first week he saw nothing, the second week he saw nothing, but the third week he came home and saw a new tower with a new antenna and his shack was filled with new equipment. Well naturally I told them I had them beat all to pieces. I related how I set the law down in my house. I went down and ordered all new equipment, a new antenna, mobile gear, and a life time subscription to AES catalogue. The first week I saw nothing, the second week I saw nothing, by the third week I was beginning to see a little out of one eye. ------------------------ 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. ------------------------ Amateur Radio Exams Tim Hunt, WA6TNW 6th of September, 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/ ------------------------ From Rumor Central Someone once said that it would be amazing what we could get done if nobody cared who got the credit. 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. ------------------------ From Vice President Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL YOUR HELP IS NEEDED (No experience required) As has been one of our primary means of raising funds to facilitate the LVRAC's activities, the LVRAC has committed to operate a single concession stand, F-8 at the start/finish line, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the running of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Race on Saturday, September 27, 2003. Unlike the spring NASCAR event, where we operated two stands over a three day period, this effort will be only one stand for one day and the hours are better. We will be at the stand about 9:00 AM to prepare for the gates opening about 11:00 AM. The actual race could go to about 6:00 PM, but, since the race is only 167 laps, we should be on the way home early. This event will draw only about 25,000 fans, as compared to 140,000 in the spring, so traffic will be comparably light, free parking will be nearby and afternoon arrivals will be possible. There also will be fewer concession stands open which will ensure about the same customer base per stand that we always enjoy. In order to comfortably operate this stand, we need about 20 volunteers. This is not a radio event so hams, their family and friends over 18 years of age are welcome. There will be work for cashiers, cooks, servers, runners, and general manual labor of stocking drink bins for those that would prefer not to handle money. As in the past, only designated personnel working within the stand will need to have the appropriate Health and Beverage Cards. We have already covered those bases so you will not need to be concerned about them! Please volunteer for this important club activity by replying to Tom Petrakis (KE4ULL) at tpetrakis@cox.net or 702/368- 6763. In your message include the best means of contacting you as the event draws nearer (preferably email but a phone number is OK) and the best mailing address to which the speedway credentials may be mailed. Any questions about the event or the work to be done may be directed to Tom, Charlie Kunz at aa5qj@arrl.net (AA5QJ) 702/334-1196, or Bill Cornelius (K8XC) 702/897-9626, k8xc@aol.com. Please help us support the club's activities. ------------------------ FOX News Report Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, and Glenn Hale, KB7REO were interviewed July 19th for a news story on SKYWARN spotters. The news report was near the top of the broadcast. In the story Charlie demonstrated APRS, home weather stations, 2-way radio, and internet RADAR. Glenn discussed the mobile aspect of spotting and the reason why we need visual reports. The story was based on Las Vegas becoming a Storm Ready City. Great PR from Charlie and Glenn. Thanks guys! ------------------------ SKYWARN Training On July 17th Nellis Radio Amateur Club hosted a SKYWARN training session which netted members from all the clubs in town. The evening event provided some basic training and the opportunity to sign up as an official spotter. The continuing efforts by our leadership are providing ample opportunities for Amateurs to get involved. You will never get to know anyone if you sit on the sidelines. ------------------------ From the Desk of Bill Cornelius, K8XC "A brand new ARRL Web page for Youth - 'Harmonics' - is now available at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/youth/." Web visitors can play games, download informative printouts to color, read news articles about other kids involved with Ham radio, work puzzles, click on live links, listen to audio samples of Morse Code and voice contacts and much more. Throughout the site, kids are greeted by colorful cartoon "ham-sters", who explore the world of Amateur Radio along with the young people visiting the site. The pages target kids ages 5 to 15. "Harmonics" invites them to get acquainted with the basic concepts of Amateur Radio through immediate personal interaction and by discovering how other kids are using Ham radio for personal communication and to expand their exploration of science and technology." ------------------------ BROADBAND ISSUE Because of the importance of this issue and the need for all of you to know, I have quoted most of an article on the ARRL website concerning this problem. Please find a way to get involved and be informed. I quote: "ARRL is unwilling to have the Amateur Service gored with the double-edged sword of an incompatible service that will at once (1) cause widespread interference, and (2) preclude any future changes in the amateur HF allocations," the ARRL said. The League said that based on "diligent and exhaustive research," it's concluded that BPL must avoid any and all amateur MF, HF and VHF allocations without exception. "This interference potential, as a matter of both law and fact, disqualifies access BPL as a potential future competitive broadband delivery system." How will the radiation from BPL wiring affect other systems, such as telephone or cable TV? So-called "access BPL" would use existing overhead medium-voltage power lines to distribute Internet and broadband services to homes and businesses. Another form of BPL, "in-house BPL," uses electrical wiring inside a building to distribute digital signals. The League said that while it's aware that current Part 15 rules permit BPL, its interference potential remains untested and unrealized, since no access BPL systems are in operation. BPL proponents would prefer that the FCC authorize even higher power levels for such systems, however. "BPL is a Pandora's Box of unprecedented proportions," the ARRL declared. It asked the FCC to modify its Part 15 rules to prevent interference to users of the HF and low-VHF spectrum from the start and "to prevent consumers' reliance on BPL as an interference-free broadband delivery system." In announcing its BPL initiative earlier this year, members of the FCC could barely contain their enthusiasm for the technology. The League's comments point out, however, that the FCC had acceded to the utility industry by citing potential interference to and from unlicensed power company PLC power-grid control systems in turning down ARRL's petition for a 136 kHz allocation. ARRL had asked that hams be permitted to transmit on 136 kHz at less than 2 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP); the FCC had proposed 1 W EIRP. "Yet, the same industry, together with BPL manufacturers, is apparently contending now that at HF and VHF, where the power lines are better antennas than they are at LF, that BPL can co-exist with amateur stations using more than 10,000 watts EIRP," the League said. "Both arguments cannot be valid." Studies appended to the League's comments suggest received signal levels of BPL broadband noise at typical amateur stations would be anywhere from 33.7 dB to 65.4 dB higher than typical ambient noise levels in the worst-case situations. "BPL cannot be deployed using amateur allocations in the MF, HF and VHF bands without severely high interference potential," the ARRL reiterated. One technical issue involves the best method to bridging or bypass the typical step-down pole transformer to deliver BPL from the power grid into an office or dwelling. Electric utility companies would operate many, if not most, BPL systems. ARRL pointed out that some power companies have demonstrated a less-than-stellar record of cooperation in resolving complaints of power line noise to hams. "It is fair to say that power line interference to Amateur Radio has been a substantial regulatory burden to the Commission," the ARRL said. "It is a very substantial problem now for the Amateur Service, without the addition of BPL to the mix." The ARRL concluded by urging the FCC to ensure that BPL "is not permitted to operate in or near any Amateur Radio allocations" and that any future changes in ham allocations would "trigger retroactive modifications to BPL facilities" to avoid amateur frequencies. In addition, the ARRL said, spurious emissions from BPL facilities must be substantially attenuated below current Part 15 requirements. ARRL's complete filing in response to the FCC's NOI is available on the ARRL Web site. The complete NOI is available on the FCC Web site. The ARRL has initiated an important Spectrum Defense Fund campaign to support activities to educate government officials on the potential threat that BPL poses to Amateur Radio. To find out more, or to support ARRL's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site. Unquote! ------------------------ SECRETARY'S REPORT Paul Webster, KC7QJR Minutes of the General Meeting of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club Tuesday July 8th, 2003 Call to order 7:03pm Charlie Kunz AA5QJ Conducting Welcome and Introductions 46 People Attending Reports Secretary: In newsletter, approval next month. Treasurer: As in Newsletter Motion to accept: Dennis Cornell N7HRO Second: Unrecorded Passed Trustee: Not Present. Newsletter: Frank moving to Albuquerque in August, new volunteer sought. Presented certificate of appreciation. Librarian: Not present. Comm Trailer: Club received donation of HX-70T for trailer. Have break down mast for trailer's HF antennas. 60 amp battery charger has been installed. New Business (out of order due to guest present for item) Silver State Races: Lee Schram N7YBE has retired as coordinator for these races. Gary Patterson from Shelly Racing spoke to encourage volunteer for this position. Old Business Field Day: 120 people attended. All modes operated. Everyone enjoyed event despite surprise sprinkler activation. Good press in paper and on TV. MS 150: Oct 18-19. Need sags, rest stop operators and etc. Website: www.qsl.net/n7xsd Net Control Ops: Need 2 operators. See Howard Mark K3HM, or e-mail hmark@earthlink.net Big Project: This Sat, July 12th there will be a meeting in connection with NY Jr High public school project association at Plaza Hotel. See www.wb2jkj.org website for details. New Business Truck Race: Sat. Sept 27. LV 350 Craftsman Truck Race. We will have booth B-9 for this event. We need volunteers to staff it. DONATIONS: STAN PERKINS W7SLP: ALINCO DX-70T FRANK DRAKE KL7IPV: 51' CRANK UP TOWER, HAM IV ROTATOR, 6 METER RINGO, HUSTLER 5BTV HF VERTICAL, AND HY-GAIN EXPLORER 14 TRIBAND BEAM CLIFF BRINK W9CRB: RS 2M MOBILE, KPC3 TNC, PLUS CASH GLEN HALE KB7REO: GE MVS UHF RADIO CLAYTON HUGHES KD7PHB: RS 10M RADIO, SUPERANTENNA VERN GARMAN K0EGA: HUSTLER HF MOBILE ANTENNA, PLUS CASH Pahrump Harvest Festival: Oct. 3-5. Need 6-8 Operators each day. See sign up. MS150 Sponsorship: Lauriann Bradford KD7UWE, requests sponsorship of the club for her entry in the race. Motion: Lauriann Bradford Second: Unrecorded Motion Passed. Announcements: Operation Determined Promise: Aug 20-21. Trailer to be deployed to Indian Springs. SET: Oct 4th Supporting Northern Nevada Aviation Exercise: Oct 22nd. McCarran Airport. Skywarn Spotter Training: July 17th. NAFB Break 7:50pm Reconvene 8:09pm Program: Art Sheldon K7ZE Report on Emcomm West May 31st . "In time of crisis you will not rise to the occasion, you will sink to your level of training" Shown tape of Channel 8's report on Field Day. RAFFLE: THE FOLLOWING WON PRIZES: BAG, PEN & BATTERIES BERNARD DOOLEY KO6MD REPEATER DIR, PEN, BAG BERNARD DOOLEY KO6MD MULTI-METER ARNIE ZELIG WA2SOE SOLAR PANEL GLEN TUBBESING N7GOT SOLAR PANEL JOE ESPRECION WH6CYB 2M RS HT RANDALL WERBER K7RSW MEETING ADJOURNED 8:51PM ------------------------ CLARK COUNTY NV ARES/RACES REPORT JULY 2003 Charlie Kunz AA5QJ -EC/RACES Officer - Upcoming Exercises- please mark these on your calendars and plan on participating: 1. Determined Promise National exercise conducted by DOD Aug 18-29. Our part primarily Aug 20-21 0800-1800. 2. Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Oct 4. 3. Full-scale Aviation Disaster Exercise October 22. - SKYWARN training was held at the Nellis Amateur Radio Club meeting on Jul 17. - SKYWARN spotter nets were activated 4 times in the past week because of Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Warnings in our coverage area. - Vanity call WX7LAS was issued to Las Vegas Regional SKYWARN on Jul 29. - Glenn Hale KB7REO, DEC Southern Nevada, and Charlie AA5QJ were interviewed by Fox News about SKYWARN weather spotting. The interview aired on Jul 19, showing Charlie's ham and weather stations, and Glenn's mobile installation. - Art Sheldon K7ZE has been appointed AEC for the City of North Las Vegas. Charlie AA5QJ and Art met with Pat Lofft, the North Las Vegas Emergency Manager on Jul 31. - Dan Starr AA7I, Jack Cook N8RRL, Charlie AA5QJ, Terry Kunz N5RWD, John Bigley N7UR, Larry Simon KC7QJO, Arnie Zelig WA2SOE, Art Sheldon K7ZE, and Dan Ratta KC7NAH completed the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training provided by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. ------------------------ Technician Classes Classes for the Technician Class Amateur Radio License will begin September 3rd and runs until October 15th. This requires no morse code. It is sponsored by the Nellis Radio Amateur club and held at the Outdoor Recreation Center on Nellis AFB. Times are 6:00 to 9:00 PM every Monday and Wednesday. The cost is $25.00. The Technician study book, "Now You're Talking" costs $18.00 and can be purchased at AES or from ARRL. ------------------------ 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 Gary Hartman, KK7LV kk7lv@arrl.net 564-3792 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 Clayton Hughes, KB7PHB kb7phb@yahoo.com 365-9544 Bob Nelson, KD7UHG bobnelsonlv@aol.com 296-0767