RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club January 2005 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 __________________________________ President's Corner By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ What are your New Years resolutions regarding ham radio? Will you be upgrading your license? Upgrading your operating skills by trying something new? Getting more involved in club activities; maybe even volunteering to head up a project or helping the project leader? Sharing your knowledge, experience and skills with a new ham or as a speaker at one of our monthly meetings? Training to be a valuable asset in providing emergency communications in our community? Oh, the opportunities abound! Public Service events already on the calendar include the Las Vegas Marathon on Jan 30, the Seed Rally Sprint on Mar 5, the Race for the Cure on May 7 and the Tour de Cure Bike Ride on May 21. The National Assn of Broadcasters Convention will be held here Apr 18-21, with the ARRL Booth needing volunteers. There will be 2 major full-scale exercises for ARES/RACES in July and October. and lots lots more... And just right around the corner is NASCAR at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Mar 11-13. This is our major fundraiser of the year. We raise virtually all of our club's budget requirements on these 3 days, along with 1 day in Sep at the Craftsman Truck Race. We hope to just have one booth this year, so sign up today to be a part of this effort. I won't kid you - it's hard work, but nothing you can't handle - we're a great group to work with and you'll enjoy yourself. What will you be doing this year? 73 Charlie AA5QJ __________________________________ Secretary's Report Co-opted by Gary Hartman KK7LV There was no meeting in December so your friendly newsletter editor is taking this opportunity to editorialize. There have been a lot of changes in the last year. We have lost a great supporter due to an untimely death. And the best way I can think of to honor those who have passed is to participate and help with one or more of the many activities that we have to carry on this great tradition. We have some new officers and board members that need our support. In summary: If it is not us, then who? If it is not now, then when? If it is to be, it is up to us! __________________________________ Treasurer's Report By Art Sheldon, K7ZE Beginning Balance $9,803.96 Total Deposits $3,927.04 Subtotal $13, 731.00 Expenses: Sprint 92.14 PO Box Rental 35.00 Holiday Party 507.13 Harland Checks 102.38 Postage $41.05 Office Supplies 16.58 LVRAC Shirts 790.73 Total Expense: $1,585.01 Ending Balance $12,145.99 __________________________________ ARES / RACES By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ ARES/RACES Report Dec 2004 - SKYWARN Recognition Day was held Dec 4 from 0000-2400 UTC at NWS Office. Las Vegas Regional SKYWARN (WX7LAS) efforts resulted in QSO's = 41 (any station contacted) States = 21 NWS stations = 29 Thanks to all those who participated or visited the station, and to the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club for the use of their communications trailer. - Vern Garman KØEGA AEC Operations/Training attended the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) meeting on Dec 16. - The Clark County EOC was activated for New Years Eve. Ken Johnson W7BES manned the EOC position, Dudley Emer KK7IF, John Moses KD6YGP, Charlie Kunz AA5QJ and Glen Tubbesing N7GOT manned the Emergency Communications Center, and Bill Croghan WB0KSW manned the new auxiliary station at the Clark County Operations Center. John KD6YGP was also the REACT dispatcher during the event. Bob Nelson WA3PAD and Tom Eggers N3JNJ provided MARS backup and additional HF monitoring. Andy Gagliardo N7SGV and Keith Aurich KD7TOF of Clark County Communications provided valuable support, procuring DCI dual-band bandpass filters and an additional Rigrunner for the ECC installation, and setting up the Ops Center station, in just the past few weeks. Dan Starr AA7I was responsible for County WebEOC and IT support. Kent Johnson W7AOR supported IRLP/Echolink operations. Communications were tested between Clark County and Washoe County ARES on both HF and IRLP/Echolink. There were 11 informal checkins from local hams during the operation. No major incidents occurred and the activation stood down at 0100 Jan 1. - On Sat Jan 15 Clark County ARES/RACES and San Bernardino County ECS will test the communications links between Primm and our respective EOCs. 2 operators will be needed at the Clark County ECC, and others in Primm, Jean and Sandy Valley for a couple of hours that morning. Please contact me to volunteer. - I am in the process of setting up ARES/RACES meeting dates for 2005, and planning for an 8 hour Incident Command System Level 100 & 200 course on Feb 19. This class is very highly recommended for ALL members, and will be a requirement in the future. See the event calendar for further details. __________________________________ Help Wanted !!! Charlie Kunz AA5QJ It's that time of year again. Time for club members to make a commitment to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway annual fund raising effort. For those who have not taken part in this fun activity, the speedway offers non-profit groups the opportunity to operate concession stands during the running of NASCAR events, next to be held March 11-13, 2005. Over 125 non-profit-groups compete for the best and most profitable stands. For the past seven years the LVRAC and our friends have run away with the sales honors, last year selling over $106,000 in drinks and snacks. The process is simple. The speedway provides the professionally designed grandstand concession stand, all products, a change fund, on the job training and supervision from a Concessions employee. All we must do is provide the volunteer staff to operate the stands. You need not be a ham to participate because this is not a radio event. Each year we have volunteers that are relatives of hams, neighbors, members of other service clubs, etc. The only firm requirement is that all volunteers be 18 years of age, and follow the dress code of black or khaki pants, white collared shirt and no open-toed shoes. If you believe that you can contribute any time to this fund raising project, please tell Sandy KD7WYD by email at snelson@newgen.com or call 228-2216. __________________________________ NAB Information By Stan Perkins, W7SLP The National Association of Broadcasters convention will be held in Las Vegas, April 18-21, 2005. Volunteers will be needed to staff the ARRL booth during exhibit hours (approx. 9AM to 6 PM). This is a unique opportunity to talk about the amateur radio service to broadcast professionals from around the world; many are fellow amateurs. Booth volunteers must be ARRL members and dress should reflect a professional appearance (i.e. "Las Vegas casual"). Wearing club shirts, badges and/or insignia is encouraged. It is planned to staff the booth with three or four volunteers, in four-hour shifts each day (morning and afternoon). Monday is usually the busiest day and activity typically falls off on Thursday. The booth location is not known at this time but hopefully will be in the lobby area of the convention center. Credentials are needed to enter the exhibit areas and there is a minimum age requirement. Information will be forthcoming regarding the booth location and means of obtaining credentials for those wishing to view the exhibits. League officials will be attending, so this is a perfect opportunity to meet your elected representatives and discuss the future of our service. Once again, Bob Heil K9EID of Heil Sound will sponsor the ham radio reception- Wednesday, April 20 at the Hilton Ballroom. For more information and to sign up, contact- Stan Perkins W7SLP 2620 So. Maryland Pkwy. PMB #359 Las Vegas, NV 89109-8300 E-mail editdad@earthlink.net __________________________________ Baker to Vegas Submitted by Norm Lizotte, KE7DB Hello, its that time of year again for the yearly Baker to Vegas Relay. I am Norm Lizotte KE7DB Command Post Communications Coordinator. The event will take place on April 23 to the 24. The command post is operated for about 30 hours, the full time of the course. The nice thing about the command post is that it is inside a hotel room. Last year we were at the Silverton Hotel and Casino. But due to construction, the Baker to Vegas will be operated elsewhere. Surveys are being conducted and a site will be chosen soon. Now that I have explained a few things, I am looking for volunteers to operate the command post. As long as one person on the team is a Ham the others need not be. You can contact me be E mail at: lizon@cox.net or by phone at 731-0492. I have an answering machine. This group has given the operators nice shirts and jackets in the past. I am Looking forward to seeing you there. Norm KE7DB __________________________________ 2005 Exam Schedule License examinations are given on the second Saturday of each month. There are a couple of evening sessions at a different location. Alternate locations are listed also. The black dates are daytime events. The orange dates are evening test sessions. The red dates are test sessions held in Pahrump. The green dates are test sessions in Overton. Day Time Test Sessions at: All Saints Episcopal Church 4201 W. Washington Ave. Between Decatur and Valley View Evening Test Sessions at: Clark County Government Center, Training Rm 3 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. Southeast of the spaghetti bowl (I-15 & 95) Pahrump location is held at the Masonic Lodge Overton Exam see the map at www.lvhamtest.com 479 Rabee Court, 2:00 PM Time is 12:00 Noon Contact Ulla Hess, K6UDK at 702-397-2071 Please visit www.lvhamtest.com for updates, maps and further information. $14.00 Exam Fee Proper Identification, prefer a picture ID with your signature. Normally applicants provide a drivers license or student ID. Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer ID number (TIN) if you are not eligible for an 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 a pencil. You may bring a calculator as long as the memory can be "flushed" before you take the exam. More dates will be added as we receive them. January 8 January 15 February 12 March 12 April 9 April 16 May 14 June 11 July 9 July 16 August 13 September10 October 8 November 12 December 10 __________________________________ Coming Events See the online Calendar at www.lvrac.org/calendar.html January Meeting Jan 11, 2005 at Nevada Power on Sahara just west of Jones. Show and Tell night. Bring home brew projects, antenna's, pictures of Ham Shack. If bringing pictures, contact Howard Mark to coordinate media for the data show. January Raffle Nothing has been announced at the publication of this newsletter, but from the past meetings raffle Prizes, I am sure you will not be disappointed. January 15, 2005 Clark County ARES/RACES – SBCO ECS Communications Test January 29, 2005 Clark County ARES/RACES meeting CCGC 9:00 AM January 30, 2005 Las Vegas Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K February 19, 2005 Incident Command System, ICS 100/200 Course, CCGC 0800 – 1700 March 5, 2005 Rallycross Jean Dry Lake Bed March 11-13, 2005 NASCAR at LV Motor Speedway March 26, 2005 Clark County ARES/RACES meeting CCGC 9:00 AM April 18 – 21, 2005 NAB Convention at Las Vegas Convention Center April 23 – 24, 2005 Baker to Vegas Race May 7, 2005 Susan B Komen Race for the Cure May 21, 2005 Tour de Cure Bike Ride May 28, 2005 Clark County ARES/RACES meeting CCGC 9:00 AM June 25-26, 2005 Field Day Sunset Park July 11 – 14, 2005 Rotunda Thunda County Emergency Exercise October 5 – 6, 2005 Operation Loaded Dice __________________________________ New Resources Link A new link has been added to the ARRL Mentor page: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/mentor/ The "Help For Beginners" link located in the resources block will take the user to the ARRL publications that are useful to new or prospective hams. These publications include the Now You're Talking study manual, Understanding Basic Electronics, FCC Rule Book, Ham Radio FAQs and many other titles that the new ham or seasoned veteran would find useful. A Question for Clubs Would your club be interested in running a program that teaches about how microcontrollers work? This would be a program spread out over a few meetings or classes and would involve using a commercial kit and a course program. Kits are reusable and could be used for many classes. If this is a type of program that your club would consider, please send any feedback to w3iz@arrl.org (ed: Would we be?) Norm Fusaro, W3IZ __________________________________ Newsletter Does the newsletter look kinda puny this month? Send Gary KK7LV your articles and photos and help make it better! LVRAC Contact Information President Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ aa5qj@arrl.net 334-1196 Vice President Bob Nelson, KD7UHG bobnelsonlv@aol.com 228-2216 Secretary Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD snelson@newgen.com 228-2216 Treasurer Art Sheldon, K7ZE k7ze@arrl.net 255-1074 Director Clifford Brink, W9CRB w9crb@cox.net 363-3031 Director Butch Bussen, WA0VJR butchb@shellworld.net 255-4388 Director Richard Stage, AB7ZI rvstage@yahoo.com 247-9424 Newsletter Editor Gary Hartman, KK7LV kk7lv@arrl.net 564-3792 Trustee Pat O'Gara, N7QE patogara@cox.net 804-6629 Public Information Frank Drake, KL7IPV kl7ipv@aol.com 838-3452 Librarian Shelly Holt, KD7HZK ersh@earthlink.net 642-6871 Webmasters Jamie Gorr, N3TOY n3toy@yahoo.com 233-2479 Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ aa5qj@arrl.net 334-1196 Net Controllers Howard Mark, K3HM hmark@earthlink.net 256-3662 Clayton Hughes, KB7PHB kb7phb@yahoo.com 365-9544 Bob Nelson, KD7UHG bobnelsonlv@aol.com 228-2216 Paul Paulsen, KA7GBE foxfire6@cox.net 260-7701 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_______________________________________________ApplicationDate ____/______/_______ 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 - Club Web Page w/email notification The club operates on a calendar year (January through December) 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 listed in the heading of this application or pay by PayPal at www.lvrac.org. Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club P.O. Box 27342 Las Vegas, NV 89126 Internet: http://www.lvrac.org/ Radio: 146.940 MHZ (K7UGE repeater) 448.500 MHz (K7UGE repeater) 146.730 MHz (QST machine - temp off air) Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club January 2005