RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club May 2005 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 ------------------------------------------ Leadership Message By Cliff Brink, W9CRB - Director Change is essential to every radio operator's mental outlook on the responsibilities that go along with the license they have been issued. It is absolutely essential to understand this at all levels of our organization, whether it be the club, ARES/RACES, ARRL or as individuals. Our nation is at war and will be for some time. This drastically changes the way we conduct business. It means placing increased emphasis on relevant training for all operators and an increase on leadership development. Shame on us if we don't provide the tools, the experience and the organization in communications our served agencies are expecting. Regardless if it is a state or federal disaster, they will call us. Remember, we are telling these served agencies that we can provide 24/7 support. The question here is, can we? Are you as an operator ready to deploy city wide and or county wide? Do you know who our served agencies are? Do you know where they are located? Do you know who to contact? What position in this communications organization do you hold? Is your radio equipment ready? Do you have a deployment kit? The call for help will come. When we obtained our license, we agreed "to provide amateur service to the public as a voluntary, non- commercial communication service, particularly with respect to PROVIDING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS" (97.1(a)). Editorial Note: Cliff strikes a cord with his questions. In reality, before we can help anyone else, we have to be prepared. Have we prepared ourselves and our families for an emergency? Do we have adequate training? Can we really respond if called upon? Look at the activities that we have as a club and as an ARES/RACES group. We practice communications for an eventual disaster, by working public service events and exercises. The whole idea is to work within a structure, be able to fill any position, and get the job done with limited resources and personnel. The only way to get the experience is to volunteer. There is a group who always work the marathons and bike races. When a real emergency comes along is that same core group of people going to be available? Probably not! It is important to understand that you will likely be working with someone you have never seen before. You may be the only one with training or experience. The club and ARES/RACES can offer the training ground for communication techniques, but what about working with people in stressful situations? There are leadership positions available in the clubs, ARES/RACES, ARRL and local support groups such as Neighborhood Watch or CERT. How better to prepare yourself to work with people than to serve your club as an officer or director. Don't bury your head when the opportunity comes around. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I never said it would be easy, but I am saying it will be worth it. You will not only become a better leader but you will be better prepared to serve and protect your family and your community. Part of being a good leader is knowing how to support someone else as a leader. We have more than several past presidents in the club that actively support the club as directors, race coordinators, committee members and just general members ready to help. And this my friends is the sign of a healthy club. This is a club that holds high prominence in the community. No one should fear being an officer in this club. You should fear not taking the opportunity to utilize the experience and support that is available. 73! ------------------------------------------ Secretary's Report By Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club, General Meeting, April 12th, 2005 – 7:00 pm Welcome: Charlie, AA5QJ Intros: Visitors – New members 3 - All members 55 Reports: Secretary– Sandy KD7WYD (absent) – Members approved the March minutes from newsletter Treasurer – Art K7ZE – Members approved the March report from newsletter Repeater Committee – Butch WA0VJR Chairman, Bill WB0KSW Tech Lead, Pat N7QE Trustee: - Nothing to report Newsletter Editor – Gary KK7LV: Shift dates earlier – on web/mailed on first Tues. To Gary by 4th/5th Tues. Gary thanked everyone for the articles, setup website for pictures Librarian – Shelly KD7HZK - Absent Communications Trailer Manager – Vern K0EGA – Absent – Charlie announced to members that we are purchasing Icom commercial radios, Heil headsets for the trailer PIO – Frank KL7IPV: Introduced reporter from the Las Vegas Review Journal. Has sent articles to CQ, World Radio Old Business: Special Service Club – Charlie: Read definition and told what it means to be a Special Service Club Cafι Press – Charlie: Raffle prizes ordered, showed what we had ordered Sully KC6GLD re 5th grade class at Wengert Elem (Chas & Nellis) – Absent Dave WD6ZZY re after-school program: Be on the air next week. Went over what they had to do with State curriculum. Appreciates donations. He is going to order the ARRL Teachers Book. Silent Key Program - Bob Nelson KD7UHG – Absent: Art reported that we have sold: $2,449.40 for the Bud Potter Estate – this is a combination of what Bill W6EIO sold on QTH and at the Ham Swap Meet. An additional $150.00 was sold at this meeting. 3 members owe for equipment picked up at the meeting, please get your money to Art ASAP so we can make out a check to the estate. Thanks! NAB Apr 18-21 – Stan Perkins W7SLP: Showed NAB package that is being sent out. Said the booth will be in the same place as last year. Went over the shifts. The Ham Reception is Apr 20 @ 6PM. Speedway Mar 11-13 – Sandy KD7WYD: It was reported that the club earned $8,081.95 plus $72 Speedway dollars! This is an awesome amount for our treasury! Thank you, again to all who volunteered and made this such a success. Field Day – Gary KK7LV Chairman: FARS has antennas and radios. Gary and Fred, K9GAJ are doing paperwork. Club will buy meat. Need someone to champion food committee to buy food. Shirts and Pins were ordered by Charlie Building Party – Bob KD7UHG: 17 people took part. Lou Meiss, WA6EPD brought his service monitor and helped everyone test the trackers and get them online – Thank You Lou! Byon, N6BG showed his completed tracker in the lunch box. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure May 7 – Tom KE4ULL: The trailer will be parked right behind the Grandstand this year. 18 volunteers are needed and there will be no shadowing this year – they are trying to use Nextel phones. There will be 13,000 people upward to 14,000 people participating in the race. Silver State Race Sun May 15– John Bigley, N7UR: This is John's 3rd race as coordinator. The gate guards will be using GMRS radios and have tested them to communicate with checkpoints. 8 check points, start/finish line, 2 aircrafts, 15 locations, 2 in medical. One of our members, Linda, KE7DCY (wife of Bob, K7RJM) will be racing! Check out the website: www.sscc.us. Tour de Cure May 21 – Howard, K3HM: Don't know where start/stop line will be. Will let us know as soon as he has the information. Announced that the Las Vegas Marathon may start at Mandalay Bay go to Fremont St. and back next year. New Business: Family Ham Day Apr 30 – Rico, K9DOD: Don't know where to be held but everyone is welcome. Tropicana Repeater – Charlie: The management company has contacted the club asking us to start paying a monthly fee to keep our repeater on the rooftop. They will probably ask us to vacate next week since we don't want to pay what they are asking. The Board is looking into 2 other locations. 2005 NV QSO Party: May 7-8 CCSN Technology Expo – Bill, WB0KSW: – Saturday 16 April 05. Cheyenne and I-15 campus of CCSN. Went over what will be the agenda. Handout information and play radio all day. Announcements: Reminders: Charlie: Club commissions for new members and renewals PayPal account for dues renewal Put your name in as an Elmer in our Elmer Program Participate in the recycling of inkjet and laser cartridges 10-10 International renewed for 3 years. World Radio club meeting announcement ARES/RACES – Charlie AA5QJ: Showed shirt. Next meeting last Saturday in May. Rotunda Thunda Jul 11-14 – need evaluators, others: 30 people per shift needed. Would like to have enough so would not have to work double shifts. Raffle Prizes – Tom, KE4ULL: Announced tonight's prizes Program: Jamie, N3TOY: IRLP / Echolink: Jamie presented a program on what they are and how to use them. Raffle: Tom KE4ULL, RaffleMaster Cafι Press Coffee tile – Marc KE7BPP World Radio subscription – Fred KB2CT Cafι Press mouse pad – Jean K7JYW ARRL Travel Plus CD – Fred K9GAJ ARRL APRS Book – Robert KD7YSB 80 Watt Power Supply – Dave W7DBZ ARRL VOIP Book – Jamie N3TOY Cafι Press Mug – Butch WA0VJR Power Strip – Rico N9DOD Tiny Tracker 3 – Rico N9DOD Garmin E Trek GPS – Robert KC7IUM Secretary's Note: A huge Thanks to Art, K7ZE, for taking the minutes of the meeting in my absence! I appreciate your assistance more than you know! (And I only found 2 spelling errors!) ------------------------------------------ Treasurer's Report By Art Sheldon, K7ZE Beginning Balance $13,815.90 Total Deposits $12,399.75 $26,215.65 Expenses Sprint 29.56 Refreshments 77.11 Ten Ten Int. Net 40.00 AES(Raffle Prizes) 270.57 World Radio 65.00 TAM & Health Cd 65.00 Raffle Tickets 10.66 ARRL Renewal 37.00 Cafι Press, Weller 89.47 Tracker Party 2,162.09 Speedway 22.84 Trailer Radio/HP 872.96 Storage Shed 979.00 Adjustment* 4,294.91 Total Expense: 9,316.17 Ending Balance $16,899.48 *Adjustment includes Speedway Tips and Silent Key Estate ------------------------------------------ Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure Charlie AA5QJ for Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL, Coordinator The race made it before the newsletter! Thanks to all of you who volunteered and worked this event. Others must have also taken photos – if so, add them to the blog! Photo: Part of crowd of almost 15,000 waiting for the start! Photo: Tom KE4ULL crossing to trailer and net controls. ------------------------------------------ Tour de Cure, American Diabetes Association Howard Mark, K3HM (The voice of Summerlin) This race takes place on the 21st of May and you may volunteer by contacting Howard Mark at 256-3662 or e- mail at hmark@earthlink.net. These are easy races to work. It would really be nice to see some first timers out on these events. Remember, this is excellent preparation for working in an emergency situation. The more practice you get the better prepared you will be. It is also a good way to meet new friends and have a good time. If you are a first timer and are a little unsure, ask the race director, Howard in this case, to pair you with an experienced Ham. Now is the time to take action. ------------------------------------------ NAB Week – April 18 thru 21 By Gary Hartman, KK7LV & Stan Perkins, W7SLP Photo: Charlie Kunz AA5QJ, Bob Vallio W6RGG Photo: Gerry Wojcizchowski, K9ADY; Bill Croghan, WB0KSW; Roy Levesque, N6LWD This is always an event filled week. Local Hams man a booth for the ARRL at the Convention Center, hand out literature, have a video presentation, answer questions and visit with the convention attendee's. On Tuesday evening there was a leadership dinner meeting at the Instant Replay on South Las Vegas Blvd. Bob Vallio, W6RGG, Pacific Division Director presented a certificate to Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ designating LVRAC as a Service Club. On Wednesday evening a reception was held for all Hams sponsored by Bob Heil. As usual lots of door prizes were handed out. This has become a popular event each year and is very well attended. ------------------------------------------ LVRAC Building Party By Gary Hartman, KK7LV On the 9th of April, LVRAC hosted a building party at the club house where Cliff Brink, W9CRB lives. Participants purchased a handheld radio and GPS unit from AES and Byon Garrabrant, N6BG donated the Tiny Track 3 to the club members. It was a good time for all, we learned something new and we tested our Tiny Tracker before we left. My wife's worked but mine had to have a few modifications. ? Photo: Lou Meiss, WA6EPD and Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD Photo: Art Sheldon K7ZE, Bob Nelson KD7UHG, Nancy Hartman KD7ZRU; Cliff Brink W9CRB; Byon Garrabrant N6BG; Howard Mark K3HM ------------------------------------------ T-Hunt Activity By Gary Hartman, KK7LV The T-Hunt, also know as a Fox Hunt, has been established for a long time here in the valley and has become a fun and exciting activity for Hams and their families. They are usually held on the first Saturday or Sunday of each month. A different location is chosen each time and the days and times vary to allow everyone a chance to get involved. Byon Garrabrant, N6BG hosts this event and sends out regular e-mail notices to an email group he established. If you are interested, contact Byon and ask to be added to his list. Photo: Mel Parrish, K6UV and Lori Parrish, N6LKT Photo: Nancy Hartman, KD7ZRU showing hidden transmitter. The interesting thing about the pictures above are Mel and Lori were adamant that there was a transmitter in that pile of rubble. They were right. The picture next to it is my wife showing the hidden transmitter that I just walked by. And I had all the equipment. That just goes to show you that you can have all the equipment you want but just don't leave your wife at home. If you are interested or just want to ride along to see if it is something you would like, contact Byon at 228-6950 or e-mail him at byon@byon.com I had to include these two pictures. These guys have really got the bug. And they have more equipment than me. There is no slowing these guys down. Photo: Frank Kostelac, N7ZEV with a TV rotator. Photo: Robert Mathewson, K7RJM ------------------------------------------ Clark County Community College Technology Days By Gary Hartman Bill Croghan, WB0KSW, is an instructor at the Community College along with a full time career and his hobby. The college recently hosted a Technology Days at the Cheyenne campus. Bill arranged for the LVRAC trailer and a host of volunteers to be in attendance and demonstrate some of Amateur Radios capabilities. ------------------------------------------ Coming Events May 7 Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure – Tom Petrakis KE4ULL May 14 Silver State Nevada Open Road Challenge – Lund to Hiko May 21 Tour de Cure ADA Bike Ride – Howard Mark K3HM May 28 Clark County ARES/RACES meeting CCGC 9:00 AM June 25 - 26 Field Day – Gary Hartman KK7LV July 12 – 14 Rotunda Thunda, Full-scale County Emergency Exercise October 5 – 6 Operation Loaded Dice ------------------------------------------ Silver State Classic Road Races By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ We are looking to provide support for at least half of the 14 communication points for the upcoming Silver State Nevada Open Road Challenge on May 15th. The race runs from Lund in White Pine County to Hiko in Lincoln County. We have just a month to get this organized, so call me today at 334-1196 to volunteer. We will be reimbursed for gas, since it's a fair drive. Join with us – it's great fun and the only way to see a race like this. Full details on the Silver State series is at http://www.silverstateclassic.com. ------------------------------------------ 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. May 14 June 11 July 9 July 16 August 13 September10 October 8 October 28 November 12 December 10 ------------------------- 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 Frank Drake, KL7IPV kl7ipv@aol.com 838-3452 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)