RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club August 2005 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 ----------------------------- Leadership Message By Richard Stage, AB7ZI, Director Why did you become a ham? I was interested in radio during my teens and twenties but life got in the way. Finally I got a license so I could stay in touch while cruising on a sailboat. Whatever the reason, if you are reading this you are still active. Why do you come to the meetings? Is it for the doughnuts? Not! It is probably to see and talk to others who share your interests. There are other times that we get together, such as the Holiday Party and building parties. Then there are other times that get you out of the house and let you play with your toys. These are usually races or other club events. We have a multitude of activities that add up to a stronger club and more important, they are a lot of fun. Field Day is another fun get together. We had seven or more positions to operate from and were allowed to use any five at one time. Toward the end of Field Day I looked around and only four positions were occupied. So I grabbed a clip board and got on 10 Meters for the last half hour. I was able to use a brand new Kenwood TS- 480SAT supplied by Luke, KK7XX, of AES. It could have been you using the latest in equipment. Recently I volunteered to help with the removal and re-installation of the repeater on top of the Tropicana. I learned a little about the various modules in a repeater, but still have a lot to learn. There are many members willing to contribute their time and talent to better our club. They will tell you they find it worthwhile because of their newfound friendships, what they learn from others and what they learn by doing. There are so many facets to this hobby that I am sure you can find one or more for you. It is one of the best ways for new members to fit in and meet the old timers. Get involved. This volunteering thing seems to snowball. The more active I become in the Club, the more I volunteer. Another activity in which I participated last June was the Silent Key Committee. I helped Bob, KD7UGH, and Sandy, KD7WYD, inventory the items in Bill Marple's ham shack. This is a very worthy and rewarding activity. Being a widower myself, I know what a trying time it is for the surviving spouse. I participated in the easy part of the SK. Next is checking the condition of the equipment and arranging for the sale. Then it has to be packed up and shipped. It is a lot of work and could use many hands. This makes me wonder how hard it will be for someone to go through my shack when the time comes. For insurance purposes I should have an inventory. Maybe I could make it double as a SK inventory by putting small numbered stickers on the back of the equipment to correspond to the list. Something we all could think about. The quality of our web site is constantly getting better thanks to our webmasters, Charlie, AA5QJ and Jamie, N3TOY. Check it out and see what is on there. What topics should we have for speakers at our meetings? We need your input and feedback for the continued success of your club. Remember that the Board's door is always open. Richard, AB7ZI, Director ----------------------------- Secretary's Report By Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club General Meeting, July 12, 2005 – 7:00 pm Welcome: Charlie, AA5QJ Intros: Visitors 4 – Members 28 Reports: Secretary – Sandy KD7WYD – Members approved the June minutes from newsletter. Treasurer – Art K7ZE – Members approved the June report from newsletter. Repeater Committee – Butch WAØVJR Chairman, Bill WBØKSW Tech Lead, Pat N7QE Trustee, Tom KE4ULL: Tom reported: Not as much to report this month. Portable repeater is being worked on by Butch – there are major problems with the power. Tom has cleaned up the Tropicana repeater; he and Bill will talk and try to get it back up ASAP. UNLV has officially agreed to host the QST machine. We are waiting on paperwork from the Water District to get that site approved for another repeater. Hilton repeater is up & running; still need to reset it so it will auto shut-off the transmit if a mic accidentally gets stuck (as in someone sitting on it by mistake). Newsletter Editor – Gary KK7LV: Absent Librarian – Mike, KM1KE: Absent. Communications Trailer Manager – Vern KØEGA: Absent. PIO – Frank KL7IPV: Field Day: he sent several articles to the papers and media with no response. He is planning to put together lots of pictures of the Rotunda Thunda exercise. Old Business: Sully KC6GLD and Dave WD6ZZY: both are on summer vacation. The programs will start up again with the new school year. Silent Key Program - Bob Nelson KD7UHG: Bill Marple estate: Jason, KCØERG, is testing, cleaning and getting it ready to sell. Field Day – Gary KK7LV Chairman: Absent, Fred, K9GAJ reported in Gary's absence. We had 74 for the potluck dinner. More people worked the radios than in the recent past. 232 CW contacts, 293 voice contacts, 141 GOTA contacts. Estimated 1514 points. Secretary's note: A huge Thank You to Gary Hartman for chairing this event and bringing it all together! Tour de Cure – Charlie read the Thank You letter from the Chairman, thanking us for our assistance with the event. New Business: Silverman Triathlon, Nov 13 – Charlie: We have been asked to assist with communications for this new event. We are looking for a Champion, please let Charlie know ASAP if you are interested. This will require a large number of volunteers. CW Magazine – Bill, KBØKSW: They are celebrating their 100th year anniversary this year. Silver State Gold Rush, Sep 18 – Charlie: Let him know if you would like to volunteer. Silver State Classic, Sep 25 – Charlie: Let him know if you would like to volunteer. Run Away with Cirque du Soleil, Sep 5 – Jason, KCØERG: This is a 5K fun run, 10 volunteers needed to assist. Please let Jason know if you can help. Announcements: *The Club receives commissions for new ARRL memberships and renewals. Please pay through the club! *Recycling of inkjet and laser cartridges –Pick up envelopes from Charlie for smaller cartridges, bring your laser cartridges to the monthly meetings. ARES/RACES – Charlie: Next meeting is Saturday, July 23rd. Rotunda Thunda Jul 11-14 – Exercise ended a little early. Charlie gave a brief synopsis of the events. Participants shared some of their experiences and observations. Disneyland Certificate – Art: Check ARRL for the info on the Disneyland 50th Anniversary certificate – July 17. Raffle Prizes – Tom, KE4ULL: Announced tonight's prizes Program – Tom, KE4ULL: a fascinating talk on aviation technology advances complete with pictures and PowerPoint slides! Raffle – Tom, KE4ULL: Gel-cell battery: Clayton, KB7PHB Gel-cell battery: Art, K7ZE Café Press t-shirt & mouse pad: Bill, AD7DK Café Press mug & messenger bag: Clayton, KB7PHB Travel Plus Repeater Directory CD: Earl, KD5IPC Digital phone/Answering machine: Eugene, KB7JZL Weather / Alert radio: Earl, KD5IPC (visiting from Oklahoma) Adjourned: 9:00PM Secretaries Note: The vest order has come in! They will be available for pick up at the next meeting. If you were a recipient of one of the 'lesser' quality vests, (with the Velcro closing and no pockets), please bring your vest to the next meeting and we will exchange it! Those still wanting to order a vest may now do so through Custom Clothiers. The link is on the club website. Thanks! ----------------------------- Treasurer's Report By Art Sheldon, K7ZE Beginning Balance $15,058.14 Dues $ 30.00 Raffle $ 87.00 Bud Potter Estate $ 25.00 Ant & Mag mount Total Deposits $ 142.00 $15,200.14 Expenses Sprint $ 29.51 July AES $ 200.89 Raffle Prizes Sec of State $ 25.00 Corporation Fee Gift Certificates $ 100.00 4 each PortaCooler Rental $ 215.00 Field Day – Fred Homuth Transfer funds $ 45.00 Bud Potter Estate Total Expense: $ 615.40 Ending Balance $14,584.74 ----------------------------- The Life of a Repeater By Gary Hartman, KK7LV As many of you already know the club lost its spot on the Tropicana Hotel for our UHF repeater. Then after we had removed all of the equipment we were invited back to once again install and maintain our repeater on the top of the Tropicana Hotel. We are grateful for the space we have and even for the opportunity to remove our equipment, clean it up and return it with only a small portion of the cobwebs. We rely on a host for our repeater equipment, whether it is on top of a building in or near town or on a mountain top. These locations can have all sorts of hazards from man made to weather. The winters can make the mountaintops inaccessible unless you have access to a snow cat or helicopter. This summer we experienced another type of hazard and although it did not affect this club's equipment, it did pose some interesting challenges to many communication systems around the valley. From all the early moisture this spring the plant growth on the desert floor was higher than normal. It got hot and we had some pretty good lightening storms. One of many fires started near the Goodsprings area and covered a massive area before coming under control. In the path of this fire was the power poles that service Low Potosi and the Sandy Valley. It has taken about 5 weeks to get power back to the mountaintop. In the mean time, we have depended on power from generators that have been running to keep Metro, Tri-State Generation and others on line. Here are some power lines holding up what is left of A burnt bush. Good thing there wasn't any more. the Power Poles. In most places the lines were all the way down on the ground. On anther trip to Hi Potosi I witnessed the same type of scorched ground all the way up the mountain. It stopped just short of the radio equipment and antennas but the fire went right up Hi Potosi as well. The only difference was the power lines to Hi Potosi are underground. Roads have been washed out from flash floods, they have been taken out by rockslides and they have been covered with massive amounts of snow. The hazards are innumerous. So when you hear that a repeater has been down for awhile, think about what it takes to get to them and what it takes to bring them back on line. The scorched countryside all the way to Sandy Now look real close at the end of this propane tank. Valley. I think this was a little too close for comfort. Not only does it take the technical know how to install, repair and maintain this equipment, but it takes very expensive vehicles to make these trips. And it takes a substantial sacrifice of time. So take the time to thank the technical committee and those others that support our efforts in this community. ----------------------------- Silver State Challenge Road Races By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ WHAT IF...it was a beautiful cool and crisp Sunday morning, and.... WHAT IF...you owned a fast late model high performance vehicle, and.... WHAT IF...you had a deserted Nevada highway before you.... WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Well, if it was the third Sunday in May, July or September and you have entered one of the Silver State Classic's Open Road Rally Events....you could go down that highway as fast as you want to go...legally! ANYONE CAN RUN! Two times each year the State of Nevada, in cooperation with Silver State Classic Challenge, Inc., permits the closing of State Route #318 between Lund and Hiko, and once a year permits the closing of State Route #278 (in Eureka County), Nevada for the running of these unique automotive events. It is open to anyone over 18 years of age with a valid driver's license and a roadworthy vehicle. You pick the speed at which you want to drive, from 95 to 180 miles per hour, or even unlimited speed, and those who come closest to their target average speed are declared the winners. Participants are started one minute apart and you may take along one passenger. AND WHAT DO WE DO??? We communicate – and keep the road safe for the drivers. The only way to see these unique events is to be a course worker. No spectators are allowed on the course. It's just a few weeks until Silver State, and I'm still looking for communicators! The events and dates are: Silver State Gold Rush Challenge September 17-18, 2005 Nevada Highway 278 - Eureka NV - from Hwy 50 north to Carlin http://www.silverstateclassic.com/278-map.htm Silver State Classic Challenge September 24-25, 2005 Nevada Highway 318 - Ely NV - Lund south to Hiko http://www.silverstateclassic.com/318-map.htm Please confirm immediately by reply email or phone at 702-334-1196 whether you can work either or both races with us. If so, please let me know the best phone number, email and times to reach you, and any alternate numbers. I will then contact you with more information. Oh, and don't forget to include your shirt size. Call me today for more info. Thanks/73 Charlie AA5QJ ----------------------------- RUN AWAY WITH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL By Jason Creager, KCØERG Cirque du Soleil hosts the fifth annual Run Away with Cirque du Soleil 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk at Paseo Verde Park in Henderson on Labor Day - Monday, September 5. All proceeds from the event benefit the Center for Independent Living. Race Day Registration begins at 6 a.m. with the 1 Mile Fun Walk starting at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K Run at 8:15 a.m. All entrants will receive a T-shirt and entry for the raffle, enjoy entertainment by Cirque du Soleil performers and musicians, massage therapy, face painting for children and free food and beverages. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category. The Center for Independent Living, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit facility, opened its doors in 1994 to serve the disadvantaged youth of Nevada. The Center is a residential facility for at-risk youth ages 16 to 20 and was developed to provide adolescents with an opportunity to mature and learn independent living skills in a structured, supervised setting. Cirque du Soleil is world-renowned for its distinct brand of theatrical entertainment. Since its founding in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has thrilled over 42 million spectators in more than 130 cities on four continents. In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil has a privileged partnership with MGM MIRAGE to create and present unique and innovative productions. We will be providing communications support for this event, so sign up today! ----------------------------- Silverman Triathlon You saw this last month – WE STILL NEED A CHAMPION!! We have been asked to support the Silverman Triathlon at Lake Mead National Park. The event is scheduled for November 13, 2005 starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 5:30PM with a night run. The event features a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Mead, a 112 mile ride with over 9,200 feet of elevation gain and a 26.2 mile run. They will be using State route 147 and 167 as well as the lake. Cell phones do not work in that area or on the lake. They are asking for radio operators to be stationed at the 3 aid stations which will be 10 miles apart along the run route and on five Coast Guard Auxiliary boats and the Desert Princess which will be stationed in the water near the course. We are looking at an event of about 10 hours in duration. This sounds like a fun event, worthy of our support, but we need a champion - someone to organize our resources - the ham radio operators who can make this happen safely. Are you ready to do this? Call Charlie today at 334-1196. ----------------------------- Las Vegas Marathon By Howard Mark, K3HM I just got some info from the LV Marathon Director (Marlene Hedrick). The event is going to be run on December 4 this year. The course info is still being developed so nothing we can talk about at this point. Marlene is hoping to have a meeting in the next couple of weeks from which some of the preliminary details may emerge. It's not too early to volunteer!! Howard Mark, K3HM 256-3662/Pager 253-8492 hmark@earthlink.net ----------------------------- Coming Events September 5 Run Away with Cirque du Soleil (5K Run) September 18 Silver State Gold Rush Challenge (Road Race) September 25 Silver State Classic Challenge (Road Race) October 1 ARES/RACES Meeting October 5 – 6 Operation Loaded Dice (Emergency Exercise) November 5 – 6 MS150 Bike Tour – Las Vegas Motor Speedway to Mesquite November 13 Silverman Triathlon November 19 ARES/RACES Meeting December 4 Las Vegas Marathon ----------------------------- ARES / RACES By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ Rotunda Thunda exercise ran from 0600 Jul 11 through 1330 on Jul 13. Communicators manned the County EOC, Emergency Communications Center, OEM Dispatch Center, Health Dept, Casualty Collection Point, and supported 4 Salvation Army mobile canteens. Members also performed simulator, evaluator, and PIO duties. ARES/RACES Meeting was held Sat Jul 23. The primary focus was an after-action review of Rotunda Thunda. Several SKYWARN Level 3 Net activations were necessitated by the severe weather throughout Clark and neighboring counties. ----------------------------- 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. 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, WAØVJR 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 Mike Stratton, KM1KE km1ke@arrl.net 612-5696 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 Frank Drake, KL7IPV kl7ipv@aol.com 838-3452 Bob Mathewson K7RJM k7rjm@yahoo.com 564-6263 Vacant ----------------------------------- 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.or 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) Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club August 2005