RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club October 2005 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 ------------------------------------------ Leadership Message By Gary Hartman, KK7LV; Newsletter Editor It has been my pleasure to be the Newsletter Editor for the last two and a half years. It has been a challenge but a learning experience for me as well. As the editor I have followed the club activities and events and participated in most of them. I have got to meet many new people and I hope that continues. It is time for me to move on and do other things. I am excited that we have an experienced individual who has stepped forward and agreed to take on this responsibility. If you haven't met him yet, his name is Larry Collins, K7DMB. Larry will be taking over these responsibilities starting with next month's newsletter. As it works with most positions in a club, this is not a one man show. I have received great support from the officers and members submitting articles and pictures for the newsletter. I know you will keep that tradition alive. Take a minute to get to know Larry. For articles, pictures or other submissions, send them to k7dmb@cox.net. I fully expect to pen an article once in awhile myself. I will snap a picture or two as well. The newsletter is about the club and the only way to represent the club is to gather the information from the members. That's you! Since I am on a roll, I want to address a subject that is not easy to talk about. I have always been amazed at Ham Radio Operators: they are highly trained and skilled, they are service oriented, and they come from all walks of life. Yet with the skill and experience they have, feelings are so easily bruised. I am not talking about one particular incident; there have been many over the years. Some have been minor and forgotten; others have driven members from our ranks. Let me propose a couple of things that have helped me over the years. I love to read and have studied many of the important people in our society that have made a difference. Will Rogers once said that he never met a man he didn't like. The inference was that he spent some time learning about an individual that had wronged him or slighted him in some way. In the end he understood the reasons behind the actions and had empathy for that person. My grandfather taught me that when a person is wronged, his reaction determines the degree of blame he carries. Most of the time a person that commits a slight has no idea it occurred. There would be no problems if we communicated on an honest and open level, and this has to occur on both sides. For the person who thinks things have to go their own way all the time, they are not being honest with themselves. Abraham Lincoln when at the height of frustration in the Civil War would sit down and write a poison pen letter to the offender. He would lay it all out and not hold back at all. Then he would throw the letter away and use logic and diplomacy to pen the real letter. Needless to say, he accomplished his goal most of the time and with willing support. I say this to you because of the large size of the club and the diversity within it. I say it with admiration and respect for you all. I say these things in the hope that we will always overcome our obstacles. I hope and pray that I did not offend anyone, for that is not my intention. I see a new leadership emerging and they need our help and our support. 73's Gary Hartman, KK7LV Assistant Section Manager, Assistant EC Henderson ------------------------------------------ Secretary's Report By Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club, General Meeting - September 13, 2005 – 7:00 pm Welcome – Bob, KD7UHG Intros: Visitors 3, New Members 2, Members 42 = Total 47 Reports: Secretary – Sandy KD7WYD – Members approved the August minutes from newsletter. Treasurer – Art K7ZE – Members approved the August report from newsletter. Repeater Committee – Butch WAØVJR Chairman, Bill WBØKSW Tech Lead, Pat N7QE Trustee, Tom KE4ULL: (From Tom's email to the board) We had another successful day! If you had the opportunity to listen to the system, you should have noticed that the UHF system and the "link" are back in service. We were able to reinstall and activate the UHF system this morning. It took a couple of trips between the Trop and the Hilton to get the link radios working correctly. Yes, it was an "operator error"! It helps to connect antenna cabling to the right places. Once corrected "it came alive"! I wouldn't want to give anyone the impression that I really know what I'm doing!! If you monitored the system today, you may have noticed a "scratching" kind of noise? We are of the opinion that the old UHF antenna has reached its useful life. We believe the noise is being created by the "many times soldered" connection in the actual antenna, working their way loose, in today's high winds. I would like to request authorization to replace the antenna. I will get some estimates and keep the BOD's informed as to the price and availability of the replacement. (Secretary's note: The Board approved the purchase of a new antenna earlier this year.) Thank-you to the "team" who helped make the return a reality... Jamie Gorr, Lou Meiss, Bill Croghan, Ralph Decker, Richard Stage, and the newest member of the team, Gerry Wojciechowshj.. We all worked very hard to get us back on-top of the Trop... Next stop, UNLV and the QST machine... Newsletter Editor – Gary KK7LV: Gary thanked everyone for submitting the articles and photos, keep them coming! Even if it's late in the month send it in – he will do everything possible to get it into the newsletter. Librarian – Mike, KM1KE: The inventory has been completed and there are some items that have been checked out for more then a year! Mike will be sending out notices! He is starting to update the club website. Communications Trailer Manager – Vern KØEGA: The trailer will go to Johnny Walker's on 10/3 for the safety check. Bob K7RJM will tow it in for us. PIO – Frank KL7IPV: Cal, KE6OEH, was appointed AEC Salvation Army for ARES/RACES; it will be in QST next month. (Secretary's Note: A huge Thank You to Frank for his recruiting of the volunteers for the Speedway Fundraiser September 23 & 24! It looks like we will have plenty of people! Awesome!) Old Business: School Support: Dave WD6ZZY: School has started and his group meets for the first time on 9/14. He has approval from the district to move the antennas closer to his office – from 140 feet to about 25 feet – he's just waiting for the work to be done. Sully KC6GLD: absent, but Dave has been in contact with him and he is working on setting up the station at his new school. Silent Key Program - Bob Nelson KD7UHG: Bill Marple estate: Jason, KCØERG, the first group of items sold very well; approximately $900.00. He's getting the next group ready to go on eBay. Runaway with Cirque du Soleil, Sep 5 – Jason, KCØERG: Went very well, he had only positive feedback from them. He presented the club with a plaque in appreciation. (Acrylic on a wood base – beautiful!) Silver State Gold Rush, Sep 18 – Bob for Charlie: This race has been cancelled due to the Mormon cricket invasion. Silver State Classic, Sep 25 – Bob for Charlie: Let Charlie know if you would like to volunteer. He could always use more assistance! Speedway Fundraiser, Sep 23 & 24th – Sandy: Frank Drake, KL7IPV, recruited a wonderful supply of volunteers for this event! Due to Hurricane Katrina relief we did lose a few people and could use some additional volunteers on Friday. (Secretary's Note: As of this writing I have confirmation from all but 5 who signed up! I am hoping to hear from the remaining people this week!) MS150 Bike Tour, Nov 5 & 6 – Champion: Bob for Joe, N7XSD: Please start thinking about volunteering for this event. It's a lot of fun! The race starts at the speedway and goes through Valley of Fire on up to Mesquite. After a dinner that night the riders return to the speedway directly down I-15. Silverman Triathlon, Nov 13 – Bob for Keith Lee, NØLSL: This is a new event for us and for Las Vegas! We have been asked to assist with communications. This will require a large number of volunteers. The race director, Frank Lowry, attended our last meeting and spoke on this. This will be the longest, toughest triathlon in the world. Any proceeds will go to the children's charity: Project Sunshine. They are hoping for 45 communications volunteers: 25 aid stations, 10 race coordinators, and 10 floaters. Elections, November Meeting – Champion: Howard, K3HM. He is having a hard time finding interested candidates for the Board next year. Due to an overwhelming work schedule, Bob will not be able to take on the Presidency as hoped. At this time Howard has found a volunteer for the Vice President and the Directors. He is still looking for a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. (He received a volunteer for Treasurer during the meeting!) Howard went over the duties of the President and had Sandy and Art explain them for their positions. Please volunteer! Please let Howard know if you are interested ASAP. Las Vegas Marathon, Dec 4 – Champion: Howard, K3HM. Start thinking on this – many volunteers will be needed, as of the start of this meeting only 12 people have signed up. The signup sheet was circulated again. The marathon will run from Mandalay Bay down the Strip, through Fremont Street, and back to Mandalay Bay. New Business: Hospital Radio Swap – Howard, K3HM: Howard explained that he had asked the board to consider buying the existing radios from the area hospitals so they can replace them with the commercial Icom's. By purchasing them we will be helping defray the additional cost. And we will be helping ourselves by having better, easier to use, equipment in their place. Butch, WAØVJR, pointed out that if Howard was correct in the model number of the existing Kenwood radios, they can be cloned. There was some discussion on this, but as no one knows exactly what model is in use it was agreed that the commercial Icom radios are a better option for the hospitals. We will then raffle or auction the Kenwood radios to the club members. The board approved this plan at the August meeting. CAP Donation – Sandy: A check in the amount of $500.00 was presented to Bill, WBØKSW, (representing the CAP) for their involvement in the Speedway Fundraiser in March. The CAP has several members in our club, but there are a couple of people that come out and assist us that are not Hams. Announcements: Club Reminders - Bob: *Upcoming Meeting Topics: October – WinLink with Charlie, AA5QJ. (ed note: to be preempted by presentations from W7BES, KK7IF, AA7I on deployments to Katrina disaster) November – Elections & a short program TBD. *The Club receives commissions for new ARRL memberships and renewals. Please pay through the club! *Recycling of inkjet and laser cartridges –Pick up envelopes for smaller cartridges, bring your laser cartridges to the monthly meetings. ARES/RACES – Vern, KØEGA: Clark County asked us to stand by on Monday in anticipation of the evacuees arriving from the Gulf. In the end, FEMA decided not to send them and we were not needed. Operation Loaded Dice, Oct 5 & 6th. This is a City of Las Vegas night exercise. Please let Charlie know ASAP if you can participate. Next meetings are Saturday, October 1 & Saturday, November 19. Raffle Prizes – Tom, KE4ULL: Briefly announced the prizes for the evening. (Short Break & Refreshments – Thank You Karen, KD7MGK!) Program – Clark County Health District – James Osti, MPH, Grant Writer: Jim gave a very informative presentation on the Health District's various departments and responsibilities. He answered many questions from the group and brought handouts. Raffle – Tom, KE4ULL: Repeater Directory – Dennis, KD7ZAL World Radio 1Year Subscription – Pete, K6PSD Bag o' Batteries – Eugene, KB7JZO MFJ Dual-band Hershey Kiss Antenna – Clayton, KB7PHB Screwdriver Set – Joe, WH6CYB Weather Radio – Mike, KM1KE LVRAC Mouse Pad – Bill, WBØKSW Yaesu Microphone – David, AB8TN LVRAC Mug – Butch, WAØVJR ITT Micro am Millivolt Meter – Joe, WH6CYB LVRAC Messenger Bag – Fred, K9GAJ – (who gifted it to Sandy!! Thanks!!) Weather Radio – Randy, KH7PE Adjourned: 9:15PM ------------------------------------------ Treasurer's Report By Art Sheldon, K7ZE Beginning Balance $14,354.27 Income Dues 2005 $ 10.00 Dues 2006 $ 100.00 Raffle $ 114.00 Vest $ 35.00 ARRL Renewal $ 94.00 Speedway Dollars$ $ 54.00 Speedway Tips $ 287.58 Total Deposits $ 694.58 Sub Total $15,048.85 Expenses Sprint $ 29.51 September Telephone AES $ 171.85 Raffle Prizes 440 Antenna $ 186.32 And mounting hardware Refreshments $ 61.43 August Meeting ARRL $ 53.00 1 Renewal Gift Certificates $ 50.00 2 each Speedway $ 388.10 Ball Hats Tropicana Repeater $ 124.27 Parts Donation $ 500.00 Civil Air Patrol Newsletter $ 140.59 Stamps and Ink Jet cartridges ARRL Equip Ins $ 120.34 Seabury & Smith Liability Insurance $ 325.00 Seabury & Smith Speedway $ 60.38 Drinks, snacks & supplies Speedway Tips $ 287.58 Transfer to Speedway Tips Account Total Expense: $ 2,498.37 Ending Balance $12,550.48 ------------------------------------------ Elections 2005 Don't forget that election of Officers is coming up in November. If you have a willingness to serve your club or if you have questions about the different jobs, please contact Howard Mark, K3HM. Last months newsletter has extensive information about each office and the associated duties. Coming Events October 6 – 7 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 2 LVRAC Holiday Party December 4 Las Vegas Marathon ------------------------------------------ Silverman Triathlon 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, but we need your help! Keith Lee NØLSL will be talking more about this at the next meeting. Be ready to lend your support! ------------------------------------------ Special Presentations Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD, presenting letter and James R. Osti, program presenter at last meeting check to Bill Croghan, WBØKSW for CAP support. with Bob Nelson, KD7UHG, VP. ------------------------------------------ Clark County ARES/RACES By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, Emergency Coordinator/RACES Officer September was a quiet month for ARES/RACES here, but not for other areas of the country due to Hurricane Katrina. Members Dan AA7I and Dudley KK7IF deployed with the NV Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team to New Orleans, Ken W7BES deployed with FEMA to Meridian MS, and Andy N7SGV with the Red Cross. Locally, Clark County OEM asked us to assist with the arrival of evacuees from the hurricane area, but at the last minute, their relocation was cancelled. Two members have become Silent Keys: Chet Brothers WA7VHP and Al Hess KD6DYZ. Our condolences to their families and friends. Members participated in support of the Cirque du Soleil 5K Run benefiting the Center for independent Living, and the Silver State Classic Challenge open road race from Lund to Hiko. I attended several seminars at the Southwestern Division Convention in Riverside CA: one on ARES/RACES interoperability.- We have a relatively rare organizational structure with our seamless integration of ARES and RACES. – and one by April Moell WA6OPS on the Hospital Disaster Support Communication System, an ARES organization supporting 34 hospitals in Orange County CA. Lots of food for thought on how we can improve our support in our area. ------------------------------------------ Silver State Classic By Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ The 2005 Silver State Classic Challenge is now in the history books. The race, with 97 vehicles in classes from 95 to 170 MPH and unlimited, went off without any accidents or injuries. Here's some pictures Vern KØEGA took at Check 4 with his son, Mike NØRGC… Come join us next May! ------------------------------------------ 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 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. October 8 October 28 November 12 December 10 ------------------------------------------ Antenna and UHF System Report By Tom Petrakis, KE4ULL Today, Richard and I completed the removal of the old UHF antenna and installation of the new Com-Telco commercial UHF antenna, on top of the Trop. The old antenna was a Diamond dual bander, with little to no DB gain. This new antenna is 6.5 DB gain and no "tilt". I additionally was able to solder the connection on the cable that was "questionable" last month, due to a small soldering iron being used... I forgot my HT in the truck and called Charlie at home to ask him to try and hit the repeater from his house. He was able to hit it loud and clear in his kitchen, with a one watt HT... I think we finally have the system working very well!! I have received reports that the auto-patch is working fine. This was the old UHF System before the Remodel This is the new UHF System as it now sits. Richard Stage, AB7ZI and James Gorr, N3TOY 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 October 2005 K7UGE Page 9 http://www.lvrac.org K7UGE Page 1 http://www.lvrac.org