RADIO ACTIVE Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club November 2005 Serving Las Vegas since April 1961 Leadership Message Bob Nelson, Vice President After Frank KL7IPV's generous gift of two radios to local schools, I started thinking about how important it really is that we support and actively promote our hobby to our kids. In order to do that we need to understand why we have lost our young group to other hobbies. They aren't that much different than we were, they still like the opposite sex, cars, loud music, staying up late, eating junk food and hanging out with their friends. But what has changed is their technically challenging hobbies namely internet and other instant gratifying communications. Have you seen all of the kids instant messaging on their cell phones and computers? So how do we excite the younger crowd to take a look at our hobby? ? One of the key things we can do is to remember what it was like when we first got our license and made our first contact or that great feeling of setting up our first shack and having all of the equipment work like a fine orchestra. If we can tap into these or other great feelings, then we have something to share and promote. ? We need to look at the technology in Ham Radio that the younger crowd would enjoy, for example: APRS, Echo Link, IRLP, Packet and any blending of computers and radios. This will become even more important as the majority of homes have antenna restrictions. ? Outdoor activities and communications. Field Day is one of our greatest opportunities to promote our hobby. Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs and other youth programs should be crowding our tent on field day. I think they are unaware of the opportunity they are missing. It is up to all of us to keep our hobby alive and we can best do this by sharing our passion, time and energy with the younger crowd. We have a lot of kids out there with a lot of time on their hands; parents are working longer hours and kids could use mentoring and new interests. One last thought: Fads come and go, long hair, short hair and no hair. It is time for our fad to rise again like Harley Davidson and Disco, well maybe not disco. These are my thoughts -73's. Bob ----------------------------------------------- Secretary's Report By Sandy Nelson, KD7WYD Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club General Meeting October 11, 2005 – 7:00 pm Welcome – Charlie, AA5QJ Intros: Visitors 4, Members 55 = Total 59 Reports: Secretary – Sandy KD7WYD – Members approved the September minutes from newsletter. Treasurer – Art K7ZE – Members approved the September report from newsletter. Repeater Committee – Charlie reported that Butch, WA0VJR, has resigned as the Repeater Committee Chairman. The club thanks him for his service and input on this committee! Tom KE4ULL: Not much new to report since last month. The repeaters are working well – Tom asked the members if they agreed that they are sounding good and this was met with enthusiastic applause. Newsletter Editor – Gary KK7LV: Gary introduced the new Newsletter Editor, Larry Collins, K7DMB. Due to an increased workload and other obligations, Gary is turning over the newsletter reins effective this month. The club thanks Gary for his service and the wonderful job he has consistently done with the newsletter! We also welcome Larry! Please continue to send your notes, articles, and pictures to Larry at k7dmb@cox.net. Librarian – Mike, KM1KE: absent. Communications Trailer Manager – Vern K0EGA: Bob K7RJM towed the trailer to Johnny Walker's for the safety check. It was inspected and passed! Since it does not have a bathroom or kitchen the inspection was only $49.00. They did recommend that we go ahead and have the electronic brake systems replaced so it can be used for towing. Secretary's note: The Board has approved this expense and will arrange to have the trailer returned to Johnny Walker's for the work. PIO – Frank KL7IPV: We are still waiting for the article on Cal, KE6OEH, appointed as AEC for ARES/RACES; to appear in QST. An article on the Silver State race has been submitted to CQ Magazine. Old Business: School Support: Sully KC6GLD: His new Principal has approved everything for the classroom. They are just waiting for the school district to punch the holes through the wall for the antennas. Dave WD6ZZY: They are still waiting for the work to move the antennas closer to Dave's classroom to be completed. Silent Key Program - Bob Nelson KD7UHG: Bill Marple estate: Jason, KC0ERG, is getting the next group ready to go on eBay. We also received information of another Silent Key from Pahrump. Bill, W6EIO, has agreed to gather the information and equipment together for us. Speedway Fundraiser, Sep 23 & 24th – Sandy: We had 19 volunteers come out and work their tails off at the Speedway! Friday was a bit slow, but good training for some new volunteers! Saturday made up for the slow Friday! We were extremely busy and raised over $2000.00 for the club! As well as bringing in a phenomenal $287.49 in tips! As Stand Manager I can't express my appreciation to these people enough! You really make a huge difference to our club! And it's wonderful to work side-by side with each and every one of you: John Joseph Clement - N7LWG Bill Croghan - WB0KSW Bruni Cummins - no call Peter Davis - K6PSD Leslie Duerson - N1PMT Steve Goldman - N7JAZ Calvin Groom - KE6OEH Doug Jenks - NG1K Kraig Knapp - KD7JSN Bob Mathewson - K7RJM Bob Nelson - WA3PAD Bob Nelson - KD7UHG Stan Perkins - W7SLP Bryan Smith - KD7JJH Richard Stage - AB7ZI Nancy Tatom - no call Eric Valentine - KE7CCE Arnie Zelig - WA2SOE An extra Thank You to Arnie, WA2SOE, who worked as Banker both days and made me look so good by balancing the money to within $54.00 of the inventory! This is amazing when you consider how busy we get! Thanks Arnie! And a second special Thank You to: Frank Drake, KL7IPV, who recruited a wonderful supply of volunteers for this event! A LVRAC 'Speedway' Cap was presented to Frank for his assistance! Silver State Classic, Sep 25 – Charlie: 31 volunteers from all over the area including Utah and California assisted in the event. Went very well! MS150 Bike Tour, Nov 5 & 6 – Champion: Joe, N7XSD: Absent - 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. Elections, November 8th Meeting – Champion: Howard, K3HM. He is having a challenging time finding interested candidates for the Board next year. At this time Howard has found a volunteer for the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Directors. He is still looking for a President. Please let Howard know if you are interested ASAP. Secretary's Note: I believe a member volunteered for the President position during this meeting and we now have nominations for a full Board! Thank you! Silverman Triathlon, Nov 13 – Keith Lee, N0LSL: The race officials have decided to use commercial gear for the swim and running portions, but need Hams to cover the bicycle leg. This leg runs around Lake Mead in an area with little or no cell phone coverage. Keith is planning a test of repeater coverage. Please let Keith know if you are interested in volunteering for this new event! Las Vegas Marathon, Dec 4 – Champion: Howard, K3HM. The signup sheet was circulated again. Howard needs at least 25 volunteers for this event. The marathon will run from Mandalay Bay down the Strip, through Fremont Street, and back to Mandalay Bay. All checkpoints will have medical personnel and space for the ham to park their vehicles. It will start at 6:00 AM and conclude at 12:00 Noon. New Business: G.E. Programmer – Charlie: We have been asked if we would like to purchase a programmer for the club. It is a TQ2310 and is capable of programming the Phoenix, Delta and other such radios. The Board approved the purchase and Tom, KE4ULL, will have the programmer if any member needs assistance with re-programming their radios. Holiday Party, Friday December 2nd, Elk's Club in Henderson – Charlie: All members and their families are invited! There will again be the Yankee Swap and gifts for all Hams! This is a potluck event with the club providing the meat entrιe. This is a great chance to show off your culinary skills!! Ham Aid Donation – Charlie: The board approved a donation in the amount of $1000.00 to ARRL for Ham Aid. The money will go to assist hams that are sent into the Gulf Coast to assist with hurricane relief. This is the first time ARRL has set up a reimbursement program and they will assist hams with travel and living expenses. School Support, Frank, KL7IPV: Frank would like to see the members get more involved with the area schools. As he pointed out – if you look around the room at our meetings – we as a group are not getting any younger. And we really need to start getting more young people involved in the hobby. With this in mind he purchased 2 Yaesu FT840 radios, one for each of the schools that the club has been supporting, and a computer. He is encouraging all the members to get behind him and offer whatever support you can – monetary, time mentoring, etc. We need to get more young people involved so the hobby can move forward after most of us are gone! Club Support, Tom, KE4ULL: Tom stepped forward and asked the members present to let our guests know why the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club is worth joining. Several members stood up and spoke about their experiences. They included things like new knowledge gained at almost every meeting even for those that are the most experienced, the fun of working the events such as the marathon and MS150, knowing that you can get almost any ham- related question answered by someone at the meetings. And, of course, we always have snacks! Library Donation, Howard, K3HM: Howard has donated 5 copies of PIC-Processor books to the club library. They contain information on PIC-Processors and projects that can be completed using these processors. Announcements: Club Reminders - Charlie: 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 – Charlie: Operation Loaded Dice, Oct 5 & 6th. This was a City of Las Vegas, night exercise. We were not well utilized, but had hams at both the Galleria and Meadows malls, in the Henderson EOC, the City of Las Vegas EOC, Sunrise Hospital, the Clark County EOC, and the Clark County ECC. This was the first time ARES/RACES was invited to participate by the City of Las Vegas and the City of Henderson. Next meeting is Saturday, November 19, at the Clark County Government Center at 9:00 AM. Raffle Prizes – Tom, KE4ULL: briefly announced the prizes for the evening. (Short Break & Refreshments – Thank You Karen, KD7MGK!) Program – Hurricanes Katrina & Rita Deployment – Dan, AA7I, and Dudley, KK7IF: Dan and Dudley were deployed to the Gulf States with Nevada Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue to assist with hurricane rescue and relief efforts. They gave a great presentation on the conditions, hardships and trials faced by rescue teams. Raffle – Tom, KE4ULL: LVRAC Hat – Eugene, KB7JZO LVRAC Mug – Robert, N6DEK Repeater Directory – Art, K7ZE World Radio Subscription – Vern, K0EGA LVRAC Mouse Pad – Dudley, KK7IF LVRAC Tote Bag – Robert, N6DEK LVRAV Tile – David, AB8TN Bag of Batteries – Randy, KH7PE LVRAC Mug – Eugene, KB7JZO Hershey Kiss Antenna – George, W6ABW Dual-band Antenna – Bob, AA7NR Weather Radio – George, W6ABW Adjourned: 9:20 PM ----------------------------------------------- Treasurer's Report 10/31/05 By Art Sheldon K7ZE Beginning Balance $12,550.48 Income: Dues 2005 $ 35.00 7 each Dues 2006 $ 240.00 12 each Raffle $ 125.00 Vest $ 140.00 4 each ARRL Renewal $ 78.00 2 each Speedway Check $2,056.92 Rebate $ 75.00 Nevada DMV Enviro Solutions $ 14.69 Ink & toner cartridges ARRL Ham Aid $ 20.00 Donation Total Deposits $2,784.61 Sub Total $15,335.09 Expenses: Sprint $ 29.51 October Telephone ARRL $ 74.00 2 Renewal Donation $1,070.00 ARRL Ham Aid Reimbursement Fund Dues overpay $ 10.00 2 each Cafι Press $ 474.62 Raffle Basket $ 67.80 Badge Supplies $ 94.98 Laminator & pouches Trailer $ 49.00 Safety Check Total Expenses: $ 1,869.91 Ending Balance $13,465.18 ----------------------------------------------- Annual Elections By Howard Mark, K3HM – Election Committee The LVRAC annual meeting will take place on November 8. Per the Club's by-laws the election of officers for 2006 is to take place during this meeting. The current slate of candidates for these elected positions are: Officers President – Keith Lee, NΨLSL V.P. – Bob Mathewson, K7RJM Treasurer – Dennis Barker, KD7ZAL, Secretary – Kraig Knapp, KD7JSN Directors Don Randles, KD7YNS Richard Stage, AB7ZI Don Jaster, KA7GRU In keeping with Roberts' Rules of Order nominees for any of the above offices will be solicited from the floor during the election proceedings. Please make every attempt to attend the upcoming meeting. Howard Mark, K3HM ----------------------------------------------- Coming Events 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 ----------------------------------------------- AMATEUR RADIO EARNS PRAISE, RESPECT IN KATRINA RELIEF ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has provided written testimony on Amateur Radio's response in the Hurricane Katrina disaster to the US House Government Reform Committee. Haynie submitted the testimony to the congressional panel September 15 "on the successful efforts of Amateur Radio operators providing communications for first responders, disaster relief agencies and countless individuals in connection with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort" on behalf of the League. "As has been proven consistently and repeatedly in the past, when communications systems fail due to a wide-area or localized natural disaster, Amateur Radio works, right away, all the time," Haynie's statement said. "This report is not, therefore, a statement of concern about what must be changed or improved. It is, rather, a report on what is going right, and what works, in emergency communications in the Gulf Coast and what can be depended on to work the next time there is a natural disaster, and the times after that." The first URL below focuses on solid ham radio achievements as recounted by the ARRL. The second URL links to a Christian Science Monitor article on ham radio and Katrina, one of the few media reports showing what went right (namely ham radio) during the disaster. http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/05/0916/ http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0915/p12s02-stss.html ----------------------------------------------- ARES/RACES by Charlie AA5QJ, Emergency Coordinator ARES/RACES meeting led by Vern K0EGA, AEC Operations/ Training on Oct 1. Ken W7BES, Dudley KK7IF and Dan AA7I briefed on their deployments in support of Hurricane Katrina operations. Dudley and Dan also briefed on their deployment as the program for the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club meeting on Oct 11. Operation Loaded Dice exercise, held overnight Oct 6-7, directed by the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept, was to assess the Clark County/Las Vegas urban area's preparedness and response to a terrorism incident involving improvised explosive devices. The scenario involved simultaneous explosions near the food courts of Meadows and Galleria malls. Clark County, Las Vegas, and Henderson fire and police participated as well as Clark County Health District, FBI, NV National Guard, American Red Cross, all local hospitals, the 2 ambulance companies and other agencies. We provided ham operators at Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson EOCs, our Emergency Comm Center (ECC), Sunrise Hosp, and on-site teams at the 2 malls. Although the on-site teams were not utilized by the responding agencies, we were involved in activities at the other locations, and we continue to educate everyone we can of our capabilities and help wherever possible. 2 hams from So Nye County ARES/RACES, under our mutual aid agreement, were part of the Meadows Mall team. This exercise was also our Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for 2005. Prior to the start of the local exercise, the ECC participated in an HF comm test with stations in Washoe County, Pioche, Armagosa Valley, Sparks, Kingman, Henderson and Las Vegas. ----------------------------------------------- The Keller Middle School Ham Station by Dave Moss WD6CZY, Keller Middle School ECS WA7KMS, is finally up and running. We could not have accomplished this without the help of several club members. First, Frank Drake, KL7IPV, and his fantastic donation of the Yaesu FT 840 radio to both my club and to Sully's club at Wolfe Elementary School. I have no words to describe the generosity and support Frank has shown to our school clubs. Frank Drake KL7IPV donating radios to Sully and Dave for their school programs. Secondly, I would like to thank Jay Peskin, KE7EGO. We have been waiting a long time for the district to run the antenna cable and install a mast. Three days after the last Tuesday meeting, our mast was up and the cables run. I was able to mount the 2 meter beam and the G5RV 10-40 meter dipole the next day. The station is located in my office. The antennas sit on the roof directly above me. The coax run was approximately 50 feet. We ran three wires to the roof, one that is connected to the HF radio and the other for the FM radio. I tested the antenna with the antenna tuner after school on Monday and on Tuesday, got the kids on the air. Our first contact was on 40 meters with K6UNR. Marcus spoke with Bart for almost 10 minutes. The smile on his face was indescribable, though he was shy and was very brief in his responses. ----------------------------------------------- ATV Repeater by Frank Kostelac, N7ZEV The ATV repeater is operational!!! You can "see" it on 912Mhz Vert. You can get "into" it on 2441.5 Vert. You can talk on it via 146.43 Call me if help is needed to get a receiving station operational. Frank N7ZEV ----------------------------------------------- 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. November 12, December 10 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. More dates will be added as we receive them. Day Time Test Sessions at: Evening Test Sessions at: All Saints Episcopal Church Clark County Government Center, Training Rm 3 4201 W. Washington Ave. 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. Between Decatur and Valley View 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. ----------------------------------------------- Hurricane Volunteers to be Honored in QST Amateurs who participated in communications support during recovery efforts for hurricanes Wilma, Rita and Katrina will be honored with a special listing, including names and call signs, in the February issue of QST magazine. To be eligible for the list, you must complete the ARRL Hurricane Relief Volunteer Service Report on the Web at www.arrl.org/FandES/field/agencies/vol-report.html. The deadline for the QST list is December 9. You do not have to be an ARRL or ARES member to be included in the list. ----------------------------------------------- HURRICANE KATRINA & HAM RADIO – WHEN THE OLD TRUMPS THE NEW With terrestrial communications largely destroyed and both wireless and wireline telephone systems out of service, emergency responders along the Gulf Coast often turned to ham radio operators and their "antiquated" technology to transmit health and welfare traffic into and out of the disaster zone. Writing in Electronic Design, David Maliniak, AD2A, reminds readers that "there are times when old isn't necessarily bad; in fact, sometimes old works when new doesn't." http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/Index.cfm?AD=1&ArticleID=11136 ----------------------------------------------- There's still room for your articles Send and them pictures! to Larry K7DMB at k7dmb@cox.net… 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)