The
Marinette and Menominee Amateur Radio Club
GROUND WAVE
Repeater
Frequencies 147.00 MHZ & 444.075 Mhz
Club Net: Sunday 7PM 147.00 MHz
Simplex DX Spotting and Ragchew Frequency 146.55
Web Page: http://w8pif.com
Officers
President: Dave Cunningham, NS9R
Vice President: Dwight Bosselman, W9YQ
Treasurer: Tom Rynish N8LHB
Secretary: Jim Callow K8IR
The MMARC Newsletter June 2004
The
June meeting will be held on Thursday June10th at 7pm at Henes Park in Menominee.
Field Day planning will be a big part of the agenda.
We hope you can attend. We’ll
use the third pavilion (by the deer yard) if it’s available, otherwise
we’ll use one of the other pavilions.
Club
members gathered on May 7th at the Best Western Riverfront in for
the annual Charter Night Banquet.
Eric, KG9GH, presented the Ham of the Year Award to Lou Parkansky, AA9JH. Lou was voted Ham of the Year for the help he has given many area hams.
We were honored to have both the Wisconsin and Michigan ARRL Sections Emergency Coordinators at our event. Bill Niemuth, KB9ENO, gave a program on ARES/RACES in Wisconsin. Also in attendance was Ray De Vlieg, KB8VNI, the Michgan Section Emergency Coordinator.
KB9ENO, left, and KB8VNI at Charter Night
PICNIC COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK. GET YOUR
RESERVATION IN NOW…
The club’s
annual summer picnic will be held this year on Sunday July 11th in
the third pavilion at Henes Park in Menominee. The picnic will take the place
of the July club meeting.
Click Here for a printable picnic
reservation form. Please return it by July 3rd.
VE TESTING AT FIELD DAY…
For the
second year in a row, we will have a VE testing session at Field Day.
Paul, WC9E reports registration will begin at 10:30am
on Sunday June 27th, and testing will be held at 11am.
VE’s who can man the session are asked to contact Paul or Ed, KG8CX.
Anyone wishing to test at this session should also contact KG8CX or WC9E.
.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL VE SESSION COMPLETED…
On May 22nd, several more new hams were added to the
area's growing contingent of radio operators, along with some upgrades.
Congratulations to the following who successfully passed the Technician level: Jason
Lauzer, KC8ZVC
of
Menominee, and Elizabeth Pearson, KC8ZVD
of
Wallace (XYL of KC8YZA). We are happy to welcome them into the ham radio
community.
Also, two upgrades were realized on the 22nd:
Pete, formerly KC9FKC, who passed his CW, and is now an Extra class, and
sporting a new call, AB9JF (for now…we hear a vanity call is being applied
for); and Tyler, KC9FKE, who successfully passed his General written
exam. Now he needs to master the code, and he would become our youngest
General class operator.
VE's serving at this session included: WC9E, VE
coordinator; AA9JH, AA9PB, AA9IB, AA9GZ, and KG8CX. Your efforts were
much appreciated.
We now have had 10 new hams licensed since Jan. 31. Stay tuned for even more new ham announcements in the coming months.
By Bill Becks, WA8WG
Marinette County EC
A
joint team consisting of Marinette and Oconto County ARES/RACES members joined
the search effort on Saturday May 22nd for a 39 year old Town of
Porterfield woman missing since last October and presumed deceased in
Marinette County.
The Amateurs provided the communications necessary to coordinate the search activities of the Bay Area Mounted Search and Rescue Team from Menominee County, Michigan who were limited to the use of short range GPS/UHF radio's. We accomplished this by assigning ARES members to drive into areas adjacent to the riders and equipped them with similar low power radios to maintain contact with the riders and using two meters as the backbone to communicate information among search units as well as to and from the command post. This method worked very well as we were able to keep one or more ARES units in contact with the rider teams at all times to maintain safety, command, and control. Although the body of the missing woman was not recovered during the search the riders were able to radio in two reports that required deputies of the Marinette County Sheriff Department to investigate with one of them regarding the discovery of criminal activity not related to the target of the search.
Jim
Pearson, KC8YZA, who heads the Bay Area Mounted Search and Rescue team called
the Amateur Communications “a pivotal component of our search”.
Those participating included WA8WG, KB9DSV, NS9R, KC8WJN, KB9URW, and
KG8CX.
By Jim Mans, AA9PB
Its time for Field Day again, and it looks to be the best one yet. Field Day will again be held on KC8WJN’s property Northwest of Menominee. This year’s W8PIF field day TEAM so far consists a group of individuals that have a diverse array of special talents and expertise: KC8WJN , NS9R, K0SN [Tom, Chief Antenna Designer, turns 50 on field day June 26 did I say 50?], W9YQ , KC8YZA ,JAKE my son, , and myself AA9PB. We do have room for more people on the TEAM, And there will be additions. We WILL and DO welcome all the help we can get.
So
far everything is on schedule and going well. The trees that will be antenna
supports are cut, peeled, measured, and drying. These will take care of the 40
meter and 80 meter antennas for 2 stations. Also Tom has built a 20 meter
monobander for a good signal on 20. We also have an A3S tribander that will be
up for an additional station. There will be a few dipoles and other antennas
as well.
At
this time I am not sure how many rigs will be on the air at one time,{but I
have heard a rumor about a few amplifiers set to be used to increase business
on the bands."WE WILL BE HEARD"}
Now for the good stuff, FOOD and activities.
FRIDAY:
The plan is to have antenna raising, station layout and setup, (WE WILL NEED
PLENTY OF HELP HERE), followed by a campfire/eyeball QSO party on Friday
evening {another rumor, of a fish boil by Earl in the evening},
SATURDAY:
Breakfast {I'm sure something will come together in a frying pan} followed by
final station setup and checkout {and generally chasing "MURPHY"
around for a bit} Field Day starts at 1pm that's when the fun really starts.
Saturday afternoon there will be dinner and dancing, {no band just Radio… if
you want to dance to the beat of CW.} But I hear dinner will be a sure thing,
(possibly a chili cook off between Earl A. and Earl B.and I did hear something
about TURKEY} as well as another campfire/eyeball QSO party and lots of radio
through the night.
SUNDAY:
Breakfast, {another rumor of an Earl Specialty}, the VE Testing session,
radio till 1pm, and the BIG ONE, take down and cleanup. NEED LOTS OF
HELP HERE!!!!!! We all want to be home by dark.
I
hope everyone will come out and join in the fun. There will be plenty of
radios and antennas for everyone who wishes to operate as well as great food
and plenty of friendly faces to have eyeball QSO’s with. Camping is free and
welcomed. Come and spend the weekend hamming and having fun with the W8PIF
FIELD DAY TEAM
Feel
free to bring a dish to pass for mealtime or uncooked items {I think we have a
chef on staff} and don't forget your lawn chairs. {you can't stand around all
day} Refreshments help as well.
Hope to see you there. {did I mention all the great food…just making sure} 73 fer nw de AA9PB
Kenwood TS450 SAT complete station. Rig includes Inrad
1800 Hz SSB Filter and 250Hz CW Filter, desk mike, and hand mike. Also
includes Kenwood PS430 power supply and IF232C computer interface. Contact
AA9PB.
EDITOR’S NOTE…
From the content of this month’s issue, you can see our
club is very busy, and I thank all of those who have contributed items for the
Ground Wave. Unfortunately, the articles this month far exceeded the space
available. That resulted in some
severe editing and the need to hold some stories until next month.
I appreciate all contributions. Please keep them coming.
73, Jim K8IR
DIRECTIONS TO FIELD DAY AT KC8WJN…
The meeting was called
to order by President Dave, NS9R at 7pm, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members
and guests were introduced and briefly spoke about their ham radio activities
during the past month. A prospective member and potential new ham -- Jason
Lauzer -- was introduced.
The secretary's report
was approved as printed in the Ground Wave.
N8LHB reported on the
treasury status...we have a current balance of $1317.76.
AA9PB made a motion
that the club pay for the meals for Ham of the Year, Lou, and his wife, along
with our banquet speaker, Bill Niemuth and his wife. Seconded by KC8YZA and
approved.
KG8CX read an email
from Ken Thyberg, K8ZZV, a former member, now living in Madison and planning to
get back in ham radio
Under repeater reports,
KG9GH and K8NB will get together on the matter of our BAMC tower base situation,
and report back at a future meeting.
KG8CX reported on
successful Sunday nets, averaging well over 20 each week.
Under Menominee Co.
ARES/RACES reports, N8OSK, the Menominee Co. ARRL EC, questioned on why she was
not notified in advance that the Michigan ARES/Races state EC was invited to the
banquet and asked who paid for his meal at the banquet. She was told that the
Menominee County Emergency Management Director paid for his meal.
Under Marinette-Oconto
ARES/RACES reports, KE9S, the former Marinette Co. EC, asked why he was not
notified that Bill Niemuth, the Wisconsin state EC, was going to be our banquet
speaker. He felt as EC of Marinette Co., he should have been told, and the
request gone through him. Dave explained that because two other ARRL section
leaders turned us down, we needed to find someone close by who would agree to
come, and whose topic would be of relevance to all. After considerable comments
and discussion, KE9S made a motion to have the M&M ARC president removed
from office, seconded by N8OSK. Further discussion and action was tabled until
the June meeting. N9UGG, brought up that because of past conflicts and hard
feelings, and since ARES/RACES is not an official club activity, we not allow
any discussion at a club meeting relating to that topic. At this point, WA8WG
mentioned that he was appointed by Bill Niemuth, state ARES/RACES EC, as the
ARRL EC for Marinette County, to replace KE9S who resigned the position, with
KB9DSV, appointed as EC for Oconto Co. He thanked KE9S for his work in bringing
ARES/RACES to its current position in both counties. Discussion then ended.
Under Skywarn, KG8CX
reported that the new Skywarn Operators' Net on Monday evening, has started on
the link system, and has been very successful with a number of area counties
reporting. This will continue throughout the severe weather season.
Under New Business,
Field Day preparations are progressing rapidly. AA9PB is the coordinator for FD
2004 to be held at KC8WJN's extensive site. Several members will gather on
Sunday, May 16 at Earl's qth to begin the harvesting of trees to be used as
antenna poles and supports. This has the potential to be one of our biggest FD
events ever. AA9PB mentioned that we should probably look into a port-a-potty
and tent for FD. After discussion, it was moved by AA9PB, and seconded by KC8YZA
that the club spend no more than $150 to rent these items. Approved
It was mentioned that a
VE session will be held on May 22 at 9:30am in the Stephenson Public Library in
Marinette. A large number of persons are expected to upgrade and try for their
technician licenses.
On the subject of our
repeater antenna on KC8DOA's tower, the president will contact Jim to find out
the current situation, and whether we can expect to return to that location
soon.
The annual club picnic
will be held on July 11 at Henes Park, with Joan Callow and Maxine Drees in
charge. The picnic will take the place of the club meeting scheduled for July 8th.
NS9R asked that the club members monitor the Sunday night M&MARC net for
upcoming information on the July picnic.
Dave, NS9R, reported
that the club will have a tent and special event station at the Menominee
Waterfront Festival on Aug. 7 in conjunction with the annual national Lighthouse
event. NS9R
asked that the club members monitor the Sunday night M&MARC net for upcoming
information on the special event station.
Since we cannot meet at
the library during the summer months, we will have our June meeting at Henes
Park on the 10th in one of the available pavilions. Following the meeting, a
Field Day antenna building session will be held.
At this point, KC9FKC,
Pete took the floor stood up and commented on how the club has helped he
and his family get licensed and involved. He felt that a clash of personalities
should not hamper interest in ham radio. KC8YZA also commented earlier on the
boost he got by getting involved in ham radio, and thanked all those who helped
out with the new hams.
No further business,
meeting was then adjourned and the CQ video "Getting Started in Dxing"
was shown.
Respectfully submitted
by Ed Engleman, KG8CX, in the absence of the secretary, who was attending the
Dayton Hamvention.
In attendance:
Dave Cunningham, NS9R
Jeff Rymer, KE9AS
Nancy Buchholz, KA9UZC
Jim Mans, AA9PB
Larry Buccholz, N9OSF
Jim Voss, KC8WJO
Tom Rynish, N8LHB
Pete Johnson, KC9FKC
Lynne Rynish, N8OSK
Bill Becks, WA8WG
Erik Lowman guest, KB9ZQX
Earl Andre, KB9DSV
Arde Nelson, KA9WAR
Earl Bramschreiber, KC8WJN
George Benoit, N9UGG
Jim Pearson, KC8YZA
Lou Parkansky, AA9JH
Noel Beardsley, K8NB
Peter (PJ) Johnson, KC9FSF
Eric Janssen, KG9GH
Tyler Lehman, KC9FKE
Jason Lauzer, guest
Ed Engleman, KG8CX
Dwight Bosselman, W9YQ
Tom Hellem, K0SN