October 2002 Ground Wave

OCTOBER MEETING...

Plan on attending the next monthly meeting on October 10th at 7pm in the cafeteria of BAMC Menominee facility. Agenda items include: repeater concerns: update and possible action, ARES/emergency government updates, Christmas party, voting on new member applications, etc. This is the usual first meeting at which officers elected in September take office. However, your continued support of the current officers have allowed them to continue in office.

A reminder that it’s time to pay your dues for the new year, if you haven’t already done so. A form to send along with your check is included in this Ground Wave.

OFFICERS RE-ELECTED...

President: Jim Callow, K8IR
Vice-President: Ed Engleman, KG8CX
Secretary: Gary Luthardt, KG9AD
Treasurer: Lynne Rynish, N8OSK
Each officer wishes to thank the membership for their continued confidence, and pledges to continue working in the best interests of the club and amateur radio.

RADIO EXAM SESSION SCHEDULED...

A amateur radio testing session has been set up for THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, at 5pm in the cafeteria of BAMC Menominee. This is the same evening as the regular meeting of the club. Jeff, KE9S, will the testing coordinator. All classes of exams will be offered along with the 5wpm code. Please contact either Jeff or Ed, KG8CX if you plan on testing, or know of someone who will. VE's are also needed, so let one of the above know if you are available.

FFR (FISH FRY REPORT)…

Our first fish fry social gathering of the season was held on Friday, September 20^th at Little River CC. 16 persons attended the event which was coordinated by Bob, AA9IB. The food and service is always top notch at Little River, and this one was no exception. We had the large banquet room all to ourselves. We are hoping to have another one in October at the same location, so keep in touch on the net for the date.

REPEATER NEWS…

In a continuing effort to solve the pesky wind noise problem on the 147 repeater, Jim, KC8DOA, lowered the power output recently to see if a "desense" condition was involved, that however, did not seem to help cure our noise problem. When Mother Nature has favored us with gentle breezes lately, the repeater has sounded quite good. However, noise is still evident when breezes do kick up, and one or two mobiles are unable to access the repeater from previously accessible locations. We still need to consider additional alternatives at the October meeting, in order to give us the best possible service from the repeater at all times, especially in times where amateur radio communications are needed to supplant or assist other emergency services, such as the National Weather Service, local emergency government activities, police and fire. Also, demonstrations of two- meter communications to school, civic, or governmental groups need to carried on in such as way as to showcase the positive benefits of amateur radio, and this cannot be done on a system that is plagued by noise and unreliable communications.

WORLD'S LARGEST SCOUTING EVENT COMING…

The weekend of Oct. 19-20 should provide many scouts around the world with an exposure to amateur radio. The 45th annual Jamboree On the Air (JOTA) will be held with over 40,000 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Venture Scouts using the ham bands to contact other scouts and amateur operators. All hams are encouraged to respond to a JOTA CQ. This is an excellent way to showcase the capabilities of amateur radio to youngsters. Locally, K8IR will host his nephew, Tim, and some of his fellow scouts during the event. Some hams club around the country set up mini-Field Day operations for scouts in their areas, and invariably "turn on" many kids to the magic of radio. Listen for some of these during JOTA.

ECHOLINK OBSERVES 9-11…

From Ken, K9KJM

(Ken has connected the Sturgeon Bay UHF (444 Mhz) repeater to a program called "Echolink" This allows world wide communications from a small hand held radio. The 444.000 repeater is now running with a new 30 watt PA, and has an excellent signal here in the tri-cities.)

On Sept. 11, 2002, we took part in a linking of well over 100 repeaters and RF link stations world-wide. A number of local amateur radio operators checked in to this net. Some of the repeaters each had over 40 radio stations checked in to them. This is the first time such a large number of repeaters has been linked together. The net worked very well overall.

After all stations had checked in, statements were read by the ARRL president, and EMS personnel who were at "ground zero" last year, Also short statements by other ARES/RACES/FEMA personnel. The link-up lasted for more than 3 hours of continuous transmit time over the repeater, proving the durability of the equipment.

FROM THE COPPER COUNTRY RADIO AMATEUR ASSOCIATION’S LANDLINE (OCTOBER EDITION)…

I found this to be a great letter and thought I would share it withall of you. Might be a great letter for your local newsletters aswell… Deborah K. Kirkbride KA8YKK ARRL Michigan Section Manager

"Good Amateur Practice is a hard thing to define. I'd have to say it's operating with the realization that frequencies are shared, that there's going to be occasional interference and that's noreason to become hateful and paranoid. You have to realize that more people listen than ever before, especially since the events on 11 September, and our rights end where another person'sbegins."

"It means giving a little ground even if you have a right not to, in order to help preserve Amateur Radio and not cause it to get a bad name or hasten the day when it becomes obsolete."

"It means not using that one Kenwood rig on 6kHz bandwidth when there are lots of people on the band."

"It means not acting like an idiot just because you were stepped on. It means being aware that we all love Amateur Radio, and why damage it just to save face?"

"It means cutting a net or a contester a break even if you don't have to and even if you have no interest whatsoever in nets or contesting."

"It means being nice, because one thing we don't need more of are idiots in the radio world. Now this doesn't touch on a lot of technical issues such as using 1,500 watts when your signal report received is 20 over 9."

"It just means a lot of things that can't be qualified, such as respecting a band plan because it makes it possible for everymode to have a chance."

"It means operating so that if a neighbor, niece or nephew or news reporter hears you, that person is impressed with Amateur Radio."

"It means realizing that every right carries responsibilities, and just because you may have a right to do certain things doesn't mean it's right to do them in every circumstance."

"It means just because you haven't done a creative thing in Amateur Radio in 25 years, and have been on the same frequency every morning for 135 years shooting the breeze with Harry, who's 200 miles away, doesn't mean you own the frequency."

"It also means NOT operating so whoever hears you becomes sorry as hell they ever got into Amateur Radio in the first place."

By Riley Hollingsworth

NEW NWS Transmitter...

The new National Weather Service transmitter north of Wausaukee was turned on October 2nd and is found at 162.400.

Jeff Last requested that Lynne find someone to monitor the frequency occasionally, and if the transmitter was not working, to call NWS. Steve Mellenthin has "volunteered" to take on this responsibility and has been contacted by Jeff Last and given the details and the number to call when there is a problem.

Lynne is asking all amateurs to monitor the frequency while they are traveling in an effort to determine the extent of the coverage area. Either contact her on the air, or send her an e-mail at SeadogMax@Yahoo.com so she may compile all of the reports and send them on to the Green Bay. Reports should include fringe areas, any dead spots, and distance out from the repeater the signal can be heard.

The original plan called for the transmitter to be in the Town of Stephenson (WI), but upon inspection, found it was not suitable to handle the equipment. The new site north of Wausaukee affords more height, and the coverage area extends further than first anticipated.

Thank you to Steve Mellenthin for stepping forward to monitor the transmitter for NWS!

CONCERNS…

By Arde Nelson, KA9WAR

Many of us are concerned when we leave our homes even for a short time.

Will someone take our radio equipment? Will there be a fire, or a tornado? Most of us have insurance. However with some companies it is only as good as the records we keep. Many times our records do not show purchases we may have just made. So it is up to the owner to be as accurate as possible, and as up to date as possible. Here are some of the things that we can do. Create a form on your scanner or printer, or even a hand drawing will do. One column should indicate the name and model of the item. A description will always help if proof is needed. Make a column for the serial number as most items of value have them. You can also indicate what you paid, and what you think the item is worth now. Items to list are radios, computers, TV's, printers, scanners, and components. Then go about the rest of the house to find other things of value, tools, guns, and sporting equipment. Don't forget what you may have in your garage or a summer cottage and also your vehicles. Last of all, take your video camera and go to each room of your house, then take shots of the outside. Don't forget the antennas. Your car will look its best right after you come from the car wash. Now when you have all this information, put it in the lock box at your bank, or give it to a friend, and you keep his information.

73 Arde KA9WAR

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES…

Celebrating birthdays this month are Ken, WA9JTU 7th; Tom, K8ICO also on the 7th; and Linda Hellem on the 25th. Congratulations to all.

CREDITS …

Thanks to all who contributed to this month’s newsletter. Any and all articles submitted by club members are always welcomed. E-mail them to your editor at jcallow@mari.net .

Thanks to Peninsula Office Equipment of Menominee for printing the Ground Wave.

Thanks to Jim, KC8DOA for hosting the W8PIF 147 Repeater on his tower.

The September 12, 2002 meeting of the Marinette and Menominee Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:04 pm by President Jim K8IR.

A correction in last month's minutes should have read "Jim KC8DOA owner of the repeater site" please note this correction on your copy of the minutes published in the September 2002 Groundwave. Motion made by Bob AA9GZ and seconded by Paul WC9E to approve the minutes. All in favor.

The Treasurer reported a balance of $188.15 in the checking account and $348.08 in the savings account for a total assets of $536.23. Motion made by Larry N9OSF and seconded by Bob AA9GZ to approve the report. All in favor.

Ed KG8CX presented some correspondence he did receive by e-mail from Ken K9KJM about the Echolink linkup for September 11. This is on the 444.000 repeater in Sturgeon Bay with a pl of 107.2.

For the repeater report Ed said he is averaging well over 22 to 23 checkins each week.

Jim K8IR reported that Jeff KE9S is now the EC for Oconto County. There was no ARES report.

Jim K8IR presented a review of the August picnic and thanked everyone for attending the picnic. He thanked Lynne, Joan, Tom, and the Arnolds for helping out at the picnic. Forty persons attended the picnic this year.

The repeater noise problem is or seems to be getting worse reported the President. We do have an antenna up 400 feet on the tower. A major discussion took place about this issue. Some points brought up were is the hardline at fault, how are the connectors, perhaps an antenna problem. Much discussion took place. Will the removal of the loose cables and wires solve the problem. Do we move the repeater back to the other site.

Below is what finally the club members decided to do on the issue of the repeater problems at the tower site. The motion was made by Steve KB9ZKO and seconded by Paul WC9E.

Moved that the President Jim K8IR contact the tower owner Jim KC8DOA and repeater trustee Noel K8NB to determine whether the repeater noise problems can be fixed. If the problem cannot be repaired or a firm date set by the October Radio Club Meeting, the repeater shall be temporarily moved to the hospital site and a diplexer be purchased. All in favor except for two.

The next fish fry is on September 20 at Little River and Bob AA9IB is taking the reservations.

There are two applications for October KB9ZES Randy Zandt and Marge Bramschreiber. The club will act on these for the October meeting.

President Jim K8IR asked for nominations from the floor three times. Bob AA9GZ moved that the nominations be closed and that the secretary cast an unanimous ballot for the slate of officers has presented by the nominating committee and seconded. All in favor.

A motion made by Bob AA9GZ for adjournment and seconded by Dwight W9YQ. All in favor.

Gary Luthardt..........................KG9AD
Ed Engleman...........................KG8CX
Jim Callow..............................K8IR
Lynne Rynish..........................N8OSK
Bob Osier..............................AA9IB
Bob Schrader........................AA9GZ
Nancy Buchholz.....................KA9UZC
Amy Buchholz
Aaron Buchholz
Anne Buchholz
Larry Buchholz......................N9OSF
Dave Arnold.........................W8DXX
Keith Tonn...........................N9PQV
Paul Drees...........................WC9E
Eric Janssen.........................KG9GH
Tom Rynish.........................N8LHB
Dwight Bosselman...............W9YQ
John Goldschmidt................KC9AXH
Steve Mellenthin..................KB9ZKO

SUBMIT TO:                         M & M Amateur Radio Club
                                                Attention: Club Treasurer
                                                P. O. Box 1082
                                                Marinette, WI 54143

If any of the following has changed, please complete form and submit with your renewal check:

Birthdays/Anniversaries for the Ground Wave ____________________________________

Please remember the club year runs from October 1^st to September 30^th. Anyone who has not paid his or her dues by December 31^st, 2002 will be removed from the club roster.