THE eQRM MAY 2012

CHECK IN TO THE NETS! 2 Meter 8:30PM on 145.310 MHz

10 Meter 9:00PM on 28.470 MHz

THIS MONTH 3 | Bulletins Silent Keys; Field Day

4 | Dayton Hamvention News From the ARRL

5 | Et Cetera Amateur Radio News; Club Announcements; Speaker Photo of . Series Photo courtesy of popmatters.com.

LOOKING AHEAD FEATURES 9 | Prop Charts Propagation charts for the East Coast 6 Joe Walsh is an Analog Man The Eagles guitarist 10 | Who We Are details his new album Membership information; club and favorite radio mode officers; meetings; VE testing

11 | Next Month

8 Equipment for Sale The BVARA is offering

THE COVER: a variety of used ham equipment Photo courtesy of for sale, while they last! ARRL.org

The eQRM is a publication of the Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association (BVARA) and is Copyright 2010 - 2012. All material presented in this publication is not necessarily the views of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), BVARA, or members of the said organizations. If you would like to contact the editor of the eQRM, please email Grant at [email protected]. Please visit us online at www.W3SGJ.org, on Twitter @W3SGJ, and on Facebook. To subscribe to our newsletter, please visit W3SGJ.org/newsletter.php

MAY 2012 2 This Month Bulletins News From the Radio Community

SILENT KEY and he succeeded admirably." CLUB EVENT

Fred Maia, Maia was also a driving force in amateur Field Day: W5YI and commercial radio licensing and June 22-24 education materials since late 1970. He was the first Volunteer Examiner Coordinator appointed by the Federal Communications Commission in 1984, and his W5YI-VEC group grew into the nation's second-largest VEC after the ARRL. Fred served as President of the W5YI-VEC until his retirement in October of 2000. In 1986, he founded The W5YI Group to develop, publish and sell amateur and commercial radio license study materials. Fred also formed National Radio Examiners to provide ARRL Field Day is the single most popular examination services as a Commercial on-the-air event held annually in the US and Operator License Examination Manager Canada. Each year over 35,000 amateurs gather with their clubs, friends or simply by (COLEM), and co-wrote a commercial themselves to operate. radio licensing study manual with Gordon CQ columnist Fred Maia, W5YI, a West, WB6NOA. Field Day is not a fully adjudicated contest, leading amateur radio journalist, educator which explains much of its popularity. It is and pioneer of volunteer examining, a time where many aspects of Amateur As a longtime member of the National passed away on March 28 after a battle Radio come together to highlight our many Conference of Volunteer Examiner with cancer. roles. While some will treat it as a contest, Coordinators (NCVEC) and its Question most groups use the opportunity to practice Pool Committee (QPC), which develops their emergency response capabilities. It is Maia, 76, published "The W5YI Report," and maintains the question pools for an excellent opportunity to demonstrate dubbed "America's Oldest Ham Radio Amateur Radio to local elected community amateur radio license exams, Fred was Newsletter," from 1978 to 2003, and has leaders, key individuals with the deeply involved in many of the changes in organizations that Amateur Radio might been a CQ contributing editor since 1985. amateur radio licensing over the past serve in an emergency, as well as the His regulatory affairs column, first titled quarter century. This includes the phased general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field "Ticket Talk," then "Washington Day is one of the highlights of their annual elimination of Morse code requirements Readout," offered news and perspective calendar. for amateur licenses and the current on FCC and ITU (International system of three license classes, Beaver County's hams will join with Telecommunication Union) actions, and Technician, General and Amateur Extra. thousands of other Amateur Radio helped untold numbers of hams wend operators showing their emergency their way through often-confusing mazes capabilities the weekend of June 23-24 at A resident of Arlington, Texas, Fred was a of the volunteer examining and vanity call Brady's Run Park, Shelter 12. graduate of the U.S. Air Force Radio sign systems. Operator’s School, and was first licensed Field Day is run on all Amateur Radio bands as an amateur radio operator as a teenager except 12, 17, 30 and 60 Meters. If you "Fred was one of those unusual people would like to "reserve" a band to operate in Rhode Island, where he grew up. He is M during Field Day weekend, please contact a

O who was more focused on doing the job C . survived by his wife, Doris, and two BVARA Club Officer. O I

D than he was on getting credit for doing it,"

A daughters. A memorial service was held R -

L noted CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA. See you at Field Day! A March 31, 2012 at Moore Funeral Home, S

R "His 'job' was to help this hobby grow, E

V Arlington, TX. - CQ MAGAZINE I - ARRL.ORG AND BVARA N U

E G A M I

3 THE eQRM MAY 2012 This Month Dayton Hamvention May 18-20 - News From the ARRL

Looking to go to Dayton for America's Join in the fun of homebrewing (or project- in "Do It Yourself" projects. Hear from other largest hamfest? Hamvention is May 18-20 building). Live classes will be held. Come- hams who are doing-it-themselves! A variety at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. This by to build one of the four affordable kits of creative projects and cool technology will year's theme: “Internationally Connected." under the watchful eyes of a team of be demonstrated by today’s Amateur Radio instructors who will mentor you through the innovators. International goodwill is a fundamental activity. Handle electronic components, principle of the Amateur Radio Service. This circuit boards, and try your hand at ARRL Presents: The Doctor is IN year, ARRL extends a very special welcome soldering. Unlock your inner do-it- May 18, 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. – Room 2 to the following representatives from yourselfer! Presenter: Joel Hallas, W1ZR, ARRL national Amateur Radio societies attending Technical Editor Dayton Hamvention. The following booths QSL Bureau will be located within the ARRL EXPO ARRL members will be able to drop off QST magazine’s popular column, “The exhibit area: their QSL cards to be sent through the Doctor is IN,” offers readers short, insightful Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) – ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau. If you have answers to a variety of technical questions. Germany Bring your questions to this session — Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) – technical ones are best — and The Doctor United Kingdom will do his best to answer them on the spot!

Need a few ideas on what to see at Dayton? ARRL Presents: Ham Radio in Here's a list: Hollywood May 19, 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. – Room 3 DXCC Card Checking Presenter: John Amodeo, NN6JA Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch QSLs that you would like to send through will be on hand to check applications for all the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau (your ARRL welcomes John Amodeo, NN6JA to ARRL Award Programs. All cards will be QSLs going to foreign stations -- no US-to- Hamvention. John, a working TV producer eligible for checking, including old cards, US QSLs, please), you can save the shipping living in Los Angeles, knows that the media cards for deleted countries and cards for 160- cost to ARRL by bringing them to Dayton has not always been kind to Amateur Radio. Meters. Applications will be limited to 101 and the League will transport your cards to The portrayal of Amateur Radio in the cards (more cards will be checked as time the Bureau in Newington. In order to take media is often inaccurate, sometimes and volunteer Card Checkers are available). advantage of this exciting benefit, all of the ridiculous -- and occasionally mean. Join See www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc for the latest standard QSL Bureau rules must be John, NN6JA as he discusses why we as program information and current forms. followed: Cards must be sorted by DXCC hams should care about how the media Use the new Online DXCC tool and save country, they must go to countries where a portrays ham radio and ham radio operators. half on your application! Remember to bureau exists and you must be an ARRL John is the producer of such TV hits as bring with you to Dayton a printout of your member to use the Outgoing QSL Bureau. Arrested Development, Sports Night, application, card list, and your cards in the Cards do not have to be boxed, but should Samantha Who?, Titus and the current hit order in which they are entered into the be wrapped with rubber bands. ABC comedy Last Man Standing. Online DXCC. NEW! Presentations on the ARRL For more information on ARRL Project Building Booth “DIY” Stage Hamvention 2012, visit Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ARRL's newest Amateur Radio recruitment www.arrl.org/2012-dayton- I M

Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM campaign shows how “makers” and A

hamvention or G E

A

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM “hackers” are using Amateur Radio as a tool www.hamvention.org ¬ R R L . O R G

MAY 2012 4 This Month Et Cetera Amateur Radio News, Club Announcements and Speaker Series

BREEZESHOOTERS VE TEST SESSION 50 YEARS! MONTHLY The largest hamfest in the The next test session will The Beaver Valley tri-state area is back! be at the Beaver County Amateur Radio Speaker Breezeshooters 2012 Emergency Operations Association would like to Hamfest and Computer Center congratulate Rich Soltesz, Series Show is at the Butler 351 14th Street K3SOM on 50 years as an Farm Show Grounds on Ambridge, PA 15003 amateur radio operator! The BVARA Speaker Series provides Sunday, JUNE 3 from 8am a vast array of topics and discussions, to 3pm. Time: 5:00 P.M. So, what does this ham with a new topic every month at our (walk-ins allowed) enjoy? As Rich, K3SOM club meetings. Indoor tables on first states on his QRZ profile: come first serve basis. Date: Thursday, May 10 $20.00 per 8’ table and "I was first licensed in may be reserved by All candidates wishing to 1962 and I enjoy making contacting Bob Benna, take the test should bring contacts with people N3LWP at (412) 366-0488 ALL of the following: across the world, or mail to : P.O. Box 1. Two (2) forms of contesting for fun, field 101018; Pittsburgh, PA identification. One should day, designing antennas 15237. Table reservation be a Photo ID. with software, Cut-off Date May 20th. 2. A pencil and a blue or ragchewing, chasing DX, black pen. building equipment and Main Prize Drawings: 3. Your original AND a many other aspects of the photocopy of your current amateur hobby. Some of 1st ICOM IC-7000 160m- license (if any). my other hobbies include This Month: 70cm 4. Your original AND a fishing, amateur photocopy of any astronomy, photography, Speaker: 2nd Yaesu FT-897D 160m- C.S.C.E’s (if any). camping, travel and Rich Soltesz 70cm Mobile 5. The test fee of $15.00. spoiling my six grand K3SOM children. 3rd Ameritron 811 600w All classes of amateur Topic: Linear Amplifier radio license tests will be With an electrical Restoring a Classic Radio administered. engineering background, 4th Yaesu VX8DR 6m- Note: A new set of my interest in amateur Including: 70cm Handheld Technician test questions radio activities lets me The radio, what to restore, has started being used on continually learn and Getting parts, 5th MFJ 259B Antenna July 1, 2010. tinker as new Where to start, and much more! Analyzer technologies and For more information, challenges present Are you interested in attending?

T Plus 9 other main prizes, please contact our VE themselves." Come to the club meeting on E N . Thursday, May 10 at 6:30PM, G in addition to drawings for Test Coordinator: N I

O 2 iPads, a laptop + more! Chris Moratis, W3OUF Again, we congratulate held at: B G N

I 1199 Highland Avenue Rich, K3SOM and thank O B

Beaver County : For more information, Ambridge, PA 15003 him for his continued O I

D please visit PHONE: 724-266-2866 dedication to the amateur Emergency Operations Center A R 351 14th Street M www.breezeshooters.net ¬ [email protected] ¬ radio hobby! ¬ A H

Ambridge, PA 15003 ; T T I U R P WEEKLY RICH'S BACKGROUND N O

R Extra Class Ham, licensed since 1962 A H

S Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiner (VE)

. Thursday Morning D

-

B.S. Electrical Engineering P U

C Registered Professional Engineer, PA Breakfast ¬ E E

F The BVARA meets every Thursday at Rainaldi's in Center F O C

Twp at 10:30 AM. All area amateurs are invited and : S E

G encouraged to attend the Thursday Morning Breakfast. A M I

5 THE eQRM MAY 2012 JOE WALSH IS AN ANALOG MAN BY ARRL

Grammy Award-winning rock-and-roll legend Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, returns with Analog Man, set to be released June 5. This is Walsh’s first solo album since 1992’s Songs for a Dying Planet. According to Walsh’s website, Analog Man is both modern and timelessly soulful, packed with Walsh’s wit, charm and chops; it delivers an incredibly raw and intimate sound. “It’s been 20 years and I have a lot to say,” Walsh explained. “These songs [on Analog Man] come from the heart.”

Walsh -- best known for his powerful guitar licks -- joined the Eagles in 1976 and is credited for bringing a harder rock sound to the band with the acclaimed Hotel California, The Long Run and Eagles Live. A singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Walsh has been performing for more than four decades, not only as a solo artist, but as part of admired bands such as The and Barnstorm.

No stranger to the analog way of life, Walsh -- an ARRL Life Member -- enjoys operating on 75 meters M

O AM. AM -- or amplitude modulation -- has been C . H S L

A around the amateur bands since the 1930s. AM offers W E O J

: a warm, rich audio quality that provides for more E G A M

I personal interaction. The simplicity of AM circuit AMPARYI L2 0210212 6 design encourages hands-on restoration, modification and homebrew construction to an extent no longer found among contemporary radios. Many hams who operate AM say they enjoy the simple, roomy electrical and mechanical designs of the older radios, claiming that they can more easily be modified and tinkered with than their modern counterparts. Other enthusiasts claim that these vintage radios sound better than their silicon descendants, saying that the tube audio from vintage gear is “warmer” and more

aesthetically pleasing than the audio produced by the Joe Walsh, Eagles guitarist and ham radio operator WB6ACU, typical modern transceiver. pictured at his station.

A self-proclaimed analog man, Walsh refers playfully the tracks. Lucky That Way -- one of Walsh’s favorite to the new digital age in the album’s title track. He songs off the album -- speaks to the extraordinary life notes that he has adapted to the digital age, but says he’s lived, even through the hurdles, and features “I am what I am -- I’m an analog man.” Walsh Ringo Starr (his real life brother-in-law) on drums. developed the album over the last 10 years, drawing The song serves as a mature sequel to Walsh’s famed on personal experiences to breathe life into each Life’s Been Good, a tongue-in-cheek portrait of his track. “I just really feel like it’s all come together and rock star lifestyle at the time of its release in 1978. finally I feel like a complete person and a complete musician,” he said. “I think there is some confidence After expressing his thoughts about the future at the in there that I never had. That’s what I was hiding.” February concert, Walsh turned to his past and talked Walsh credits his wife of four years, Marjorie, for about the most common questions he gets asked, all encouraging him to be the man and artist he is today of which are about Life’s Been Good. According to and fondly dedicates this album to her. Billboard, Walsh explained the construction of each musical segment and how they came together -- “I have tried to write about the world as I see it,” basically scraps of several unfinished songs glued Walsh said at a February concert, explaining the together -- before going through the tune line by line, logic behind the album title. “There are two worlds saying that essentially said every line in the song is now -- digital and the old world, analog. For a lot of true, except he’s not the guy who wrecked the cars us, we’ve had to make adjustment. I’m concerned and he didn’t have his driver’s license revoked. that there’s no time in digital. It’s frozen. When you “Actually, I lost my wallet,” he said. come out of a digital experience, it’s three days later I

and you have a beard. Every kid under 12 can land Check out Analog Man -- the title track of Walsh’s M A G E :

the space shuttle, but nobody can read.” new album -- here. For more on AM, please see the N J 2 X . C

AM Phone Operating and Activities page on the O M

A N

The 10-track album was produced by Walsh and Jeff ARRL website, maintained by Steve Ickes, D

W I K I Lynne, with Tommy Lee James co-writing some of WB3HUZ. P

¬ E D I A . O R G

7 THE eQRM MAY 2012 Special Deal Equipment for Sale

Astron RS-35M Power Supply Ritz Electronics Power Supply 25 amp cont. 35 amp surge 13.8vdc. PS-1001MR regulated. $100.00 plus S+H. 13.8 vdc, 8amps , 115vac input. SOLD $25.00 plus S&H. SOLD

Dentron Ant Tuner AT-1K Ramsey Electronics PA-1 Palomar TX75 Amplifier. American Electronics with manual, 160meters- 2 Meter Amplifier, $35.00 plus S&H. SWR/Watt Meter, model 10 meters, 500 watts. 20W out with 4W in 95/134. 52 Ohms, 100 W $75.00S plOus SL&HD. $30.00 plus S&H. $20.00 plus S&H.

Daiwa SWR Model CN- Daiwa SWR Model CN- Trionyx TR-1000, 600 2 Turner Model +3B 520, 1.8-60mhz, 50 550, 140-250 mhz, 50 mhz Frequency Counter. microphones. $15.00 ohms, 2KW. (with ohms, 200 W, (with (with manual). each plus S&H. manuaSl). OLD manual). $40.00 plus S&H. $50.00 plus S&H. $40.00 plus S&H.

If you are interested in buying an item, please call Chris, W3OUF at 724-266-2866

MAY 2012 8 Looking Ahead Prop Charts From the ARRL

RACES / ARES eQRM Urges All County Hams to Participate As a matter of editorial opinion, the eQRM urges all Beaver County licensed amateurs to participate in the County’s RACES and ARES programs. Any Beaver County Amateur that is interested in participating in the RACES/ARES programs can do so by checking into the Beaver County Public Service Net which meets every Monday evening at 8:30 PM local time on the N3TN 146.850 MHz repeater (131.8 PL)

PROPAGATION The propagation chart listed above is for May 2012. If you would like more information on how to read these charts, or for more information on propagation in general, please visit http://arrl.org/propagation

9 THE eQRM MAY 2012 Looking Ahead Who We Are Membership Information and Club Officers

2012 BVARA OFFICERS

President: Jack Spencer, KZ3Z

Vice President: Robert DeMarco, WA3ZRM

Second Vice Pres.: Tom Workman, AA3CE

Secretary: Norm Trunick, K3NJT

Treasurer: Pam Spencer, W3PMS

Director: George Caffro, N3HOJ

Director: Adam Horniak, KG3L

Trustee: Rich Soltesz, K3SOM

MONTHLY MEETINGS E-Board meetings are now held the Saturday before the monthly club meeting. VE testing begins at 5:00. Regular meetings are at 6:30.

All meetings are held at Beaver County Emergency Operations Center 351 14th Street Ambridge, PA 15003 on the second Thursday of every month (unless otherwise stated).

MEETING DATES 2012 May 10 June 14 July 12 August – No meeting (Corn Roast) September 13 D October 11

R November 8 December – No meeting (Christmas Party) A

2013 C

January 10 February 14 L March 14

S April 11 May 9 Q

MAY 2012 10 NEXT MONTH APRIL 2011

FIELD DAY IS HERE. JUNE 22-24 I M A G E

R I C H

S O L T E S Z 11 THE eQRM MAY 2012