The Newsletter of the InterCity Amateur Radio Club ~ Established 1933 ~~75th anniversary ~~ December, 2008
Upcoming Events
December 25th – Christmas Day ~~~ January 1st – New Years Day ~~~ January 3rd – IARC meeting – 10AM at the Health Dept Yes this is a Saturday Meeting ~~~ February 6th – IARC Meeting – Last updates for Hamfest ~~~ February 14th – Valentines day ~~~ February 14th – Setup for the Hamfest at 11AM? at the Fairgrounds ~~~ February 15th – Hamfest ~~~ March 6th – IARC meeting – Hamfest review ~~~ March 10th – Skywarn Training at 1PM & 6:30PM VE Test Sessions
All sessions are within 100 miles of Mansfield. Sessions in GREEN are open with walk-ins welcome Sessions in BLUE request pre-registration but WILL allow walk-ins Sessions in RED require pre-registration and do NOT allow walk-ins
13-Dec-2008 Sponsor: TOLEDO MOBILE RADIO ASSOC Time: 8:30 AM (No walk-ins) Contact: STEVEN L STALKER (419)467-3734 Email: [email protected] Location: MAUMEE FIRE STATION #2 -- 450 W DUSSEL DR -- MAUMEE, OH 43537
13-Dec-2008 Sponsor: CLARA Time: 9:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: KEITH H MARSHALL -- (937)964-8383 -- Email: [email protected] Location: CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 201 S FOUNTAIN AVE -- SPRINGFIELD, OH 45506
16-Dec-2008 Sponsor: SANDUSKY RADIO EXP LEAGUE INC Time: 7:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: LUTHER T GANTZ – (419)684-7864 -- Email: [email protected] Location: SANDUSKY RADIO EXP LEAGUE INC 2909 W PERKINS AVE -- SANDUSKY, OH 44870
21-Dec-2008 Sponsor: LORAIN COUNTY ARA RED CROSS Time: 1:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: CHARLES HALL – (216)433-3036 -- Email: [email protected] WWW.W8HF.COM (HOME PAGE) Location: AMERICAN RED CROSS 2929 W RIVER RD N --ELYRIA, OH 44035
21-Dec-2008 Sponsor: LANCASTER & FAIRFIELD CTY ARC Time: 10:00AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: ALLEN P SELLERS – (740)654-8167 -- Email: [email protected] Location: CLUBHOUSE-GRANVILLE ROAD NEXT TO BEAVERS' FIELD ACROSS FROM OH UNIV @LANCASTER 1611 ROUTE 37 NORTH -- LANCASTER, OH 43130
11-Jan-2009 Sponsor: CUYAHOGA ARS Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: GARY S DEWEY – (216)642-8705 -- Email: [email protected] Location: TOWN HALL -- 6652 BRECKSVILLE RD --STATE ROUTE 21 INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131
17-Jan-2009 Sponsor: HOCKING VALLEY ARC Time: 10:30AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: TOM J ODELL – (740)380-3577 -- Email: [email protected] PRE-REGISTRATION 1 WEEK AHEAD NO TEST IF NO-ONE REGISTERS! Location: HOCKING VALLEY EMER OPS CENTER-911 BLDG 52 E 2ND ST -- LOGAN, OH 43138
17-Jan-2009 Sponsor: INTER-CITY ARC Time: 1:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: RICHARD E FLETCHER – (419)886-2463 -- Email: [email protected] Location: RICHLAND HEALTH DEPT (LOWER LEVEL) 555 LEXINGTON AVE -- MANSFIELD, OH 44907
20-Jan-2009 Sponsor: SANDUSKY RADIO EXP LEAGUE INC Time: 7:00 PM (No walk-ins) Contact: LUTHER T GANTZ – (419)684-7864 -- Email: [email protected] Location: SANDUSKY RADIO EXP LEAGUE INC 2909 W PERKINS AVE -- SANDUSKY, OH 44870
21-Jan-2009 Sponsor: DAYTON ARA Time: 7:00PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: MARK E ERBAUGH – (740)845-1877 -- Email: [email protected] PRE-REG ONLY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS -- ALL EXAMS OFFERED Location: DARA CLUB HOUSE 6619 BELLEFONTAINE RD -- HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424
24-Jan-2009 Sponsor: WRECS Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: ROBERT C GAUSS – (330)562-3328 -- Email: [email protected] Location: BENTLEYVILLE VILLAGE HALL/CHAGRIN FALLS BASEMENT 6253 CHAGRIN RIVER RD -- CORNER SOLON RD & RIVER RD BENTLEYVILLE, OH 44022
03-Feb-2009 Sponsor: PIONEER AR FELLOWSHIP Time: 6:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: RONALD D LIEVING – (330)724-5981 -- PRE-REGISTRATION PREFERRED Location: AKRON BAPTIST TEMPLE 2324 MANCHESTER RD -- AKRON, OH 44314
07-Feb-2009 Sponsor: LAKE COUNTY ARA Time: 12 NOON (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: SCOTT FARNHAM – (440)256-0320 -- Email: [email protected] Location: KIRTLAND LIBRARY -- 1.7 MI S OF I-90 9267 CHILLICOTHE RD -- ROUTE 306 KIRTLAND, OH 44094
07-Feb-2009 Sponsor: RARA Time: 10:00AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: WALTER C VOGEL – (419)394-2976 -- Email: [email protected] Location: NOBLE COMMUNITY CENTER 16493 RIVER ROAD --SAINT MARYS, OH 45885
15-Feb-2009 Sponsor: INTER CITY ARC/HAMFEST Time: 1:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: RICHARD E FLETCHER – (419)886-2463 -- Email: [email protected] Location: RICHLAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ADMISSION BLDG 750 NORTH HOME ROAD -- MANSFIELD, OH 44901 DX & IOTA Updates This month's bulletin was made possible with information provided by the ARRL DX Bulletin which includes information from DF4SA, EA6TS, K2DM, NC1L, the OPDX Bulletin, DXNL, 425 DX News, The Daily DX, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.
SENEGAL, 6W. During his time in Western Africa, Peter, HA3AUI will be QRV as 6W2SC from November 15 to March 31, 2009. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using mostly digital modes, but with some CW and SSB as well. QSL direct to home call.
WEST MALAYSIA, 9M2. Rich, PA0RRS will be QRV as 9M2MRS from Penang, IOTA AS-015, from November 17 to February 6, 2009. QSL to home call.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, E7. Special event station E760DPR is active until December 31 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Radio Club Trebinje. Activity is on 80, 40 and 20 meters using CW and PSK31. QSL via E73DPR
GUINEA BISSAU, J5. During his time in Western Africa, Peter, HA3AUI will be QRV as J5UAP from November 15 to March 31, 2009. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using mostly digital modes, but with some CW and SSB as well. QSL direct to home call.
TUNISIA, 3V. Alex, GM0DHZ is QRV as 3V8SS until December 20 while on holiday. Activity is from the club station on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via operator's instructions.
CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Jean, ON5JV and Georgette, ON6AK will be QRV as EA8/homecalls from Tenerife, IOTA AF-004, from November 22 to February 3 while on holiday and mostly during their evening hours. Activity will be mostly on 40 and 20 meters. QSL to home calls.
JAPAN, JA. Special event station 8J1UEC90 is QRV until January 12 in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the University of Electro-Communications. QSL via bureau.
GEORGIA, 4L. Andy, UU4JMG is QRV as 4L/homecall and is usually active on 160 meters around 2200 to 0300z, as well as 40 and 20 meters using CW. QSL to home call.
CROZET ISLAND, FT/W. Florentin, F4DYW will be QRV as FT5WO from the French Alfred Faure Base, IOTA AF-008, from December 8 to November 30, 2009. Activity will be mostly on 40, 20 and 15 meters and possibly 80 meters. QSL direct.
SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCIA ISLANDS, HK0. Cal, WF5W, Mike, K5UO and Rob, HK3CW are QRV as 5K0CW from San Andres Island, IOTA NA-033, until December 12. QSL via W5PF. GUINEA-BISSAU, J5. Peter, HA3AUI is QRV as J5UAP and has been active on 20 meters around 0830z and 17 meters around 1010z. QSL to home call.
ANTARCTICA. Helmuth, W6KDX is staying on Amundsen-Scott South Pole station until Jan 5, 2009 and if time permits may be active as KC4AAA. Activity will mainly be on 20 meters SSB. QSL via K1IED.
FINLAND, OH. Special even station OH9SCL is active from Santa Claus Land at the Arctic Circle. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via OH9UV.
CAMBODIA, XU. John, 9M6XRO will be QRV as XU7XRO from Kompong Som from December 10 to 18. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via M0URX.
OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. The following operations are approved for DXCC credit: Wake Island, WA2YUN/KH9, operations commencing 2007; Willis Island, VK9DWX, 2008 operation, and Andaman and Nicobar Island, VU4RG, 2008 operation.
OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. The following operations are approved for DXCC credit: Bhutan, A52AM, operation from March 20 through September 26, 2007; Andaman and Nicobar Islands, VU4MY, operation from October 24 through November 3, 2008; and Lakshadweep Islands, VU7NRO, operation from October 24 through November 3, 2008.
OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. following operations are approved for DXCC credit: Lakshadweep Islands, VU7SJ, 2008 operation; Sable Island, CY0X, 2008 operation.
CALLSIGN CORRECTION. As mentioned in last week's ARLD046 DX news bulletin, the correct Viet Nam callsign for Mike, RL3BM is XV4BM, not XV4CC. ~~~ DATES SET FOR DXPEDITION TO DESECHEO ISLAND Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has notified a group of hams led by veteran DXpeditioners Bob Allphin, K4UEE, and Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, that they will be able to mount a DXpedition to Desecheo Island (KP5, IOTA NA-095), February 12-26, 2009
Johnson said the team will be running CW, SSB and RTTY on 160-6 meters. "We've had tremendous support from DX organizations all over the world and from numerous equipment and antenna manufacturers," he told the ARRL. "We are diligently working on the propagation studies to reach our hard to work areas of Asia and Europe. This and with our planned antennas, we should knock Desecheo off of the Most Wanted List for a long time to come." Desecheo is the second most-wanted DXCC entity in Asia and third most-wanted in Europe.
According to DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, the lack of amateur activity on Desecheo is due to the USFWS not issuing the needed Special Use permits. "The USFWS has always claimed safety concerns as a reason to not issue the permits," he said. "Since the island was used as a bombing range, there is the possibility that unexploded, live munitions are still on the island. It is always a good thing when an entity that had activation difficulties in the past gets on the air again."
On Friday, December 19, three DXpedition team members, USFWS personnel and an unexploded ordnance (UXO) expert will go out to Desecheo to sweep and clear the assigned area of unexploded ordnance and other hazards. "We are uniquely fortunate for a 'sneak preview' of our operating site the week before Christmas," Johnson said. "We will spend a day on Desecheo clearing hazards from our operating sites. Rarely does such a most-wanted entity have an opportunity for a sneak peak to optimally plan logistics, stations and antennas." There will be no radio operations on this trip.
The KP5 DXpedition team will assemble in Puerto Rico on Sunday, February 8 for mandatory UXO training. They will spend the next few days training, preparing and staging the several tons of equipment for transport to the site and set out for Desecheo on February 12. Allphin said that as soon as they land on Desecheo, two stations will be "immediately activated. Stations will continue to operate until the final moments of departure on February 26."
Allphin is an experienced DXer, having visited 80 DXCC entities and operated from 40, including Peter I Island, Howland Island, Kingman Reef, the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia Island. Allphin and Johnson have both participated in DXpeditions to Heard Island and Bhutan.
"For a team leader, the challenges are pretty much the same for Desecheo as they were for Peter I and other remote DXpeditions," Allphin told the ARRL. "Take logistics -- you still must make sure everything you need gets there. Although there is a Radio Shack 20 miles away, the boat trip is $1000! The team must be selected on compatibility, experience and operating skills; that never changes. The difference this time is that Glenn and I have been inundated with requests to join the team. The close proximity makes it look like an easy DXpedition, I guess!"
ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager and experienced DXpeditioner Dave Patton, NN1N, said that both Desecheo and Navassa Islands (currently third on DX Magazine's Most Wanted list) saw frequent operations in the late 1970s through late '80s, but operations from the islands have been very limited since then. With the islands under the control of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, combined with decaying "infrastructure" on Navassa, there are more issues that must be dealt with than there were 25 years ago.
"A well-organized and lengthy operation from Desecheo will be a nice treat for the world's DXers," Patton said. "With W0GJ and K4UEE leading the operation, I think we can all count on a first class effort that will give maximum exposure to Asia/Oceania and Europe where KP5 is most needed. I also think that Glenn and Bob can demonstrate to the Fish and Wildlife Service that a DXpedition can take place and not damage the environment or cause big problems amongst other hams or for other agencies. I hope hams will be invited back to Desecheo more frequently in the future and expand the places where hams may operate."
In 1979, upon the recommendation of the DX Advisory Committee, Desecheo Island was added to the DXCC list for contacts made after March 1 of that year. KP4AM/D -- with operators N4EA, KP4Q, N4ZC, KP4DSD, KV4KV (now KP2A) and KP4AM (now W4DN) -- made the first DXpedition to Desecheo in March 1979. Various groups have made their way to Desecheo since the first trip, but other than a brief operation in December 2005, there has been no activity from the island since 1994. "It is so exciting that our DXpedition to Desecheo coincides almost exactly 30 years to the day of the first operation from Desecheo," Johnson told the ARRL.
In June of this year, CNWR invited written proposals from hams who had previously made inquiries about an Amateur Radio operation from Desecheo; CNWR indicated that they would allow one group to activate the island. After reviewing the proposals, CNWR would then select a group and prepare to issue a Special Permit to the successful party, limiting the group to no more than 15 people staying no longer than 14 days. Applicants had 45 days to prepare and submit their proposals. According to Allphin, seven groups submitted proposals.
"A panel of three Fish and Wildlife Service employees, from areas within the Service outside of the Caribbean refuge, spent September 24 and 25 reviewing and evaluating the [seven] proposals," Allphin said. "The selection criteria used were those outlined in the proposal invitation letter and points were awarded for how well criteria were addressed for thoroughness and documentation."
"It was truly an honor to have our proposal and team selected from the stiff competition," Johnson told the ARRL. "This has been a true team effort on our part from the start. We look forward to activating an entity in the Top 10 Most Wanted that is located in our own back yard! We are most grateful to the USFWS for giving us this opportunity to activate this rare entity."
Skywarn Winter Awareness BE PREPARED...BEFORE THE STORM STRIKES! By GARY GARNET...WARNING AND COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST...NWS CLEVELAND
NORMALLY...WHEN A WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL ISSUE A WINTER STORM WATCH 12 TO 36 HOURS IN ADVANCE. A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS EXIST FOR THE POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF SEVERE WINTER WEATHER SUCH AS BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...HEAVY SNOW...SIGNIFICANT FREEZING RAIN...OR HEAVY SLEET.
THE ISSUANCE OF THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS YOUR SIGNAL TO PREPARE FOR THE STORM NOW. ONCE THE STORM BEGINS, TRAVEL MAY BE TOO DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
PREPARING AT HOME (AND AT WORK)...
REMAINING INDOORS PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS IS THE SAFEST PLACE DURING A WINTER STORM. THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF INDOOR SHELTER IS THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF HEAT...POWER...TELEPHONE SERVICE AND A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES IF THE STORM PERSISTS FOR MORE THAN A DAY.
HAVE AVAILABLE: -FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA BATTERIES; -BATTERY POWERED NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND PORTABLE RADIO; -EXTRA FOOD AND WATER, ESPECIALLY HIGH ENERGY FOOD THAT REQUIRES NO COOKING OR REFRIGERATION SUCH AS DRIED FRUIT AND CANNED GOODS (DON`T FORGET THE NON-ELECTRIC CAN OPENER); -MEDICINE, FIRST AID SUPPLIES, AND AMPLE BABY SUPPLIES; -EMERGENCY HEATING SOURCE, SUCH AS A STOCKED FIREPLACE, WOOD STOVE, OR SPACE HEATER. -SMOKE DETECTOR AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE CHANCE OF FIRE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY USING ALTERNATIVE HEATING!
DON`T FORGET...YOU MAY NOT BE AT HOME WHEN THE STORM STRIKES! HAVE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AVAILABLE AT YOUR PLACE OF WORK.
PREPARING THE CAR OR TRUCK...
ABOUT 70% OF DEATHS DURING AN ICE OR SNOW STORM OCCUR IN A VEHICLE! IF YOU WONDER IF YOU SHOULD ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL...THEN DON`T! IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...THEN ALLOW EXTRA TIME. REDUCE YOUR SPEED AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE SUDDEN TURNS OR STOPS. WINTERIZE THE VEHICLE SO IT WILL BE RELIABLE. THIS INCLUDES A GOOD SET OF TIRES. OTHER ITEMS NECESSARY FOR THE CAR OR TRUCK INCLUDE:
-DRY BLANKET(S) OR SLEEPING BAG; -EXTRA DRY CLOTHING; -FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA BATTERIES; -HIGH CALORIE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD; -SNOW SHOVEL, WINDSHIELD SCRAPER, AND BRUSH; -SACK OF SAND, ROCK SALT, OR KITTY LITTER FOR TRACTION; -BOOSTER CABLES; -FIRST AID KIT AND A SMALL CONTAINER FOR WATER; -MAPS, COMPASS, KNIFE, AND WATER PROOF MATCHES.
ON THE FARM: ANIMALS MUST BE MOVED TO SHELTERED AREAS. EXTRA FEED SHOULD BE HAULED NEARBY FOR EASY ACCESS. HAVE PLENTY OF WATER AVAILABLE AND MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT FREEZE. MOST ANIMAL DEATHS DURING WINTER STORMS OCCUR FROM DEHYDRATION.
KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST NWS WEATHER FORECAST. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND YOUR LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATION FOR UPDATED STORM INFORMATION. BEING PREPARED BEFORE THE STORM HITS WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM UNNECESSARY RISK!
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WINTER FORECAST TERMINOLOGY.
FREEZING RAIN: RAIN THAT FREEZES UPON CONTACT WITH A COLD SURFACE.
SLEET: SOLID GRAINS OF ICE THAT FORM FROM RAIN THAT FREEZES BEFORE REACHING THE GROUND. THESE PELLETS OF ICE TEND TO BOUNCE UPON CONTACT AND MAY ACCUMULATE ENOUGH TO COVER THE GROUND...EVEN TO A DEPTH OF SEVERAL INCHES.
SNOW SQUALL: AN INTENSE FALL OF ACCUMULATING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY AND OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY INCREASED WINDS.
HEAVY SNOW: 8 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW IN 24 HOURS FOR WIDESPREAD (SYNOPTIC) SNOW AND 6 INCHES IN 12 HOURS FOR LAKE EFFECT SNOW.
JUST AS WITH SUMMER WEATHER...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO ISSUE A WATCH TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WINTER WEATHER.
WINTER STORM WATCH: CONDITIONS EXIST FOR THE POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF SEVERE WINTER WEATHER SUCH AS BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...HEAVY SNOW... SIGNIFICANT FREEZING RAIN OR HEAVY SLEET. USUALLY ISSUED 12 TO 36 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE WINTER STORM.
A WARNING IS ISSUED TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF IMMINENT SEVERE WINTER WEATHER. NORMALLY A WARNING IS ISSUED AFTER A WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN IN EFFECT. IF A WINTER STORM DEVELOPS QUICKLY THEN THE WARNING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRECEDED BY A WATCH.
WINTER STORM WARNING: ISSUED WHEN HEAVY SNOW, SIGNIFICANT FREEZING RAIN, OR HEAVY SLEET IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR. USUALLY ISSUED 6 TO 18 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE WINTER STORM.
BLIZZARD WARNING: ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED OR GUSTY WINDS OF 35 MPH OR MORE ARE EXPECTED TO REDUCE VISIBILITY AT OR BELOW A QUARTER OF A MILE DUE TO FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS.
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR LAKE EFFECT SNOW: ISSUED WHEN HEAVY...PRIMARILY LAKE EFFECT SNOW IS EXPECTED. LAKE SNOW IS MOST COMMON OVER EXTREME NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA.
WIND CHILL WARNING: ISSUED FOR WIND CHILLS BELOW -25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
A LESS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER EVENT WILL PROMPT THE ISSUANCE OF AN ADVISORY. AN ADVISORY IS NAMED SPECIFIC TO THE WEATHER EVENT EXPECTED AND ISSUED WHEN THE EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BE WIDESPREAD. TRAVEL BY FOOT OR VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS DURING AN ADVISORY EVEN IF THE WINTER WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED TO REACH WINTER STORM CRITERIA. SOME EXAMPLES OF ADVISORIES:
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW: A FALL OF SNOW WITHIN 12 HOURS OF USUALLY 3 TO 5 INCHES.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LAKE EFFECT SNOW: A SNOWFALL OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OF PRIMARILY LAKE EFFECT SNOW OVER THE SNOWBELTS OF NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN: A GLAZE OF ICE EXPECTED FROM FREEZING RAIN THAT MAY HAMPER TRAVEL.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW: BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL OCCASIONALLY REDUCE VISIBILITY TO AN EIGHTH OF A MILE OF LESS WITH SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING IN OPEN AREAS.
WIND CHILL ADVISORY: WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE 10 TO 25 BELOW ZERO FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
DENSE FOG ADVISORY: DENSE FOG THAT REDUCES VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN 1/4 OF A MILE.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: ISSUED WHEN TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE ADVISORY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ON WINTER WEATHER FORECAST TERMINOLOGY PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT 216-265-2370.
DAILY WEATHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. FORECASTS FOR OHIO AND NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA ARE REGULARLY ISSUED 4 TIMES A DAY AND UPDATED AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY.
NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS PRODUCED AND GENERATED AT WEATHER OFFICES ACROSS OHIO, PENNSLYVANIA AND AROUND THE NATION. WEATHER INFORMATION IS DISTRIBUTED ON SPECIAL FM FREQUENCIES (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500 162.525, 162.550 MHZ) FROM SEVERAL TRANSMITTER SITES IN AND AROUND OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA. ( 162.450 is the local transmitter in Butler)
SPECIALLY DESIGNED WEATHER RADIOS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ALARMED AND ACTIVATED BY THE LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE WHEN A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IS ISSUED. IN THIS WAY...YOU CAN BE ALERTED TO SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY!
THESE WEATHER RADIOS ARE AVAILABLE AT LOCAL ELECTRONICS RETAILERS OR AS A SPECIAL FREQUENCY ON CERTAIN AM/FM RADIOS. ~~~ The above was from the NWS website and is part of the winter awareness week bulletins. I have used this instead of the normal Skywarn article this month and have reprinted them here as they are timely and beneficial to our members. Some of our members may be volunteering to help pick up hospital staff or 911 operators during severe winter weather. If you are one of those then please pay attention to the part on preparing the car or truck as this could be very important to both yours and the people you are transporting! If interested in this duty contact Danny Bailey at [email protected] and he can get you on his list. A 4-wheel drive vehicle in top condition IS required
Another website to keep handy is the Ohio Department of Transportation. This is at www.dot.state.oh.us This website has information on current road conditions thru the state of Ohio and links to other travel related information. One in particular on the ODOT site is the “Ice and Snow Take It Slow” link.
Of course the Cleveland NWS website is at www.crh.noaa.gov/cle which has all the forecast information along with radar and satellite.
Have a safe and happy holiday from Jay Bookwalter KC8GNL
Local & Section Nets
Here is a list of local & section nets to help keep everyone busy this winter and hopefully beyond. Nets are good places to practice our skills as radio operators. All times are eastern time. Keep this handy to your radio for reference.
Traffic & CW ~~~ Burning River Traffic Net – Daily at 9:30PM on 147.150 ~~~ Central Ohio Traffic Net – Daily at 7:15PM on 147.240 ~~~ *Ohio Single Sideband Net – Daily at 10:30AM, 4:15PM & 6:45PM on 3.972.5 ~~~ Buckeye Net – (Early) Daily at 6:45PM on 3.577 ~~~ Buckeye Net – (Late) Daily at 10:00PM on 3.577 ~~~ Ohio Slow Net – Daily at 6:10PM on 3.535 ~~~ Skywarn Backbone Operators Net – Wednesday at 8PM on 52.68 ~~~ *Until further notice the evening session of OSSBN will begin at 6 p.m. (EST) and on 3.9775 MHz. This change gives the net time to pass evening traffic before band conditions fail and the frequency change protects other section traffic nets. The changes do not effect the OSSBN at 10:30 a.m. nor at 4:15 p.m. When propagation conditions allow it, the evening session will return to normal operation at 6:45 p.m. on 3.9725 MHz. ~~~ Local Nets ~~~ Richland Co ARES Net – Wednesday at 8PM on 146.940 (71.9pl) ~~~ Crawford Co Amateur Radio Net – Tuesday at 8PM on 146.850 (71.9pl) ~~~ Bucyrus Amateur Radio Emergency Net – Sunday at 9PM on 147.165 (88.5pl) ~~~ Knox County ARES Net – Sunday at 9PM on 147.790 (71.9pl) ~~~ Knox County ARC Social Net – Wednesday at 9PM on 442.100 (71.9pl) ~~~ Wayne Co ARC Net – Wednesday at 9PM on 147.210 (88.5pl)
~~~ Wayne Co DX Net – Thursady at 8PM on 147.345+ (110.9pl) ~~~ Ashland Co ARC Net – Thursday at 8PM on 147.105 (71.9pl) ~~~ Huron Co ARES Net – Sunday at 6:30PM on 146.865 (110.9pl) ~~~ Medina ARES net – Monday at 7:30PM on 147.303 (141.3pl) ~~~ Marion Co Net -- Wednesday at 8PM on 147.300 (71.9pl) ~~~ Morrow Co Net –Sunday at 9PM on 146.775 (107.2pl) ~~~ Wyandot Co Net – Sunday at 7PM on 147.210 (107.2pl) ~~~
ARRL to Offer Self-Study Course on Digital Technology for Emergency Communications Material from The ARES E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARES E-Letter and The American Radio Relay League.
With digital technology becoming an integral part of Amateur Radio, hams interested in Emergency Communications now have a new tool to help them take advantage of emerging modes such as Packet Radio APRS, Winlink 2000, IRLP, EchoLink and WIRES-II, D-STAR, APCO25, HF sound card modes and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). The ARRL Digital Technology for Emergency Communications Course will introduce hams to all of the ways Amateur Radio operators are using digital technology as a valuable emergency communications tool.
FYI 2008 IS THE 10TH SNOWIEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD WITH 5.9 INCHES. THE SNOWIEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD IS 12.2 INCHES IN 1950. Thought this would make your day!!
Online Practice Exams For Amateur Radio Hi,
I just saw the Intercity Amateur Radio Club on the arrl.org web site and I noticed that you offer help for newcomers. I just created a set of free online exam practice tests that I hope hams will find useful. Within the practice tests, online study resources, (Wikipedia, NASA, ARRL, etc...), are provided for many of the questions. The list of resources available for each question is constantly growing because users can add their own favorite links to the study materials. Users can also track their test scores over time and see which subelements are giving them the most trouble. You can see all the practice tests at: http://copaseticflow.blogspot.com/
Please let me know if you find it handy, or if you think of any ways to make it better. Also, if you think it's useful, please feel free to add a link to the practice exams at your site. Thanks!
73 de KD0FNR Hamilton Carter
From Our V.E.C. Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday's. These are the following ARRL/VEC Test Session for 2009. These sessions will be held at 555 Lexington Ave, Health Dept. Lower Level. Jan.17 Feb. 15 Hamfest April. 18 July. 18 Oct. 17 As it stands for now the fee is still $14.00.But that could change for 2009. Would prefer checks, but will accept cash.The contact person is N8CJS, Dick Fletcher You can reach him at 419-886-2463 or e-mail [email protected] Thanks to all the VE's for all the time and work you all have put into to help keep our test session's strong. Without you, there would be no session so Thank you all very much. Patricia A, Harris N8EBK
December IARC Meeting Minutes. Due to this meeting being Peel and Stick, we did not have a traditional IARC General meeting. However President Rob Ruth, kd8azq did make a few announcements. Rob, kd8azq said that Kris, kd8jbf donated a newly refurbished laptop computer to the club to be used in the trailer. He said that if we needed specific software installed to let him know and he would be happy to make any necessary changes. Rob, kd8azq said that many of the openings at the Ham Fest have been filled. However, he will run down the list at the January meeting. Rob, kd8azq made a reminder that the January meeting will take place at 10:00 AM. on Saturday January 3, 2009 at the Richland County Health Department located at 555 Lexington Ave. A reminder was also made that the next breakfast will be held on December 18 2008, at 9:00 AM at the Rise and Dine restaurant located at 625 Lexington Ave across from the Health Department. Respectfully submitted, Mark Dailey - Kc8mkl “December ~ Holiday Time”
• Thoughts and Observations – The holidays are almost here again and (as usual) I am way behind schedule. Does it bother anyone besides me that two weeks before Thanksgiving we were being bombarded with ads for Christmas items, sales and Christmas Carols on the radio and TV? I know the economy stinks right now, but all this hype just makes me sick. When will we ever go back to the true celebration of the blessed event that started everything and gave us all a reason to live our lives being generous to others and loving one another? I think we need to reflect more on who is in our lives and less about what is in our lives.
• Peel & Stick – Thanks to everyone who came to the December meeting and helped with the peel and stick labels for the Hamfest. It was nice to see some people who don’t normally make it to the meetings. We all had a good time and the evening flew by waayyyy too fast. Also, congratulations to Beau who ate the most coneys! He is now the proud owner of the Hot Dog Hat until next December’s meeting
• January Meeting – Don’t forget that the January IARC meeting will be held on SATURDAY, JANUARY 3RD at 10 AM at the Health Department on the corner of Lexington Avenue and Sterkle Blvd. We anticipate seeing many different faces from those who cannot come to the Friday meetings. If this meeting has a good turnout we may go to a rotation between Friday nights and Saturday mornings in order to give everyone an opportunity to come and participate.
• Hamfest – We have begun to organize things for the Mansfield Hamfest to be held on Sunday, February 15th. If you know of anyone who might have some items they would like to donate to our Ladies’ Goody Bags, please let us know. Last year we passed out over 100 bags and still not every Lady got one. Give us your ideas for things which could be included.
• Recipe – Thanks to Jay Bookwalter (KC8GNL) for the following recipe. It sounds easy and delicious. Crescent Roll Cake 2 cans crescent rolls 2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 5 Tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Unfold one can of the crescent rolls and put in a 13x9 pan (do not roll up the dough, leave flat). Mix the cream cheese and the granulated sugar together and spread over the crescent roll in the pan. Open and unfold the second can of rolls and put over the cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes and then let cool. Then mix powdered sugar, milk, & vanilla and spread over the top. Chill in refrigerator.
• If you try any of our recipes in this column, why not send a note or email telling us your opinion of it. Was the recipe easy to understand? Did it taste as good as you expected? Did it require too much work or time? Please let us know. • Happy Holidays to All!
• Email submissions or comments to: [email protected] (KD8CWF) or [email protected] (KD8CWI).
• PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS COLUMN. IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GROW AND IMPROVE.
Jeannine Stickler (KD8CWF) and Melody Ruth (KD8CWI)
Belonging to IARC is fun for the entire family, whether you're a ham or not.
Membership is open to anyone that is interested.
Your Membership includes repeater privileges, member web pages, web based email boxes, email forwarding and a monthly newsletter (sent to your email).
We now have 4 ways to pay for your membership Cash – Check – Money Order - Credit Card (via Pay-Pal) And if you pay by Pay-Pal please drop me a email.
Annual Dues = $ 12.00 For more information contact:
Mike Stevens ( W8EMT ) 1298 Winners Circle North # 441 Mansfield, Ohio 44906-1813 email : [email protected] Phone # @ 419 – 610 – 9922
Tnx’s & 73
Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year From Jay Bookwalter KC8GNL