BANDBITS The official publication of the Peoria Area Club An ARRL Affiliated Club Volume 31, Number 4 April 2016 President’s Message PAARC EVENTS Come to think of it, we run the full range of ham radio PAARC MEETS AT RED CROSS experience here in central Illinois. Only a few miles away we have a world class contest station and we have several of us The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club meets at the American

(including me) who check in to the Sunday night net with an Red Cross Chapter House, 311 West John Gwynn Jr. Avenue

HT. That’s all well and good, but what else is out there to try? between Hightower and Kumpf Blvd. in Peoria, Illinois. The

Surely, in this list of ham radio modes and activities is meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month.

something that resonates with you or something you want to

try….here goes….RTTY, PSK31, APRS, Antenna Building, Events:

Satellite Operation, Slow Scan TV, mobile operating, Software April 7, Thursday Red Cross Building – Board of Directors

Defined Radio, Bicycle Mobile, CW, SSB, HF Portable, D- meeting at 7:00PM

Star, Fusion, Motorcycle Mobile, Fox Hunts, ECHOLINK,

IRLP, Emergency Communications, Pedestrian Mobile, Moon April 14, Thursday, Red Cross Building – Club Meeting at

Bounce, QRP, Meteor Scatter, Simplex operation, AM, FM, 7:00PM

Microwave, there are several HF digital modes including JT65,

Olivia, TOR, AMTOR, PACTOR, PACTOR-II, PACTOR-III Mark Allen, W6PC, of Rohn Antenna Products will present on

and IV, G-TOR, CLOVER, HF PACKET, tower safety. Ron Morgan, KB9NW, will demonstrate the

HELLSCHREIBER, MT63, THROB, MFSK16 and this list latest Flex SRD radio including the Maestro wireless interface.

keeps on growing. Many of these digital modes simply use the

soundcard in your PC. The point here is there are many, many Refreshments:

ham radio activities to get involved in. It’s good to try Apr. Jim Polson, W9JDP

something that you have never done before. It stretches your May “Open”

abilities to learn more about Ham Radio and gives you June “Open” something to pass on to someone else who may not know July “Open” anything about Amateur Radio. So, review the list and pick out

something new to try and then go for it……and then share Apr. 28, 2016

what you have learned!! Time: 1900 (7:00pm) Where: Germantown Hills Fire Department Quotes for the Month Program: STRENGTHS/WEAKNESS/CONCERNS of OUR "I am often asked how radio works. Well, you see, wire NATIONAL POWER GRID AND WHAT EMCOMM NEEDS TO telegraphy is like a very long cat. You yank his tail in New KNOW ABOUT IT. York and he meows in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? Now, radio is exactly the same, except that there is no cat." 73, Curt/K9UQF Attributed to Albert Einstein

Peoria County ARES INSIDE THIS ISSUE Peoria County ARES Net on the first and third Wednesdays of each month on the .075 repeater.@ 7:00PM 1 President’s Message, PAARC Events, ARES’ Programs Peoria County ARES program

2 Club Information, Officers, Net Control Reports for April 13, 7:00PM at the Red Cross, Finalize the May1 ARES month of March Drill 3 Board and Club Meeting Minutes and Portable Operation, Fritz Bock, WD9FMB 4 NWS Weather Balloon Launch, Superfest Jackets, IL 309-256-2297 IL ARES District 7, DEC Distracted Driver Act Update and Rookie Roundup Peoria County ARES EC 5 Hamfests www.peoriacountyares.org www.W9UVI.org 6 Buy, Sell or Trade, and Area FCC Exams ARRL PIO, IL Section

BANDBITS April 2016 page 2

Club Officers Club Net President Fritz Bock, WD9FMB The club holds a weekly net on Sunday Evening at 8:30 PM Vice President Bob Sims, AB9B Local Time on the 147.075 repeater. All Amateurs with 2 Secretary Mark Suhs, W9WGB meter privileges are invited to check in. Treasurer Deb Suhs, KA4DEB Directors Jim Polson, W9JDP (2 years) Repeaters Gary Kantner, W9GMK (1 year) Trustee Bob Bush, W9WTF The PAARC operates three 2 meter repeaters, which are open Repeater Ch. Dave Lucas, KC9DAL for all amateurs with 2 meter privileges. The 146.250 Superfest Ch. Ron Morgan, KB9NW (input)/146.850 (output) repeater is located in East Peoria on Washington Rd. The repeater uses a 156.7 Hz output tone for CTCSS squelch control. The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club The club was originally chartered as the Peoria Radio Club on The 147.675 (input)/147.075 (output) repeater is located on the May 2, 1919. Please address all correspondences to: Rock-106 tower in East Peoria. This repeater is used for the Sunday night net. This repeater uses a 156.7 Hz input tone for The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club CTCSS squelch control. P.O. Box 3508 The W9PIA D-Star 144.505 (input)/145.105 (output) repeater Peoria, IL 61612-3508 is located on the Rock-106 tower. Voice Mail at (309) 692-3378 E–mail [email protected] Web Page – http://www.w9uvi.org/ Club Net Report – By Various Club Members The Sunday Night W9UVI Net check-in results for the month are shown in the table below, Highlights from the check-ins. Membership Information Mar. 6 Mar. 13 Mar. 20 Mar. 27 Total Membership in the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club is available to 26 28 25 20 99 any licensed amateur and is administered as follows: Voting Membership: $25 per calendar year. Ages 18 and under, or 3/6/16

65 and older are $20 per calendar year. W9WTF K9TNT N9SJZ KD9EUG KD9AZR KD9USA W9GMK KC9ROL WD9HZK N9WFT NM0O KC9ALV Family Membership: Voting membership for first member and $15 KD9AER KD9ERS KD9ELZ KC9ANU KG9PH K9HJZ for each additional member in same household. KB9NW K9CT KB9KBC K0TOT KD9BRV KB9TNZ Non-voting Membership: $10 per calendar year for out of area KD0EJA KC9YTT amateurs who are interested only in occasional participation. Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

Honorary Life Memberships: are free and are awarded by a vote of 3/13/16 the general membership after recommendations from the Board of KJ9KJS KD9AZR KC9ELL KB9NW W9WTF AB9B Directors. KD9FQL W9GMK KC9DAL N9WFT KD9ERS KD9BRV Dues are payable by February 1ST of each year. W9KCB W9FNG KD9AER KG9PH KD9DPW KD9ELZ N9SJZ KB9KBC KB9TNZ KD9EUG KD9ANU KD9USA KC9YTT K9TNT K9HJZ KD9FEB BANDBITS Policy Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

BANDBITS is the official publication of the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club and is distributed to all members in good standing, and 3/20/16 to other interested parties. Permission is granted to reprint from KD9DRS KC9ALV KD9EUG N9WFT W9GMK KD9BRV BANDBITS provided that credit is given to the original author, if KD9ELZ WD9HZK KD9FQN KG9PH K9AEQ KD9FQN listed, and that BANDBITS is identified as the source of the K9HJZ N9GZ KD9AER W9SNG KB9KBC KD9ANU material. KD9FQL NM0O KD9AZR KD9DBQ W9KCB AD9Z Opinions expressed in articles and letters are those of the author K9TNT and may or may not reflect those of BANDBITS or the Peoria Area Submitted by Tom, W8NWG Amateur Radio Club. BANDBITS reserves the right to edit any copy, and to print or refuse to print any contribution. Articles are welcome and can be sent to: 3/27/16 BANDBITS Editor – Cliff Shoemaker- W9OI KC9ELL N9SJZ KD9CDY KD9EUG KE0DIT W8NWG P.O. Box 3508 Peoria, IL 61612-3508 or via E-mail at KD9CUF NM0O W9JDP KD9USA KD9AER KD9ELZ [email protected] KD9ANU KC9ROL K9TNT KB9KBC KD9AZR KG9PH Articles for BANDBITS must be received by the Monday W9TNT N9WFT following the club meeting for inclusion in the next issue. Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

BANDBITS April 2016 page 3

Minutes of PAARC Board Meeting— Mar. 3, 2016 Proposed Portable Operation I would like to start a portable operation sessions at local parks once the Meeting called to order at 7:00pm by Fritz WD9FMB. Other weather breaks. I would like to see who might be interested in helping officers present, Gary W9GMK, Dave KC9DAL, Ron once a month. I want to know if we could use a club radio. We could KB9NW, Deb KA4DEB and Mark W9WGN. also teach how to build simple mono band dipoles and HF radio best practices. If you are interested, please email Dave Lucas at A motion was made to accept the minutes as published in [email protected]. I’ll keep a list of interested operators and send out Bandbits by Mark W9WGN and Gary W9GMK. The motion emails related to the sessions. Thanks, Dave Lucas was approved. A Motion to accept the treasures report as presented by Deb KA4DEB, By Ron KB9NW, seconded by Minutes of Regular PAARC Meeting, Mar. 24, 2016 Mark W9WGN. The motion was approved.

The meeting was called to order at 8:04pm by Fritz Club Activities: Field Day. The tent has been reserved. Tables WD9FMBtarte and chairs will be provided by the museum. There will be a prize give away, including a new 2-meter HT. The evening started at 6:30pm with the program for the evening,

a tour of the NWS office in Lincoln led by Meteorologist Chris ISS : We will have to do a tele-bridge contact due to Miller. the tall buildings in downtown, and the uncertainty of the orbit. The contact might come in early August. The 2016 budget was distributed to those in attendance and

discussed. After the discussion, a vote was taken for approval of US Islands on the air: We need to finish qualifying Thompson the budget. The vote was unanimous for approval. Island in North-west Illinois. We need just one DX contact to qualify this island. A few other islands are being looked at. A motion was made to approve the treasures report as presented

by Deb KA4DEB by Bob AB9B and seconded by Mark Fox Hunts: Fox hunts will be scheduled as soon as the W9WGN. The motion was approved, weather warms up.

Fritz announced starting on Thursday April 14th, all club Dave KC9DAL is looking to schedule a day to build antennas meetings will now be the second Thursday of the month at the for future portable operations. same time.

Ham Cram: A ham cram class will be scheduled at the Upcoming programs: Mark Allen W6PC of Rohn towers will museum on Friday July 8th from 6-8:30 pm and finish on give a talk on tower safety. May Craig Thompson K9CT will do Saturday July 9th starting at 9am and then finishing with a presentation his recently completed K5P Palmyra Island testing. See Deb if you can help with teaching this class. Dxpedition. Ron KB9NW will do a presentation on his new SDR

Maestro radio when he receives it date TBD Repeater update: Gary W9GMK has been actively for a new site for the 85 machine. Dave is getting quote for 2 new Field Day is coming up in June and will be held at the Riverfront micro-computers and monitors. One will replace the server museum. that has been running the D-Star machine for the last seven years non-stop. ISS contact now seems to be tentatively scheduled for some time

in July. There was a discussion about whether the phone line on the

075 machine should be disconnected. After the discussion the A ham cram session is being planned for two weeks after field board voted to disconnect this line. day at the Riverfront museum.

Superfest: There is a need to come up with a list of tasks and Dave KC9DAL and Gary W9GMK have been looking into people to take a leadership role for these tasks. If interested tower space for the 85 machine. contact Ron KB9NW or attend the next superfest meeting on

April 21st at 7:00pm Fox hunts will be scheduled when weather warms up.

The March club meeting will take place on Thursday March We will be qualifying Thompson Island in Northwest Illinois as 24th 6:30pm at the NWS office in Lincoln. We will be getting soon as we can. We are also looking at Moose Island located in a tour of the facility and after the tour a short business Channahon IL which is located near Joliet. meeting will be held. We will be leaving the Red Cross at

5:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 8:34pm Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm

Submitted by Submitted by Mark W9WGN Secretary Mark W9WGN Secretary

BANDBITS April 2016 page 4 Prior to the tour of the National Weather Service, members of Update on Illinois Distracted Drivers Act – HB 5961 the club were able to watch the launch of their nightly weather balloon. Rep. Bourne has revised the measure to include a sharper definition of an Electronic Communication Device and to leave intact our current exemption from the distracted driving statute. She made a visit to the monthly meeting of the Montgomery County ARC to announce the changes.

Thanks to Steve Bonser NR9EM for a summary of the amended Bill and the heads-up on the change.

We'll continue to monitor this so that it stays fixed.

ARRL Illinois Section Section Manager: Thomas T Ciciora, KA9QPN [email protected]

Rookie Roundup

Rookie Roundup is a contest aimed at Amateurs licensed for three years or less. This six-hour event is held three times per year (April, August and December). Rookies can contact anybody, while "Old Timers" make contact with only Rookies.

Mentoring is a big part of this event! Our host Chris Miller in the gray jacket with one of his co- workers. The next Rookie Roundup will be Sunday, April 17, using SSB. This is a great way to try out in an event designed for newcomers. Hope to work you then! To pre- register teams or submit your score after the event, please visit the Rookie Roundup page hosted by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM.

Mission & Objective- Mission: To encourage newly-licensed operators (“Rookies”) in North America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators (“Non-Rookies”) are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.

Objective: Rookies exchange information with as many other stations as possible on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter HF bands. Rookie entrants are encouraged to read “HF Contesting – Good Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions.” Giving the balloon a toss to get it started. For more information, see: http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup

Peoria Superfest Jackets

Ron Morgan KB9NW, 2016 Superfest Chairman will be purchasing new jackets for the team leading this year’s event. These dark blue jackets will have a newly designed Superfest logo that will be embroidered on the front along with your call sign. So, how do you get one of these jackets? Simply participate in one of the many leadership roles and your jacket will be ordered as a gift from the chairman. There aren’t a lot of rewards these days, it's difficult to find a free lunch, but

here is your chance to get a free jacket.

It is on its way.

BANDBITS April 2016 page 5

HAMFESTS Hamfests, Cont’d Here's what the ARRL website presently has for Hamfests within 250 miles of Peoria. Not all fests are posted, or posted in a timely 06/05/2016 | Starved Rock Radio Club/ Princeton Illinois Hamfest manner on this website, so it may be an incomplete list. Location: Princeton, IL Type: ARRL Hamfest 04/02/2016 | April Fools Fest Sponsor: Starved Rock Radio Club W9MKS Location: Noble, IL Website: http://www.w9mks.org Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: W.H.E.R.E. Amateur Radio Club 06/19/2016 | Six Meter Club of Chicago's 59th Annual Hamfest Website: http://www.whereradio.webs.co Location: Wheaton , IL Type: ARRL Hamfest 04/02/2016 | AES SuperFest Sponsor: Six Meter Club of Chicago, Antique Radio Club of Location: Milwaukee, WI Illinois, Classic Radio Net Hamboree Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://K9ONA.com Sponsor: Amateur Electronic Supply Website: http://www.aesham.com/aes-superfest 07/16/2016 | W0MG Swap Meet 2016 Location: Waterloo, IA 04/09/2016 | 33rd Annual Columbus Indiana Hamfest Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Columbus, IN Sponsor: Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur Association Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://www.w0mg.net/presentations/SwapMeet2016.pdf Sponsor: Columbus Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.carcnet.net 08/07/2016 | Hamfesters 81st Annual Hamfest Location: Peotone, IL 04/16/2016 | North Central Indiana Hamfest Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Peru, IN Sponsor: Hamfesters Radio Club (W9AA) Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://ham-ham.org Sponsor: Cass County ARC, Miami County ARC, Grant County ARC, & Kokomo ARC 08/07/2016 | Cedar Valley ARC Hamfest Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 04/16/2016 | Madison Hamfest Type: Location: Stoughton, WI Sponsor: Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://www.W0GQ.org Sponsor: Madison Area Repeater Association Website: http://www.qsl.net/mara 08/13/2016 | Western Illinois Amateur Radio Club Swapfest Location: Quincy, IL 04/17/2016 | AAROFest 2016 Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Galva, IL Sponsor: Western Illinois Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://www.w9awe.org Sponsor: Area Amateur Radio Operators Website: http://qsl.net/aa9ro 09/17/2016 | Bloomington ARC Hamfest Location: Bloomington, IN 04/30/2016 | Ozaukee Radio Club's Spring Hamfest Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Cedarburg, WI Sponsor: Bloomington Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://www.bloomingtonradio.org Sponsor: Ozaukee Radio Club Website: http://www.ozaukeeradioclub.org/ 09/17/2016 | Peoria Superfest Location: Peoria, IL 05/01/2016 | The DeKalb Hamfest Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Sandwich, IL Sponsor: Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://www.w9uvi.org Sponsor: Kishwaukee Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.karc-club.org 09/24/2016 | RADIO EXPO 2016 Location: Belvidere, IL 05/07/2016 | ARAC Hamfest Type: ARRL Hamfest Location: Superior, WI Sponsor: Chicago FM Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Website: http://chicagofmclub.org Sponsor: Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club (ARAC) Website: http://www.theARAC.org

BANDBITS April 2016 page 6

AREA FCC EXAMS Buy/Sell/Trade Non-Commercial Ads from Club members Morton: pertaining to Amateur Radio will be printed free of charge. Each ad will run for one issue and can be FCC Amateur Radio Exams are held at the Morton Public Library, 315 West continued by contacting the Editor. Material may Pershing at 12:00 noon the third Saturday of even numbered months or as noted:, be sent to: Bandbits Editor Apr.16,June 18,. Aug. 20,. Sept. Superfest, Oct. 15, Dec. 17, 2016. If no one is P.O. Box 3508 there at that time the examiners will leave as they are all volunteers. Walk-ins are Peoria, IL 61612-3508 Or via Email: [email protected] welcome. Please bring your original Radio License (if any) and a copy, and the original and a copy of any of any Certificate of Completion (CSCE) not already acted upon by the FCC. Copies are needed to send with your license application. Fee for 2015 is $15.00. You will also need identification such as a Driver’s License, and a Social Security Number. Contact Bob Bush W9WTF at [email protected] for more information.

Bloomington: The schedule for W5YI-VEC Amateur Radio exams for the year 2016 are May 28, July 30 (tentative) and Nov. 12 (tentative) at the Bloomington Public Library

Community Room located at the intersection of E. Olive St. and S. East St.

Entrance is off of S. East St. Testing begins at 1:00pm. Bring two forms of identification. You will need a copy of your current license plus and CSCE you want to apply. Contact Keith Hanson AC9S at [email protected] (preferred) or (309) 378-4416 for more information. Note on testing – A Social Security number is now required for all FCC exams.

BANDBITS Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club Place P.O. Box 3508 Stamp Peoria, IL 61612-3508 Here

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