KiloWattKiloWatt HarmonicsHarmonics
THE OFFICIAL HOUSE ORGAN OF October 2011 W3KWH: THE STEEL CITY AMATEUR Issue #10 RADIO CLUB, PITTSBURGH, PA. Price: FREE!
OFFICER Inside this issue: ELECTIONS THIS Club/Officer Info & Table of Contents: 2 MONTH! SEE PAGES 3 & 4 FOR MORE Business Meeting Minutes: 3 INFORMATION. National News: 5 DX News: 6 HAPPY Local Events/News: 7 HALLOWEEN!
Our next meeting date: October 18, 8PM. Come for the meeting, stay for the fine dining and friendly socializing afterwards. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
Officers of The Steel City Amateur Radio Club: October 2011 President: Robert Lenfestey, WB3HDI (412)-276-5106 ©2011, The Steel City Amateur Radio Club (SCARC)
Treasurer: Walt Adkins, KA3YNO All newsletter contributions are welcome at: (412) 276-0825
Recording Secretary: Joe Mielnicki, WA3FWA Past issues are available at:
Membership is open to all licensed amateurs & interested persons in the Pittsburgh & metropolitan area.
The opinions expressed in KiloWatt Harmonics are not necessarily those of the club, its members, or its Officers.
The Steel City Amateur Radio Club (412) 787-0777 2M Repeater: 147.030/147.630MHz (123.0) 70cm Repeater: 444.450/449.450MHz (103.5) WA3TTS Beacon: 144.300MHz (CW) Table of Contents: WA3TTS Beacon: 50.070MHz (CW) WA3TTS Beacon: 1296.269MHz (CW) (See page 7) Youth Rate Proposal…...4
Public Service: Pgh. Great Race…...8 FRONT COVER: An old QSL card from the 1930s I found. PA. QSO Party the N3ZK Way…...9 Appropriate for Halloween, don’t you think? CW from Beyond?...... 11 BACK COVER: A new HF antenna on the back of my A Tribute to N3ZEL…...11 (very dirty) pickup truck. Malpelo Is. DXpedition Update…...14 features: QCWA Chapter 6 Meeting Report…...15 The Business Meeting is held every third Tuesday of the month @8:00PM. ARRL Atlantic Division Director: VOTE!...... 16 A Social Night is held every Wednesday night, except for the week of the Public Service: Western Pa. SET…...17 Business Meeting. All Amateurs are welcome to attend. Come join the club! SCARC Needs Your Help…...20 E-Mail an Officer (or Ye Olde Editor) for details. An application is enclosed WACOM Hamfest Flyer…...22 in this newsletter.
Business Meeting Minutes…...3 Thanks to the following for your contributions this The Ed Sez…...4 month: ARRL, 425 DX News, Ohio/Penn. DX National News Briefs…...5 Bulletin, CQ Magazine, WA3FWA, W3SVJ, WB3CRC, News from the DX World…...6 KT3L, N3SBF/KB3GMN, K3TUF, W3WN/N3ZK, N3LLR, Local & Repeating Events/Club Roster……7 K3RYA, N3MSE, WB3AGB. QSL Via……13 Propagation Report…...18 ARRL W. Pa. Section News…...19 NEXT ARTICLE DEADLINE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5:00PM ARRL Atlantic Division News…...20 PUBLICATION DATE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 11:00PM Oct-Nov-Dec Calendar…...21 departments: Membership Application…...23 Please keep me in the loop on local events, ESPECIALLY Public Service events. Remember: Just because you know what’s going on doesn’t mean I know what’s going on.
October 2011 2 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
The mee ng was conducted by the President Bob, WB3HDI at 8 PM with a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a Business Meeting Minutes: Sept. 2011 Moment of Silence for our Silent Keys. There were 22 members and 1 guest answering the roll call. The minutes of the August mee ng were accepted as published in the September newsle er. The Treasurer’s report was given by the Treasurer KA3YNO, Walt and was accepted by the membership.
Committee Reports:
Clubhouse: WB3HDI Bob discussed the change in the ARRL equipment insurance carrier. WA3VXJ Karl cut the grass. W3SVJ Nate and KA3YNO Walt painted the shed. WA3RVD Mel and WB3HDI Bob retrenched for the cables out to Ten‐Hut. WA3VXJ Karl and K3JHT John are working the kitchen for tonight’s grub. Technical: The 80 meter antenna is unreliable. The 40‐meter antenna will be fixed for the PA QSO Party. WA3VXJ Karl said that the TS‐950 is not working properly again. K3LAB Doug suggested that the TS‐950 opera ng posi on be swapped with a more reliable radio. Need new coax for some of the buried coax. Contest: 6 ops worked the September VHF/UHF contest yielding 63 QSOs. The PA QSO Party will run on October 8 & 9. AD3Q Bob has ops lined up and funds allocated for this event. Membership: NB3C Greg proposes the dues for a new Youth, and exis ng Family and DX to be all the same. This may require a cons tu on change. Stew pointed out that cons tu onal changes are very complicated; for one, we would have to deal with the state. Refer this to Ways and Means. Ian Stewart (no call yet) was accepted into the membership. Welcome! Everyone on record received the club newsle er. Nomina ons for Officers for 2012 were opened. The nomina ons for 2012 officers are as follows: Corresponding Secretary‐ KA3JKS Sue, Recording Secretary‐WA3FWA Joe, Treasurer‐KA3YNO Walt, Vice President‐WB3AGB Joe, President‐WB3HDI Bob and WA3BKD Art. Nomina ons will also be accepted at the October Business Mee ng. Public Service: KA3MSE Lloyd said the SET drill would occur on Oct. 1st at 9 AM to 12 noon. SCARC was asked to be a relay sta on. Ways and Means: WA3FWA Joe will collect any outgoing QSL cards for the buro and run a 50/50 raffle a er the mee ng. PC/Web: WA3VXJ Karl reset the router. Volunteer Exams: AD3Q Bob listed N3EQP John, WA3RVD Mel, N3LAB Doug, N3BSF Richie, KJ3D Jim and himself as qualified to administer exams. The exams will be given the 1st Tues. in April, July and Oct. They will also do walk‐ins. Old Business: N3EQP John wants us to give sugges ons for library books. NB3C Greg suggested the new ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna book. (Hardcover versions.) Good of the Order: AK3J Stew said that the Somerset County ARC is the PA QSO Party bonus sta on. He needs CW ops for that club. WA3FWA Joe displayed an ARRL cer ficate for the club’s placement in the Sept. 2010 VHF contest. NB3C Greg said that the Great Race takes place Sept. 25th. W3WTW Tim said that the ½ Marathon took place during the VHF contest. Mel described antenna problems with his neighbors. N3SBF Richie said that the Monessen Hamfest would be held on Oct.9th. Mo on to Adjourn: by KA3MSE Lloyd. NOMINATIONS FOR CLUB 50/50 raffle: won by Chuck N3UUZ. OFFICERS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2012 ARE NOW OPEN. IF YOU OR Minutes submi ed by WA3FWA Joe. SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS INTERESTED IN RUNNING, SHOOT AN E-MAIL TO GREG, NB3C AT: NEXT MEETING:
3 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
Many thanks to those who came out and participated in the ARRL September VHF QSO Party. Here are the end results:
Our youth rate Total QSO count: 63 Total points: 81 discussion Total mults: 37 The Ed Final score: 2997 continues this 6M QSO count: 23 2M QSO count: 22 Sez 222MHz QSO count: 7 month……. 432MHz QSO count: 11 Ops: WB3AGB, N3UUZ, WA3FWA, K3LAB, WA3VXJ, WB3HDI. Well we had a very nice discussion at the last club meeting about the youth membership rate that I am currently proposing. As a matter of fact, after the Is it a contest-winning score? No, but who cares? A good time meeting I sat down and wrote some ideas I came up with in an E-Mail and sent it off was had by all who participated, and that’s what really counts! Don’t to our Prez Bob, WB3HDI. The following are some of my thoughts (and his). Like they forget: Bill, K3RYA is our Contest Coordinator. So, if you wanna work like to say at an official news conference concerning intense negotiations of some a contest that strikes your fancy from the club, let him know. Who sort, (or whatever): “The situation is extremely fluid and can change at any time.” IE: knows; maybe it strikes somebody else’s fancy too, and we can put All ideas are welcome and will be kicked around for discussion amongst the troops. together a team effort from the clubhouse……………….
So, here we go…………………. WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER: That would be Ian Stewart, son of Jim Stewart. Jim was voted in last month, and Ian AGE 17 & YOUNGER: Must be accompanied by an adult club member in good joins our ranks this month. Welcome Ian; we’re glad you decided to
standing. If the youth is licensed, the adult does not have to be, but if the join our little troupe! Jim and Ian are call-less at this time, but we’ll youth is unlicensed, the adult must be. Mandatory that the responsible adult do our darnedest to take care of that little discrepancy ASAP. sign on a new application that I can design, geared to a youth member. The adult signing the application would agree to be responsible for the youth’s ATTENTION MR. & MRS. AMERICA & ALL THE SHIPS AT SEA: conduct while on club property. Bob WB3HDI suggested that no license FLASH! THIS JUST IN TO THE NB3C NEWSROOM: It’s that time of the requirement would be needed. year again; time to select Officers of the club for calendar year 2012. If you’re interested in any of the positions listed below, shoot me an AGE 18 & 19: Not necessary to accompanied by an adult while on the premises. E-Mail:
Our discussion continues on the youth I hope you’ll consider getting active in the club, if you are not already. Did you notice the disturbing trend in nominations? All membership rate proposal this month. positions are unopposed, except for President. It seems that 5% of Your ideas are wanted. What do you the membership is doing 100% of the work for the other 95%. Please consider stepping up to the plate and volunteering your skills to help think? Bring them to the October make YOUR Steel City ARC better. Manpower is directly proportional to the amount of work that can be done. The more who help, the meeting, on the 18th at 8:00PM. more and the FASTER the work will get done, and we can move on to We’re kinda lookin’ at it like an ‘R’ rated movie: 17 and under not allowed other upgrades. Everyone has a skill that can come in handy at the unless accompanied by an adult. club, even if you’re just pushing a vacuum cleaner around! Your help IS appreciated………...AND NEEDED! TO THOSE WHO DO TAKE THE The idea here is to attract young people, whether licensed or not, introduce TIME TO VOLUNTEER, THANKS! them to Amateur Radio, but at the same time, let ‘em know we ain’t gonna put up with no shenanigans, or ne’er do wells. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Fellow SCARCer ‘Doc’ Kump, KT3L, who ran in the Pittsburgh Great Race. I don’t know how he finished, We are still unclear as to how (or if) this would affect the Club Constitution. We but anyone who can run in a race like that has my utmost respect! may simply be able to incorporate this without a change to the Constitution. This Nice goin’ Doc! Notice that I said ‘ran’. He wasn’t doing topic warrants further discussion. communications support, he actually ran in the race itself! As for me, the only thing I’m capable of running is my mouth. (HAH!) The general consensus was that this is a good idea, and from what I heard everybody supports it. What do you think? We’d like YOU to weigh in on this topic HEY YOU…………….YEAH, YOU! Are you reading this newsletter with your thoughts and opinions. THEY COUNT! but are NOT a member of SCARC? Well, there’s an application en- closed in this newsletter. Join our club and receive the benefit of Remember: Everything is open for discussion on this matter. All ideas will be having 24/7 access to a nicely-equipped clubhouse, and meeting and heard and considered. WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS. socializing with other amateurs in the area. Fill it out and send it in! (Or is it ‘Fill it in and send it out’……...DOH!) Seriously, we want you We will continue with our dissertation on this topic, so if you have any ideas to to join in on the fun SCARC offers, so I hope you’ll consider doing so. add, by all means bring them with you to the October business meeting. It’ll be held on the 18th of October, starting at 8PM. Hope to CU there. Don’t forget to keep those articles and pictures coming my Thanks for reading! 73 de NB3C et al…………... way for the newsletter. And a BIG ‘THANK YOU!’ to all who have contributed and continue to contribute to my newsletter efforts. YOUR EFFORTS ARE APPRECIATED BY ME! Send ‘em to:
Misc. Club News/The Ed Sez….. News/The Misc. Club
October 2011 4 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C. National News Briefs Briefs News National HEATHKIT'S AMATEUR RADIO PLANS TAKING SHAPE
Heathkit Educa onal Systems hopes to reenter the Amateur Radio market by the end of 2011. Back in August, Heathkit announced its return to the kit business and ac vely solicited sugges ons. The response from Amateur Radio operators convinced Heathkit to develop several Amateur Radio products. "When we made the announcement on our web page about a month ago, we had no inten on of entering the Amateur Radio kit market," Ernie Wake, Heathkit's Director of Sales and Marke ng, told the ARRL. "The response was really overwhelming, exci ng and scary. The scary part is that the brand name has so much loyalty that we don't want to disappoint the people who have such fond memories." Wake said that Heathkit is presently working on developing a few Amateur Radio kits. "Ini ally, the kit line will include a few 'accessories,' like kits for a Dual Wa Meter, Antenna Tuners and the Cantenna," he explained. "Once we are a li le more 'se led,' I think we will develop a QRP receiver. We won't rush to market just to get there. We want to develop a line of kits in the tradi on of Heathkit. I'm hoping to have one or two kits by the end‐of‐the‐year." (Ye Olde Editor’s note: “YAY!”) I was wrong last month……… 80 meters ‐‐ 3.690 and 3.940 MHz (SSB), 3.570 MHz (CW) 40 meters ‐‐7.090*, 7.190 and 7.270 MHz (SSB), 7.030 MHz (CW) HEATHKIT is indeed 20 meters ‐‐ 14.290 MHz (SSB), 14.060 MHz (CW) 17 meters ‐‐ 18.140 MHz (SSB), 18.080 MHz (CW) gearing up for some Amateur 15 meters ‐‐ 21.360 MHz (SSB), 21.140 MHz (CW) 12 meters ‐‐ 24.960 MHz (SSB), 24.910 MHz (CW) 10 meters ‐‐ 28.390 MHz (SSB), 28.180 MHz (CW) Radio kits to be produced, 6 meters ‐‐ 50.160 MHz (SSB), 50.160 MHz (CW)
* Amateurs in IARU Region 2 are not authorized to transmit on hopefully by the end of the year. these frequencies.
These are “calling frequencies.” A er contact has been SCOUTS TO TAKE TO THE made, you should move off that frequency (either above or below) to con nue your contact and allow others to use the AIRWAVES FOR THE 54TH calling frequency.
JAMBOREE ON THE AIR The AO‐51 satellite will be made available for JOTA. It will remain in its current configura on, with an understanding that contacts involving Scouts will be given first priority during this Each year, more than 500,000 Scouts in more than 100 countries take to the period. The current opera ng mode of AO‐51 is as follows: airwaves on the third full weekend in October ‐‐ and this year will be no different. The Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) is an annual Scou ng and Amateur Radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organiza on of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM (no PL tone) JOTA is an annual event where Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM world speak to each other via Amateur Radio. Since 1958 ‐‐ when the first Jamboree on the Air was held ‐‐ millions of Scouts have met through this event. Many contacts made Please keep in mind that this is not a contest to contact the during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between Scout troops that have lasted most sta ons during JOTA. You do not need to submit your logs. many years. The radio sta ons are operated by radio amateurs; many Scouts and leaders hold licenses and have their own sta ons. The majority of JOTA Scouts par cipate The 2011 JOTA Theme: Peace, Environment and Natural through sta ons operated by local radio clubs and individual hams. Disasters.
Scouts of any age can par cipate, from Brownies to Ambassadors, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and Venturers. Once at the ham radio sta on, the communica on ARRL BRIEFS WHITE typically requires speaking into a microphone and listening on the sta on speakers. But many forms of specialized communica on can also take place, such as video HOUSE STAFF ON communica on, digital communica on using typed words on the computer screen transmi ed by radio, communica on through a satellite relay or an earth‐based relay AMATEUR RADIO'S (called a repeater). The exchanges include such informa on as name, loca on, Scout rank, age and hobbies. The sta ons you’ll be communica ng with can be other Scouts CAPABILITIES DURING across town, across the country ‐‐ even around the world! The World Scout Bureau reported that the 2010 JOTA had more than 700,000 Scout par cipants from nearly 6000 EMERGENCIES Amateur Radio sta ons! On September 12, at the invita on of White House Besides being the editor of QEX, Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, is also a life‐long Boy Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard A. Schmidt, W7HAS, the ARRL Scout; he is currently a member of his District Advancement Commi ee and a member briefed several members of the Na onal Security Staff on the of Troop 60 in Oakdale, Connec cut. “JOTA is one of my favorite opera ng ac vi es,” he capabili es of the Amateur Radio Service to communicate in reminisced. “Whether I am running a sta on at a District Camporee, Cub Ac vity Day or emergencies. "The White House is looking for ways that the great just ge ng on the air by myself, it is sure to be a fun me. Just the men on of JOTA work of Amateur Radio operators can con nue to support brings a flood of memories. My first JOTA was in a tent in my backyard as a 16 year old emergencies in the future with par cular a en on to increased Novice, WN3JQM. Heavy rains overnight le a puddle of water inside the opera ng tent. use and dependency on Internet‐based technologies," Schmidt When Garry, WN3JQL, and I found Terry, WN3JQK, opera ng with his feet in that puddle said. The ARRL presenta on, conducted by Emergency of water, we decided it was me to pull the plug! Since then, whether it was a drier Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC ‐‐ along with opera on the next year or another very rainy day at a Cub Scout ac vity many years President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and Chief Execu ve Officer David later ‐‐ where Jean, WB3IOS, and I made one contact that lasted un l that operator Sumner, K1ZZ ‐‐ focused on Amateur Radio's current and evolving talked with every Cub Scout at the camp that day (easily more than 100) ‐‐ JOTA has capabili es to provide Internet messaging connec vity. been a fun me. I remember icy cold Camporees and beau ful autumn days. We’ve had groups of Scouts at W1AW, and one year, Dennis, K7BV, set up his 6 meter meteor sca er sta on at camp for the Scouts.” National News Briefs
The 54th Jamboree on the Air is October 15–16, 2011. The official hours are 0000 articles are gleaned from (local me) Saturday, October 15 (right at midnight Friday) through midnight (local me) Sunday, October 16 (midnight Sunday evening). various issues of the ARRL
Sta ons that par cipate in JOTA should call “CQ Jamboree” or answer sta ons Bulletin and are ©2011, doing so. Any authorized frequency may be used. The World Scout Bureau recommends that sta ons use the agreed World Scout Frequencies: ARRL.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 12)
5 October 2011 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. A.R.C. City Steel The News from the DX World
throughout the month of October to celebrate the the celebrate to October of viaVE3LA. Canada.QSL of Parks centennial month the throughout CANADA, VE. IOTA Kiritimati, direct viaG3NUG. QSL active. stations two with from T32C as OctoberOC-024, 25.Acti until QRV are Association T32.EAST KIRIBATI, to 31 December until LM9L40Y QSLviaLA9L. 40thanniversary. their celebrate as QRV are NRRL av NORWAY, LA. QSL tohomecall. San plans tomakea NA-049. IOTA trip toProvidencia, side from HK0/DL5YWM active as QRV Oc NA-033, from Andres, IOTA be on 40 will toDL5YWM 6 meters HK0. AND PROVIDENCIA, SAN ANDRES using CW and SSB. call. home to direct bands. QSL He onthelow willbemainly also 4to26.Activity from October REUNION, FR. permits. QSLvia GM4FDM. sparetime Hemayusuallybeactiveashis nine months. D2. ANGOLA, QSL tohomecall. spare time. his isin Activity assignment. work on while 31 December 5until October beginning CY0/VE1AWW CY0. ISLAND, SABLE call. to home QSLmeters. to 10 be on80 Activitywill October 3to15. NIGERIA, 5N. S59ACP. QSLvia radio inBrezice. ofHam of50years 30incelebration November until S5. SLOVENIA, call. to home QSL and RTTY. PSK mostly using 10meters to on40 be will Activity October 15. to 18 September from Nickerie from Nieuw SURINAME, PZ. instructions. via operators' QSL emphasis 40,17,12 using and6 meters, on80, SSB. 2013. ActivityisNA-096, until QRV as IOTA HI3/KL7JRfromHispaniola, WL7MY are DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HI. BV2KI. QSLvia bands andmodes. event special of theRepublic anniversary of with QRV the100th 31tocelebrate until December BV100 station are Foundation Centenary BV. TAIWAN, 14. QSL26 toOctober tohomecalls. as YJ0ABP andYJ0ANR, resp VANUATU, YJ. SSB. QSL to home call. 1, 2013.Activityis generally MAYOTTE, FH. 18.QSLtohomecall. 29toOctober from September BOTSWANA, A2. Craig, MM0SSG is QRV as D2SG for six to to six for D2SG Craig,MM0SSGisQRVas
Members of the Nedre Romerike Gruppe Gruppe NedreRomerike of the Members Bodo, DF8DX will be QRV as 5N7Q from 5N7Qfrom be QRVas will Bodo, DF8DX QRV is F6GNT Phill, Ben, DJ0YI and Tom, NQ7R will be QRV be will NQ7R Tom, and Ben, DJ0YI Willi, DJ7RJ will be QRV as FR/DJ7RJ QRV as be will Willi, DJ7RJ Special event station CJ3A is QRV QRV is CJ3A station Special event Members of the Republic of China China of Republic the of Members Special event station S550ACP is QRV is QRV S550ACP station Special event Peter, PA1LP plans to be QRV as PZ5LP PZ5LP as tobeQRV plans PA1LP Peter, Sajid, VA3QY will be QRV as A22EW asSajid, VA3QY A22EW willbeQRV Members of the Five Star DXers Five ofthe Members l V1W wl b QV as QRV be will VE1AWW Al, on 20 to 10 meters using meters using to 10 on20 vity is on 80 to 10 meters to 10meters vity is on80 ectively, from September September from ectively, John, KL7JR andClaire, tober 5 to 13. He will be tober 5to13.Hewillbe China. Activity is on all isonall China.Activity on all HF bands, withan on allHFbands, as FH8NX until March until as FH8NX Daniel, option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=114 ( < CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 ONPAGE CONTINUED Items for‘Newsfromthe DX News &The OPDX Bulletin, various issues oftheARRL and are ©2011,ARRL, 425 his home callsign. his homecallsign. via QSL amp. anew using bands low on anemphasis have will Activity 23rdforthreeweeks. November from Ugandastarting UGANDA, 5X. be will home callsign. Activity 4th. January and his via QSL only. SSB meters 20-10 on free time his to limited 19th ember Dec- between TOGO, 5V. throu 25th-September, Sunday, of week the for Network REPORT. COUNTRY/ENTITY DXCC HS rm apn O-8, S N02, LT 1333), WLOTA NI002S, USI viaJF2SKV. PSK. QSL and CW,SSB,RTTY be on will (OC-086, Activity Saipan 27-31st. October between Islands, Mariana Northern from NH0S ISLANDS,MARIANA KH0. W2YC. KH2/N2NL duringallcontests and NH2T.QSL as viaLoTW orvia as ofcontests) (outside Davewillbeactive summer of2013. the until here be to expected is entry.He Single-Op/Assisted 26-27th) as(November a DXCWContest 30th) andCQWW (OC-026) duringboththeCQWW (October DXSSBContest 29- GUAM, KH2. W7EJ. QSLvia entry. -Op/All-Band/High-Power aSingle 29-30th)as (October Contest DXSSB during theCQWW CN. MOROCCO, beavailableat: will log DL0LH.Online Manager QSL via their or QSL DARCBureau viathe QSLs send their will DG3HT. They Michael/DB4XN Bernd/ DL2NTC, Wolfgang/DK2DO, 2011 operationareMustapha/DL1BDF, mode using CW,SSBandtheDigi bands on all be will Their activity 22-29th. October between A71DLHfromhere as beactive again willonce -A71A) (QARS theQatar with Radio Amateur (LARC) in cooperation Society A7. QATAR, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2,Z3,ZA,ZB YO, YS,YU, YV, VP2M, VP8, VP9,VR,VU, XE, XU, XW,XX9,YA,YB,YJ, YL,YN, YI, UA, UA2, UA9,UK, UN, UR, V2,V3,V4, V5, V7, V8,VE, VK, VP2E, T32, T33, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY,TZ, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S2,S5,S7,SM,SP, SV,SV/a,SV5,SV9, ST, SU, PJ4, PJ2, PA, P4, P2, OZ, OY, OX, ON, OM, OK, OJ0, OH0, OH, OE, K, KG4,KH0,KH2, KH6,KL,KP2, KP4,LZ, OA, LA,LU, LX,LY, OD, HR, HS,HV, HZ, I, IS, J2,J3, J6,J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, FY, G,GD,GI, GJ,GM,GU, GW,HA,HB, HB0, HC,HI, HK, HL, HP, EL, EP, ER,ES,ET, EZ,F, FG, EU, FK, EX,EY, FH, FM, FO, FP, FR, CT, CT3, CU, CX,D2,DL,DU, E5/s, E7,EA,EA6, EA8,EA9, EI, EK, A4, A5,A6, A7, A9,AP, BV, BY, C3,C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM,CN, CP, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G,9H, 9J, 9K, 9L,9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, 4U1I, 4W,4X, 5B, 5H,5N, 5R, 5T 3B8, 3C,3D2, available: 3A, 3D2/ therewere Sunday, 2nd-October DX Bulletin, The 425DX World’ aregleanedfrom http://www.dl0lh.de/index.php? DX Newsand OPDX/ BARF80/KB8NW. Arnauld, F4FOO, will be active as 5V7MA from Togo Togo as 5V7MAfrom beactive will F4FOO, Arnauld, Members of the Lufthansa Amateur Radio Club Amateur RadioClub Lufthansa Members ofthe Dave, N2NL, will be active as NH2T from Guam Guam from NH2T as active be will N2NL, Dave, Nick, G3RWF, will once again be active as 5X1NH as againbeactive once will G3RWF, Nick, Jim, W7EJ, will once again be active as CN2R as active be again once Jim, W7EJ,will ) KiloWatt Harmonics Harmonics KiloWatt Mazshita, JF2SKV, willMazshita, JF2SKV, as beactive , ZC4,ZD7,ZF, ZL, ZP,ZS. 229 countries active. Countries Countries active. 229 countries r, 3DA,3V, 3W,4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, , 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y,7P, 7Q, , Michael/DF4HR andSven/ , Michael/DF4HR According to the AR-Cluster s. Operators for this year's year's this for Operators s. > 6 g h h KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C. Local & Repeating Events/Club Roster AA3EE DAVE AB3KD JAY >>Local>>Local repeatingrepeating events<
WB3HDI BOB • Sundays at 9 p.m. - 147.090 - Pittsburgh Area Scanners Net WB3JLK RICH (Contact: WA3FKG) WQ3T DAVID • Wednesdays at 9 p.m. - 147.090 - Allegheny County Public Service JIM STEWART (NO CALL) (YET) IAN STEWART (NO CALL) (YET) Net (Contact: N3RDV) • Thursdays at 7 p.m. - 146.880 - Scout Net (Contact: N3ZX) • Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. - 50.50MHz - 6 Meter Net • Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. - 146.880 - Rail Fan Net (Contact: KB3HPC) • Saturdays at 9 p.m. - 146.880 - NHARC Elmer Net (Contact: N3BPB) • Every Day at 8 p.m. - 146.880 - Western PA 2m Traffic Net Local events needing (Contact KA3BGC) • 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30 p.m. - 147.090 - our support: Allegheny County Skywarn Net WACOM HamFest, November 6. Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 North Main St. Washington, PA. Mike, WA3TTS is currently accepting E-Mail
7 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
Notice how we’ve been real busy lately with all kinds of public service events? Our own Bob, NU3Q was the point man for the
Pittsburgh Great Race, held on September 25. Read on how fellow SCARC members W3SVJ, KA3JKS, KB3ORO & WA3PYU et al helped him provide communications support………..
The Richard S. Caliguiri memorial race had its 32nd running Sept 25. All reports indicate the run went smoothly and we’d like to think that it was because of amateur radio’s involvement. The event is sponsored by “City Parks” (Pittsburgh) with
(by W3SVJ) (by wonderful support from local companies. This year’s event had 14,500 runners involved! The race officials had to stop any further registrations because of safety concerns. The Pittsburgh event is rated 10th in its class in the U.S. The “run” is actually made up of two separate races. There was a five kilometer race that started in Oakland at 8 AM. At 9:30 the 10 kilometer race started on Beechwood Boulevard at the entrance to Frick Park in Squirrel Hill. The finish line for both races was in Point Park. The race course staging/start was on Beechwood Blvd and after a few hundred feet onto to Forbes Avenue and on into the CMU campus with a right turn onto Morewood Avenue and a left onto 5th Ave. The race proceeded down 5th to the Boulevard of the Allies ramp and continued into downtown to the finish line. The CITY started closing cross streets at 6:30 AM and, of course, the race course itself was free of vehicular traffic. After thirty two years of the “Great Race” we are still invited to be eyes and ears for security and emergency situations as well as runner status reports. Bob, NU3Q, was the amateur radio coordinator for this event and Mike, WA3PYU, (wearing his ARES hat, I think) was “El Supremo” net control. Over 14,500 runners participated this year, causing race officials to halt further registrations due to safety concerns.
The race is rated 10th in its class here in the U.S.
About 43 minutes into the 10K race, at mile four, I hear “W3SVJ” called out of the crowd of runners. It was our own Doc Kump, KT3L, keeping up with the herd with a big smile and hardly any sweat! In back, L to R: Mike, WA3PYU: Nate, W3SVJ: Bob, NU3Q Front, L to R: Kathy, KA3VXM: Sue, KA3JKS: Joyce, KB3ORO How do they do that?
About fifteen hams participated in the event. Above is a photo of our SCARC volunteers at the “debriefing” in Damico’s Italian Restaurant during Bloomfield’s ITALIAN DAYS celebration.
What a great way to be debriefed! 73 de W3SVJ.
YOU’RE A HARD CORE HAM IF: YOU DEFINE A CAR’S BEAUTY NOT BY ITS SLEEK LINES OR COLORFUL PAINT JOB, BUT RATHER BY THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF ANTENNAS HANGIN’ OFF OF IT.
Public Service: Pgh. Great Race Race Great Service: Pgh. Public
October 2011 8 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
PA. QSO Party: The N3ZK Way Planning starts almost immediately after the previous year’s contest. We start to think, “if we were to come back to this location next year what would we do differently”? Lots of things are racing through all of our minds during the tear down and especially on the way home. Since Team N3ZK travels to a county each year to set up portable operations, there are a lot of things that go into having a successful turnout. Fast forward. Here is a little bit about our background as a team. Our team has had to make a few changes in 2010 as we were no longer going to my mom’s place in Venango County. Since 2006, Team N3ZK has been at my mother’s house in Venango County. Over the years we have adapted and learned from our mistakes to make the next year even better. We had a plan. Each year we arrived we already had a plan as to antennas (their locations were the same year after year) & all we had to figure out was where to operate on the property. We operated in the garage and dining room when it was cold and we operated on the back deck when it was HOT outside. Since the contest is in the fall, anything weather-wise can happen. We plan for the best and worst weather. From my mother’s house we beat the Venango County record and had all 67 counties twice in the 4 years we were there. Not a bad accomplishment. Over the years the team has changed a bit. Due to jobs and family responsibilities we have had changes to the team. The original team that got it all started was Randy-N3ZK, Kevin-N3KFD and Paul-KB3KOT. From there we have grown to our current team of 4 operators, Randy-N3ZK, Paul- N0VLR, Kevin-N3KFD and Frank-N3FB. We also have the occasionally have appearances from Kevin- N3HKQ and his wife, Ed-N3ZNI and Brian-KB3ORR. These make for fun times! OK, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Approx. 2 to 3 months before the contest, I send out our yearly spreadsheet which basically states what each operator is to bring with them. This spreadsheet gets tailored once when have a location set in stone. Now keep in mind since we are no longer going to Venango, we had to change the way we prepare each year. In 2010, due to conflicts, we had to throw together a plan in less than a month to the contest. Not an easy task to do. But since we are a team, we pulled it off without a hitch. Not only did we pull it off, we came out 1 shy of having all 67 counties in 2010. Not bad I think! So, our new strategy is as follows. This year I pulled together a list of 10 rare/semi-rare counties in Western PA that we could possibly go to. I based the rareness on how many QSOs were given out in the previous year’s contest and how many operators were in that county. This information can be found on the PA QSO Party website. We all met for dinner to discuss our strategy, where we would go and any potential problems we may encounter. Did I mention food? This is where the fun begins! Once we have our primary and secondary choices, we search the World Wide Web for possible locations to go to within that county. Paul-N0VLR created a Google share point to house all of our documentation for the event for all team members to see. Once a location or locations had been found, wewill take a road trip to the potential location to scope it out. In this case, this year Paul-N0VLR and I drove the 2.5 hours to Cambria County to check out the location Paul had found. We checked out the cabin and its contents, the kitchen and bathroom (making sure there is a fan) operating arrangements and sleeping arrangements. We took measurements from trees and buildings and drew up a plan for possible antenna layouts. We checked for cell service and internet air card service. We researched where the nearest restaurants, grocery store, and beer distributor were, just in case we run out of food and beer! Now comes the fun part. We bring all of our information back and get to work on the logistics. Paul writes up the findings at the location, Frank looks at the antenna layout and location layout to figure out the best way to set up, Kevin locates his radio and gear from last year (blow the dust off) and I am in charge of transportation of equip- ment, logging software and FOOD and DRINK operations. Paul’s share point is a wonderful tool for events like this. This year Brian-KB3ORR is helping our team migrate to a new logging software program. One that is networkable, doesn’t lock up and has voice and CW keying options for Paul and Kevin. So Brian is helping us move to N1MM. We will hold another dinner meeting to set up all of our laptops to configure the new software and run tests to ensure fewer issues when the contest is in progress. RECAP SO FAR This article originally appeared in Plan on paper what counties are rare in our area the Wireless Association of South
(by N3ZK) Have a dinner meeting to Hills newsletter “The WASHRag” discuss and finalize our choice(s) in September 2011. Many thanks Go to location and scope it out to their editor Ron, W3WN, and
Make plans based on locations findings Randy, N3ZK for allowing me to reprint it here.
Setup and test logging software Article is ©2011, WASH/N3ZK. Determine what food we will bring besides Paul’s Margaritas and Frank’s Beer
OK; contest time! Most, if not all of us, arrive Thursday evening to begin unpacking and setting up inside operations. Most importantly the food and margaritas are unpacked and set up. If there is daylight left we sometime start setting up the easy antennas like theVertical and or the Hex Beam. (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
9 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
Friday is antenna day! With the help of Frank’s latest purchase (air powered antenna launcher) putting up antennas is a breeze. Typically we get the vertical and hex up and then the longer antennas. We typically use the same antennas each year, the Hustler 6BTV, the Hex Beam set up for 20m, the Carolina Windom for 80, the Long wire for all bands, a G5RV Jr. and this year a 40 Shorty. Once the antennas are up we run the coax and test the runs with the Antenna Analyzer to ensure proper SWR. We then move to finishing up the radio and computer set up and start testing the radios and logging software. Wow; almost ready for the contest!!
With the antennas in the air, radios and computers setup and tested, sleeping arrangements decided, food unpacked and partially eaten and Paul’s ) Margaritas started, it’s time to relax and get our operating strategy set! So with that said, off to dinner we go. Typically this is the last external meal we have before the contest as we don’t leave once we have started. During dinner we discuss how we are going to set out and conquer. After which we rest…… Day of Contest The day has come and we are all up and ready to go! Breakfast is made, margaritas are blended, radios and computers are turned on, last minute adjustments are made and food for the day is put on to slow cook.
con’t The secret to our success: There are many ways to operate a team in a contest. Since I have a fantastic team behind me, I will let you in on how we operate and how we have become so successful over that past 5 years. Persistence, persistence, persistence! Randy – N3ZK will start out on the Hex Beam on 20m and will call CQ until he turns red. This will ensure the best possibility that when Sunday comes around we have fewer counties to try and find. I will then move to other bands as bands close and open, ending up usually on 160. I also assist Kevin in CW operations as the night goes on. Sunday I start on 80m, then 40, then search and pounce. Frank – N3FB and Paul – N0VLR will search and pounce as well as call CQ on all bands trying to get multipliers and counties. This is also to ensure the best possibility that when Sunday comes around we have fewer counties to try and find. Getting the rare ones behind us at this stage will make it easier come Sunday morning! These 2 guys are our bread and butter guys. This is the most important position on the entire team. Yes, CW gets points and calling CQ brings ’em to you, but it’s the guys searching for the stations that we need is what makes our team so successful. Without this position, we wouldn’t be as successful. Kevin – N3KFD our CW operator has first choice of where he wants to go and is given a specific range of numbers (Contact Exchange Numbers) to minimize the efforts of hand keying. Kevin does a fantastic job, even though he does this only once a year. Off and on throughout the day we will switch it up and rotate bands and antennas. Kevin is pretty much all byhimself throughout the day time pounding away at his AWESOME and impressive 55lb brass keyer. WAIT A MINUTE!! I forgot the most important thing. We may be a well oiled Ham Radio Contesting Team, but we are a team who loves to eat, drink and socialize with a ham radio habit. This year’s menu is as follows: Paul’s 12 alarm chili and corn bread Beer Randy’s Ham BBQ and Maryland Crab Chowder Margaritas Lori’s phenomenal cookies Long Island Iced Teas Snacks Eggs, Bacon & Sausage Plus whatever else we bring. The contest is ALL about the food. Without food, we would be unable to accomplish our goals. Okay back to the contest. During the day and night we are constantly monitoring our progress. This includes, points, multipliers, counties we have and counties we need. Frank and Paul really do a great job at this. We typically go into Sunday usually only needing around 2-6 counties. Throughout the day we take breaks for lunch and dinner and making drinks and such. To watch us in action is pretty neat. We get a lot accomplished in a short period of time with somewhat limited resources and a goal, a goal to get all 67 counties, and surpass the current county record. Currently our team holds the record for Venango County. As Sunday comes around, we start out on 80 then 40 and then wherever we can find an operator we haven’t worked yet. This gets nerve-racking, especially when we are looking for the counties we do not have yet and need for the 67 county award. We work as long as we can without jeopardizing tear down and daylight travel time. Typically we call it a day around 3pm on Sunday. This way we can tear down, pack up and go home while there is still daylight left. During teardown and on the way home, we talk about what went wrong if anything and what we can do to make next year even better. So with all of that I say to you… Team N3ZK goes out with a prepared goal in mind, executes the task at hand with precision, and comes home knowing we did our best at reaching our goal. Team work and planning is KEY to a successful contest outcome. Without that it’s hard to succeed. The dedication of the members of our team is what makes each year better than the last. Thank you, Randy, N3ZK. “You guys put the party in QSO Party”
PA. QSO Party: The N3ZK Way ( N3ZK Way The QSO Party: PA. – Harold Rosenberger, K3HCR October 2011 10 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
CW from beyond? CW from Beyond?
I have related this true story to hams and non-hams alike, but it seems that only hams can fully appreciate it.
In the early 1980s after I became a ham, my cousin Steve Tschern of suburban Long Island, New York, took great interest in becoming a ham himself, probably after I regaled him with tales of my own accomplishments of HF QSOs around the world. Steve was about ten years younger than I, in his mid-teens as our story begins.
He studied diligently, including the five word-per-minute code requirement in effect at that time, and with some long-distance elmering on my part, passed the novice test and was assigned the call KA2SMR. We promptly set him up with some equipment and started a schedule on Wednesday nights on 40 meter CW. He became more proficient with code and hamming in general as time went on, soon upgrading to tech. Good stuff.
Now almost all CW operators who send by hand have a little bit of swing in their code, what they once called your "fist". Steve was no exception; he had a little quirk in his sending where his spacing between words was a little less than optimal. So it got to where, if I was tuning around the CW bands, even without hearing the call, I knew within a few seconds that it was Steve.
After a few years on the air, and with my being inactive for a while, he asked if he could borrow my Heathkit memory keyer. Not sure but I think he wanted to work some CW contests, and I was glad to let him get some use out of this equipment. Many months later when he returned it, I put the keyer in my big radio storage box with other gear and pretty much forgot about it.
Steve died tragically in 1997 in a drowning accident in California, where he had moved for work. As you might imagine for our family, especially my Aunt and Uncle, to lose such a young man was pretty traumatic. He was certainly missed by all, and still is. But read on.
Now it's three years later, and we had recently moved into the current house in South Fayette. I'm still unpacking my stuff, and saw some of my old gear in said storage box. I pulled out the Heathkit keyer along with my Bencher paddles. I hooked everything up, applied power, and darn, the stuff still works and I can still send passable code.
(by KT3L) I wondered if there was anything still in the memory buffers of the keyer. Years after his death I'm hearing Steve call CQ CQ DE KA2SMR. The other buffers had him giving his exchange, rig, location, and so on. All sent with the same quirky no-spacing fist that I remember during our many QSOs. As I sat in stunned, freaked-out realization of what I was hearing, I could swear I also heard that wicked laugh of his.
"Silent Key"? Not so much! Thanks for the visit Steve, KA2SMR DE KT3L 73 dit dit.
A MEMORIAL TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JACQUE GOSSELIN, N3ZEL, OCTOBER 15, 2011, 1:00 P.M. TO WHENEVER, AT "THE POINT" GROVE IN NORTH PARK
A $5.00 DONATION IS REQUESTED FOR THE YOUNG LADIES RADIO LEAGUE. WE ASK THAT YOU BRING A COVERED DISH. HAMBURGERS, HOTDOGS, SODA, AND BEER WILL BE PROVIDED.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE A 50/50 RAFFLE WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TO THE YLRL. THERE WILL BE A "COOKING" GIFT BASKET FOR RAFFLE & WE ASK THAT EVERYONE BRING ONE ITEM FOR IT. THE ITEM CAN BE FOOD OR A KITCHEN TOOL. THE PROCEEDS OF THIS RAFFLE WILL ALSO GO TO THE YLRL.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS SHOW IN JACQUE'S HONOR!
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND
11 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
of their group or class, school and which category they represent. Finally, we would AMATEUR RADIO IN like to know your city, state, province or region, and your country.”
SPACE: TAKE THE Submissions will close on October 15, 2011 at 23:59:00 (UTC). Biddle said that ) the closest predictions in each category will be recognized for their achievement. ARISSAT-1 SURVEY Send your submissions via e-mail:
AMSAT is inviting radio amateurs to complete a 19-question EUROPEAN PROPOSAL FOR survey regarding ARISSat-1. "Please take a few minutes to answer the questions," said Steven Bible, N7HPR. "The survey results will AMATEUR SECONDARY MF be posted to the official ARISSat-1 website." ARISSat-1 was ALLOCATION CLEARS deployed from the International Space Station in August 2011 and is active on the following frequencies and modes: IMPORTANT HURDLE 145.950 MHz FM Downlink: FM transmissions will cycle between a voice ID as RS01S, select telemetry values, 24 In preparation for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), international greeting messages in 15 languages, as well as SSTV the CEPT Project Team C approved a draft European Common Proposal (ECP) for an 8 images. If you successfully receive the SSTV transmissions, you are kHz-wide band between 472 and 480 kHz at its September meeting. The draft ECP will invited to upload your picture to the ARISS SSTV Gallery. now go to CEPT's Conference Preparatory Group for formal ratification in November. This breakthrough -- at the 11th and final meeting of the project team -- occurred with 435 MHz - 145 MHz Linear Transponder: The linear the submission by the UK's Ofcom of an RSGB-drafted compromise ECP proposal that transponder will operate in Mode U/V (70 cm up, 2 meters down). is also supported by France and Sweden. It is a 16 kHz wide inverting passband from 435.742 to 435.758 MHz and the convention will be to transmit LSB on the 435 MHz uplink Agenda Item 1.23 calls for WRC-12 delegations to consider an allocation of and receive USB on the 145 MHz downlink between 145.922 and about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a 145.938 MHz. secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services. "While an 8 kHz allocation does not fully meet our objective of 15 kHz, having a European 145.919 MHz/145.939 MHz CW Beacons: The CW Common Proposal for an amateur allocation is a major step toward possibly achieving transmissions will be call sign ID RS01S, select telemetry and call one at WRC-12," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. signs of people actively involved with the ARISS program. According to Colin Thomas, G3PSM, the prospect of an agreed CEPT position is 145.920 MHz SSB BPSK-1000 Telemetry: The BPSK good progress, representing a 48 country block vote going into next year's WRC-12. "It transmissions will feature a new 1kBPSK protocol developed by Phil needs to be noted that the draft ECP comes with significant caveats to avoid Karn, KA9Q. When the CW2 beacon on 145.919 MHz is active, this interference to the primary user, as well as the existing secondary user service indicates that the BPSK-1000 format is being transmitted. If the es," he explained. "These are the maritime and aeronautical radionavigation services, CW1 beacon on 145.939 MHz is active, the backup of BPSK-400 respectively. As secondary users, we would also not be afforded any protection. It format is being transmitted. should be acknowledged that we have had support from a number of Region 1 IARU Member-Societies in getting to this position." Thomas is the CEPT Coordinator for this SURVEY:
con’t from page 5 page from con’t
AMSAT SPONSORS ARISSAT-1 RE-ENTRY CONTEST
AMSAT Secretary Alan Biddle, WA4SCA, said the ARISSat-1 Team is still looking for entries in the Chicken Little Contest. This is your opportunity to calculate or guess when ARISSat-1 falls out of orbit. This is defined as the time it crosses an altitude of 78 kilometers, which is considered to be the point of no return. “This involves your prognostications, calculations, guesses, darts-in-the- calendar submissions for when ARRISSat-1 makes its final orbit,” Biddle said. “We have a fair number of submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them to enter.”
There are three categories in this contest: Student category for Kindergarten through grade 8, Student category for high school (grades 9-12) and Adults. “In addition to individual students, we encourage classes or organizations, such as science clubs, to make group submissions,” he explained. “Please give the UTC date in the format of day, month, year, hours, minutes and seconds. Submissions are limited to one per person or group. Members of a group making a submission may not submit a second individual entry. Adults and individual students should include their name and amateur call sign, if they have one. Individual students should also National News Briefs ( Briefs News National give their grade in school. Student groups should include the name
October 2011 12 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
======M0URX: Tim Beaumont, P.O. Box 17, QSL Via…………... CALL MANAGER CALL MANAGER CALL MANAGER Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1SF, ======United Kingdom 3Z100MSC SP8AQA EN1IFF UR3IBV OX4OK OK1JST
3Z25ZJP SP6ZJP EN5ZOO UT5ZY OY6A OY2J N1Y: STARC, One Motorola Plaza, B-13, 4J9M DL7EDH EO5UFF US5UFF OZ0AV DL8AAV Holtsville NY 11742, USA 4K9W DL6KVA ER4DX RA4LW OZ30EU OZ8IE
4L2M EA7FTR EX2F RW6HS OZ8BV HB9DUY N6NO: Merv MacMedan, P.O. Box 1109, 4L9QQ UR9QQ FH4VOS DL7BC P39P 5B4ES Arcadia CA 91077, USA 4S7BRG LZ3HI FK8DD LZ1JZ P49X W0YK
4W6A M0URX FM4LV W3HNK PA175NYV PA3CWG NW2C: Northeast Wireless Radio Club, 4X0T 4Z5FI FM5FJ KU9C PA30BR PA1BR Suite 175, 213-37 39th Avenue, 5B4AIF EB7DX FM5WD W3HNK PD6MILL PD7BZ Bayside NY 11361, USA 5C2P IZ2PZC FP5BZ F5TJP PG6N PA7DA
5H3EE DL4ME GX4HRC/A G3SVK PP5NZ PU5AAD S57J: Janez Cervek, Ob Grosupeljscici 17, 5P7N DL4ABO H77REX TI4SU PT2CM PR7JP SI-1290 Grosuplje, Slovenia 5P7T DC8MH HA50HH HA0HH PT5T K3IRV
5R8KH DF8UO HB9O HB9BRG PW7T PT7WA W6HGF: Al Danis, P.O. Box 220164, 5W1SA JA1DXA HC7AE EA7FTR PX5E AI4U 6V7X IK2FIL HF2011BJ SP3POW R116MW UA3UDX Chantilly VA 20153-0164, USA 7P8CC EI7CC HF36POL SP9YI R73SRR UA3DX 7P8CF K5LBU HG5MORSE HA5BA RI1FJA RX3MM QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 6W2SC, 7P8JK WB6OJB HK1R K6IPM SI9AM SM3CVM 9K2OK, AL7TC, BV100, F1ILA, FM/ 7Q7CE IN3VZE HK6K EA5KB SN10WTC SP7PKI R5GA, FY5PO, HA3LI, IK2QEB, J5UAP, 7X2EB EA7FTR HP3AK W4JS SV9/LZ3FN LZ1PM 7X5QB EA7FTR HR9/WQ7R K5WW T6FR IZ8OJG JA2MOG, JE1LFX, JH0INP, JH1HGC, 7Z1TT NI5DX HZ1PS IZ8CLM T6JC S57J JV5A, KP2/NY6X, OD5/DL6SN, 8P6JQ K9JJR HZ1SBS HZ1HN T6RS N8WP OE3GCU, OL90FOLK, RU3EG, UA9CGL, 8R10USA 8R1AK IC8LC IK8HJC T80W JM1LJS 9H3AAG PA3BLS II1IFF IZ1POA T88GO JA8FAA VE6CMV, VP2ETN, YO3FRI, YT9M, 9H3IP HA3JB II4LXV IZ4OUL T88IK JF1LUT ZP6CW and ZS2DK 9H3S PA3HGP IP1/IQ1SP IZ1ELP T88TO JA8CMC 9H3YT PA3GUU J42SISO SV2GWY T88TW JE8NTJ 9H9PA PB9ZR JW3C LA9DFA T88UE DL5AXX QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4A4A, 9HOHSJ 9H1VC JW8AJA LA9VDA T8XX DL5AXX 8P9AA, 9H4JX, CP4BT, E51PMR, 9V1YC W5UE JW9DFA LA9DFA TM0INT EA5KA EY7AD, FO/F6CTL, HC1HW, SX5F, 9Y4W DL4MDO K6P KM6HB TM190NB F4GFE A35CT KI0SO K8O KH6CC TM33A F1UJS VK9NN and ZK2A A61BK NI5DX KH2/N2NL W2YC TM33LDX F5CWU A61BS NI5DX KP2VI EB7DX TU5JD IK2IQD QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: A61KM NI5DX KP4EIT EA5GL UN1L W3HNK A71A A71AN LR9D LU9ESD UN5J W3HNK 5D0IPY, 6Y1V, DJ3HJ, F5OW, F6EAO/P, A71CM NI5DX LU7HZ EA5GL UN7AB DL8KAC FM5CD, FO8RZ, HA8TP, HH2/OH2TA, AH0J JA1NVF LX8RTTY LX1DA UN8GV RD3AY HR9/IK2QPR, LX1HD, OH3SR, OH4TI, AP2NK W3HNK LY775D LY3BY UO5L UN7LZ BD1BYV JA4HCK LZ220SM LZ3SM UP0L DL8KAC OS6C, PA0GMW, PA123OLS, R8MC, BY1TTY BD1LLB MJ0UOO M0UOO UP50ASTR EA7FTR RA34SI, RA3TT, RU3EQ, RV3LE, SK4TL, CE2WZ W3HNK MM0XAU DJ6AU V31AE EB7DX SO8A, SQ3LVO, TA2KN, TM6WRC, CE4CT EA5KB MX0WCB M0WAY VE2CSI M0URX CG3AT VE3AT N3U W3PN VK9OL N6NO TN7C, UR5FA/MM, UT0EA, UT5UR, CG9HF VE9HF NH0J JQ2GYU W2WTC K2HJB UX3MZ, VP2MNK, YT0A, YU7NW, CN2AV ON4AVT NH0Z JJ2VLY XU7TZG ON7PP YU7YG, YV5TX, Z36N, Z36W, Z37M, CN2UM EA5UM NH2B/KH0 JA1BAN XV4Y OK1DOT D2EB IZ3ETU OD5NJ EA5BYP YB9/GM3OOK M0URX ZL1BYZ and ZL6LH D2QR RW6HS OD5PL HB9CRV YF4IJ YB9BU D7A 6K2BWA OD5PY KU9C YR30DP YO8AXP (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE) DR60BENE DG2MEL OG73X OH8L YR6WFF YO6KNE EA6DX EB7DX OH0X OH2TA YT0WFF YU7CM EG8LM EA8CNR OH0Z W0MM YT0ZR YU7AOP QSL INFO FOR THE EG9CCL EA9CE OH8X OH2UA ZC4MIS KF6RCP EM0BSCC UU0JM OJ0X OH2BH ZK2AB ZL4CZ ‘QSL VIA’ COLUMN EM0UBC UR4UXD ON30CLM ON3AIM ZL4RUGBY ZL4PW IS FROM VARIOUS EM3WFF UT4WA OP4F ON4AEF ZS9Z ZS1OIN EM4IFF US5IQ OX/OK1JST OK1JST ZX2B PY2MNL ISSUES OF THE 425 DX NEWS, AND EA5KA Raul Blasco, P.O. Box 20, 12080 Castellon de la Plana, Spain FH8NX Phill Ward, 36 Totorosa 2, 97610 Labattoir, Mayotte THE OPDX HA3JB Kutasi Gabor, Siofok, P.O. Box 243, 8601, Hungary BULLETIN AND IS IN3VZE Ely Camin, Corso 3 Novembre 136/2, 38122 Trento TN, Italy IZ8OJG Fabio Fimiani, Via Tenente Nastri 175, 84080 Lancusi SA, Italy ©2011, 425 DX JE8NTJ Toshio Watanabe, 2-25-1005, Minami 17 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, NEWS AND OPDX/ Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 665-0873, Japan JJ2VLY Mihoko Sakurai, P.O. Box 1, Suyama, Susono-shi, Shizuoka-ken, BARF80/KB8NW. 410-1299, Japan THANKS TO THEM JM1LJS Hideyuki Kai, 4-22-15 Takata-higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken, 223-0065, Japan FOR PERMISSION JQ2GYU Yutaka Sakurai, P.O. Box 1, Suyama, Susono-shi, Shizuoka-ken, TO USE HERE. 410-1299, Japan
13 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
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The following stations are expected to be active in the CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest (September 24-25th, 2011) ------Thanks to Bill, NG3K, for providing OPDX readers with the following consolidated listing of the participants in the 2011 CQWW DX RTTY Contest. For a more detailed listing (and up-to-date changes/corrections) in HTML format, please visit Bill's Web page at:
------Contest DXCC CQ Class QSL Callsign Entity Zone Route ------5C2P/p Morocco 33 M/? IK2PZC 6Y6U Jamaica 08 SOAB HP QSL via W1UE or Buro 9H3IP Malta 15 SOSB HA3JB Direct BV100 Taiwan 24 M/? BV2KI CN3A Morocco 33 SOAB LoTW ED1R Spain 14 M/2 EA4RCH ED5CEF Spain 14 M/M EA5CEE Direct EE8E Canary Is. 33 M/S LoTW EF7R Spain 14 M/2 EA7AJR ES9C Estonia 15 M/? ES5RY HC1JQ Ecuador 10 SOSB 20M HK1NA Colombia 09 M/M K6IPM J28RO Djibouti 37 F8DFP LM9L40Y Norway 14 SOAB HP LA8HGA LS1D Argentina 13 M/2 LW9EOC LX7I Luxembourg 14 M/2 LX2A LX8M Luxembourg 14 M/? RA0FF Russia (Asia) 19 SOAB LoTW; QSL via RA0FF direct T8XX Palau 27 DL5AXX VP9I Bermuda 05 M/? W6HGF/KH0 Mariana Is. 27 W6HGF YV5KG Venezuela 09 SOAB YV5KG; Buro or direct
(YE OLDE EDITOR’S NOTE: Yeah, yeah, I know, I know; the RTTY contest is over, but I stuck this here just in case you worked it and need a QSL route.)
The Malpelo 2012 DXpedition is pleased to announce that the HK0NA operating team has added two new operators, both physicians: W0GJ and K9SG. The team now consists of 18 operators representing eight countries. )/Malpelo Island Update Island )/Malpelo Two members of the team will travel to Malpelo for a reconnaissance visit in late October. The purpose is to check out possible operating sites and make final decisions on the type and placement of antennas. We want to try to have antennas oriented for all parts of the DX world. Also, some equipment will be moved onto the island and stored until our DXpedition begins in late January 2012.
Every effort is being made to extend the length of time available for operating. This requires coordination with the authorities and agencies that oversee the island and the charter boat company. It appears that we can get to the island one day earlier and may The Malpelo Island have the option of staying a few extra days. Of course, our costs will rise accordingly. The current plan has the team QRV on or about January 23rd for 12-14 days. DXpedition is slowly taking
con’t Operations are planned on 160 through 6 meters on CW, SSB and one Digital mode. shape! Looks like a biggie Several of the Elecraft K3s are already in Colombia. The other K3s, five KPA500 amplifiers, antennas from DX Engineering, and Spiderbeam 65 foot masts for the low band antennas will be shipped soon. The Alpha 8410s are on their way. too. It’ll be coming to a
The Malpelo team is paying all their transportation expenses to/from Colombia and radio near you in January putting up about one-half of all the DXpedition costs. To cover the remainder of our expenses, your financial assistance is kindly requested. Contributions are being sought from DX Foundations, DX Clubs and individual DXers. You may contribute directly to DXARC 2012. From our location (Colombia) or to K4UEE (North America), DJ9ZB (Europe), or JA1ELY (Asia/JA). See our website:
Bob Allphin, K4UEE-co-leader Gregg Marco, W6IZT-co-leader
QSL Via…... (
October 2011 14 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
The meeting of the local chapter of the Quarter Century Wireless Association was held at Rocky’s II in McKees Rocks on Saturday, September 17 at noon. Brain QCWA Chapter 6 Meeting Briefs Roberts, President, opened the meeting and displayed some “older” amateur radios of the past.
A Treasurers report was given and a motion was made to take a ride on one of the Pittsburgh riverboats next summer. The motion was seconded and passed.
Nomination for officers was held for the election in December, with Brian for President & Bill Kristoff for Treasurer. They will be on the slate for December.
<<<<<< Brian explained some of the operations that these units were used for in years past and the development of newer units each year since. Dale, WB3CRC reports on the recent QCWA Chapter 6 meeting at Rocky’s II in McKees Rocks, complete with a cool antique radio display.
<<<<<< Dale WB3CRC and Joyce N3JPN look over the vintage rigs that Brian has brought in for viewing and explanation on operation. They operated on ‘C’ batteries back then, much like what the telephone did at that time. They were put to good use on tug boats and shore patrol and control of the water ways at that time, which originally was to give out information but didn’t receive any as these were transmitters and not receivers at that time. The units were very portable though, with the batteries installed in the back portion of the case. Tubes of course are getting harder and harder to find for these, but they are still operational. DON’T FORGET: EASTERN STANDARD TIME STARTS AT 2:00AM ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6. ‘FALL BACK’ 1 HOUR ON THEM THERE CLOCKS BEFORE BEDTIME SATURDAY NITE. OTHERWISE YOU’LL BE AN HOUR EARLY
FOR EVERYTHING ON SUNDAY. (by WB3CRC) WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING SILLY LIKE THAT AND LOSE AN EXTRA HOUR’S SLEEP IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO?
<<<< Our “cane pointers members” show their unity in this picture.
15 October 2011
October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. ARRL Atlantic Division Director Vote choice. It's your Dir of Board ARRL the at representative your choose to right your exercise and days coming the in ballot your for look Please feedback. your for meetings toBoard prior the agenda would publish and processes of bunch diverse a are We account. into have we fun. interests somuch it makes what that's and hobbyists many the of all take would : life ofmy details interesting all the extremely director Atlantic for out (k3tuf.com) website my The check can You way. the along positions numerous in served division. geographic their in members the without by the division. in members 13,000 represents Directors, upon of voted Board are and term year three corporation's a for serve They League. the the the of operations range in long and decisions day, to day policy on administrative and financial serve for responsible are Directors and compensation, position. Director
licensing classes, instructed emergency communications classes, and served as a mentor for all levels of the ARRL ARECC ARECC ARRL the of levels all for mentor a as served and classes, communications emergency instructed taug have classes, I Examiner. Volunteer licensing a am I Officer. Information Public and Observer, Official Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator, programs. Board. ARRL onthe effectively you torepresent needed experience Director. fo your Director Vice as Division serving Atlantic the to as and prior years years six last the for Director Division Atlantic as serve to privilege my been term. threeyear another for Director asyour serve to an honor our of all represent to continue will I Board. ARRL the to fewspecial just a not members, Division’s views your represent and communications. group trade national boards. and committees and local on served have and company international an at executive club to conventions. and hamfest meetings, division the throughout traveling to addition in members our with touch in stay to Council. Boy Scout local my of member board a currently am and Chapter Cross Red local my for Chair Chapter courses. communications emergency and make an informed decision when youvote. And please, and make an informed decision when youvote. And please, Director’s position. Below are letters sentfrom Bill Edgar, N3LLR, Director’s position. Below are letters sentfrom Bill Edgar, N3LLR, the incumbent, and PhilTheis, K3TUF whois also running. Read Not only isittime to votefor Officers here inour own little slice the incumbent, and PhilTheis, K3TUF whois also running. Read Not only isittime to votefor Officers here inour own little slice o’ heaven,o’ but it’stime tovote forthe ARRL Atlantic Division o’ heaven,o’ but it’stime tovote forthe ARRL Atlantic Division 73, Phil Theis K3TUF. Theis K3TUF. Phil 73, < website: atmy look take a And please election this in turnout good a see to like I'd trash. the in up ended ballots of majority the balloting previous In decision the in involved division Atlantic the in members the of all have to want I director a as make I move every and exciting it keep to is hobby this for wish My and KN3TUF as 1962 in licensed was I area PA Philadelphia, the in up Growing Division Atlantic the for running I'm and K3TUF, Theis, Phil is name my WPA, Hello And now,from Phil Theis, K3TUF: The Atlantic Division should have a Director with a proven record of service to the League and to you, the members. It has has It members. the you, to and League the to service of record proven a with Director a have should Division Atlantic The First up, from Bill Edgar, N3LLR: Thank you and 73, Bill Edgar N3LLR Edgar Bill 73, and you Thank election. upcoming this in support your for and vote your for asking am I website: my visit Please think you what to listen to but agenda, personal a push to not is job Director’s The service public and DXing, contesting, enjoy and license Extra Amateur the hold I finance a am I responsibility. Board key a is sound financially League the Keeping leadership division for method another as members ARRL for webinars pioneered I member board a been have I volunteers. on rely which organizations membership other in experience leadership have I volunteer other and Organization Field ARRL’s the in experience solid have must Director our that believe strongly I
I have served as the Western Pennsylvania Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator, District Emergency Emergency District Coordinator, Emergency Section Manager, Section Pennsylvania Western the as served have I
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KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C.
Once again, “Public Service” is the buzz-word(s) as SCARC takes Public Service: The W. Pa. SET part in the annual Western Pa. Simulated Emergency Test, held on October 1st. Read all about how well our crew did………….
The Western PA ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) SET was held Saturday October 1 between 0900 and 1200 hours for all 33 coun es. This year’s “play” is a very possible weather scenario, in this case a dangerous weather situa on coming from the northwest.
The goal of the SET is to perform a realis c test and assessment of our ability to respond if we are asked. The weather events of the summer have, fortunately, missed Western Pennsylvania but we can’t take much comfort that we won’t be needed. Our Sec on has twice been asked to prepare for support of the Red Cross and the Eastern PA Sec on. The SET drill is the most important event of the ARES ac vity year for learning and refining skills.
Some addi onal challenges brought to this exercise were to decentralize the drill's management. Erie County will be working with Ohio ARES District 10 and Western New York ARES to send simulated traffic rela ng to an approaching high intensity storm. Red Cross in Allegheny County had scheduled a small drill for the same morning as the SET so we had a chance to relay some of their informa on as well. As a recently appointed ARRL Relay Sta on, our mission is to collect and move traffic to its appropriate des na on. From all reports we did OK.
WA3VXJ, Karl, running voice and digital on Lloyd, KA3MSE, on 75 meter SSB as net Doc, KT3L, making sure the “bits & bytes” the U. Pi 70 cm repeater while monitoring control as well as wri ng voice are in order for the OLIVIA digital ac vity on the Allegheny County NCS and the messages to forms for the digital guys to 80 meters. YES, Doc was a busy guy as well. SKYWARN net on “09.” send to their respec ve nets. He too, a A busy guy! busy guy! This year’s scenario involved a severe weather event, moving in from the northwest. Initial reports show that “THE GANG OF FOUR” the SCARC group did quite well! KT3L, DOC W3SVJ, NATE In the HF studio we were on 3.983 LSB opera ng as net control as well as on 3.5835 “OLIVIA” digital. Yes, contrary to popular belief, we were able to successfully operate two sta ons simultaneously on the same band in two modes WITHOUT the catastrophic results we endured last year. The Kenwood 950 performed flawlessly for the three hour period on sideband even though there were reported problems with that radio. The “PRO” also didn’t miss a beat opera ng in the digital mode. In the UHF studio, on the 443.45 University of Pi sburgh repeater, we operated both digital and voice on that repeater. It went VERY well. The object of a drill is to polish opera ng skills as well as to locate and correct equipment/technical problems. An odd problem showed up in a least expected opera ng situa on, interference between our 75 meter SSB sta on and our li le dual‐ band FM u lity radio in the VHF studio. The recently repaired/installed 75 meter inverted V runs just a li le too close to 440/144 fixed sta on antenna on the south gable.
I guess those radios just aren’t made to operate in a high power RF situa on, so it presented a serious problem.
The weather sta on was repor ng our FM audio to be highly distorted on the 147.09 repeater whenever our 75 meter transmi er was on. (by W3SVJ)
It appears that the 100 wa 3.8 MHz signal was ge ng into the audio circuit of the FM radio and modula ng it along with our own microphone! Karl picked it up right away! Some antenna separa on will cure that problem.
Doc, KT3L, suggested that it would be considerably simpler if the digital PCs (there are other kinds?) shared the opera ng files so that traffic data could be retrieved from KA3MSE, Lloyd: WA3VXJ, KARL either computer to be sent on to another net. That would certainly be less arcane compared to swapping flash drives! There is room for further improvement in the “same band two sta on” opera on. I had put up an NVIS, NONAME, and (my design) end fed half wave. It’s at a right angle to the inverted V that gives “some” dB down isola on between the two radios. Some VERY simple, frequency designed notch filters would probably be the least invasive and op mize the condi ons as best we need it anyway. Power management would probably be of some help too. These are all rela vely easy remedies and we will keep improving as the weather and available me permit.
SCARC members that checked into the SKYWARN ac vity were Bob ’n Bob, NU3Q/ AD3Q. Unfortunately, no funding was available for a ‘Cocktail Hour Debriefing.’ Maybe next year!
And a good me was had by all. TNX es 73 de W3SVJ
17 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
TUVALU, T2. The C21A DXpedi on to Nauru [425DXN 1049] has been postponed un l next year, as the airline "could not guarantee the flight due to internal problems". A new des na on has been arranged and now "most of the same team" (namely K4ZLE, NL8F, Propagation VK4AN, VK4FW, VK4NEF and W5SL) will be ac ve as T2T from Tuvalu (OC‐015) from 11 November to 8 December. They will operate SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK31 on 160‐6 meters with 3‐4 sta ons. QSL via Report VK4FW. The log will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL within 12 months. Further informa on can be found at
COSTA RICA, TI8. Operators Keith/W4KTR, Eddie/K4UN, Bob/W4BW, Lex/W4XO, Carlos/TI2KAC, Juan Carlos/TI2JCY and TI2ZM will be ac ve home station, check it out. as TI8M from Costa de Pajaros, during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 29‐30th) as a Mul ‐2 entry. QSL via TI2KAC, direct preferred It looks like Cycle 24 is finally but bureau "OK". Look for ac vity before the contest on 160‐10 meters. starting to come alive! CORSICA, TK. Operators Mario/DJ2MX, Simon/DJ4MZ, Maththias/ DK4YJ, Ulf/DK5TX, Christoph/DK9TN, Luise/DL2MLU and Bernhard/ The monthly sunspot maximum predic on from NASA has the next DL6RAI will be ac ve as TK/homecall between November 23‐28th. sunspot maximum moving forward a month from May to April 2013, with Ac vity will include an entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November the sunspot maximum 7 points higher. Last month, the peak was predicted 26‐27th) as a Mul ‐2 category using the callsign TK4W. QSL TK4W via to be a smoothed sunspot number of 70 in May 2013, and now OQRS (Online QSL Request System) and QSLs for TK/homecall via their the number is 77 in April 2013. You can read it here:
October 2011 18 KiloWatt Harmonics The Steel City A.R.C. ARRL W. Pa. Section News On Sunday October 9 the Monessen Amateur Radio Club will sponsor its annual hamfest. The hamfest is in a new loca on this year so for addi onal info go to
digital net with NBEMS was extremely helpful. Larry Keller and his team of assistants, DECs and ECs along with ASSISTANT SECTION MANAGER the vast number of par cipants did an outstanding job during the mock emergency. Should the need arise for ASM DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS: communica ons during a real emergency I am confident of the support the ARES group can provide. Once the Anthony F Petruccelli, KE3ED reports have been compiled I will post the data on the sec on page at arrl.org and send an email with this 473 Park St. Rochester, PA. informa on. 15074‐1859 (724) 774‐4173
country as operators struggle to keep this ac vity running SECTION EMERGENCY strong. The sec on net is on 3983 KHz every evening at 6 COORDINATOR: PM now that the me change has taken place. The CW Larry Keller, AB3ER net is at 3585 KHz at 7 PM local me. Also please check in (by N3MSE) 3907 Bridgewood Circle on the Saturday morning ARES net. This net is conducted Murrysville, PA. 15668‐9478 at 9 AM local on 3983 KHz. (724) 325‐2220
TECHNICAL COORDINATOR: David R Heim, KA3SMF 1032 Nimick Ave, Monaca, PA. 15061‐1333 (724) 774‐3733
19 October 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. KiloWatt Harmonics
Upcoming Webinar
We have an upcoming webinar within the next several weeks that Atlantic Division Members are able to attend. The webinar is: The NBEMS Net Operations Webinar.
The Narrow Band Emergency Message System (NBEMS) software is primarily designed for manned operations. In any emergency communications net, (phone, CW or digital), the Net Control Station (NCS) plays a critical role in maintaining order and prioritizing and directing the flow of traffic. In the NBEMS Net webinar, we will discuss some of the challenges that are common to all NCS operations, regardless of modes, and some of the specific challenges that are unique to the NBEMS digital nets. The presentation will start with a short PowerPoint presentation followed by a live, on-the-air NBEMS net simulation. We're happy to have Harry Bloomberg, W3YJ and Dave Kleber, KB3FXI returning again as our speakers for this presentation.
To register for this webinar, please go to:
Memorial Celebration for Jacque Gosselin N3ZEL If you’re
(by N3LLR/W3TOM) (by Jacque Gosselin, N3ZEL was the District 3 Chairperson of the Young Ladies interested in Radio League. She was very active with her local radio club, WACOM, and held many different positions with the club. Jacque passed away on July 2nd of this year. learning more A memorial celebration for Jacque is being held on Saturday, October 15th in the Pittsburgh area. For more information please email Bud Plants N3TIR at about NBEMS,
For more information, rules, and records - go to: about the
From home or mobile, there will be fun for all. If you plan on going mobile or seen on page 11. rover, check everything out ahead of time. Consider taking a friend to share the driving and the fun! There is a new entry class this year for our four wheeled friends; we have added a Rover class. The NYQP rules spell out the differences. Not a regular contester? Check out the N1MM set-up procedure posted on the NYQP web. Also, the FAQ page is loaded with useful information. Rovers and Mobiles should check out the NYQP County Activity Map to see if any of those sparsely populated counties can be activated!
Check out
Questions?
73, Bill Edgar N3LLR, Atlantic Division Director, & Tom Abernethy W3TOM ,Atlantic Division Vice Director ARRL Atlantic Division Director: Bill Edgar, N3LLR,
SCARC NEEDS YOUR HELP! We are currently in the process of performing an equipment inventory for our equipment insurance policy renewal, and some items that were on the last inventory done a few years ago are now missing. If you have anything from the club in your possession, please notify one of the Officers, or see one of them at the next meeting. No, no one is in trouble or anything like that; we’d just like to account for the stuff, so we can give an accurate inventory to the insurance company. Thanks/73 de NB3C, et al. (Our E-Mail addresses are on page 2.)
ARRL Atlantic Division News News Division Atlantic ARRL
October 2011 20 October-November-December 2011 The Steel City A.R.C. contest/event/hamfest planner
October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 1 Sat TARA PSK Rumble 5 Sat ARRL Sweepstakes CW 1 Thu ARCI Topband Sprint 1 Sat Oceania DX Test SSB 5 Sat Ukrainian DX Test 2 Fri ARRL 160M Contest 1 Sat WAB HF Phone 6 Sun ARRL Sweepstakes CW 3 Sat ARRL 160M Contest 1 Sat EU Autumn Sprint SSB 6 Sun Eastern Standard Time starts @2:00AM 3 Sat TARA RTTY Melee 1 Sat CA QSO Party 6 Sun WACOM HamFest 3 Sat Wake Up! QRP Sprint 2 Sun Oceania DX Test SSB 6 Sun Ukrainian DX Test 3 Sat TOPS Activity Contest 2 Sun WAB HF Phone 6 Sun High Speed Club CW Test 3 Sat AWA Bruce Kelley Memorial CW Contest 2 Sun CA QSO Party 6 Sun DARC 10-Meter Digital Test 4 Sun ARRL 160M Contest 3 Mon German Telegraphy Contest 11 Fri Veterans Day 4 Sun TOPS Activity Contest 6 Thu SARL 80m QSO Party 12 Sat WAE DX Contest RTTY 4 Sun AWA Bruce Kelley Memorial CW Contest 8 Sat PA QSO Party 12 Sat 10-10 Int. Fall Contest Digital 9 Fri NCCC Sprint Ladder 8 Sat Makrothen RTTY Contest 12 Sat JIDX Phone Contest 10 Sat ARRL 10-Meter Contest 8 Sat Oceania DX Test CW 12 Sat OK/OM DX Test CW 10 Sat AWA Bruce Kelley Memorial CW Contest 8 Sat EU Autumn Sprint CW 13 Sun WAE DX Contest RTTY 11 Sun ARRL 10-Meter Contest 8 Sat FISTS Fall Sprint 13 Sun 10-10 Int. Fall Contest Digital 11 Sun AWA Bruce Kelley Memorial CW Contest 9 Sun PA QSO Party 13 Sun JIDX Phone Contest 14 Wed NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint 9 Sun Monessen ARC HamFest 13 Sun OK/OM DX Test CW 14 Wed NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint 9 Sun Makrothen RTTY Contest 14 Mon NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint 16 Fri NCCC Sprint Ladder 9 Sun Oceania DX Test CW 15 Tue SCARC Business Meeting 16 Fri AGB-Party Contest 9 Sun NA Sprint RTTY 17 Thu NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint 17 Sat OK DX RTTY Contest 10 Mon 10-10 Day Sprint 18 Fri YO Int'l PSK31 Test 17 Sat RAC Winter Contest 12 Wed NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint 19 Sat ARRL Sweepstakes SSB 17 Sat Croatian CW Contest 12 Wed NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint 19 Sat SARL Field Day 17 Sat Stew Perry Topband Challenge 15 Sat 10-10 Int. Fall Contest CW 19 Sat LZ DX Contest 17 Sat Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party - 15 Sat ARCI Fall QSO Party 19 Sat All Austrian 160-Meter Test DAILY STARTING TODAY UNTIL JANUARY 15 Sat Worked All Germany Test 19 Sat RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Test CW 1, 2012 15 Sat IL QSO Party 20 Sun ARRL Sweepstakes SSB 18 Sun Croatian CW Contest 15 Sat Boy Scouts Jamboree On The Air 20 Sun SARL Field Day 18 Sun Stew Perry Topband Challenge 16 Sun 10-10 Int. Fall Contest CW 20 Sun LZ DX Contest 18 Sun ARRL Rookie Roundup CW 16 Sun ARCI Fall QSO Party 20 Sun All Austrian 160-Meter Test 18 Sun ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint 16 Sun Worked All Germany Test 20 Sun RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Test CW 19 Mon Run for the Bacon QRP Contest 16 Sun Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint CW 20 Sun EPC PSK63 QSO Party 20 Tue SCARC Business Meeting 16 Sun IL QSO Party 24 Thu Thanksgiving Day - NO CONTESTS TODAY. 25 Sun Christmas Day 16 Sun Boy Scouts Jamboree On The Air SPEND TIME w/FAMILY. EAT TURKEY & 26 Mon DARC Christmas Contest 17 Mon ARRL School Club Roundup - THRU SAT WATCH FOOTBALL! 29 Thu NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint OCT. 22 26 Sat CQWW DX CW Test 18 Tue SCARC Business Meeting 27 Sun CQWW DX CW Test 22 Sat Araucaria VHF Test 22 Sat FOC QSO Party 23 Sun Araucaria VHF Contest 29 Sat CQWW DX SSB Test 30 Sun CQWW DX SSB Test
Complete contest list:
WACOM 2011 HAMFEST Washington Amateur Communications SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011 WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 2151 North Main St. WASHINGTON, PA 15301 8:00 A.M –3:00 P.M—Admission $5.00 Doors open early for VENDOR SETUP Saturday 8:00 p.m. Talk in on 146.790 MHz no Pl MAJOR VENDORS Over 200 tables KJI ELECTRONICS—QUICK SILVER RADIO MAIN PRIZES: 1st YAESU 897D HF- VHF- UHF 2nd FLAT SCREEN HI-DEF TV 3RD VHF- UHF HANDHELD BLACK BOX PRIZE ONLY 50 TICKETS SOLD
MAIN DRAWING AT 1:00 P.M. NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN Vendors Contact Bud Plants [email protected] 724-350-6745 Vendor Forms located at www.wacomarc.org 6Ft TABLES SUPPLIED, cost $12.00 ea. - Discount: reserve more than (5) $10.00ea. VE SESSION starts at 10:00 A.M to register [email protected] BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE DOOR PRIZES--YL PRIZE---DX CARD CHECKER—WAS CARD CHECKER THE MEADOWS CASINO NEAR BY
Send vendor payment to WACOM- Norma Plants N3YJJ 236 Chambers Ridge Road West Alexander, Pa 15376
Mail to: Steel City ARC, P.O. Box 281, Carnegie, PA. W3KWH: The Steel City Amateur Radio Club 15106, or you can bring to any business mee ng, or Membership Application club social and hand it to an officer, or Greg, NB3C (Membership Commi ee Chairman). Date:______Ques ons? E‐Mail Greg, NB3C:
Name:______Call:______
Street:______
City:______County:______
State:______Zip Code:______
Are you an ARRL member? (Circle one) YES/NO Membership #:______
What modes/bands interest you?______
______
Are you interested in working contests? (Circle one) YES/NO If YES, which ones?
______
Are you willing/are you able to participate in club work parties for the maintenance and upkeep of club grounds/facilities? (Circle one) YES/NO If not, please explain:
______
The Steel City ARC is open to all who are interested in Amateur Radio. We are looking for good, active, responsible Amateurs. You will be expected to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the club, and uphold the Amateur Radio Operator’s Code. You are encouraged to attend the monthly business meeting, currently held on the third Tuesday of every month @8:00PM, and our social nights, held every Wednesday evening, except for the week of the business meeting. Our dues are currently $50.00 per year, and are pro-rated, depending on what time of the year you join the club. (First year only.) Once you are a member, you will have full 24/7 access to the clubhouse.
Your application will be held for 6 months. During this time, you will be required to attend a MINIMUM of 3 business meetings. Your application will be reviewed & read at each of these meetings. A vote for membership will be held at the third meeting/reading. If these requirements are not met, your application will be dropped. You may, of course, reapply, and start the entire process over. NOTE: We are willing to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis to the 6-month time limit (IE: work schedule, distance from club, etc.).
I agree to the above conditions (Applicant’s signature):______
Sponsor’s signature/call:______Date:______
FOR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE PURPOSES ONLY:
Date application received:______1st reading:______
2nd reading:______3rd reading:______
Date of membership vote:______Application rejected:______
Membership Committee approval:______
______
______KiloWattKiloWatt HarmonicsHarmonics
THE OFFICIAL HOUSE ORGAN OF THE STEEL CITY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, PITTSBURGH, PA.
NEXT MEETING: October 18, 8PM.