The Q-Fiver for June 1999 Volume 41 Number 6 President's message Having just returned from the Dayton HamVentionR, I must first thank those of you who gave of your time to make the OH-KY-IN space both workable and profitable. In particular, thanks go to Judd N8RVR, who collected our wares and delivered them to Day ton. We sold about 75% of the equipment taken, which did create a profit for the club. I was particularly proud of the Foxhunting Forum -- no bias on my part, you understand. Bob WA6EZV, Jim KC8FQY, and myself, Dick WB4SUV, were responsible for putting together the Fox-hunting Forum and the Foxhunt which followed. Our featured speakers were: Joe Moell K0OV, Dale Hunt WB6BYU, Marvin Johnston KE6HTS, and Joe Leggio WB2HOL. There was a lot of work involved in putting this forum together, but the collective knowledge that was shared by our speakers certainly made it worthwhile. Following the forum, the Foxhunt which we had organized was held at the Meadowdale High School . There were 16 hidden transmitters, all on different frequencies, well hidden on the school property. With a time limit of one and a half hours and with 26 teams hunting, the top dog of this hunt was Dale Hunt WB6BYU, finding 11 of the transmitter s within the time limit and receiving a Kenwood TH-D7A for his efforts. The top 8 finalists shared prizes valued at over a thousand dollars. Considering this was the first time we coordinated a foxhunt following the forum, I was very pleased with the turnout of participants and the positive comments received afterwards. As always, thanks to those of you who assisted us with the foxhunt. Jo KD4PYS, Rick KD4PYR, and Judd N8RVR, the 3 of you certainly made things run more smoothly for all of us. Our calendar is full of fun events over the course of the next few weeks. There are the various hamfests held by other clubs, not forgetting OH-KY-IN's own coming up July 24th, as well as Field Day. I do hope you are planning to participate June 26 and 27 in OH-KY-IN's Field Day. This is a challenging, fun time for all. Mark your calendars. The regular membership meeting is coming up June 1st. For more information concerning all upcoming events, please plan to attend. I'm looking forward to seeing you there. 73, Dick WB4SUV Next meeting The topic for the OH-KY-IN meeting on TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1999 will be a surprise! (Since the precedent is established, it was decided to keep you guessing for sure for a few days.) The meeting will be held as usual at 7:30 PM at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Road, one block from Glenway Avenue. From town, pass Ferguson Road and turn left on to Sidney between the BP station and Sebastian's restaurant, just before the Frisch's, then turn right at the light into the church drive which leads down to the parking lot. The entrance is at the back of the church building. Plenty of parking is available. 73, Eric N8YCL Tally south The May foxhunt was blessed by good weather, and had a few new hunters as well. The fox was located in Tower Park in Ft Thomas KY. There were a total of 5 transmitters, so the sniffing gear was put to good use. Everyone had a good time, and more than a few lessons were learned. Results: #1 W8EH, N8RYS and Elaine 79 minutes 17.6 miles #2 WA6EZV, KC8MHG and KC8FJN 92 minutes 25.8 miles #3 WB4SUV and Janie 94 minutes 14.4 miles #4 N8YCL and KB8ROA 164 minutes 47 miles N8ASV found two of the transmitters with 16.2 miles Hope to see everyone next month! 73, Brian KE4HOR Field Day 1999 It's the last time this century that you can attend Field Day!!! Better plan now -- it will be the fourth full weekend in June. We will start setting up at 18:00 UTC (2:00 PM local time) on Friday June 25th. Mitchell Memorial Forest in southwest Hamilton County is once again booked for our use. At this time, we are planning to have "the usual" -- all band CW, 15/40 phone, 20/80 phone and a Novice/Technician station. This means we are planning to operate 3A OH (A = emergency power). We will be gin operating all stations at precisely 18:00 UTC on Saturday, the 26th. For the entire contest, all radios will use full power this year (up to 150W) -- as opposed to 0 W! Of course, being a family oriented club, we will have our annual family picnic on Saturday, the 26th. Essentially this is pot luck -- another phrase for unplanned as to what you get!! But, believe me, there will be lots of variety and plenty to eat. Bring a covered dish and surprise us!! Dessert, side dishes, dessert, salad, dessert, appetizers and dessert are all fair game to bring!! I will be sure to have soda, pretzels, potato chips and condiments -- I even promise to include a few napkins, plates and classy plasticware -- and oh yeah, hot dogs, metts, bratts, HAMburgers (if you want a steak, ask N8YCL about last year's midnight cookout, then bring your own!). We plan to operate until 18:00 UTC on Sunday -- 24 hours of uninterrupted happiness!! If you are interested in helping with some additional planning, stop by my house on Sunday, June 6th around 5:30 or so. I'll cook some great food and we'll sit around, eat, drink, talk radios, and complete some effec- tive planning. Hope to see you at my place -- if not there, then definitely during Field Day. 73, Dana WA8M * The perfect H-T for Field Day? Just when you thought modern H-Ts had included just about every feature conceivable, along comes Alinco with its new DJ-195T that includes--get this--an experimental "mosquito repel" feature. Alinco USA Branch Manage r Katsumi Nakata KE6RD says the unit emits an electronic tone to keep the annoying insects away from the vicinity of the radio. "It's a feature we added just for fun," Nakata said. "The mosquito repel feature could make the DJ-195T the first radio capable of de-bugging a Field Day operating position," he added with a smile. (Hmmm. Was that announcement dated April 1?) from ARRL Letter Vol 18 Nr 18, April 30, 1999 (CARTOON) Vegas Side Show! relates to Intl Wireless Communications Expo, end of April this year in Las Vegas, co-sponsored by Mobile Radio Technology magazine. Crowd gathers at foot of elevated stage on which are usual suspects (tall skinny man, stocky bearded woman, simian-looking child, barker who shouts "Hurry hur-ry! Step right up! You'll laugh at the astonishing mon-key boy! You'll gasp at the bearded la-dy! You'll shiver at the moldering tower of FCC pending files! ...Hurry hur-ry!" Illustration appeared in "In the public interest" column in MRT in March Reprinted by permission, March 1999 Mobile Radio Technology DX Extras June 1999 Sorry but will be a short column, as I am just now recovering from Dayton Hi HI. The DX banquet was again a complete success, with a sold out crowd on hand to listen to the Campbell Island group (ZL9CI) describe how they managed to amass some 94,000 QSOs. The winner of the DX country count was 91 years old and has a mere 381 countries with more to work??? WOW. Here are a few items of interest. FR/G Glorioso -- FR5ZQ/G is QRV until June 8th VY0 Nunavut -- The newly created Canadian Territory carved out of the Northwest Territories (VE8) will see action soon. VE3DD plans to be active from Black Island in James Bay June 15 to July 15. Far Future -- YV0 Aves Island -- Cross your fingers, the Venezuela DX club is planning a DXpedition for Feb or March of 2000. More next month. Gud hunting. 73, Bob WA6EZV * Reminder -- ARRL Outgoing QSL Service fees have changed. League members are reminded that the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service fee schedule was revised effective January 1, 1999. The current fees are $6 per pound (or portion of a pound), $1 for 10 cards, $2 for 11-20 cards, and $3 for 21-30 cards. Packages accompanied by the incorrect fee will be processed, but senders will be billed for the additional fee. Priority will be given to packages with the correct fee enclosed. Other packages will be handled as time permits. For more information, contact Martin Cook N1FOC, 860-594-0274; . ARRL Letter Vol 18 Nr 20, May 14, 1999 Contests June 1999 5 QRP TACtical Contest 12-14 ARRL June VHF QSO Party Portugal Day DX Contest, SSB ANARTS WW RTTY/Digital Contest TOEC WW Grid Contest, SSB 19-20 Kid's Day Operating Event All-Asian DX Contest, CW West Virginia QSO Party SMIRK QSO Party 26-27 Field Day! I hope to see you at Field Day, see elsewhere for details. Go to QST, CQ, NCJ, or http://www.arrl.org/contests/index.html for more info. 73, Dan KF4AV May exam totals The May 8th VE exams at Salem Presbyterian Church saw eleven participants try to pass various elements. VEs lending a hand included: KD4PYR Rick, N8FWA Bruce, N8RVR Judd, AA8KK Otto, W8JSO Bob, N8ASV Ken, N8KOJ Gene, and WA6EZV Bob. Many thanks to everyone for all the help. Element 1A 1B 2 3A 3B Pass 0 1 6 4 0 Fail 2 3 1 3 1 Four upgrades to Tech and one to Tech Plus. Eight of the eleven participants left with a CSCE. 73, Bob WA6EZV VE exam opportunities Sat. June 5 at Hartwell Presbyterian Church, Parkway & Woodbine Avs, sponsored by CRA. Registration 8:30 AM; walk-in only! Info: Herb Blasberg WA8PBW, 513=891-7556. Sat. June 12 at Indian Springs Admin Bldg, Morris & Millikin Rds in suburban Hamilton OH, sponsored by Butler Co VHF Assn. Registration starts at 9 AM, testing at 10. Parking on side opposite police station only; don't block the driveways! Info: Ted Wilson K8TCR, 513=868-7012 or Bill Moore W8KVU, 513=868- 0102 or 868-0210. Talk-in 146.97 Sun. June 20 in Mt. Auburn, sponsored by SOTA & OMIK. All license classes. Info: Thierry Winkfield W8UX, 513=931-9107 IN ALL CASES 2 IDs (at least 1 with photo), originals (bring to exam) & photocopies (enclose with preregistration or bring to exam to file with 610) of license & CSCEs are required. Headphones for the CW elements and photocopying available at OH-KY-IN exams but NOT at most other testing locations (call for info). A Form 610 (required) can be obtained from the FCC by calling 1=800=418-3676. Pre-registration encouraged where available (see specific exam info for where to send, enclose SASE for confirmation). $6.45 is 1999 ARRL/VEC exam fee; if paid in cash, correct change expedites walk-in registrations. Elements 1A & 2 are always free at ARRL/VEC exam sessions! Flying Pig soars high on maiden flight 67 tri-state amateur radio operators gave up part of Mother's Day to provide communications support for the inaugural running of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. (List follows; * = OH-KY-IN current or recent member -- Ye Ed.) 3 directed nets were called to order (on 146.88-, 146.67-, 147.06+ repeaters) at about 6 AM on Sunday, May 9. Hams provided logistical communications between race officials, as well as crucial liaison to local EMS and police. The event ran fairly smoothly. About 275 medical cases were seen (actually fewer than expected). The lead runner (from Kenya) finished in an astonishing 2:21:17 (unofficial time), the lead woman (Cincinnati native) finished in just over 2:58. The Marathon ended just before 1 PM. The planning for the 2d Flying Pig Marathon began shortly thereafter. Operators who were involved exchanged e- mail about what worked, what didn't, and what can be improved for the 2000 run. 73, Steve N8TFD An observation by Ken N8ASV: "Just as an aside, I experienced something new in all the years of working parades, etc. etc. etc. Several of the runners actually thanked the volunteers as they ran past! I don't think anyone from any parade or other special event has ever actually said 'thanks' before." Communicators for the Flying Pig Marathon WD6ADM Bill Schroeder KB8ALM Howard Hunt N8APQ Art Osmond *N8ASV Ken Croll WB9BVV Mark Reising *KC8BZL Karen Feichtner *KC8BZM Peter Feichtner K8CR Chuck DeSantis WA8DFD John Dine *W3EOA Herb Nichols *WA6EZV Bob Frey KC8FKI Clarence Brown KC8FKW Dave Zitt *KC8FQY Jim Elmore K8FR Fred Ruzick N8GE Eric Estill KB8GFN Dean Winkelman KB8GR Sid Hannah KA8GRH John Schroer KB9GYO Rob Myers *KC8HJK Greg Wilkins *KE4HOR Brian DeYoung *KC8HQT Stuart Press KA8HXR Richard Turner WA9IRS Allan Hale *KC8IYS Bruce Goldstein KC8IZK Jim Daugherty *WD8JAW Lynn Ernst (Operations NCS) WB6JBM Dick Powell N8JMV Rob Blocher N8JP Jay Parks KC8KIA Donna Schroeder KC8KZI Matt Powell KC8LWV Brock Visnich WB8MCX Dick Leffler KC8MHG Greg Elsbernd *KU4ML Steve Hornsby W8MRG Rob Garfield KB8MUB Bill Schramm KC8ND Dick Smith W8NKP Keary Henkener *KA8ORJ Frank Snider KD4PFN Tom Hale W4PII Earl Nichols KB9PTZ Randy Chapman KB8QJU Terry DeHart KF4RJD John Allender KA4RKS Jack Thompson *KA8RTG Rick Zielasko *KF4RTY Jeremy Hine *N8RVR Judd Sexton KB0SLY Dave Stuart *WB4SUV Dick Arnett N8TFD Steve Lewis W3TFI Bob Crownover KC7TN Tom Delaney KB9TPV Judy Pauley N8UCL Jim Lewis KB8UEY Bob Lunsford KB9ULL Cynthia Hall *KF4UTO Ed Arnold KB8UUW Mike Gray KB8VMX Mike Nie N8WRG Kandie Jaeger *KF4YWH Mary Arnold *KB8ZQW Walt Smith *N8ZZW Jim Walsh Scouting for Food and Clothing Drive 1999 The weather for the 1999 Scouting for Food and Clothing Drive was again rather nice. The high temperature for the day reached the mid to upper 60s. Could we have good weather for the event again in 2000? The April 25 event went very well with 24 amateur radio operators participating on the Cincinnati net. As in the past, several more operators could have been used. However, the locations not staffed were quite a distance to travel for most of us. Namely, locations such as Goshen, Owensville, Georgetown and Mt. Orab. These sites were covered by cellular telephones. This was the first year to use a computer mapping program to help with designating the nearest loading point location to where a requested pick up was needed. This certainly helped out big time, but did cause a bit of a back--log at times since the Cincinnati net was dealing with interfacing with the Northern Kentucky, Butler County and Warren County nets to get missed addresses through. Possibly another assignment for next year would be to have one station handle this traffic separate from the Cincinnati net. This would likely eliminate most of the backlog. There was quite a bit of traffic handled on the Cincinnati net; 67 incoming and then outgoing messages. As usual, the net dealt with some unusual situations. First, a trailer that was dropped off at a loading point on Saturday evening only to not be there when the event started on Sunday. It seems the store manager there forgot about the event and the permission that was given for the trailer to be placed there. The manager had the trailer towed away and it was apparently impounded. Also, there was the case of the station calling CQ 10 meters on our 2 meter net. As that turned out, the station was operating with a new rig that he was not familiar with and he was not aware that he was transmitting on 2 meters. A quick phone call to that operator and the problem was fixed. He was very apologetic! And, there was the case of intentional interference on our net. Congratulations to everyone for ignoring the problem. Since his or her actions were not acknowledged, the QRMer went away. It was a difficult situation for a while, but we all dealt with it and ignored it. Little did the QRMer know, there were several of the OH-KY-IN foxhunters on the frequency and his signal was being triangulated!! On behalf of the OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society, the Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Great Rivers Girl Scout Council, the Food Pantry and the Free Store Food Bank, I would like to thank all of the amateur radio operators listed below for their participation in making the Scouting for Food and Clothing Drive a great success. Special thanks to WA6EZV and KD4PYR for their work in being liaison to the control table and the phone bank set up a t Goodwill Headquarters. All those who worked: N8INP KB8FZD KB8WEI KB8UBG N8RVR WD8JAW KB8MUB KC8BZM N8VRF WA8STQ KC8BZL KA8ORJ KC8BLR N8KOJ KB8ROA WA6EZV KD4PYR KR8F KC8DGB KB8JVK KC8HJK KC8FQY WA8LOJ N8FWA Here's looking forward to the event in the year 2000. Will you be available to participate? I hope so! I'll be in touch. 73, Bruce N8FWA Hamfests &c. June 1999 6 Wabash IN sponsored by Wabash Co ARC at Co 4-H Fairgrounds on SR 13N, 1 mi S of intersection of US 24 & SR 13. Fleas inside & out, major vendors. $5 advance, $6 gate. Talk-in: 147.03, 442.325. Info: , http://www.netusa1.net/ ~qrziota/ Medina OH sponsored by Medina 2 Meter Gp at Co Fairgrounds Community Ctr, 735 Lafayette Rd (SR 42) 1 mi W of Rt 3 from downtown Medina. Outdoor fleas, vendors, new & used ham & computer gear, VE sessions (walk-ins welcome, or call Doug 330=72 5-0119), free parking, refreshments. Advance $4, gate $5. Talk-in 147.03. Info: , http://members.aol.com/M2MGroup 13 Ham-O-Rama sponsored by N Ky ARC at Summit View Middle School, 5002 Madison Pk (KY 17), Independence KY (KY 17 exit off I-275 then 5.25 mi S). New location! 8 AM-3 PM. Ham vendors, PC vendors, lots of fleas, forums, N KY disaster response vehicles, ARRL booth, refreshments. $4 until May 28 (send to NKARC, PO Bx 1062, Covington KY 41012), $5 gate. Talk-in: 147.255+, 147.375+. Info: Rob Blocher N8JMV, 513=797-7252 18 9th Annual Milford ARC Hamfest at Live Oaks CDC, 5956 Buckwheat Rd., Milford OH (SR 28 exit off I-275). 8 AM-2 PM. Free tailgating, commercial vendors, VE exams at 9 AM (walk-ins welcome), food. Follow signs from I-275 & SR 28. $5, children under 12 free. Talk-in: 147.345+. Info: Chris KB8SNH, 513=753-5066, Second Annual OH-KY-IN Hamfest -- Saturday, July 24th, 1999!!! If you haven't purchased your Hamfest ticket yet, don't worry. We'll have them for sale at the next OH-KY-IN meeting!! We are getting geared up for our July mailing. This year, we expect to double the number of flyers we send to local hams - 10,000!! It's a big job, but last year, we determined that many of the people heard about our hamfest via the flyers. This year you can't miss them -- they are hot pink (thanks Carol K8DHK!). Although I write this before Dayton, I plan to personally deliver a couple thousand flyers to those in the outdoor flea market -- and I'll point out that the first two outdoor spaces at the OH-KY-IN Hamfest will be free. That should bring a few people in! Already, we have written to many of the nationally distributed magazines, including QST, Worldradio, Nuts & Volts, 73, CQ VHF, CQ Magazine, and Monitoring Times. In these letters, we mention all the great details -- particularly the low price. I'm not sure how many will publish our information, but at least QST and Worldradio have sent acknowledgments (and door prizes - thank you!!!!). We are still looking for volunteers -- especially for Friday night set up (July 23d). One of the points I make to the many potential indoor vendors who are sending me e-mail is that we will have people there on Friday night at 5:00 to help them unload. That's a part they loved last year!! I haven't told them yet, but we are also going to provide a little supper for them -- come and join us. It won't be fancy, but it will be fun, and you'll be helping to promote the good name of OH-KY-IN. Next planning meeting is June 29th -- right about the time we mail the 10,000 flyers, but that work will already be done!! I hope to see you at the next club meeting. 73, Dana WA8M More from the ARRL Letter, Vol 18 Nr 20, May 14, 1999 * Vanity update: The FCC in Gettysburg reports it has processed vanity callsign applications received through April 16. On May 5, the FCC issued 186 grants. Another 173 applications landed in the work-in-process (WIPs) stack. -- FCC * UoSAT-12 gets OSCAR designation: Amateur Radio's newest satellite, UoSAT-12, has received an OSCAR designation from AMSAT. UoSAT-12 now also may be referred to as OSCAR-36 or UO-36. The satellite soon will complete its first full month in orbit. Th e assignment of consecutive OSCAR numbers to new Amateur Radio spacecraft is a tradition that dates from the launch of the very first ham satellite, OSCAR-1. The satellite remains in very good health. Planning is under way to open UoSAT-12's transponders for general amateur use. -- AMSAT News Service What's coming in OH-KY-IN in June 1999 Tue Jun 1 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Topic: It's going to be a surprise!! Wed Jun 2 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Mike AC8XS, 146.67 Fri Jun 4 8 PM ARPSC meets at Hamilton Co. Sheriff's Training Center Sun Jun 6 ~5.30 PM Field Day planning meeting and cookout at Dana WA8M's Tue Jun 8 7:30 PM Technical Committee meeting, venue TBA Wed Jun 9 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Rob KC8HMQ or Dale KC8HQS Sat Jun 12 10 AM Monthly fox hunt, hounds start from Mt Storm Park; talk- in to start on 146.67 Tue Jun 15 7:30 PM DXers, venue TBA Wed Jun 16 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Dennis KB8ROA, 146.67 Fri Jun 18 8 PM QCEN meets at Red Cross HQ, 720 Sycamore St downtown Tue Jun 22 7:30 PM Board of Directors' meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Jun 23 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Rick KD4PYR, 146.67 Fri Jun 25 2 PM Field Day setup begins at Mitchell Memorial Forest (see map ctr spread) Sat Jun 26- 2 PM- Field Day! C'mon out and work a few (dozen)! Sun Jun 27 2 PM Tue Jun 29 7:30 PM Hamfest Team meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Jun 30 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Gene NU8U, 146.67 Tue Jul 6 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Topic: TBA (yet again!) Wed Jul 7 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS Carol K8DHK, 146.67 Sat Jul 24 2d Annual OH-KY-IN Hamfest, Diamond Oaks CDC, 6375 Harrison Ave News of members and students in recent classes Welcome to new and returning members KB8GYS John S Kennedy KC8LWW Stephen R Daugherty N8QQ Brad McConahey On the mend K4MVB Mary Blocher who was in hospital at the time of the May club meeting Congratulations to SWL Sandy Rich, winner of a bowling medal in the Special Olympics; she rolled a 206 Our sincere condolences to KC8BZN Mary Fox and family; her mother died the weekend before Dayton Lost in the ozone somewhere ... WD8CMM John C. Neeley, a long-time OH-KY-IN member, whose May issue came back marked "No address change filed". Anyone know where John is now? His dues are paid for 1999.... Heard on .67 It seems that the Tech Talk net received a communication from one of the ARRL Official Observers not too long ago. No, we're not in trouble -- it was a compliment on how well-run the net is. Rick KD4PYR was telling Bob WA6EZV about this on the air the afternoon of the May club meeting. Field Day at Mitchell Memorial Forest (blurb accompanies map in center spread of print edition) Bridgetown Rd to right on Zion Rd (there's a sign for the park) Follow Zion to Zion Hill Take left branch of Y Park entry is on your left You'll need a Hamilton Co Parks pass; day pass $1 or season pass $3 from any park ranger Copy deadline for July issue is Friday, June 18 -eof-