The Q-Fiver for November 1999 Volume 41 Number 11 President's message Almost unbelievably, Hurricane Floyd hit Ohio and Kentucky! Not really, of course, but those of us planning to go on the DXpedition to Top Sail Island NC surely felt the effects. After Floyd hit, the realtor who is responsible for the rental proper ty said, "All is well, the house has been unboarded and is in perfect condition. Come on down!" The state police on the other hand said, "Oh, but no, only permanent residents are permitted on the island; besides many roads are still impassable." A quick but painful decision was made to cancel this year's event. The realtor gave us a full refund of our money and plans for next year were started immediately. As it always does, Jamboree on the Air allows us the opportunity to bring the world of amateur radio to today's youth. It is rewarding to see the impressions the boys receive and to hear the excitement in their voices. Thanks to Bob WA6EZV, Judd N8RV R, and Stuart KC8HQT, for their assistance during this event. Also, thanks to Gene N8KOJ and to Rick KD4PYR for their willingness to help us out if needed. It was good to see the Milford Amateur Radio Club, Scout leaders, and OH-KY-IN work together for this event. Talk about good folks! Hats off to Bob Limle and Carol Jean for their hospitality aboard the Belle of Richmond. Bob allowed us to put up a special events station on his boat and to operate throughout the Tall Stacks event on the Ohio River. Bob and Carol treated us like family in every regard and I do thank them for that. This was a Tall Stacks gathering that I won't forget. 73, Dick WB4SUV Next meeting The next meeting of the OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1999 at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Road, one block from Glenway Avenue. Please don't forget to VOTE before you come to the meeting! The program will be "ARRL Night, Take 2". Here's why "Take 2": OH Section Manager Joe Phillips K8QOE was scheduled for surgery the day after the October meeting. The pre-surgery medication he was directed to take at 3 PM caused him to miss the meeting; kept him snoozing until 9:30 PM. (Indications are, the surgery went well.) Joe promises this month he'll make it to the church on time (hi). To get to the club meeting, coming 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 parking lot. The entrance is at the back of the church building. Plenty of parking is available. See you there! 73, Eric N8YCL Mary Blocher K4MVB SK Mary Ellen Owens Blocher K4MVB died Monday, October 4 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. She had been ill for some time. Mary was an innovator who learned communication skills to help others. In 1956 she followed the lead of her husband Harold (Hal) W4YWH, and obtained her amateur radio license. She later joined the Amateur Radio Relay League, Queen City Emergency Net, Northern Kentucky Amateur Radio Club, Greater Cincinnati Amateur Radio Association, and OH-KY-IN. She was active on amateur frequencies for years and was widely known in the Tri-State ham community. She grew up near Cincinnati and met Hal at a picnic. The Blochers were married for 48 years and shared a love for their children, grandchildren and amateur radio. Hal said Mary enjoyed communicating with people in Greater Cincinnati. "She spoke to pe ople locally and in Dayton (Ohio). We would attend conventions together," Hal said. Other survivors include sons Harold F. Blocher II WB4VOA of Highland Heights, Douglas Blocher of Cold Spring and Robert Blocher N8JMV of Amelia; a daughter, Wendy Blocher of Highland Heights; a brother, John J. Owens of Cincinnati; sisters Ruth E. Si mmons of Cincinnati and Agnes Smith of Bright IN; and 7 grandchildren. Mass was held Friday morning, October 8 at St. Joseph Church in Cold Spring KY. (Story appeared in Cincinnati Post for Thursday, October 7; reprinted with the Post's permission) ZCZC AX07 QST de W1AW Special Bulletin 7 ARLX007 (edited) >From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT October 18, 1999 To all radio amateurs SB SPCL ARL ARLX007 Radio Legend Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, SK (edited) Radio broadcasting legend Jean Shepherd K2ORS died October 16. He was 78. News reports say Shepherd died in a hospital near his home in Sanibel Island FL. One of the original radio "talkers," Shepherd gained a loyal following of overnight listeners during his more than 2- decade tenure at powerful WOR in New York during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Shepherd remained active on HF SSB and occasionally on 2- meter FM. A former ARRL member, he did some hamming from his boat in Florida in recent years.... Shepherd penned numerous articles and several books, as well as producing a number of TV programs for PBS. "He captivated a generation with his stories," said vintage radio buff John Dilks K2TQN. "He is survived by Schwartz, Flick, Bruner and all of the other wonderful characters he created." K8SCH/Tall Stacks afloat as and during event First, a little background: Bob Limle was the guest speaker at the OH-KY-IN awards banquet held earlier this year. Bob lives full time on a packet river boat called the Belle of Richmond, moored on the Ohio River near Sedamsville. One of Bob's great pleasures is participating in Tall Stacks. Dick WB4SUV asked Bob if there would be any possibility that OH-KY-IN might be able to operate a special event station during Tall Stacks 99 from the Belle of Richmond. Captain Bob gave an enthusiastic "yes", and the Tall Stacks 99 special event station is now in the history book. OH-KY-IN operated special event station K8SCH from Thursday, 10/14 through Sunday, 10/17. The station was set up on the top deck of the Belle of Richmond. The Belle was moored on the Ohio shore, just west of the Suspension Bridge and directly acros s from Covington Landing. This location gave the operators an excellent view of all the boat activity, sights and sounds of Tall Stacks. A picnic table provided the operating location and the weather was as "good as it gets"!. The antenna was a mul ti- band vertical mounted on the stern handrail. Captain Bob was an excellent host in every respect and the operators had every imaginable amenity. The highlight, besides operating HF, occurred on Friday. The Belle of Richmond was one of many small craft participating in the grand parade of boats featuring the "big guns" like the American Queen, Mississippi Queen and the Delta Queen. Dick WB4SUV, Gene N8KOJ and this reporter, WD8JAW, were aboard the Belle. We left our mooring location about 2:30 PM and got back to port about 6:00 PM. After the cruise we were treated to a great dinner! While underway we made 2 meter contact with John WD8NMV on the Delta Queen, Otto AA8KK on the Mississippi Queen, and Bob WA6EZV on shore at one of the local floating restaurants. Operators included: Bob WA6EZV, Gene N8KOJ, Dick WB4SUV, Lynn WD8JAW, Nathan KA3MTT, Judd N8RVR, Rick KD4PYR, Becky KG4BDO and Laurie KF4YWG. We made 103 contacts during the 4 days. The QSL card will feature a picture of the Belle of Richmond. 73, Lynn WD8JAW Tally anticipation Dick WB4SUV and Janie were the foxes for the August OH-KY-IN foxhunt. They hid 4 unattended transmitters off the walking trails at the Highland Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell KY. There were several planned traps to trip the hunters up, which worked on most all of the hunters. It was anticipated that the hunters would get off I-75 S at the Kyles Lane exit; all did. It was anticipated that all hunters would head south on Kyles Lane/ Highland Ave.; all did. This is a very long and difficult way to get to the Highland Cemetery. It was anticipated that all the hunters would turn into the St. Mary's Cemetery next to the Highland Cemetery; all did. It is not apparent that the cemeteries are different and that the two do not connect. The Highland entrance was partially obstructed by road construction. After finding the first transmitter, there was a paper listing the frequencies of the remaining transmitters. It was not anticipated that all of the hunters would fail to turn the paper over where the re was a map showing all of the trails and trail head locations. It was interesting to see from a distance all of the hounds charge through the underbrush into the wooded area and miss the marked trail head. The results are as follows: Team Time Mileage Team Time Mileage WA6EZV 92 min 20 N8VRF 20 min (rode w/ WA6EZV) KC8FQY 114 min 19.3 KE4HOR 168 min 65.9 (equipment N8ASV 119 min 15.5 problems) 73, Dick WB4SUV Tally off the beaten path The September Fox Hunt commenced on time with a steady series of voice transmissions urging the teams on to the fox's den. For nearly an hour the fox and accomplice enjoyed the morning weather from their car tucked nicely away in a parking lot in a lesser known area of Winton Woods Park on the southeast corner near the frisbee golf course. Teams using the main entrance found lake reflections a challenge and no easy route to the parking area. After you arrived at the mobile fox's den you were provided a map of a short walking trail, approximately a 1/2 mile loop, and a punch card. On the trail were three transmitters beaconing in ARDF style, one after the other with a CW ID of MOE, MOI, and MOS. Each transmitted in sequence for one minute then repeated over a three minute cycle. The object: find each transmitter, punch the card and return to the mobile fox in the shortest time. Teams found the hunt challenging and fun while getting a taste of a slightly different type of hunt. Results show times to the mobile fox and total times to find the trail foxes. Team Distance to Mobile ARDF Time KE4HOR Brian and Angie 12.7 Miles 57 Min 92 Min. WB4SUV Dick and Janie 10.2 Miles 78 Min 120 Min 2 Sec KB8UEZ Jim & WD6ADM Bill 14.6 Miles 56 Min 120 Min 4 Sec N8ASV Ken 13.0 Miles 83 Min Withdraw Till next hunt, 73, Bob WA6EZV Tally drip The October OH-KY-IN fox hunt turned out to be a wet one with a continuous rain the entire day. Ironically, it had been planned in advance to be a drive-up type of hunt. There were several new participants, W8EH's XYL Elaine, Pete N8OGW, Judy N8PGY, Donna KC8KIA, all being a welcome sight. The foxes were Dick WB4SUV and Judd N8RVR, who were hidden miles apart. Dick was the closest to the starting point, being hidden at the end of Fairview Place, overlooking Fairview Park in Clifton. Judd was hidden in Bridgetown near the intersection of Race Road and Bridgetown Road. Both foxes were transmitting distinguishable different tones on 146.565 simplex. They were each transmitting 20 seconds of audio each minute without overlapping. All 6 teams chose to find WB4SUV first. Team Time 1 M 1 Time 2 M 2 WA6EZV, N8VRF, KC8FJN 26 min 8.3 60 min 17.9 W8EH & Elaine* 67 min 15.4 107 min 26 KE4HOR & Angie 72 min 24.9 123 min 42 KC8FQY 59 min 20.2 134 min 36.8 KB8UEZ, WD6ADM, KC8KIA* 44 min 11 Dropped out: Time constraints N8OGW* & N8PGY* Dropped out: Time constraints * First time Brian KE4HOR was prototyping an interesting new PIC based circuit that he has developed which draws a polar plot on a laptop of the incoming signal. It displays signal strength and has many other neat features. It only has 6 discrete components. Bob WA6EZV will be the fox for the next hunt that will start at 10 AM on November 13th from Mt. Storm Park in Cincinnati. 73, Dick WB4SUV DX Extras November 1999 Hurricane Floyd took its toll on both Top Sail Island and the DX group. Travel to the island was impossible, and the trip was cancelled at the last minute. Next year we hope to try later in the year and work CQ WW at the same time. Despite the setb ack of Top Sail, the DX group has remained busy. In October OH-KY-IN members and the DX group assisted with two events, the Tall Stacks special event station and JOTA. Many thanks to everyone who provided assistance in making both of these events a huge success. Don't forget to sign up at the November meeting for operating time for the Phone portion of Sweepstakes. It will be held the weekend of November 20th at my QTH. We will again be trying for a SWEEP and MUGS. Feel free to call me to get yor spot reserved. This is an open house event so feel free to stop by for a visit. Operation starts at 2 PM on Saturday till 8 PM on Sunday. We shut down from 2 AM to 8 AM Sunday. As I am trying to get this to our editor at the last minute, I am sorry to say no tips on upcoming DX operations. Neither QRZ DX nor the 599 Report are giving indications of anything really exciting in the near future. More next month. One good thing, all the articles I have read say propagation and the solar cycle are still on a rise. Till next month, GUD DX and 73, Bob WA6EZV Contests November 1999 6-8 ARRL CW Sweepstakes; North American Collegiate ARC CW Championship; IPA Contest, SSB & CW 11 Fall Allband VHF Sprint 13-14 Worked All Europe RTTY Contest; Japan International DX Phone Contest; OK/OM DX Contest 19-22 ARRL Phone Sweepstakes; Six-Meter Winter DX Contest; North American Collegiate ARC Phone Championship; LZ CW DX Contest; LI/NJ QRP Doghouse Operation Sprint 27-28 CQ WW DX CW Contest One of the biggest months for contesting, Sweeps for both modes, and CQ WW for those of us that love to beep. Good luck. For more info QST, CQ, NCJ. etc. 73, Dan KF4AV Nominations for ARRL Instructor of the Year Awards and Recruiter of the Year To all interested Ohio Section Hams In 1999 the Ohio Section had a winner for this award in Jerry Paquette WB8IOW. Ohio has a policy of aggressively backing its nominees. But first we must find one. If you have anyone in mind, let me know imemdiately. I have no problem with Ohio always winning -- remember we also had a second national winner in Elisabeth A. Price KC8ALW for the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Youth award. Get me the candidates and we'll do all we can. 73, Joe Phillips K8QOE, Ohio SM In 1998 we only had about 7 nominees for these awards (ARRL Instructor and Recruiter of the Year). Last year we had 36! I hope you will again help me get the word out at club meetings or other H/R events you attend. Also, if you do a newsletter, I would appreciate if you would include this nomination information. If you need any other information on the awards and h ow they are handled, please contact me. Jean Wolfgang WB3IOS, Educational Programs Coordinator ARRL Field & Educational Services Phone 860-594-0219 Email jwolfgang@arrl.org Where would Amateur Radio be without these people? Many hams have been involved in H/R demonstrations and teaching H/R classes for years and others are new to this aspect of the hobby. They are the ones who keep this hobby growing Some of these people seem to posses a special gift. They can easily gain someone's attention and hold it, just by sharing their knowledge of Amateur Radio. They will create curiosity, and a drive to learn and become involved in the Ham Radio hobby. The ARRL is grateful to all hams who continue to share their enthusiasm for Amateur Radio with others. One of the ways we show our appreciation is through our Instructor of the Year Awards. Since 1978 we have been recognizing the efforts an d dedication of these extraordinary hams. Each year we welcome nominations in 4 different categories from clubs and individuals who want to thank the instructor or recruiter in a special way. If you would like to know more about these awards or nominate another ham, contact Jean, at 860-594-0219, jwolfgang@arrl.org or visit http://www.arrl.org/ead/award/ All nominations must be received by your Section Manager before January 31. ZCZC AG83 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 83 ARLB083 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT October 12, 1999 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB083 New West Central Florida Section Effective January 15, 2000 (edited) The ARRL Board of Directors has voted to approve a resolution to create a new West Central Florida section. The vote was 14-0 with one abstention, said Board Secretary David Sumner K1ZZ. The resolution approved calls on ARRL Field Services Manager Rick Palm K1CE "to establish, at the earliest date consistent with a smooth transition, a West Central Florida section consisting of the counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highl ands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota." ....The January 15 implementation date means the new West Central Florida Section will not be a factor in any ARRL- sponsored contests until 2000. The new section will be number 71. >From 73 Amateur Radio Today October 14, 1999 To Susie Scott N8CGM Editor, The Q-Fiver etc. Dear Ms. Scott: Thank you for sending the Q-Fiver Vacation Edition to me. I am writing this letter to let you know that very very few women in amateur radio are sending manuscripts for consideration of publication. I really feel that women need a greater presence in amateur radio and I hope that you will let the word out to any YL and XYL ops that 73 Amateur Radio Today is accepting manuscripts just now and would like very much to see more ham radio articles written by women. Sincerely, Joyce Sawtelle, Editor (73 is located at 70 Hancock Rd Suite C, Peterborough NH 03458 phone 1-800-677-8838 fax 603-924-8613) YourName.com The ARRL offers a free e-mail forwarding service so I can always get my mail at n8asv@arrl.net. How about your own personal domain name for free? Later this year I should be able to have ken- croll.com or n8asv.org or butterfly.net as my own domain name. Go to http://www.namezero.com to get the full story. The service isn't running yet, but you can pre-register to get in line for the freebies. 73, Ken N8ASV Conversion of Adobe PDF files to plain text Many people use Adobe's Acrobat software to view their Portable Document Format (PDF) files. However, sometimes this graphical format is not as easy to see or manipulate as a plain ASCII text file. Now there is a free conversion service available via the Internet. You can either e-mail the URL of the PDF or attach the PDF document itself to your message and send it to pdf2txt@sun.trace.wisc.edu (for plain text) or to pdf2html@sun.trace.wisc.edu (for HTML). The converter will mail back the translation of the PDF file. The PDF file should be attached to your e-mail as a MIME attachment. 73, Ken N8ASV Hamfests &c. November 1999 13-14 IN State Convention & 27th Annual Ft Wayne Hamfest & Computer Expo, sponsored by Allen Co ARTS at Allen Co War Memorial Coliseum, corner SR 930 (Coliseum Blvd) & Parnell Ave. Public Sat 9 AM-4 PM, Sun 9 AM-3 PM. 1100+ commercial & flea mkt tab les; new & used radio, computer & general electronics items; vendors; intl ham equipment mfgrs; forums & meetings; VE sessions Sat; parking $2. Admission $5, under 12 free with adult. Talk-in: 146.88. Info: SASE to AC-ARTS/Ft Wayne Hamfest, Bx 10342, Ft Wayne IN 46851, or Doug Jones N9NNT, same postal adrs, 219=484- 3317 or 219=484-1314, djones2233@aol.com; http://www.acarts.com 20 Georgetown OH, sponsored by Grant ARC at Adams & Brown Community Bldg, 200 S Green St, Georgetown. 8 AM-3 PM. Handicapped accessible. Admission: $2. Talk-in: 146.73. Info: Dorothy Silman KB8TQU, 502 Waynoka Dr, Sardinia OH 45171, 937=446-2234, huggee@bright.net, or Gordon Neal W8YGW, 513=379- 1659, w8ygw@juno.com; http://www.qsl.net/~n1djs VE exam opportunities Sat Nov 6 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 Nov 13 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 Mon Nov 15 sponsored by Bethel ARA. All license classes. Info: Sam Elbe KY8R, 513=724-3523 Sun Nov 21 in Mt. Auburn, sponsored by SOTA & OMIK. All license classes. Info: Thierry Winkfield W8UX, 513=931-9107 Sat Dec 4 at Salem Presbyterian Church, corner Mozart & Higbee on the east edge of Cheviot, sponsored by OH-KY-IN ARS. Testing starts at 12 noon. All license classes. Walk-ins OK; pre- registration to Bill Simpson KI4QJ, 10743 Palestine Dr, Union KY 41091. Info: Carol Hugentober K8DHK, 513=661-5323. Talk-in: 146.67 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 paper Form 610 (accepted until Feb 16, 2000) can be obtained from the FCC by calling 1=800=418-3676. It will be replaced by the new Form 606. Pre-registration encouraged where available (see specific exam info for where to send, enclose SASE for confirma-tion). $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! What's coming in OH-KY-IN in November 1999 Thu Oct 28 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Tue Nov 2 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Topic: ARRL Night Take 2 with SM Joe Phillips K8QOE Please VOTE before you come Wed Nov 3 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK Thu Nov 4 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Fri Nov 5 8 PM ARPSC at Hamilton Co Sheriff's Training Center Tue Nov 9 7:30 PM Technical Committee meeting if needed Wed Nov 10 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dale KC8HQS or Rob KC8HMQ Thu Nov 11 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Sat Nov 13 10 AM Monthly foxhunt, hounds start from Mt. Storm Park; talk-in to start 146.67 Tue Nov 16 7:30 PM DXers meeting, location TBA Wed Nov 17 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dennis KB8ROA Thu Nov 18 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Fri Nov 19 8 PM QCEN at Red Cross HQ, 820 Sycamore St Sat Nov 20 2 PM Phone Sweepstakes begins at Bob WA6EZV's Sun Nov 21 8 PM Phone Sweepstakes ends at Bob WA6EZV's Tue Nov 23 7:30 PM Board of Directors' meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Nov 24 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Mike KB4VKS Thu Nov 25 7 PM NO code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee (Thanksgiving) Wed Dec 1 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK Thu Dec 2 7 PM Final code & theory classes at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Fri Dec 3 8 PM ARPSC at Hamilton Co Sheriff's Training Center Sat Dec 4 12 N VE sessions at Salem Presb Church, corner Mozart & Higbee Tue Dec 7 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Election of 2000 officers & board, holiday party News of members and students in recent classes Our sincere condolences to W4YWH Harold Blocher Sr and family on the death of K4MVB Mary E Blocher in early October Upgrade and callsign change KC8MHG Greg Elsbernd, General to KI8JC, Advanced New member KC8LHQ Wm M Tyree Our best wishes to Bill Creighton K8TUT on his recent retirement as SE OH Assistant Section Manager. Word is that he and his wife plan to get out of town (Athens) more often. Bill has turned ASM duties over to Connie Hamilton WD8MIO of Marietta (well known to Ye Ed and WD9HDZ from Buckeye Belles and the Ohio Single Sideband Net, years ago). Recent change in script font from Calliope to Fleece in print edition occasioned by requests from a number of members for more readable script. --Ye Ed. Newark Hamchatter named top Ohio Section newsletter Hamchatter newsletter of the Newark ARA of Licking Co. is the 1999 winner of the ARRL Ohio Section's 8th annual ham radio newsletter contest. Newark President Alan Cook N7CEU accepted the award at the ARRL Ohio Section conference for Hamchatter editor Peter Rehner KB8RJU. Retiring Public Information Coordinator Bev Priest N8VRV said the newsletter contest continues to show statewide positive results; she's noticed a general improvement in most local newsletters. "We've seen Ohio newsletters increasing the variety and number of locally produced articles written from numerous sources in their editions," she said. "This serves a local club's membership best, and this is our main objective in holding the contest." Newsletters placing first through sixth drew scores of between 84 and 80 (3 at 80 including the Q-Fiver). 17 publications were scored this year. -- edited from Ohio Section Journal, Autumn 1999 Copy deadline for _last_ issue of the 1900s is Friday, Nov. 19 =eof=