The Q-Fiver, Vol 42, January 2000 OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society Inc. Our 42d Year of Service to Cincinnati in Amateur Radio A Special Service Club of the Amateur Radio Relay League (the national association for Amateur Radio) OFFICERS & BOARD President Eric Neiheisel N8YCL 598-1659neiheisel@fuse.net Vice President Rick Haltermon KD4PYR 384-3311 kd4pyr@arrl.net Cor. Secretary Carol Hugentober K8DHK 661-5323 k8dhk@juno.com Rec. Secretary Susie Scott N8CGM 385-5201 n8cgm@arrl.net Treasurer Bill Simpson KI4QJ 384-4710 WJSJR@aol.com Directors Brian DeYoung KE4HOR 635-0596 ke4hor@arrl.net Lynn Ernst WD8JAW 657-6161 wd8jaw@arrl.net Phil Smith KG8AP 984-9209 kg8ap@arrl.net Trustee/Licensee Bob Frey WA6EZV 741-9953 wa6ezv@arrl.net REPEATERS PACKET RADIO APRS WIDE K8SCH/R K8SCH (CINOH) NETWORK NODE DIGIPEATER 146.67(-) 146.925(-) 144.950 1200 baud port 144.39 K8SCH-10 146.625(-) 442.775(+) 446.500 9600 baud port Web Pages http://www.qsl.net/k8sch/ (club) or http://k8sch.spunge.org (redirect address to club) w3.one.net/~bfrey/okidx.html (DX) Link in season to OH-KY-IN Hamfest page, Permanent link to Foxhunting page Regular monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM local time at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Rd. (corner of Sidney & Covedale) in Western Hills, Cincinnati. Visitors are ALWAYS welcome! For membership information contact Lynn Ernst 10650 Aspen Pl. Union KY 41091-7655 ph 657-6161 Permission is hereby granted to any amateur radio group to quote or reprint from this publication, provided proper source credit is given. The Q-FIVER is the official newsletter of OH-KY-IN ARS, edited & published monthly by the following amateurs: Susie Scott N8CGM 6351 Daleview Road 45247 385-5201 Editor Jack Koch KA8JFE 2135 Central Parkway 45214 721-1203 Publisher, Keystone Printing Co. Please send submissions for the Q-FIVER (including notice of upgrades & call changes) as well as circulation problems & address changes to Ye Ed. Susie N8CGM. These may be: > mailed to or dropped off at 6351 Daleview Rd, Cinti OH 45247 > telephoned to 385-5201 any time (answerer takes up to 4 min. dictation) > e-mailed to n8cgm@arrl.net THE Q-FIVER (kyoo fi ver) Q: A scale of amateur radio signal readability progressing from 1 (unreadable) to 5 (perfectly readable). "You're Q5" = "Your signal is perfectly readable." (ARRL Handbook, 52d ed. 1975) January 2000 Volume 42 Number 1 President's message Hello! I have had the great privilege of serving on the Oh-Ky-In Board of Directors since early 1996. In just those 4 years, I've seen the club grow and make great strides. We have a great bunch of people on the Board and it has been a pleasure being part of the growth of the best and most diverse group of Amateur Radio operators in the area. I thank you for the honor of becoming its next President, the first of a new millennium. So here we are, past that Y2K thing. Assuming you are reading this now, the world is still here and I can keep writing. So what do we do now? Amateur Radio has existed for nearly 100 years. Have you ever asked yourself if it will be here for the next 100 years? In just the last few, we have seen the demise of CW in the military and merchant services and the disappearance of Packet BBSes just to name a few. OK ... now ask yourself this question. Why use Packet to communicate at 1200/9600 bps when an ever-increasing number of us have high speed internet access to communicate with the world in milliseconds? Where, in this high tech world, where technology is improving at every moment and very fast, will amateur radio stand? Here we are with a great challenge. To continue amateur radio ... to preserve its intent ... and instill the principles in prospective operators no matter what the age. Whether or not any new operator joins any club, we as the experienced hams ... the Elmers ... have a responsibility to seek out the interest, particularly with the young students in today's schools and universities. We as amateurs must also embrace the new technologies. We cannot forget that many communications modes and technologies in use today in the military and commercial world have their roots in amateur radio. This is only one challenge. As another challenge, there is an increasing fight in the commercial world to take our frequencies for profit in the new high tech world. They need those frequencies, so how do we voice our need when they have the bucks, and the demand? We have an advantage, thousands of hams who can make the difference. You ... every one of you ... has the voice to participate in the growth and survival of amateur radio. Ask yourself how you can help and how you can take a part. In Oh-Ky-In, we as the Board of Directors, and most importantly the membership, will continue the work to preserve this club as a leader in many fields locally and beyond. I want to personally thank Dick Arnett WB4SUV for an outstanding job as President, for his work in addressing these challenges in his term and particularly for taking on the initiative of pursuing our very own and successful Hamfest. Again, we have a great bunch of people in this club, many ideas, and lots of initiative. I, as President, plan on continuing the work and pull all that energy into new and continuing efforts for the good of amateur radio and the club. Thanks and 73, Eric N8YCL Next meeting The next meeting of the Oh-Ky-In Amateur Radio Society will be held on TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2000 at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Road, one block from Glenway Avenue. Brian DeYoung KE4HOR will present the program for the January meeting. Brian will demonstrate home brew printed circuit boards. To get to the club meeting, coming from town on Glenway, 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 drive down to the church parking lot. The entrance is at the back of the church building. Plenty of parking is available. 73, Rick KD4PYR (Minutes deleted for non-members) A new net!! Just a note to remind all amateur radio operators (especially the new ones, and those of you who know new ones): There is a new net, intended to get new hams on the air and talking, which meets at 5 PM on Tuesdays on 147.24+. This net does not have a specific purpose (such as to dispense technical/procedural advice, or to advertise for any club or organization). If those things happen in response to questions, so be it! The net is generally open-ended, with a round of checkins, then a round of questions/comments. Again, the main goal is to make newcomers to the hobby feel welcome, and to steer them towards the club(s) that suits theirinterests. It is nice to have a body of "oldtimers" available to welcome recently- licensed amateurs, so please feel free to check in, even if you've been licensed for years! If you have any questions/comments, contact KC8EGD (Tom the net manager) by e-mail at: . 73, Steve Lewis N8TFD Tally school: December Dial RC hunt The fox was staked out at Edgewood Middle School in Trenton. A steady 15 second on, 45 second off CW signal provided a beacon to the fox. On arrival, teams found cards on the windowshield of the vehicle that directed them to sniff the three remaining foxes in an individual, discrete order. Results as follow: W8EH, Ernie and Elaine 12.4 miles 50 minutes WB4SUV, Dick & Janie 11.3 Miles 54 Minutes AA8TO, MIke --- 69 Minutes Ernie W8EH will hide in January. 73, Bob WA6EZV Usual ads: Wright Radio & Signs & Things Cartoon from Nov 98 ARNS Bulletin by Rich Regent K9GDF 1st panel: Elmer considers getting a gumball from a vending globe 2d panel: Close-up of plate on base of globe: "Turn handle clockwise" 3d panel: All clocks Elmer can think of are digital 4th panel: Elmer gives up & leaves in disgust as one gumball drops to ground DX Extra (just one) by remote control January 2000 OH2BR Jukka Heikinheimo from Pitcairn Island as VP6BR, likely in mid-January. Watch DX bulletins for updates. Jukka expects to operate on all bands from 6 to 160 meters, on CW, SSB and all the digital modes. For more on this, see "How's DX?" in the January QST. -- thanks ARRL Bob WA6EZV will be back with DX Extras next month. Contests January and early February 2000 January 1 ARRL Straight Key Night 3-5 ARRL RTTY Roundup 11-14 JA DX Contest, CW; YLRL Meet the Novices and Technicians Day; Hunting Lions in the Air; DYLC Midwinter Contest; QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint; NA QSO Party, CW 18-20 ARRL VHF Sweepstakes; MI QRP Club CW Contest; HA DX Contest; NA QSO Party, SSB 24-26 CA WW 160-meter DX Contest, CW; UBA Contest, SSB 31-Feb. 1 PARG Bug Key Night February 2 NA Sprint, SSB 8-9 RTTY WPX Contest 14-16 YL-OM Contest, SSB; ARRL DX Contest, CW For details see QST, CQ, or the ARRL Homepage http://www.arrl.org/ 73, Dan KF4AV N8FU (SK) CW Proficiency Award operating, filing deadlines close Oh-Ky-In members who like to "beep" are reminded of two coming dates: December 31 Last day to make CW contacts for John M. Hugentober (SK) CW Proficiency Award for 1999 January 31 Last day to file copies of logs toward said award. Receiving judge is Carol K8DHK. Assisting her are Melody KA8LAB and Judd N8RVR. 73, Eric N8YCL CW is not for sissies! Results of December 4 VE exams 15 individuals, 7 or 8 from the recently concluded Oh-Ky-In classes, gathered at Salem Presbyterian Church for the Saturday noon exams on December 4. When the smoke cleared, 9 had successfully upgraded or qualified for their first license. See News o f Members... for those in Oh-Ky-In who made it. All 9 made either Tech (4) or Tech + (5). The numbers: Element 1A 1B 1C 2 3A 3B Totals Pass 5 - - 6 4 2 17 Fail 4 3 1 4 2 3 17 % Pass 55% 0% 0% 60% 66% 40% 34 Elements taken VE team members who helped were Otto AA8KK, Bob W8JSO, Sam KJ8K, Rick KD4PYR, Gene N8KOJ, Bruce N8FWA, Phil KG8AP, Judd N8RVR and Carol K8DHK. 73, Bill KI4QJ Nominations open for Maxim Memorial Award Nominations are open until March 31, 2000, for the 1999 Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award. The award goes each year to a radio amateur under the age of 21 whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio activities. These include, but are not limited to: * Participation or leadership in organizational affairs at the local or national level. * Technical achievement. * Operating record. * Recruitment and training of new amateurs. * Public relations activities. In keeping with the tradition of the award when it was first established in 1936, formal nominations are made by Section Managers. Supporting information, including the endorsement of ARRL-affiliated clubs and elected or appointed League Leadership officials, should be submitted with the nomination to Jean Wolfgang WB3IOS at ARRL Headquarters. An award panel will review the nominations received and select the winner. The prize consists of a cash award of $1000, a suitably engraved plaque, and travel and accommodation expenses to enable the winner to attend an ARRL convention for a formal presentation. Nominations should document as thoroughly as possible the Amateur Radio achievements and contributions of the nominee during the previous calendar year. Additional information concerning the character of the nominee should be as complete as possible. The award is intended to provide a tangible reward to those deserving young amateurs who contribute their time, skills and energy daily through their commitment to Amateur Radio. Nominations go to Section Managers, who should review and forward nominations to Jean Wolfgang WB3IOS at ARRL Headquarters by March 31, 2000. There is no limit to the number of nominations a Section Manager may make. (Contact info for SMs is in the early pages of each issue of QST -- Ed.) Elisabeth Price KC8ALW of Worthington, Ohio, was the winner of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award for 1998. For information and a nomination form visit http://www.arrl.org/field/awards/hpm.html or contact Jean Wolfgang WB3IOS ; 860-594-0219; or write her at ARRL Headquarters, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Tally west! The December monthly Oh-Ky-In foxhunt had six teams looking for Dick WB4SUV and Janie, the foxes. We hid in a wooded area behind the Gamble Middle School on the west side of Cincinnati. We had a four-element homebrew horizontal mounted yagi antenna pointing toward the brick inside corner of the school. The beam continuously swept 160 degrees with the use of a Honeywell Modutrol motor. This effectively kept the signal strength varying and created a hot spot of RF in the valley below. The motor, battery, and ten-watt radio were camouflaged with leaves and tree bark. The tarnished copper pipe boom with brazing rod elements blended well with the surroundings. After finding the first transmitter there were two micro powered transmitters to find. I hid in the woods to keep a watchful eye on the hounds and equipment as Janie hid my truck in a nearby church lot. I was concerned at first that the hounds would see my tracks in the early morning frost that led into the woods but the sun quickly solved that problem. Ernie W8EH was the first to arrive, then Bob WA6EZV and then Brian KE4HOR with Angie. Pete N8OGW and Judy N8PGY (erroneously sent as KC8KIA in print ed.) had to drop out because of equipment problems but vowed to be back next month, better prepared. Jim KC8FQY spent a long time on foot hiking through the wooded backyards in the valley below. Bill WD6ADM and Donna KC8KIA were found by WA6EZV on his return trip home. They were picking up the pieces of their stiff wire quad antenna that had lost the battle with a tree branch. Naturally, Donna was at fault for not warning Bill, who was driving, to keep from possibly hitting a tree. The results are as follows: Team Time/Minutes Mileage W8EH 34 8.1 WA6EZV 49 9.3 KE4HOR & Angie 67 21.5 WD6ADM, KC8KIA 142 - Started in Milford KC8FQY DNF - Time Constraints N8OGW, N8PGY DNF - Equipment Problems Ernie W8EH will be the fox for the next hunt. That will start at 10 AM on January 8, 2000 from Mt Storm Park in Cincinnati OH. For more information please contact . 73, Bob WA6EZV Hamfests &c. January 2000 Saturday Jan 15 14th Annual SW OH Digital Symposium at Thesken Hall, Miami Univ Middletown. Sponsored by Dial RC. 9 AM - 4 PM. Free! From I-75 exit at SR 122 (exit 32), go W toward Middletown; carry on to Breiel Blvd, turn right (N), carry on to 6th traffic light. This is entrance to Univ, 2d building is Thesken Hall. Talk-in: 146.61, 224.96, 444.825. Info: Hank Greeb N8XX, 513=385-8363, , http://w3.one.net/~rkuns/swohdigi.html Sunday Jan 30 Dover OH Hamfest, sponsored by Tusco ARC at OH Ntl Guard Armory, 2800 N Wooster Av. Public 8 AM - 1 PM, adm $3. Exit I-77 at exit 87 (Strasburg), turn right at stop sign, go S on Co Rd 74 to first traffic light, carry on through intersection. Armory is on right. Dealers, ARES forum, refreshments. Talk-in: 146.73. Info: Billy Harper KB8CQG, 330=484-4634, Sunday Feb 13 Mansfield OH Mid*Winter Hamfest & Computer Show... 7 AM - 3PM at Richland Co. Fairgrounds (parking $1) Sponsored by the IARC & MASER, Inc. Flea Market with over 400 tables in four (4) modern heated buildings. East Coast Radio scheduled to appear. Talk-in: W8WE 146.94 (-) repeater. Tickets: $5 at the door. Tables available, contact write "Advanced Table Sales" in the subject line. Tables $10 in advance, table sales deadline February 1, 2000. Info: www.maser.org Classes 1999 & 2000! Our sincere thanks to those who took part in the Fall 1999 classes! Thanks also to teachers, including Rick KD4PYR, Phil KG8AP, Bob WB8W, Harry WA8LOJ, Otto AA8KK and Sam KJ8K. We are looking for teachers for the next set of classes, hopefully Novice thru Extra. Depending on teachers and students! Anyone interested in helping with classes, please call me or Bruce NFWA; same with interested students. Spring classes will start the end of February. We will have a committee meeting sometime in January. 73, Carol K8DHK VE exam opportunities Sat Jan 8 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 Jan 16 in Mt. Auburn, sponsored by SOTA & OMIK. All license classes. Info: Thierry Winkfield W8UX, 513=931-9107 Mon Jan 17 sponsored by Bethel ARA. All license classes. Info: Sam Elbe KY8R, 513=724-3523 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 or 605, the new form) 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 605, which can be downloaded from http://fcc.gov/Forms/Form605 or faxed to you by a choice on the 800 number. The Form 605 may be used now! Pre-registration encouraged where available (see specific exam info for where to send, enclose SASE for confirmation). $6.65 is 2000 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 January 2000 Fri Dec 31 Contacts deadline for N8FU (SK) CW Proficiency Award Tue Jan 4 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program: Brian DeYoung KE4HOR on home brew printed circuit boards Wed Jan 5 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK Fri Jan 7 8 PM Amateur Radio Public Service Corps at Hamilton Co Sheriff's Training Center Sat Jan 8 10 AM Monthly foxhunt, hounds start from Mt. Storm Park; talk-in to start 146.67 Tue Jan 11 7:30 PM Technical Committee meeting if needed Wed Jan 12 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dale KC8HQS or Rob KC8HMQ Thu Jan 13 7:30 PM Hamfest Team meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Jan 19 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dennis KB8ROA Fri Jan 21 8 PM Queen City Emergency Net at Red Cross HQ, 820 Sycamore St Tue Jan 25 7:30 PM Board meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Jan 26 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Mike KB4VKS Mon Jan 31 Deadline to submit log copies for N8FU (SK) CW Proficiency Award Tue Feb 1 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program TBA Wed Feb 2 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK OH-KY-IN 2000 Committee Appointments Technical Committee Brian DeYoung KE4HOR, Chair Membership Lynn Ernst WD8JAW, Chair Education Carol Hugentober K8DHK, Chair PIO Bruce Vanselow N8FWA Q-Fiver Susie Scott N8CGM, Editor Special Publications Jo Haltermon KD4PYS Equipment Mgr Harry Davis WA8LOJ TVI/RFI Dick Arnett WB4SUV, Chair Librarian Bob Kesse WB8W Tech Talk Net Mgr Bruce Vanselow N8FWA Sunshine Judd Sexton N8RVR Silent Key Gene McCoy N8KOJ, Chair ARPSC Representative Dennis Fox KB8ROA QCEN Representative Lynn Ernst WD8JAW WARN Representative Volunteer Examiners Bill Simpson KI4QJ Repeater Control Ops Mgr Bruce Vanselow N8FWA Librarian Bob Kesse WB8W Field Day Dick Arnett WA4SUV, Chair Hamfest Co-Chairs Lynn Ernst WD8JAW Gene McCoy N8KOJ Amateur Video Group Slow Scan TV Net Mgr Harry Davis WA8LOJ Fast Scan TV Coordinator Eric Neiheisel N8YCL Fox Hunters Co-Chairs Dick Arnett WB4SUV Bob Frey WA6EZV News of members and students in recent classes New licenses and Upgrades! KC8NMR Paul Fede No license to TECH KB8BZM Peter Feichtner III Tech to TECH + KB9SZS Doug Oldham Tech to TECH + KC8NMP Eric Simon No license to TECH KC8NMO Leon Wernimont No license to TECH On the mend WA6EZV Bob Frey's grandson after major surgery in early December; scheduled for more medical action in Y2K. Oh-Ky-In's best wishes for the lad and all his family (unto earlier generations) NU8U Gene Reilly after a fall On the move N8YCL Eric Neiheisel, the club's new president, to Kuwait with his air guard unit for a few months WA8M Dana Laurie, Field Day and initial Hamfests chair, on a P&G posting to JA-land Copy deadline for February Q-Fiver is Friday, January 14 Arrived in The Arrl Letter Vol 18 Nr 50, just too late to make the Jan Q- Fiver: THE Y2K SONG (with apologies to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town") You better watch out, The lights might go out, The TV shuts off, Then everyone shouts Y2K is coming to town They say that we'll be Safe as can be But don't drink the water, naturally Y2K is coming to town If everyone is ready Why do we hold our breath They're telling us to hoard water And it's scaring folks to death! So you'd better prepare Your grab-and-go kit If everything fails guys Looks like we're it Get those batteries charged! Y2K is looming! Amateurs are ready for Y2K! --Kim Paquette, N8YWX (Asst EC, Adams County, Ohio) Other stuff that shoulda made it in, but for printer problems: Elser-Mathes Cup awaits extra-terrestrial QSO Recent news of the now-lost Mars Polar Lander has renewed interest in the Elser-Mathes Cup. Visitors to ARRL HQ may recall having seen the unusual trophy on display. It's intended to mark the occasion of the first two-way Amateur Radio contact between Earth and Mars. (Actual bowl of cup is borne by images of beings that only coincidentally resemble large-eyed hominids of alien abduction lore; that was not the intention, however.-- ARRL Ed) The story of the Elser-Mathes cup appeared in the November 1969 issue of QST. In his article, "That Planet Mars QSO Cup," Col Fred Johnson Elser W6FB recalled meeting League founder Hiram Percy Maxim W1AW in the 1920s. He learned that Maxim had an interest in Mars and even owned a globe of "The Red Planet." Later, back in The Philippines--in 1928 under US jurisdiction--Elser was inspired by a visit with Philippines SCM Lt Cmdr Stanley Mathes K1CY to offer "a unique trophy" for the first two-way communication with Maxim's "pet planet," Mars. The actual trophy selected by Elser and Mathes during a trip to Baguio is an example of Igorot native woodcarving. "The base symbolizes Earth and the seated figures are its inhabitants," Elser explained in QST. "The bowl is Mars, and the standing men are the amateurs who bridge the gap of space." The plate fastened to the cup includes space for the names and call signs of those who will one day fulfill the cup's eventual destiny. (In the meantime, if you'd like to send your name to Mars, visit http://spacekids.hq.nasa.gov/2001/.) -- ARRL Letter Vol. 18 #49 FAR offers scholarships The nonprofit Foundation for Amateur Radio Inc -- an ARRL-affiliated federation of more than 75 Amateur Radio clubs in the Washington DC, area --plans to administer 73 scholarships for the 2000-2001 academic year to assist eligible radio amateurs with post-secondary education. The Foundation fully funds 10 of the scholarships with income from grants and from its annual hamfest. FAR administers the remaining 63 scholarships at no cost to the donors. Amateur Radio licensees are eligible to compete for these awards if they plan to pursue a full-time course of study beyond high school and are enrolled in or have been accepted at an accredited university, college or technical school. Awards range from $500 to $2500. In some cases, preference goes to those pursuing certain courses of study or to residents of specific geographical areas. FAR encourages all clubs-- especially those in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin--to spread the word on the availability of these scholarships at meetings, in newsletters, during training classes, on their nets, and on their Web sites. Application forms and additional information are available by letter or QSL postmarked prior to April 30, 2000, from FAR Scholarships, PO Box 831, Riverdale MD 20738. Contributions to FAR are tax-deductible. -- ARRL Letter Vol. 18 #49