THE Q-FIVER, March 2000 Volume 42 Number 2 >From the President Greetings from the great sandbox! * I am very pleased to announce that we have firmed up 15 April as the date for the Oh-Ky-In ARS Awards Dinner 2000. Stay tuned for specifics on menu, program, times etc and please make your reservations with Carol K8DHK at 661-5323 or Rick KD4PYR at 384- 3311. With all the license restructuring, how many people are planning to upgrade? The ARRL has announced that since the restructuring its stocks of license prep manuals had run out ... now they are available again, so do order now! Oh-Ky-In classes are well on their way by now. Our 3d annual Oh-Ky-In Hamfest is in full steam preparation. If you would like to help out, please don't hesitate to call Lynn Ernst WD8JAW at 657-6161. We welcome any help or suggestions you may have, so please, get involved in your Hamfest! Over in Kuwait, I have plenty of time to think of all the things that will be waiting for me when I do finally get back in the States. I can't wait and hopefully I will be home for our Awards Dinner, the Dayton HamVentionR, our very own Hamfest, the Dayton Air Show and most of all Field Day! This is just to name a few, but it is amazing how many things you miss when you are so far away from home. The mission keeps us all on our toes over here. We're all proud to be here and to do what we have trained so long to do, but it will never be a secret that we all can't wait to get home. One quick note on 9K2/N8YCL (effective 1 Feb) is that I am trying out a minimum schedule of 2100Z-2300Z as mission and the bands permit and other times whenever possible. Please note that I am working 12 hour shifts at night so I don't get too much t ime to get on the rig. I am operating two rigs, one with 1500W into an omnidirectional rhombic and another on 500W into a dual broadband dipole. While working on the 9K2 license, I had the opportunity to meet the station manager of the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society (KARS), Mohammed Al-Holi 9K2DR (photo end of this column), who gave me a tour of their facilities which are the counterpart of our own ARRL. One of his comments is that he wishes he could go to Dayton every year, when he had seen on my ticket that I was from Cincinnati. He had been there a few years back and wishes he could go again soon. Mohammed and his staff were very helpful and hospitable during my visits. I am very pleased to have been able to have this opportunity at an eyeball QSO. I want to again thank all of you and particularly the Board of Directors for doing a great job in keeping me in touch with happenings and club business. Running the club has been a challenge from so far away, but I am very spoiled over here having unlimited access to e-mail. I applaud and thank everyone for helping me out in this respect. ((Photo of Mohammed Al-Holi 9K2DR (on left) and Eric 9K2/N8YCL, under banner at KARS facility. Mohammed of course in traditional long white caftan with Arab headdress, handing piece of paper (likely the 9K2 reciprocal authorization) to Eric.)) Take care and 73, Eric E. Neiheisel N8YCL President, Oh-Ky-In ARS 9th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron 123rd ACS (Deployed) Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait *Eric said, not long after he got there, that cats are living under their equipment. They're probably feral and may very well bite! He also says as of Feb 22 he had 38 days left ... SHORT (cry uttered as days left in deployment dwindle) !!- Ye Ed. Next meeting The next meeting of the Oh-Ky-In Amateur Radio Society will be held on TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2000 at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Road, one block from Glenway Avenue. With the restructuring coming in April and many hams working hard to upgrade, we will have a program on what you can do with those new HF privileges. Bob Frey WA6EZV from the DX group will present a program on the fun and challenge of DX. 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 Mark your calendar for the club Awards Dinner! The date chosen is Saturday, April 15, the place Shuller's Wigwam (again). Reservations to Carol K8DHK, 661-5323, or Rick KD4PYR, 384-3311. by April 1 (no foolin'!). Festivities begin at 5:30 PM with appetizers and a cash bar, followed by dinner at 6:30 (menu similar to last year's) and program after that. Price is $15 per person. Minutes of members' meeting, Tuesday, February 1, 2000 Carol K8DHK called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions. There were 4 or 5 guests (or folks who hadn't been to a meeting in a while), no new licenses. About 40 were present. Brian KE4HOR invited those in attendance to move in around the smaller table at the side of the room, so they could see the samples and demonstration of how to make a home-brew printed circuit board better. This process requires a good image (from ma gazine or web), some special slick shimmering expensive copy paper, a photocopier or laser jet (ink jet doesn't work) and stock to etch onto, as copper sheets. Etching compound is involved at a later stage, also a shallow pan of water to float the pa per off. Brian said his biggest expense was $90 for a drill press; other supplies cost maybe $20 all together. Program concluded at 8:12 PM. Business meeting convened at 8:31 PM. Carol K8DHK thanked Dick WB4SUV and Janie for running the hospitality table. George N8FFV moved to accept the minutes of the last meeting as printed in the Q-Fiver; Otto AA8KK second, motion carried. Bill KI4QJ sent a treasurer's report to the admin reflector, which was copied for review by those present. Carol K8DHK summarized the report; income $835, expense $698.12, net income $138.88. Carol K8DHK read the President's Report e-mailed by Eric 9K2/N8YCL. He is now active on all HF bands, was handed his Kuwaiti license by 9K2DR, chair of the national amateur radio association. He is not hearing the US, but is hearing Europe and Asia. Hamfest: Lynn WD8JAW announced that the next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 29. $400 is budgeted for major prizes; 1st prize a dual-band HT, 2d a single-band HT, draw for those around 1:30 PM. Vendor letters have gone out. Large firms are being contacted for giveaway items. Next on the agenda will be the mailing. Lynn requested a non-committee member to volunteer to produce 95 mailing labels for clubs (Nathan KA3MTT agreed to do this at close of meeting). DXers: Bob WA6EZV reported that they discussed Top Sail again, along with other activities, such as the DXCC 2000 Millennium Award. Solar cycle is now peaking, good time to go for this. Bob has 20 copies of the form available. This could be made a with- in-Oh-Ky-In challenge as well. Dick WB4SUV reported for the last foxhunt that Ernie W8EH found a "you can't get there from here" den in Kentucky. He aimed a multi-element Yagi down the Licking River with reflections all over the place, had an HT with a keyer for one fox and another HT on the 3d harmonic of the first. This one was a challenge! All entrants finished. Dick WB4SUV will be the next fox. Gene N8KOJ had nothing to report for Silent Keys, however Bruce N8FWA said copies of ham items in KB8EBY (SK) Ken Inman's estate sale are on the hospitality table. No proxy report from Bob WB8W on workshops; library is not open this evening either. Harry WA8LOJ reported that the Slow Scan ATV net averages 8-10 checkins with the occasional new one. The SSTV program scheduled for GCARA in January was not presented; Harry said their program committee forgot to ask. Bruce N8FWA announced that the Tech Talk schedule has once again been full of trades and paybacks. Dale KC8HQS will be net control tomorrow, Carol K8DHK next week. Brian KE4HOR reported for digital that the wide problem is fixed, evidently a bad plug that didn't like the cold. Packet tones are keying up .925; it's a station transmitting after .925, tries to identify it were unsuccessful. The tones now seem to have disappeared. No reports for either ARPSC or WARN. Lynn WD8JAW announced that Jim N8ZZW is the new president of QCEN. QCEN meets 3d Friday as usual. The technical committee meets next Tuesday at Brian KE4HOR's. They will lay plans for what needs to be done. Carol K8DHK reported that classes will start this Thursday. There will be no long orientation, but our Hamfest will be talked up. There's still room for more students. Those still wishing books, especially for Extra, should order them quickly. Edwin Floyd K8VSJ would have won the attendance incentive, had he been present. As he was not, the March sum will be $45. Old business: Otto AA8KK thanked the crew who fixed his antenna. Carol K8DHK announced that there are some entries in competition for the CW Proficiency Award. Bob WA6EZV observed that neither Sweepstakes mugs nor pins are here yet. Dick WB4SUV commented that Field Day results are out; K8SCH was 3d in OH, in the top 10% in 3A. New business: Bob WA6EZV reminded those present that hamfest season is starting and asked Gene N8KOJ to do the signup for Dayton space workers. (Bring your boat anchors to sell too.) The foxhunt forum is shaping up nicely, 3 good speakers are engaged. What they need is help to run the actual foxhunt. There may also be an ARDF event between now and then. Judd N8RVR said as long as items are tagged, get them to him and he'll see to it they get there. No further word on the March ARPSC hamfest, only what's in the Mike & Key. They say exams and banquet on Saturday; no clue whose VE team. Fest will be Sunday at Hartwell Rec Ctr, Galbraith and Vine. The Awards Dinner will be Saturday, April 15; a couple of alternative locations are under consideration. Bruce N8FWA announced that the April 15 exams will be at 12 noon. That makes the April 8 exams at 8 AM. Mike N8UYZ won $15 in split-the-pot. Bob WA6EZV moved at adjourn at 9 PM, Ev KC8JR second. Motion carried before Bob remembered to mention the availability of computers that were donated by his firm. Only catch is that the borrower must bring the computer to Field Day. Respectfully submitted, Susie Scott N8CGM, Recording Secretary Another lovely day in the neighborhood ... SATCOM at Ali Al Salem AB. Small cluster of buildings with 3-4 _large_ dish antennae on roofs, pointing to heavens DX Extras March 2000 Some 20 club members accepted the challenge of trying to get the new Millennium 2000 DXCC award at the February meeting. All you need do is log contacts with 100 DX entities. No need to send for the cards. Let's take a poll at the next meeting and se e who is in the lead to be first. Additional forms are available. Just give me a call. Look for lots of action during the ARRL International DX (SSB) contest the weekend of March 4-5. DX Operations -- Currently QRV 3X -- 14009 at 0630Z; A6 -- 28MHz at 1400Z; D2BF -- QSL to EA8EE; H40 -- Try 20M at 0600Z; Antarctica -- VK0ERZ, try 14255 just after 1200Z Near Future FO/C -- Clipperton Island March 1 to 8. Check http://www.qsl.net/clipperton2000 XF4 -- Revilla Gigedo March 3-18, look for XE1LWY 3W -- Vietnam now till early March, 3W2LC TX0DX -- Chesterfield Island, March 15 to April 1. Being considered as a new DXCC entity! BQ9P -- Pratas -- Rumor has it, permission has been granted for another operation from this rare DX location. Hopefully in April! Late Summer FR/T -- Tromelin, rated #14 on the DXCC need list. No dates yet Postponed -- YV0 Aves Island, scheduled for March, has been postponed due to transportation problems. Don't hold your breath -- VU -- Laccadives & Andamans -- No operations from these two Indian islands is likely as the government is not in favor of any amateur operation. That should provide lots of oportunities during the next month. Till next time, Gud DX -- 73, Bob WA6EZV * DXCC backlog shrinking: The backlog of applications at the ARRL DXCC Desk continues to dwindle. As of this week, there were 789 applications with 70,651 cards on file, and applications filed in late November are now going out in the mail. DXCC personnel now are entering applications received during the first week of December. -- ARRL Letter, Vol 19 #7, Feb 18, 2000 Contests March 2000 4-5 ARRL International DX Contest, SSB 11-12 QCWA QSO Party; WI QSO Party 14-15 CLARA and Family HF Contest 18-20 AK QSO Party; VA QSO Party; OH Winter QSO Party; Bermuda Contest 25-26 CQ WW WPX Contest Several good 'tests. Happy hunting; for more, see QST, CQ, NCJ or surf the web. 73, Dan KF4AV ... and a local one! This year's QLF (Try Sending With Your Left Foot!) CW Contest takes place at the Wednesday, March 22 GCARA meeting. Those with a nimble foot may represent their club or enter on their own. For more about the contest, please go to the GCARA web site, http://w3.one/~rkuns/gcara.html, call or e-mail Jim Kamphaus N8SIM, 624-8383 or . GCARA meets at 7:45 PM on the 22d at the Bond Hill Community Center, 1801 Elizabeth Place near Laidlaw. >From the Tech Committee: The Tech committee met in January at my house, and I sure appreciate the quality help we have in this club. We basically went over the status of the equipment, and formulated a plan to get all of the repeaters "well" and serving the club's needs. I plan to have meetings every other month, and your participation would sure be appreciated! Remember the second Tuesday, a week after the regular meeting, at my house -- 8 Meadow Lane, Alexandria at 7:30. We are planning a meeting on March 14 at th e 146.670 repeater to document all of the equipment and draw connection diagrams. Please contact me if you would like to attend. Also, as chair of the Technical Committee, I need the input and observations of everyone in the club. If you hear something not operating correctly, have an idea on how things could be better, or just have a question about something -- contact me, please! Tnx es 73, Brian KE4HOR A couple of WARNings Tornado Safety Day Drill is re-scheduled, definitely this time, for 9:50 AM Wednesday, March 8. (Date has been vacillating between March 1 and 8.) --de Scott Yonally KC8SS, OH Sec PIC WARN-sponsored severe weather spotter course is set for Friday, March 31, 7 PM at NE Red Cross office, 10870 Kenwood Rd in Blue Ash. This is the full spotter course as taught by Ntl Weather Service. Participants will be registered as SkyWarn spotters at this session. NWS requests that all spotters attend a training session at least every 2-3 years to maintain current certification and skills. For more info visit the WARN web page, http://www.warn.org. Link directly to training info at http://www.warn.org/training. 73, Mike Nie KB8VMX, WARN PIO Tally short time ... or not! One thing interesting about the OH-KY-IN fox-hunts is that you never know what to expect. Every month the fox tries to do something a little different to trip up the hounds. Last month, Ernie W8EH hid multiple synchronized transmitters in probably th e last place anyone would expect (Kentucky). For the February hunt I, WB4SUV, had the honor of being the fox. Having the conflict of camping with my Boy Scout troop on the same day I wanted to have a hunt that would present a challenge and yet move q uickly. I decided to hide three transmitters at Mt. Storm Park (starting point). Since the road that wraps around the outside of the park was closed for construction and the only other route drops over the hill in the other direction, it would be difficult to quickly determine my location. Also, since everyone always tries to DF while the fox takes check-ins, I used a few mw from another spot in the park. The first transmitter was about 300 yards SW of the vehicles, located inside a rotten tree stump in a wooded section of the park. It was on a frequency of 146.565 and only running 350 mw. I used a small stepper motor to rotate an HT at about 1 rpm in a horizontal plane. I used the fox timer circuit on Joe Leggio's site http://home.att.net/ ~jleggio/projects/rdf/rdf.htm to start the motor and a PicCon controller from Byon Garrabrant http://www.qsl.net/n6bg/piccon/ to start and control the radio. The hunt took longer than I had expected, but that is always a difficult prediction to make. Jim KC8FQY was the first to return to the park; however, equipment problems (dead battery & broken coax) plagued him with the sniff. Bob WA6EZV reentered the park on foot from a trail at the bottom to capture the best time. All of the hunters commented that they had suspicions, or should have realized the location from the start, but all were fooled. The results are as follows: Team Time Mileage WA6EZV 93 min 17.4 KC8FQY 95 min 13.0 W8EH 136 min 26.5 WD6ADM 140 min 16.4 N8OGW 151 min rode with WD6ADM KC8FCN ------- rode with WA6EZV Angie & Emily ------- rode with KE4HOR Note: The March hunt has been rescheduled to start at 7 PM on Friday, March 3, from Mt. Storm Park. WA6EZV will be the fox. 73, Dick WB4SUV Estate sale of Ken Inman KB8EBY, SK Sale administered by Bruce Vanselow N8FWA. If interested, please call 251-1555 or 471-7373. Prices as indicated. Items not priced, price not determined as yet and negotiable. Make offer. 1 Kenwood TS-930 SAT HF w/MC-43 mic w/manual $700 2 Kenwood SP-230 Speaker w/manual $50 3 Kenwood R-820 Communications Receiver w/manual $85 4 Kenwood TH-215 2m HT w/charger w/manual $85 5 MFJ-286 Spkr Mic $10 6 Cushcraft R-5 HF Antenna 7 MFJ-901B HF Versa Tuner (200w) w/manual $30 8 MFJ-1702 2pos Coax Switch (3) $10 ea. 9 Realistic PRO 20-20 Programable AM/FM Scanner w/manual $90 10 Communications Specialists DM-1 Digital Multi Tester w/manual $45 11 Heathkit HD-1410 Electronic Keyer no manual/no cables $12 12 Alliance U-100 Rotor Control Box (only) 13 Realistic Navaho TRC-30A 120/12volt 23ch CB w/manual 14 Realistic Amplified Desk Mic w/manual 15 Staco RPS-4 Power Supply 13.8v@4a overload and short protected $15 16 MFJ-841 2m HT SWR/WATT Meter (5w max) w/manual $15 17 MFJ-260 Dummy Load HF/VHF w/manual $15 18 Micronta FS/SWR Meter w/manual $10 19 Midland 23-126 FS/SWR Meter w/manual $10 20 MFJ-1278 TNC MultiMode w/Multi Grey level Modem w/MFJ-48 upgrade kit (no cables) $100 21 Ameco PT-3 Preamplifier 1.8-54 MHz w/manual $60 22 RAM Simple Cycler (4.8 and 9.6v batteries) 23 Ramsey QRP-40 Kit (built) 24 Pyramid External Speaker w/noise cancel $5 25 Universal External Speaker w/shielded cable $5 26 External Speaker w/noise cancel $5 27 Realistic Speaker $5 28 Wall Cube Transformers $4 ea. 120:6v 250mA 120:12v 100mA 120:12v 200mA 120:12v 450mA Rev 1/26/00 Ham equipment for sale The following are from the estate of SK Victor H Stordeur WD8PDX. All Icom. IC720a all mode and band solid state transceiver and IC-PS20 power supply and hand mike, with both operating and service manuals: asking $750 IC211 2Meter VHF all mode solid state base unit, 12v/120v operation: asking $425 IC02AT 2 meter handheld with CM-35 charger: asking $50 IC230 VHF FM 2meter mobile transceiver: asking $50 IC30A UHF FM 440-450 transceiver, all crystal, with hand mike and manual: asking $50 For more information on any of these, please call Otto AA8KK at 574-5463. VE exam opportunities Sat Mar 4 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 Mar 11 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 Wed Mar 15 at Verity Lodge, Miami Univ-Middletown, sponsored by Dial ARC. Register at 6 PM, exams at 7 PM. Advance registration recommended but not required. Walk-ins acceptable on space available basis. Map and NCVEC 605 available from Carl Morgan K 8CM, 508 S Highview Rd, Middletown OH 45042. Advance regis- tration with NCVEC 605, copies of present license and valid CSCEs, check for $6.65 payable to Dial Radio Club with telephone number on check and note stating exam to be taken mailed to arrive no later than Monday before exam date to: Dave Williamson, 5766 Trenton-Franklin Rd, Middletown OH 45042 Mon Mar 20 sponsored by Bethel ARA. Info: Sam Elbe KY8R, 513=724-3523 Sat Mar 25 in conjunction with HamCo ARPSC Hamfest, sponsored by OH-KY-IN ARS. Info: Carol Hugentober K8DHK, 661-5323 Sats Apr 8 (8 AM) & 15 (12 noon) at Salem Presbyterian Church, corner Mozart & Higbee on the east edge of Cheviot, sponsored by OH-KY-IN ARS. Pre-registration to Bill Simpson KI4QJ, 10743 Palestine Dr, Union KY 41091. Info: Carol Hugentober K8DHK, 513=661-5323. Talk-in: 146.67 Sat Apr 15 at Verity Lodge, Miami Univ-Middletown, sponsored by Dial ARC. Register at 9 AM, exams at 10 AM, see Mar 15 above for details. Paperwork-only VE sessions on Sat Apr 15 by CRA and Butler Co VHF Assn (see entries above for times and locations). Please allow up to an hour or two for your CSCE(s) to be dealt with. 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 605 of license & CSCEs are required. Given the recent Restructuring announcement, best in all cases to c all for info. Headphones for the CW elements and photocopying available at OH- KY-IN exams but not at most other testing locations (call for info). Form 610 expired Feb 16, 2000; you must now use the new Form 605 (NCVEC Quick-Form, highly recommended!) Pre-registration encouraged where available (see specific exam info for where to send, enclose SASE for confirmation and NCVEC 605). $6.65 is 20 00 ARRL/VEC exam fee; if paid in cash, correct change expedites walk-in registrations. Elements 1A & 2 are free at ARRL/VEC exam sessions, only until April 15! ARRL Letter, Vol 19 #7, Feb 18, 2000 FCC gives Morse element credit to expired Novices: story in ARRL Letter, Vol 19 #6, Feb 11, 2000 FCC ULS ID needed to upgrade Ready to upgrade your ham license now that the FCC rule changes are here? You will need to obtain an FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) Licensee Identification Number before the FCC will act on your license upgrade. If you can get on the web, the easiest way to get your ULS ID is to go to http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls and fill out the electronic form. There is no charge, and it only takes a few minutes. Directions are easy to follow. Print out your new ULS record and password and file them away with your important papers like your ham license. You can take the exam even if you don't have a ULS ID. Just substitute your Social Security Number, but the FCC or the ARRL VEC will wait to process the upgrade until you can supply your ULS ID. This will delay things, so now is the time to get your ULS ID. When you fill out the new NCVEC Quick-Form 605 you can supply either your ULS ID or your Social Security Number. The 605 replaces the previous FCC Form 610. The NCVEC Quick-Form 605 is a mercifully abbreviated 605 that is used just for ham applicati ons. The standard 605 is HUGE and designed to handle anything the FCC can license. Here are the concise, but complete instructions on the many ways to register for your ULS ID, courtesy of the ARRL web site, http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/605ins.html. Registering in ULS can be accomplished electronically via the FCC web at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls/ or by ob-taining, completing and forwarding the FCC's ULS Registration form (FCC Form 606) to the FCC by fax (717-338-2693) or by mail to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245. FCC Form 606 can be obtained via the FCC web at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html or via FTP at ftp://ftp.fcc.gov/pub/Forms/ Form606/, or by fax at 202-418-0177 (request Form 000606). The FCC Forms Distribution Center will accept orders by calling 800=418-3676. 73, Ken N8ASV VK-specific article sent to Carol K8DHK Feb 12 by Peter VK3PBJ, posted by her on club reflector as "an item of interest", led to this update... Five more countries join Morse code reducers group -(Issued by WIA Victoria on 21 February, 2000, posted in WIA News Online on website, edited) The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) has voted in favour of dropping the Morse code licence test speed to 5-words per minute for full access to the HF amateur bands.... In other developments, Canada, India and Germany are the latest countries th at seek to adopt the 5-wpm licence test standard. Britain, the United States and Sweden have already lowered their speed requirement for full band access to HF, while the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is expected to make an ann ouncement soon on the issue. Israel has taken what some observers believe may be a short-term measure, by introducing a new grade of licence with a 6wpm test for full HF band access, but limited to the CW mode with no phone privileges. ARDF area training and hunt If you have ever wanted to try this new and challenging form of Fox Hunting, now is your chance. The OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society in conjunction with the Cincinnati Orienteering Group (OCIN) will sponsor a demonstration of ARDF followed by a live hunt on Sunday, May 7 at McFarlan Woods in Cincinnati OH. Training and demonstrations will be conducted from 10 AM till 11 AM, followed by a full hunt from 11 AM till approximately 3 PM. Both 80 meter and 2 meter courses will be available along with a limited number of receivers and antennas for both 2 met ers and 80 meters. Typical course length will be from 3 to 5 kilometers with a max 2-hour time limit per course. A walk around course for practicing either individually or as a group will also be avail-able using a continuous beaconing transmitter. Bring your handhelds with S-meters, 2 meter directional antennas etc. if you have them. Loaner equipment will be on a first come, first serve basis. Please feel free to e-mail either Dick Arnett, or myself, Bob Frey, if you have questions or are planning to attend and need directions to McFarlan Woods. Additional events are continuously being planned for other parts of the US in preparation for the June US trials and the world competition in October. Check http://www.homingin.com for more details on ARDF events on the West Coast and news of upcoming sessions in other areas as presented by Joe Moell, co-ordinator for team USA. Sam Smith has also held and is planning several events in the Georgia area in March and April. Visit http://www.mindspring.com/~sam.smith/gro/ for more information. Both Dick and I look forward to seeing you in May. 73, Bob WA6EZV Calendar of Events replaces Upcoming Events on Oh-Ky-In website; easier to read! 73 & TTYL, Dale KC8HQS, Oh-Ky-In Webmeister Hamfests &c. March 2000 Mar 4 Cave City Hamfest sponsored by Mammoth Cave ARC at Cave City KY Convention Ctr, Hwy 70 (exit 53 off I-65, left on Hwy 70). Opens to public 8 AM. $5, under 12 free. Talk-in: 146.94. [[Mar 12 Indpls at State Fairgrounds on E 38th St. No details; this one didn't get into the print edition.]] Sat & Sun Mar 25 & 26 HamCo ARPSC Hamfest sponsored by Hamilton Co Amateur Radio Public Service Corps. Exams & banquet Mar 25, e- mail or call 661-1861 for times & locations (exams likely at Hartwell Rec Ctr, E side of Vine & Galbraith, or Norwood Quality Inn; banquet likely at Norwood Quality Inn). Hamfest Sun Mar 26, Hartwell Rec Ctr, E side of Vine & Galbraith. Info as above. What's coming in Oh-Ky-In in March 2000 Tue Feb 29 7:30 PM Hamfest Team meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Mar 1 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK Thu Mar 2 7 PM Code (5 wpm) and theory (General and Extra) classes at Salem Presbyterian Church, corner Mozart and Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot *A Change!* Fri Mar 3 7 PM Monthly foxhunt, hounds start from Mt. Storm Park; talk-in to start 146.67 8 PM Amateur Radio Public Service Corps at Hamilton Co Sheriff's Training Center, Hamilton Av at I-275 Tue Mar 7 7:30 PM Club meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program: Bob Frey WA6EZV, The Fun and Challenge of DX If there's an election where you live, please VOTE before you come to the meeting! Wed Mar 8 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dale KC8HQS or Rob KC8HMQ Thu Mar 9 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presby- terian Church, corner Mozart & Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot Tue Mar 14 7:30 PM Technical Committee meeting at Brian KE4HOR's Wed Mar 15 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Dennis KB8ROA Thu Mar 16 7 PM Code & theory classes at Salem Presby- terian Church, corner Mozart & Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot Fri Mar 17 8 PM Queen City Emergency Net at Red Cross HQ, 820 Sycamore St Tue Mar 21 7:30 PM DXers at Lynn WD8JAW's Wed Mar 22 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Mike KB4VKS Thu Mar 23 7 PM Code and theory classes at Salem Presby- terian Church, corner Mozart and Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot Tue Mar 28 7:30 PM Board meeting at Carol K8DHK's Wed Mar 29 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Gene NU8U Thu Mar 30 7 PM Code and theory classes at Salem Presby- terian Church, corner Mozart and Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot Fri Mar 31 7 PM Severe weather spotter course at NE Red Cross office, 10870 Kenwood Rd, Blue Ash Sat Apr 1 Deadline for Awards Dinner reservations Tue Apr 4 7:30 PM Club Meeting at W HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program: WARN, Mike Nie KB8VMX Wed Apr 5 8 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, 146.67, NCS Carol K8DHK Thu Apr 6 7 PM Code and theory classes at Salem Presby- terian Church, corner Mozart and Higbee, Westwood-Cheviot Fri Apr 7 8 PM Amateur Radio Public Service Corps at Hamilton Co Sheriff's Training Center, Hamilton Av at I-275 Sat Apr 8 8 AM VE exam sessions at Salem Presbyterian Church, corner Mozart & Higbee, Westwood- Cheviot News of members and students in recent classes Our sincere sympathy to The family of Lois Yarbrough WD8JAJ. Word recently came from California that Lois had died in mid-June 1999 after an illness of several months. Lois (Recording Secretary and Q-Fiver editor 1979-84) moved out there in the mid 1990s, a couple of years after the death of her spouse Frank WD8JAI, to be near their children and grandchildren. She has been and will be missed .... Ev KC8JR and Lorraine Giglio on the death of her mother in early February Welcome to new and returning members Jeffrey N. Thomas KD4EVB Harris Hill KB8CQQ Upgrade Nathan Ciufo KA3MTT, Advanced to EXTRA come April 15 Gene KcCoy N8KOJ, Advanced to EXTRA come April 15 {Gene N8KOJ says Extras without 20 wpm might be called "Extra Lights"} ;) {Mike & Key calls them "Extras in waiting"} Congratulations to Jim Walsh N8ZZW on his election to the presidency of Queen City Emergency Net On the mend Bob Krupp KG8HG after hip replacement surgery the end of February (he had the opposite knee done about 3 years ago) Thanks to new members of the circulation team: Nathan Ciufo KA3MTT (helped collate, staple, stamp and label January issue) Bob Krupp KG8HG (ditto February issue) Bob Cooke W8JSO (ditto this issue) Dayton! Once again Oh-Ky-In will have space for the Dayton HamVentionR 2000 as an outside vendor. The dates are 19-20-21 May 2000. Our space numbers will be 4007 and 4008, as they were last year. Bill KI4QJ Copy deadline for April issue is Friday, March 17, sure an' begorrah!